I have been thinking that I need to start fund raising. The minimum for entry into the race is 7000 Kenya shillings, but I want to do better than that. There is an incentive for raising more – if you raise 25,000 shillings and above, you enter into a raffle and stand a chance to win a flight over Mt Kenya. That should motivate some people.

Personally I have been on flights over mountains in Kenya. In one, a young pilot kept on doing what he called “swooping down for a closer look”. I am glad I had a vomit bag and sweets. So unless the free flight is in a luxury jet, I will pass thank you.

I know you are asking where my sense of adventure is, but I am thinking of doing a mountain bike race, am I not?

I would want to beat that 25,000 by a very far margin. I have just downloaded the sponsorship from and I will be coming to you soon.

Thanks to all who have pledged their support. Oh, and my boss just offered me branded gear.

Because apparently there is a huge used bike sale coming up. This I learnt via WordPress blog updates. It was just staring at me when I logged onto my dashboard.

Seriously am no closer to getting a bike. Unlike other people who can ride, I need to not only learn but practice also. I am beginning to see the madness of this endeavor.

And I have also heard from Lillian who says; “The 70 km route is tough, for fit people who are normally used to mountain biking. Although some first timers have attempted it. You just need to be really fit and train. Although it is all downhill it has some steep climbs, river crossings, forest areas etc… the different kinds of landscape – unlike the 35km which is ideally for fun, first timers who feel like just doing a ka-ride, 10 year olds, families do the 35km. It’s cute”

10 year olds? I am not being laughed at by 10 year olds!

Darn! I need a bike.

So I have been looking for a bike. Remember that I am extremely clueless as to what I actually need. My attempts so far have taken me to:

1. Nakumatt Junction and to the 50% off basement sale. There was such a rush there. I admit I got distracted a little bit and wandered towards scented candles but I eventually got to the bikes. My friend E was with me. Her first comment was “These bikes put me off. They are very racing bike-like”. Yes. Not pink and fluffy these bikes. The price wasn’t too bad. Since they were going at 50% off they were roughly between Kshs. 13,000-15,000.
2. A bike hiring outfit. They will charge Kshs. 1,500 per day.
3. Begging C for a bike he’s been promised. Since he might be on my team I don’t see that coming through. But he tells me he is going to a sports shop to look around.

Maina’s cheeky suggestion that we use bodaboda’s has been given some considerable thought. I saw something about a “black mambas” start off on the programme – note to self: Ask Lillian what this is.

I have also gone to bicycling.com (Mountain Bike Magazine) for suggestions on a good bike. They have good stuff under sections like; Gear For Girls – Women’s Cycling Shorts Reviews: Best Women’s Shorts Under $100; Women’s Bike Saddle Reviews; and Ibex Balance Sports Bra. And a very useful “which bike should I buy”. FYI Bikes are in the $2k and above range. Eeek!

This morning, my friend Bernard wrote from the states to say, “I wish I could be there to cheer you on or be part of your crew. Nevertheless, I’ll see what I can do…may be send you a spare chain, tyre, spoke….for your bike! How’s that?

Bernard is joking. But he doesn’t know how close he is to the truth. At this rate, I might have to do a home assembly.

I finally got some encouraging emails and am beginning to think this might happen; totally scared now. To borrow a phrase, gulp!

A lost school friend wrote to tell me to be in touch late August to “talk” and, here the magic words, he “might be in my team”. That’s already a small victory. Someone is seriously considering joining me in this quest.

I am doing cartwheels!

I might not be doing cartwheels once I start riding and once I actually sit to consider the 35km route we will take.

My friend P, after looking at the Mt Kenya picture above, had some doubts about the wisdom of going down those peaks. I am happy to report – and to reassure anyone else who is interested in riding – that it won’t be those rugged, snow covered peaks we will be racing on (although…). The race will be through farmland and some conservation areas.

Perhaps its time I had a seat down with Lillian and Susie.

Perhaps its time I got a bike….

Charlie?

There has been resounding laughter, actually nearly roll on the floor laughing moments, from people who know me on learning that am going to do this. The cheesy quote above is for these doubters.

Cathy said on my facebook profile, and in caps: ARE YOU SURE YOU WANNA DO THIS?????!!!!!

J said: Bright idea and yes go on and lets know when you are ready for sponsorship. i have lose 50 mill dollars but from Zimbabwe !

Jen: “Sounds like you’re having a ”piki piki ponki” moment. I recited it and landed on ponki (will ride). Do it LAKINI!

Funny.

And more along those lines.

Haters all of them!

So I take it that they won’t be joining me.

Oh well, hope still burns alive – someone is bound to say Yes.

Tunde, how much is that air ticket?

I was having coffee with two friends when the following conversation took place:

Me: So I have a plot for October. We should take part in a mountain bike race. Mt Kenya.

[Stares all around]

Friend 1: Liz, you don’t ride

Friend 2: ……

Me: We will be hurtling down a mountain. Such fun… Yeah, I know but I can learn. We can learn. [to friend 2] And you are practically a pro.

Friend 2: gasp

Me: We will descend from 10,000 metres to 4,000 metres. No climbing. Si that’s good? Through farms and villages. The beaten trail. We won’t be like cutting through unchartered waters. And we will be…

Friend 2: [finally speaks] No!

Me: But you ride.

Friend 2: Yes. On even ground. It’s really hard to go downhill. The speed and the possibility of flipping over….[shakes head]

Me: It will be on that holiday in October. [to friend 1] What’s that holiday on the tenth? It’s a long weekend.

Friend 1: [stares back]

Me: [earnestly, to friend 2] I know I can’t ride, but am willing to learn. I hear it is like riding a bicycle – you pick it right up

Friend 2: No that’s the other thing

Me: Yes

Friend 1: [maintains stare, I avoid eye contact]

Me: Besides it’s for a good cause. The organizers use it for forest rehabilitation and other good stuff. What a cool thing for us to do to reduce our carbon footprint, don’t you think?

Friend 2: You don’t have a bike. None of us does

Me: That’s the beauty of it. I talked to someone and I think there are some you can hire and places where we can practice. Come on. We only need to raise 7k minimum. And we can do better than that! Who wouldn’t sponsor a bunch of bumb…. Eh, And we won’t be doing it to win. Just for fun and to say we did it. We can even carry our bikes over rough areas.

Friend 1: Am not worried about winning, just loosing my life

Me: [now attacking friend 2] I thought you of all people…

Friend 2: [defensive now] There will be so many aches and pains…. Look, I will do it if you ride a horse in return

Me:….

Friend 2: Okay, do these guys have a website? I would like to check it out for myself; everything – the route, the risks…

Me: [indignant] 10to4.org. It’s called the 10to4 mountain bike race.

Friend 2: Clever.

Coffee is sipped all around.

I still don’t have a commitment from friends to do this. So, anyone?