The last five days of riding on the Tour d'Afrique were quite emotional for me. The last race day was three days before the end of that day we saw the ocean for the first time since Safaga, Egypt when we camped by the Red Sea. I rode that morning with Steph, Dan, Rod and Juliana and we stopped along the way for breakfast. In the afternoon I met up with Erin and Ruben and rode the final 10km with Paddy. On the last race day I managed to ride with many of my favourite people of the tour and I couldn't have been happier. Paddy and met on the flight from London to Cairo on January 11th. On that flight I wondered out loud if Paddy and I would be friends at the end of ride in May and on that last race day riding in the rain - on sand - we laughed together and decided that "yes" we were indeed still friends. I felt so close to my friends on the tour that day. When I dropped my bike at the finish of that day I walked to the sea and cried. The race was over - I was two days from the end of an almost 12,000 km journey and I felt proud and overwhelmed. I thought of my family and friends that supported me before I left to do the tour. I thought about the Stephen Lewis Foundation and the Panzi Hospital. And I thought of my Nan and tired to imagine what she might think of the crazy adventure I had just been on for four months in Africa. I didn't last long by the sea that afternoon - the rain came down and flooded our camp - I pitched my tent and headed to a tiny pub for fish and chips and a beer. The race was over. I ranked 3rd among woman and 11th overall. I was a reluctant racer and rode the tour different than most racers but I had no regrets about how I rode my ride. I did it my own way and was just so pleased that I had arrived in South Africa safe and sound.
The last three days of riding in South Africa were very relaxed. I rode one day with my good friend Tony - 150km. We had spent many long days together in Sudan, Ethiopia and later in Zambia. When we rode together it was one-on-one and we liked it that way. Sometimes we would ride for hours and say nothing. Other times we would swap stories about our lives - I learned about his wife - the day he got married - and about his children. Tony is a great rider and I feel privileged to call him a friend.
On the second last day - I can't remember how long it was 130km? 150km? I rode alone. I often elected to ride alone on the tour and I wanted to have a day at the end on my own. I started out with Dan and Steph and passed some friends on the road. I stopped for burgers at lunch and spent the day reflecting on the ride. There's lots to say but the bottom line was that I loved Africa, I loved cycling and I was grateful for everyday I had on the tour. I was happy - happier than I had ever been in my life. A rider at lunch one day paid me the greatest compliment by saying that he wanted to bottle whatever it was that made me so happy and sell it.
On the last day of the tour the ride was 90km. 60km to lunch on the beach and a 30km convoy into Cape Town. At 6am it was 2 degree Celsius and I rode most of the morning in my down jacket. I rode the 60km with my best friend on the tour, Steph Sleen and Big Dan from Australia. Steph got 2 flats on the way! And we were late arriving to lunch but it didn't matter - like ever other day on the tour - things just happened and it was Steph's 28th puncture on the tour so that happened a lot! We took photos on the beach and then rode into Cape Town. We had a warm welcome, a finishing ceremony and there was a VIP tent with beer and food for the riders and their families and friends. I spoke briefly to my Mom and Dad and Jen and then headed to the hotel. The TDA hosted a dinner, slide show and handed out awards to racers and riders. We ate and drank and laughed. The tour was over. It was official.
Over the next few days riders packed up their bikes and gear. Many opted to donate their bikes - I wanted to but I just couldn't. I have such an attachment to my Kona Jake. I love Jake - we had been through to much together. I boxed Jake up and spent a couple of days in beautiful Cape Town. The funny (and maybe not so surprising) thing is that very few of us said good bye to each other. Instead we all just drifted around the hotel and left quietly for the airport. We all promised to meet up and say good bye but it never happened. I don't think we were ready for it to be over or in our minds we just wanted to pretend that we were on a rest day and would see each other somewhere on the road the next day. Even though I knew it wasn't true - I still liked the idea of it.
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