They dared! And they did it!

Congratulations to the riders of the 5th annual Tour d’Afrique – the world’s longest and most grueling bicycle event! Photos from the finish our now online!

50 tired but triumphant riders and staff crossed the Finish Line on Saturday in Cape Town to the applause of friends, family, Consulates General of various countries, sponsors, supporters and the media.

With majestic Table Mountain in the distance set against a clear blue sky, the riders set off from Yzerfontein on their final day of the 4 month, 12 000 km odyssey across Africa.

As they cycled into the city, they were joined by the Executive Mayor of Cape Town, Helen Zille, and Andrew Wheeldon from BEN (our partners in bike donations and distribution) who led the riders on a tandem through the streets of Cape Town to the Finish Line at the V&A Waterfront.

Welcomed by drummers and singers, the Arrival Ceremony was a blaze of colour and music, as the riders took the stage to receive their medals.

The Tour d’Afrique Foundation, riders and our sponsors – Toyota, Bokomo, Spekko, Imbo, Squirt and Illovo – donated 30 bikes to BEN and the Rush-Miller Foundation in America donated a tandem bike to the Athlone School of the Blind.

At the Awards Dinner at Ferryman’s Tavern, sectional and overall winners received their prizes and the riders and guests were treated to a multi-media show of their journey.

Registration for Tour d’Afrique 2008 is open – with a record number of riders already signed up. There are a few spaces still available.

For anyone in Cape Town wanting to know more about the Tour d’Afrique, Orient Express and the Silk Route, an Experience/Info Evening will take place in Cape Town on Tuesday 15th May at 18:00 at Lecture Theatre 6, Breakwater Lodge/Graduate School of Business, Portswood Road, Waterfront.

Henry Gold and team will be there to talk about the events and answer any questions. To reserve your seat, please call Theresa Brown, 084 353 1975.