No matter what happens, there will be a few good stories to tell.

Less than a month from now, under the Pyramids in Giza, Egypt, I'll be starting the 7500 mile trans-Africa bike race.  It will be the most physically and mentally challenging "vacation" ever.  A few years ago, when I researched an overland trip across Africa and stumbled on Tour d'Afrique's (TDA) website and was intriguing by the offering: Africa, adventures and cycling all in one.  I was not in any shape to participate then, since TDA is billed as "the longest and toughest bicycle races and expeditions in the world."  So I bought a bike and started cycling. 

I was thinking about registering for the 2012 ride earlier this year.  While driving back home from DC, I had a conversation with Dana Farrel, a rider just returned from this year's TDA.  Her enthusiasm immediately captured my imagination for the trip and the message was pretty clear: just do it!  Seriously, I couldn't wait to get home to sign up for the 2011 TDA after talking to Dana. Since that conversation, everything went by so fast: getting a bike, weekend long rides, research and buy supplies, immunization, secure leave from work, apply for visas, etc.  It's been a blur.  

My goal for this blog is to update friends and family on the progress of the trip, based on internet availability.  Looking at the first week of rides: day 1 - 70 miles, day 2 - 100 mi, day 3 - 70 mi,  day 4 - 59 mi, day 5 - 75 mi.  I'm not sure if I can muster the energy to type.  No matter what happens, there will be a few good stories to tell.