Equator to Cape
"7 countries. 7,000km. 4 months. 2 bicycles. Unsupported and self-funded."
What is Equator to Cape?
Charlie and Naomi, an Aussie guy and an English girl were in search of doing something remarkable and supporting some amazing causes along the way, and so embarked on a journey through Africa.
The biggest of adventures, a whole world of causes to support along the way, wonderful people to meet, and epic places to see. And the sprinkle of remarkable? Bicycles. Two wheels each. Two legs each. Pure peddle power. Just the two of them over 7,000km from the Equator to the Cape: through Kenya, Tanzania, Malawi, Zambia, Botswana, Namibia and South Africa.
Their charity partner was The Egmont Trust, an incredible organisation doing life-changing work in Sub-Saharan Africa. The duo had the privilege of raising money and exposure for Egmont, as well as visiting the African projects themselves along the way. 100% of the challenge donations and fundraising efforts went to Egmont, and 100% of money raised by Egmont goes straight into the African projects.
For more information check out the Equator to Cape website they created where you can find out more about Charlie and Naomi, The Egmont Trust and the funds they raised.
Pre-departure training
In preparation for the challenge the guys attended a Home mechanic day to give them the vital skills they need to look after their bikes while covering the thousands of miles out in Africa. In support of the cause the course was generously provided by Pete at PJCS in Milton Keynes, one of Cytech's UK training providers. Check out the news story here as well as their follow up blog post here.
“Cytech & PJCS have been incredible supporters as we prepare ourselves for thousands of miles in the saddle without the assistance of a local bike repair shop. The team have provided us with invaluable advice in the form of a bike mechanic course with Peter in his workshop in Milton Keynes. We went from zeroes to heroes in just one day! We acquired all the necessary knowledge to be self-sufficient when out on the African roads, and the peace of mind that comes with that information is as valuable as the information itself.” - March 2018
The journey
Charlie and Naomi departed for their epic journey on 27th March 2018, touching down in Nairobi and heading north for about 200km to Nanyuki on the Equator where they began their peddling southbound.
The journey was completed on July 22nd 2018, 16 1/2 weeks after starting their epic journey from the equator.
Check out the video below:
Blog posts
- 2nd August 2018 - Week 17 (and some more): The Finale
- 19th July 2018 - Week 16: Fish River Canyon and starting on the home straight
- 11th July 2018 - Week 15: It was the best of times... It was the worst of times.
- 4th July 2018 - Week 14 - Windhoek and gravel roads
- 28th June 2018 - Week 13 - Back on the bike and back to safari
- 20th June 2018 - Week 12 - Sick Leave
- 16th June 2018 - Week 11 - A trip north then coming to a grinding halt
- 6th June 2018 - Week 10: The Okavango Delta
- 1st June 2018 - Week 9: The Long Way Round
- 25th May 2018 - Week 8: Discovering the Zambezi
- 17th May 2018 - Week 7 - A Rollercoaster to Lusaka
- 10th May 2018 - Week 6 - Goodbye Malawi, Hello Zambia
- 6th May 2018 - Life Concern Organisation - Malawi
- 2nd May 2018 - Week 5: Lazy Days on Lake Malawi
- 27th April 2018 - Week 4 - Tea Plantations in Tanzania & Mushroom Farms in Malawi
- 19th April 2018 - Week 3: Tour Routines and Nearing End of Tanzania
- 16th April 2018 - ACE Africa
- 12th April 2018 - Week Two: Safari Means a Journey in Swahili...
- 4th April 2018 - Week 1: Training wheels off in Kenya
- 1st April 2018 - Vijana Amani Pumoja
- 7th March 2018 - Cytech: Turning zeroes to heroes in just one day
- 27th February 2018 - One month to departure
- 4th February 2018 - Thieves, filth and shiny new things
- 1st December 2017 - World AIDS Day
- 5th November 2017 - Insta-good? Insta-bad? Insta-what?
- 2nd October 2017 - The decision and our differences
Links
Equator to Cape: Website | Instagram
The Egmont Trust: Website | Facebook | Twitter