Maiden biking trip, in Hell's Gate

The plan was in place. Destination? Naivasha, in Kenya's Rift Valley. I set out with friends and family for a new adventure, biking in Hell's Gate National Park; at 2 pm. By 6.30 pm we had booked our camping site at Fisherman's Camp, and had a bite at the neighbouring Crayfish. We hit the sack and could have been asleep earlier were it not for noisy campers (who had pitched near us) who had had one too many. 

The plan was to rise up early, have breakfast by 7 pm and then set off to the Park. We woke up on time, but couldn't find the breakfast the staff at the Camp had assured us! In the end we went to a neighbouring camp. The good thing was that the breakfast was buffet, with something for everyone in our little group. The bad thing? We lost about 80 minutes. So it wasn't until 10 pm that we were finally on the hired bikes, hitting the Park's dusty trail. The sun was shinning bright and hot, the clear blue sky willed us on. 

We cycled past Fischer's Tower, and several herds of zebra. Everyone seemed to be happy and comfortable until we came to a sharp bend. On slowing down, one of my companions spotted a a buffalo less than 100 meters from the cycling path, in a nearby bush. All of a sudden she was cycling very fast! The panic button had been pushed, and we all cycled past. The buffalo wasn't aggressive, but we didn't have time to see what would happen if he changed his mind...Shortly after we saw a giraffe, and a herd of zebra. 

We had been cycling for about 30 minutes when we came to a T- junction. We rested for a while before heading to Olkaria Gorge. The sun's heat seemed to be soaking up our water reserves, so much so that by the time we arrived at the entrance of the Gorge we were very very thirsty. We took a short break and then decided it was best to start the return trip without unnecessary delay.

Only ten minutes after setting off two of the six members of the group decided it would be easier for them to push their bikes rather than cycle; they were tired! Shortly after that it became clear that we couldn't leave these two behind; we had to cycle slowly, stopping occasionally to let the walkers catch up. The blistering sun wasn't making the trip easier. Out went physical energy, and in came the will. 

All the while an 11-year-old girl, Emma, was cycling. She said, "I have to push myself. What then would be the point of coming on a cycling trip, and then walking all the way?" she mused. Her sibling, Rita, who was recovering from a bout of flu wasn't that strong mentally, but she kept going. It was obvious though that while her body was weak, she was willing to go on. I would give her a ride on my bike, until she would recover enough to cycle her own bike. 

We covered about 15 km that day, and while two members of the group were almost sure they would not be biking in the Park anytime soon, in the noon sun, the rest of us can't wait for the next challenge. 

The biggest lesson of the day? "Where there is a will there is a way," certainly. 

 was enervating us, so much so that we were all so thirsty . All of a sudden All of us were cycling alright until we came to a bend and saw a buffalo. Not too far from it, on the opposite side of the dusty path was a giraffe. 

What to bring:

• Long sleeved top
  
• Long, light trousers
  
• Bandana/wide-brimmed sun hat
  
• Sun screen
  
• Motivated companions