Berrecloth in Africa

The Claw Talks Mt. Kenya

Words by Darren Berrecloth. Photos by Darren Berrecloth.

Date: 2009-02-12

After several grueling days in Africa I am now home safe and well.

The Fabien Barrel Mt. Kenya Challenge was a huge success. All 10 riders set out from Nairobi on a hot stinky overloaded bus and shortly afterward ascended Mt. Kenya to over 16000 feet.



The experience was one of my best. Getting to interact with the local people and get a first hand perspective on how they live was an unbelievable experience.


 Porters gearing up before the climb.

The hike was on a fairly difficult trail, especially considering the altitude. It took us 3 days to reach the summit.


 Fabien Barel lugging his bike up Mount Kenya.

The 2nd night we camped at 13500 feet. Quite a few of us were suffering from the altitude with symptoms ranging from mild headache to absolute nausea.


 Left to right: Mark Weir, Wade Simmons and Darren Berrecloth.


The meals were prepared by our porters which consisted of some rather tasty items especially considering the conditions. I thought the food was rather good.


  Wade Simmons suffering from altitude sickness?


 Celebrating near the summit.

On the 3rd morning we woke up before dawn and finished our hike which for me was quite difficult due to the altitude.


 Mark Weir catches his breath atop Mount Kenya.

Once at the top we gathered our breath (and there wasn't much to be had) and enjoyed the view while we all saddled up for the descent.


 Berrecloth begins his descent.

Being my first adventure race I didn't expect much in terms of results so I decided to Ride as fast as I was comfortable with and be happy with whatever result I got.


 It wasn't all buff single track on the way down.  Darren getting rowdy with his saddle up.
 
My race run was good except for a little bit of a disagreement with my seatpost.  The cable for my pneumatic post got jammed so, as soon as I started my run my seat would spring up and then when I would sit down it would drop all the way to the bottom.  It is safe to say that I crashed a few times over the bars due to the raised seat, especially on the super-steep sections.


 But there were some butter-smooth sections as well.

As for the trail down, well let me tell you it was one of the raddest trails I've ever done. The trail varied from super-steep technical rocky sections to beautiful buff single track through the Rubarri trees.  It also consisted of 2 hike-a-bike sections which were quite difficult; 15 mins up after 45 mins. of pinning it down.


 What's an adventure without mishaps?

The bottom half of the trail was the best part, flowing double track which seemed effortless due to the addition of oxygen in my lungs as we approached sea level.


 Team Canada:  Berrecloth and Simmons.

I ended up finishing in 1 hour 52 mins which I was super happy with especially since I stopped for 10 mins to fix my seatpost half way.


 Wade clowning with the locals.

For me this was more of an adventure and a great opportunity to give something back to the African community. A donation went to an N.G.O. called Acord, which helps bring water and political structure to undeveloped communities in Kenya.


 Time to celebrate.

At the end of the day everyone made it down safely and it was nothing but smiles from everyone.
It seemed as everyone had as much fun on this adventure as I did.

I would like to thank Fabien and his crew for putting on a great event that the lives of many Africans and ours as well.

For complete results as well as photos and video head over to urgekenya.com

What do you say about Berrecloth the adventure racer?  Did you expect him to do so well? Preach it...

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