Riding in Kenya
 

Well I have been unable to put the pix within the text so as I can give a brief intro or endo to it. I didn't have a clue on what to shot at but to start, (before i get a bearing) enjoy this.

The first pix show my favourite training spot its about 300m either way from the bottom (traffic is a car in approax. 7min).

Next two shows some shots at some wild. This is at Nairobi National Park which is about 10km from the city centre and some 25km from home. Aint it fun to get some real zebras at the zebra crossing?

Please, I will try to accommodate any request. What would you really want to see about Kenya. Make your request and I will try to get it for you.

Nice pic, Whoodie.

What are the roads like? Is there a lot of traffic?

What type of bicycle do you have? What size tires do you have on your bicycle?

make a video of your whole ride maybe? or your whole running trail. i want to see what your bike looks like and what you look like and jus the condition of the streets and what you would consider to be "heavy traffic"

I used to live there ( Nairobi ) when I was a kid in the late 60s. It would be interesting to see some pictures around the town to see how it has changed in 35 years. Back in those days the most common vehicles on the roads all around Kenya were heavy, black painted Raleigh single speed or three speed bikes - I had one myself to ride to school.

I will answer two of your questions for now the rest will come as pictures.

Most of the bikes here come mostly from Far East (Japan, Taiwan, China, India etc) and for serious cyclist Europe and US. Shimano takes the components lead while peugeout takes the frame While Shimano and Giant Frames take the lead in MTB. What I mean to say is that out of every 10 racing bikes you meet 7 are peugeouts. And 8 out of every 10 racing bike has a shimano drivetrain. Generally the Far east components are expensive and in most cases prefer buying from the States (Performance Bike or REI). What is termed as expensive Racing/MTB cost between Kshs25,000 (US$300) - Kshs200,000 (US$2,500). Cheap (made in china/india) Racing/MTB cost around Kshs6,000 (US$75), of course the drivetrain in neither shimano, capagnolo, salsa or any of those known brands. You, guessed right, LBS after every ride.

For single/fixie fans there are some bike refered to here as "Black mambas" (probably what PMSeattle is refering to) they cost about Kshs 2,000 (approax. US$25). These are mostly used for carrying loads but not for leisure or racing (cranks are either 40, 44, 48 or 52T while freewheels are 15,17,18 and 20).

For my current rigs (Pix coming)
MTB (Weighs about 14kg), Shimano Frame & Drivetrain (HG50 series), Triple Crankset 48,38,28, 7Spd Cassete 13-28), Promax Hub (front and rear wheels), Promax Disc Brakes, 26x1.5" tires for road and 26x2.25 for off-road use.

Racing (Weighs about 10Kg), Peugeout Frame, Shimano drivetrain (Double Crankset, 52/42), 7spd cassette, 11-21, maxxis tires, shimano 105 brakes.

Holy c**p, the shilling has really taken a dive since 1968; used to be 7 per dollar.

What brought you to Kenya ( I assume you live and work there ) ?

Also, please, more pictures from around town !

this is just a wild guess.. but i think he was born and raised there.. but again, this is just a wild guess

Yea, wow, it was 13/1 when I was there in '87.
Whoodie, would love to see more pictures. I did not get to see much of Kenya in my short stay, but it remains one of my most exciting adventures ever. Thanks in advance for sharing! :D

sorry, but this thread just reminded me of this flash cartoon.
http://www.weebls-stuff.com/toons/29/

And yeah, bring on the pics.. I'm curious to see downtown Nairobi and such. Pretty interesting stuff. Also, take pics of your bikes. :)

Whoodie,

Down in South Africa folks who rode bikes in the national parks were
referred to as "meals on wheels" . :D
Is the Nairobi National park safe to ride in?
There was only one park (krugersdorp) that I would even consider
riding a bike in, it had a seperate lion paddock, but you still had
to deal with rhino, cape buffalo and a few other potentially hazardous
animals.

Marty

This one some 10km away from the city on the Nairobi to Thika (a town) Highway. A place called Kasarani.

This is next to Kasarani Stadium still on the Nairobi Thika road.

Well for the speed demons and climbs lovers you get 3 of this on your 10km ride from the city to Kasarani.

I this gives a better picture of the above

This is Racecource rd (On your way to Thika Rd, this is one of the four options you have from the city centre) Infact this is part of the city centre.

I couldn't resist taking this one. This type of bikes are used for good transport. Trust me, a bike like this carry about 20crates of loaf (like the one in front). A loaf is about 500grams and you have 20 pieces in a crate.

Before the fixie guy could cross the road. You can not take chances and cross on the saddle.

This is at the junction of Mumias South Rd and Outerring Rd (not city centre). No traffic lights its every man for himself.

This is my 'climbing' practice spot. I do 10-20climbs (depending on the mood) here every sunday. a car every 7 minute. Best climb is 36sec on a 42/21.

i went to kenya for 3 days when i went to uganda, N'bi is such a cool city. isn't like one of the biggest city?

Whoodie,

I've been following this thread but realy don't have anything to add besides a big THANK YOU for sharing your photos and homeland with us.

Good Day,

ehenz

Thanx, I will be posting some more pix from the city centre (tallest building is only 36 floors).

Thank you Whoodie, and I hope you keep adding new material to this thread !

The City of Nairobi picture taken from "Community", just above "Uhuru Park". From this position the city sits on a lower ground. The "tall" building on the right of the picture is "times tower", well the tallest (36 floors) in the city. Slightly to the left the cone like building is "KICC" (28 floors and 2nd tallest). The building almost behind the "Times Tower" should be familiar to those who followed the story of Bomb Attack to the American Embassy for it feature prominently as it used to sit next to the Embassy. The embassy relocated to Gigiri UN Complex area some 6km away from the town centre.

Of course that building with a clock infront of KICC is the Parliament.

Some wider scope of the same view.