May 24 – 28, 2016

Everyone needs a friend who will call you up and say, “Get dressed fucker, we’re going on adventure”.  This is the meme that I received a few months ago and again on the morning of my flight.  I have amazing friends.

I have been given another, longer, gift of time since my last trip to Peru and Bolivia.  The plan this time is  Zambia, Zimbabwe, and Madagascar.  I have been planning this trip for 5 months.  It will be my first solo trip, to one of the most beautiful and unique, and arguably challenging places I’ve ever been…so why not go solo?  I would be lying if I stated I wasn’t at least a little bit nervous but (hopefully) I have not been portraying that to any of my friends and family. I have done a ‘tremendous amount’ of research, considering there is not a lot available regarding bike touring in these areas.  Breath.  Trust.  Over prepare, then go with the flow

There is 32 hours of total travel time between Denver and Lusaka, Zambia.  My friend Ben from high school has been living in Lusaka  for several years and has offered his home to me for a few days before I embark  on my journey. I arrive in DC at 11pm and have a 12 hour layover.  To my surprise, there were no hotels available anywhere within 30 miles of Dulles.  At midnight, the Dulles airport was quiet and dark. I met Pam, who works for United. I ask her where the best sleep spot is. Before she answers, she asks me if I’m in the military? I literally get this question every time I fly. I digress.  She spends about 20 minutes helping me call hotels in the area, but to no success so she grabs me a couple of blankets and pillows. We end up watching movie trailers until about 1:30 a.m. on her iPhone. Her niece is Haley Bennet, the co-star of Magnificent Seven with Denzel Washington (added that to my queue).  Finally we part ways and she says in parting, “you’re a nice man, I just know it. Have an amazing adventure”. I’m not making this up…these kinds of encounters have been happening for me for a while now. I think if you just come with your true and best self, other similar people will find their way into your life, even if in passing.

I head down the quiet hallway that Pam suggests, unroll my sleep pad, cover my eyes, put in my ear plugs and sleep for 6 hours, ready to wake for the flight to Ethiopia and then Zambia.

The next 20 hours of travel time go off without a hitch and Ben is waiting for me when I land.  Once again, it is great to see an old friend.  Ben and his family live just outside of Lusaka in a wooded area.  We spend the evening hiking with the kiddos in the woods behind his home, listening to the sounds of the Zambian night, sharing old memories, and creating some new ones.  I keep telling myself…I’m in AFRICA!

The following day, I build up my bike and we decide to properly explore those trails again, but on bikes.  The trail system lies in what is known as the Lusaka East Forest Reserve.  There are literally miles of beautiful single track that were actually created as foot paths that connect different areas, homes, and villages.  They are primarily used for commuting.  The trails are fast, flowy, and undulating and every bit as good as the trails I have ridden in the states…except…I’m in AFRICA.  (I’ll likely stop saying this…likely).  We occasionally pass locals on their way to work and great each other with a friendly smile and hello.  While riding, Ben asks me if I’m current on my rabies vaccinations to which I reply that I am not. “No worries” he says.  “You can pick them up at the local pharmacy and inject yourself or take it to a clinic.”  Now I know what I’m doing tomorrow…another thing to check off my bucket list: injecting myself with a rabies vaccination.

Couldn’t pass this up

Great to connect with a guy I’ve known since 4th grade

Cutting through one of the small villages

Wish me luck…