So why would I be fraternising with the idea of riding long in the first place? After all, we've already established I'm no long-distance rider. Well, I suppose it's come from a few places. Firstly, I'm not getting any younger and as I tiptoe deeper into my thirties, I am getting hungrier to tick off experiences that I'm yet to delve into. Adventuring by bike is certainly one of those things, especially as I've always struggled with going long due to the long-term issues with my body.
Secondly, I'm lucky enough to be giving a little time to Team Amani, to try and help them reach their goals and hopefully make some small difference to a project that I dearly believe in (If you don't know Team Amani, please please take 5 minutes to read about their cause, I'll wait). The riders from Team Amani are showing up at more mainstream Western events, a sign of the project's increasing success. The team raced Unbound earlier this year and as I write this, Geoffrey Langat and Kenneth Karaya have rocked up to Grenada, Spain to race Badlands, arguably the queen of the European gravel calendar. As I've seen the riders from Western Africa not only compete, but contest some of the biggest off-road races on the calendar, I've felt compelled to understand what it means to take part in these events, not only the physical and mental demand, but what it means for people of colour everywhere and particularly those who aren't easily afforded those opportunities.
It's no secret that the number of black or brown faces in the pro peloton can be counted on two hands, The reasons for that are complex, deep and to be explored another time, but the gravel scene is a different beast. More accessible, with fewer rules and open to all, if you can afford the price of admission.
So on paper, the off-road racing scene should be filled with a hugely diverse selection of riders from all over the world and every spectrum of colour. While I don't doubt that there is greater diversity than the road scene, I still think there is loads more to do.
So recently, I began to ask the questions, why don't we see more diversity and by extension, why do I feel like these events are so far out of reach? Well, I think for some, it's purely a perception - myself included - but for the riders of West Africa the barriers are so steep, the walls so high that for most, racing in Europe is impossible, a pipedream. So to see Geoffrey and Kenneth make their mark, I feel increasingly compelled to bury my fears and just f**** do it, set aside my aversions and grab the opportunities I'm given with both hands.
Financially, it's a significant expense, but with planning, surmountable. Fitness-wise, it's a challenge but with preparation and training, why not? The mental side is completely unknown to me, having never done anything of the sort but how else does one find their limits without testing the boundaries? Ultimately, an ultra and specifically Badlands is achievable and there will be no better time for me to try.
Would you ride an ultra?
Definitely
Hell no
I already have
I might yet...
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