Dare, Discover and Engage in 2019 with the Mt Kenya Epik MTB Tour and Mini-Series

The Mt Kenya Epik MTB Tour  is an annual multi-stage Mountain bike race organized by Africa Extreme whose objective is to traverse the six counties that border Africa’s second tallest mountain: Mt Kenya.  Each year’s route is set in through either Nyeri, Laikipia, Tharaka Nithii, Kirinyaga, Meru or Embu, or a combination of these and takes you through some of the most scenic global landscapes and challenging terrains guaranteed to push participating riders to their absolute limits. The route each year aims to not only expose riders to the varied flora and fauna of this World Heritage site but also diverts through the communities, towns and villages whose livelihoods are closely knit with the ecosystems of the Mountain. To be eligible to take part in this premier adventure challenge;  participants must be at least 18 years old at the time of registration. Riders compete in teams of two to ensure they take care, although riding in twos is also integral to team tactics. To qualify for a finish, paired teams have to stay together for the duration of the race and must cross the line within two minutes of each other. The event aims to attract adventure seekers, elite professional riders and amateur riders from within Kenya, the East African region and the rest of the world.  In the words of Rosalynn Carter

“ Participants in this event not only have to have confidence in their ability, but also be tough enough to follow through.”

As part of the training and preparation for the main Mt Kenya Epik MTB multi-stage tour,  Africa Extreme also organizes the Mt Kenya Epik mini-series: three mountain biking training events held annually in three different locations which include :

1. The Kari Challenge held at KALRO Muguga
2. The Naro Moru Trail Trial held at Naro Moru
3. The Githunguri Adventure held in and around Githunguri town

For cyclists, whether taking part as professionals or as amateurs seeking to pursue a personal challenge, the events offer a professionally executed opportunity to be exposed to some of the most amazing scenery and also experience exhilarating physical challenges. What differentiates the Mt. Kenya Epik MTB Tour and the Mt. Kenya Epik MTB mini-series  from any other series of mountain bike races; is the that the series also seek to make a positive impact on the various stakeholders of the event(s) including the communities and the environment in which the events are hosted, especially Mt. Kenya the surrounding environs

How do we do this:-

• By creating a highly competitive sports and tourism product which provides riders both locally and internationally with a snap shot of the abundant opportunities for high altitude mountain biking in the region which can be enjoyed all year round.
• By enhancing the status of cycling as a sport in Kenya and in the Mt Kenya region, particularly through several youth development initiatives that are aimed at developing cycling at the grassroots level in the counties through which the Mt Kenya Epik MTB Tour traverses.

The youth development initiatives are also aligned with supporting Kenya’s Vision 2030 social pillar that seeks to improve the livelihoods of the youth to make them globally competitive and to capitalize on the nations international reputation as an “athletic superpower” supported by corporate sponsorships and partnerships.  These are Include but are not limited to:

–    The Bikes for Schools Programme –    The Mt. Kenya youth cycling development initiative in partnership with the Safari Simbaz Trust –    The Mt. Kenya Epik Professional Skills Development Workshop

We look forward to engaging with you as we embark on the 2019 programme of events and get ready to “Experience the Untamed” .