Cycling in Africa

Unveiling Africas Cycling Odysseys

By Kenny Stocker

Epic rides Africa's cycling stories, tales of adventure on Africa's roads.

Africa offers a kaleidoscope of landscapes for the adventurous cyclist. From the rolling wine lands of South Africa to the rugged Atlas Mountains of Morocco, Africa is a diverse tapestry of terrains, cultures, and experiences, ripe for exploration on two wheels. Whether you're drawn to the challenge of mountain biking, the endurance of road cycling, the thrill of gravel biking, or the adventure of cycle touring and bikepacking, Africa presents an unparalleled opportunity for discovery.

Mountain Biking: Trailblazing Through Diverse Terrains

Africa's mountain biking scene is as varied as its ecosystems. In South Africa, the Western Cape offers world-class trails that wind through fynbos landscapes and beneath the shadow of Table Mountain. Spring brings a burst of wildflowers to these trails, making for a spectacular ride. Further north, Kenya's Rift Valley presents a mix of technical terrain and sweeping savannah views, where cyclists share trails with giraffes and zebras, the air crisp and fresh in the spring morning.

Road Cycling: Paving the Way to Discovery

The continent's vast roads invite cyclists to pedal through history and breathtaking scenery. Morocco's Atlas Mountains offer challenging climbs and exhilarating descents on roads that thread through traditional Berber villages, with spring's mild weather making the journey more pleasant. Ethiopia's highlands, with their ancient Christian heritage and dramatic landscapes, provide a unique backdrop for road cyclists, where the spring season softens the landscapes with green hues and wildflowers.

Gravel Biking: Off the Beaten Path Adventures

Gravel biking in Africa allows riders to delve deeper into the continent's heart, exploring areas inaccessible by traditional road cycling. Namibia's gravel roads stretch endlessly across deserts and past dramatic mountain ranges, offering solitude and stunning scenery, especially in spring when the desert comes to life after the rains. Botswana's Tuli Block is another gravel haven, where riders can navigate elephant trails and ancient baobabs in the mild spring climate.

Cycle Touring: A Cultural Immersion

Cycle touring across Africa provides an intimate look into the continent's soul, blending physical challenge with cultural exchange. Riding from Cairo to Cape Town, cyclists traverse diverse countries, each with its unique landscapes and traditions, experiencing the rebirth of nature in spring. Madagascar offers a less-traveled route, where cyclists can explore rainforests, highlands, and tropical coasts, with spring highlighting the island's extraordinary biodiversity.

Bikepacking: Wild and Free

For those seeking the ultimate off-grid adventure, bikepacking in Africa challenges and rewards in equal measure. Crossing the continent's remote areas, like the Maasai lands in Tanzania or the Sossusvlei dunes in Namibia, bikepackers experience unparalleled freedom and connection with nature. Spring, with its cooler temperatures and renewed landscapes, is an ideal time for these expeditions, offering clearer skies and more predictable weather for the journey.

Spring into Africa's Cycling Adventures

Africa offers endless opportunities for adventure amid some of the planet's most spectacular landscapes. Whether chasing the thrill of a downhill mountain bike trail, conquering high mountain passes on the road, exploring untamed gravel paths, immersing yourself in diverse cultures through cycle touring, or embarking on a bikepacking expedition across remote deserts, Africa awaits.

Sonder Bikes

  • Sram Apex AXS XPLR 12-speed groupset
  • Sonder Nova 700c UK Made wheelset

£1,799.00 or from £31 /month
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  • Sram Apex AXS XPLR 12-speed groupset
  • Sonder Alpha 700c UK Made wheelset

£2,899.00 or from £50 /month
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  • SRAM Rival AXS XPLR 12-speed groupset
  • Sonder Alpha 700c UK Made wheelset

£2,149.00 or from £37 /month
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  • SRAM Force AXS XPLR 12-speed groupset
  • Sonder Alpha 700c UK Made wheelset

£3,499.00 or from £60 /month
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  • SRAM Rival AXS XPLR 12-speed groupset
  • Sonder Alpha 700c UK Made wheelset

£3,199.00 or from £55 /month
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  • SRAM Apex 12-speed groupset
  • Sonder Nova 700c UK Made wheelset

£1,149.00 or from £20 /month
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  • Shimano Tiagra R4700 10-speed groupset
  • Sonder Nova 700c UK Made wheelset

£1,149.00 or from £20 /month
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  • Shimano Tiagra R4700 Hydraulic 10-speed groupset
  • Sonder Nova 700c UK Made wheelset

£1,349.00 or from £24 /month
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  • Shimano 105 R7120 12-speed groupset
  • Sonder Nova 700c UK Made wheelset

£1,549.00 or from £27 /month
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  • Shimano GRX 610 12-speed groupset
  • Sonder Nova 700c UK Made wheelset

£1,549.00 or from £27 /month
Buy Now. Be Riding in 5 days.
  • Shimano GRX 610 12-speed groupset
  • Sonder Nova 700c UK Made wheelset

£1,599.00 or from £28 /month
Buy Now. Be Riding in 5 days.
  • Shimano 105 R7170 Di2 12-speed groupset
  • Sonder Alpha 700c UK Made wheelset

£2,249.00 or from £39 /month
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