Race report by 58&fam
Six months ago, Kenya felt so far away.
A place we’d only seen in photos. A race we’d dreamed about. An adventure that honestly felt a little too big.
We spent the weeks leading up to the trip wondering if we were making the right decision. We packed our bikes, crossed the world, and arrived in Nairobi with butterflies in our stomachs and no idea what the next ten days would bring.
We rode through the peaceful trails of Karura Forest, navigated the chaos of Nairobi’s rush hour, climbed into the tea plantations around Limuru, and slowly adapted to the altitude before heading into the Maasai Mara.
Then came four days of racing unlike anything we’d ever experienced.
Long, demanding stages between 1,800 and 2,500 metres above sea level. Endless gravel roads. Wildlife around every corner. Camping under the African sky alongside riders from all over the world.
The race brought both highs and lows.
Nathalie won all four stages and the overall title.
Maja finished an incredible 4th on Stage 1 before crashing hard on Stage 2. Thankfully, her POC helmet did exactly what it was designed to do, protecting her head when it mattered most. Even though she was no longer in the race, she chose to ride Stages 3 and 4 anyway, because sometimes finishing the journey matters more than the result.
Looking back, the results are something we’re incredibly proud of.
But they’re not what we’ll remember the most.
We’ll remember the people. The conversations around camp. The early mornings. The giraffes, zebras and elephants. The laughter. The fear before saying yes. And the feeling of discovering that the world suddenly became a little bigger than it was before.
This is exactly why we started 58&fam.
To show that gravel isn’t just about racing.
It’s about exploring places you never thought you’d visit, meeting people you’d never otherwise meet, and discovering that you’re capable of so much more than you imagined.
If you’re reading this and there’s an adventure you’ve been talking yourself out of…
Take this as your sign.
Say yes.
You never know where your bike might take you 🦒
