The hardest days on the bike: Migration Gravel race, Kenya
by Mike Hadjioannou
As I write this, it's been three weeks since the final stage of the Migration Gravel Race 2024. The suffering is still fresh in my mind, but thankfully my body has recovered.
**Day 1:** 140km with around 1500m of ascent, which initially seemed like a flat stage. One might think, "an easy ride in the Maasai Mara area." After an early wake-up and race preparations, I lined up behind the start line in high spirits, just like everyone around me. However, after the first couple of kilometers, I felt the high altitude affecting my breathing. I decided to take it slow to acclimate and avoid burning out. Almost 40 minutes in, I felt okay to ride at my own pace and enjoy the journey.
The terrain was rocky and rough with long sections of deep mud. My mountain bike skills came in handy, and I cruised through the beautiful Kenyan nature. My Pirelli Cinturato 50mm tires on 650b wheels handled the mud well, giving me enough clearance. Many riders struggled as the mud clogged their wheels, but I kept my pace. I realized that I hadn’t even reached the first water station, making me aware of the long, hard day ahead.
The Mara's rough, uneven terrain and strong headwinds made riding even more challenging. After spending a long time in survival mode, a group of three riders caught me on the only tarmac section. They kindly offered me a place in their group, which eased the pain of riding alone against the headwind. I stayed with them until 1km before the finish, then took it easy. Exhausted, I barely made it up the short hill to the finish line, immediately seeking a bottle of Fanta.
**Day 2:** 170km
with over 2800m of ascent—the hardest day on the bike ever. I started knowing it would be a survival experience with a long climb up to 2700m altitude. Early in the stage, a front tire leak forced me to stop and pump it up, putting me at the back of the race. Catching up with fellow riders was nice, as it gave me company during the long ride.
The climb to the mountain top was tough with steep gradients at high altitudes. The rewarding view of green mountains and Maasai huts was a brief respite. The descent included small uphills and technical single trails. I fell unexpectedly when my pedal got trapped in tree roots but continued riding with Luis from Portugal, who had the perfect bike for the race. After riding with Luis and another rider, I faced a steep section where exhaustion took over, and I lay down. Lawrence joined me, and we supported each other to the last checkpoint. Due to being late, we took a shorter route, skipping around 20km. The final 25km felt endless, with tiredness and back pain, but I finished the stage. However, I felt extremely cold and couldn’t warm up until moving into an organizer’s car.
**Day 3:** 140km and 1300m. After the previous day's ordeal, I had no energy to start day three, so I stayed at the camp. It was a great opportunity to meet other non-riders, see the camp logistics, and interact with local people. In the afternoon, I watched fellow riders finish. Seeing David Millar struggle to stand confirmed my decision not to start. Given my previous day’s experience, I doubted I could finish.
**Day 4:** 160km with 1500m. The nicest hard day of all. With no major climbs, just small hills and mostly tailwind, it was a pleasure to ride. Despite some stomach issues, the day was okay compared to others. The route was amazing, with lots of animals and rewarding nature. My left pedal broke, forcing me to push it inwards to prevent it from falling off the axle. A motorbike passing me slipped and knocked me off, but I escaped with bruises, and my bike was undamaged. Approaching the finish line, I enjoyed the views of wildlife and captured photos and videos. The final 15km felt smooth and sweet, a stark contrast to the challenges faced earlier.
