Migration Gravel Race Goals to Carry Bike Tourism to Kenya and Help Native Athletes

The founders of Migration gravel race The aim is to promote cycle tourism in Kenya Maasai Mara National Reserve in assisting sub-Saharan athletes through cadres such as Amani Racing Team. With the offer outside of the usual safari and hotel tourism in the region, the organizers hope to create new sources of income with the residents, who are directly involved in the event decisions and planning processes.

A quote on the racing page states: “East African cyclists encounter many bottlenecks in international cycling races. We are trying to break down these barriers in order to make cycling more inclusive and accessible for men, women and children. ”

The Migration Gravel Race will span 650 kilometers (404 miles) and run over four days of semi-aided racing. The Maasai Mara National Reserve is by no means flat, with average daily elevation changes of 1,900 meters (6,234 feet) for the four stages, a total of 8,000 m (26,247 feet) ascent. While registrations for this year’s race are nearly closed, there is hope that the event will grow in 2022. There is also hope that one of our editors will experience the race firsthand. The participation fees are € 650 for local residents and € 950 for international competitors.

The four-stage event rolls over single trails, gravel, fields and through cities, all planned by a team of adventure tourism experts with over ten years of experience in the region. The course is partially sponsored, and the organizers have made great arrangements to ensure that athletes are safe as they traverse the home of a diverse wildlife population. Drivers are given a safety briefing and GPS tracking device, and courses are littered with fuel supply points with rangers to lead the way.

The race organizer we spoke to said that the local Kenyan riders have a clear advantage due to their expert bike handling skills. They have been cycling through the same dirt on heavy city bikes on their way to school since childhood, and apparently their technical abilities as bikes are remarkable.

Team Amani and the Migration Gravel Race were founded by a Dutch human rights lawyer who works regularly in the region and is diligent in helping local athletes. One of the team’s goals is to provide East African athletes with a pipeline for professional MTB and road races around the globe. A second goal is to work with the locals to build cycle tourism that doesn’t require additional farming, construction, or vehicles in the pristine reserve area. Look out for a detailed interview with the race founder in the coming weeks.