Hari’s Race Around Rwanda
Covering 1,000 kilometres and some 15,000 metres of elevation, Hari Milburn shares what it is like to do the self-supported bikepacking race around the spectacular Rwandan countryside.
Known for its breathtaking scenery, Rwanda is also referred to as ‘le pays des mille collines’ or ‘the land of a thousand hills’. So then, the perfect setting for an ultra endurance cycling event or so thought Matthew Brokenshire and Simon de Schutter, the initiators of the Race Around Rwanda (RaR). Indeed, the course - starting and finishing at the Maguru Cafe in Kigali - covers nine gravel sectors for a total of 400 kilometres and some 600 kilometres of smooth tarmac roads, all to be ridden in a time limit of six days.
Having followed the race last year, Bristol-based adventure cyclist and Universal Colours ambassador Hari Milburn loved the idea of seeing a country of different culture, terrain and landscape, all by bike. “Slow travel, even in race format, really appeals to me”, she explains. “What you experience of a place by bike is totally different than driving through, and to bump into different riders along the way means you don’t feel like you are out there alone.”
Fairly new to cycling in the scheme of things and a runner for many years, Hari was able to pick up some long distance miles on the bike pretty quickly. Having completed the GranGuache Gravel edition last year and loving the experience of travel, meeting new riders and the challenge of long distances, she was set on another adventure. “This trip, and race, is about dedicating time to exploring the outdoors and immersing in the change of culture ahead. I am sure that if we had the choice, most people reading this would spend all time exploring, but life just gets in the way. By taking the flight and signing up for an event, I have dedicated time to do this. I hope to be able to feel immersed in the journey, present in the experience and be able to clear the head from the day-to-day.”
Hari entered the event as a pair with London rider Tom Hardie, having heard some rumours on safety, especially for women. “Tom approached me in early November proposing the idea of riding as a pair, and this seemed a more reassuring choice. Please do not think I needed a male to feel safe - far from it. I am wildly independent as I have been known to say, but as we all know, there are certain situations in which women feel threatened and from what I had heard, I wasn’t willing to take that risk at the time of entering.” She continues: “There were 20% women at the start line, a lot of them in pairs. It was felt in general that riding at night felt unsafe and I am sure this is a factor towards the unequal gender split, but I also appreciate this isn’t necessarily a gender concern. Riding on minimum sleep and through the night is one approach to the race but I want to emphasise it doesn’t need to be the only approach. As much as I admire everyone at the top end, I always put experience first, making sure I saw the country in daylight and also considered the hours of optimum safety. Wherever you are in the world, being alone at night is always going to make you feel uneasy, and we cannot put that down to the country we were in.”
As for gear, Hari shares she was very thankful to have a dynaplug with her. “I got quite a few flats on the first few days, one that needed four plugs in one hole which managed to hold for the rest of the ride. But very pleased I didn’t need to resort to tubes.” In addition, Hari opted for a backpack with a bladder to keep hydrated and loved having the extra capacity for storage too. As for clothing, she explains: “This isn’t the norm for ultra racing, but I packed an extra full set of clothes. I know it is going to be very hot at some points and I plan on washing the kit each night in the hotel shower in the hope this will reduce any saddle sores and increase general comfort levels. The Spectrum Jersey was the perfect weight and comfort for the ride, its breathable qualities worked a dream and the print looked pretty cool in the red dirt landscape!”
Asking about her best and worst moment during the race, Hari’s best was an afternoon shared with other riders before CP4. “We were all tired at that point after a morning riding through the rainforest, focusing on the road to avoid the enormous potholes which another rider had a serious crash on the day before. I find in these situations, you get to know new people in a way that you wouldn’t in other situations. It is pretty unique to experience moments like this.” Her worst and lowest moment, she explains, was at night due to the lack of sleep: “I was staying above the kitchen in the hotel and there was so much noise for a long time. I was counting down the hours before I needed to be away at 03:45am to get back on the road, actually crying with stress. A real low point of over tiredness which very thankfully didn’t affect me too much the next day.”
Looking back at the event, summing up her experience, Hari shares a few closing notes with us: “I know I am not someone who particularly has the drive to push for podium, but I was not aware of how much the connection to riders you interact with along the way was important to me. This trip was much more than just pedalling. The interactions with the locals and their culture is something so different to what you get riding elsewhere. The emotions involved in that, the smiles on their faces and the way they run to greet you is unique. The privilege we have as riders is vastly apparent and it has given a whole lot of perspective coming home. Cycling is a form of travel and adventure to me, and what an experience to be had! Thank you so much to the race organisers, volunteers and riders for putting on the event and bringing us to the wonderful country of Rwanda.”
We would like to thank Hari for sharing her amazing adventure with us. If you are interested in connecting with her and finding out more about the Race around Rwanda beyond this Story, you can connect via the link below.
Images by Tom Hardie – @tomhardies
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Hari Milburn
@hariannealice