Ask the pro’s:
KEVIN EVANS
Q When did you take up mountain biking and when did you turn
professional?
A I started mountain biking at 14, and
competed in my first national event in 1994. It would be a further 10 years
before I would ride professionally.
Q At which event did you record your proudest achievement?
A 2009 Marathon World Championships,
Austria, Graz, 8th.
Q How did you rate your performance at last year’s SC – RVO and what
lessons (if any) did you learn?
A I had some serious FOMO (fear of
missing out) I was not there.
Q How have you prepared for this years SC-RVO and what are your
expectations for his years event?
A Luckily the race is in-between a busy
racing schedules for us in South Africa, so he training has been good. My
navigation skills however leave much to be desired. I will leave that part up
to my partner.
I’m expecting to
have an absolutely great time in a country I can’t wait to see and experience.
Q How do you compare the SC-RVO to other multi day races you have
competed in?
A I will have to post this question
after the event, but from what I’ve heard, it’s going to rank up with the best
in the world.
DAVID KINJAH
Q When did you take up mountain biking and when did you turn
professionals?
A I took up mountain biking in 1999 when
I came across a cheaply selling second hand mtb from the US Peace Cops in
Nairobi. I had ridden mtbs before that with Nigel Arensen at Bike Treks for
Safaris, but I had not my own.
I fixe up the GT and
started discovering trails all over the villagers in Kikuyu and further. I have
never turned Pro for MTB.
Q At which event did you record your proudest achievement?
A I recorded my Proudest achievement in
the Crocodile trophy 2001 in Australia , when I won stage 11 and finished 7th
overall after almost quitting on stage 9. It was my first international MTB
ever.
Q How did you rate your performance at last years SC-RVO and what
lessons (if any) did you learn?
A My and Max’s quite
good, had a few challenges, but I kerned that it will be nice to practice using
Garmin properly for the 2014 event….., I am yet to do the later……!!!.
Q How have you prepared for this years SC-RVO and what are your expectations
for this years event?
A I haven’t done any specific preps for
the SC-RVO, but normal training and local racing scene have been great so far.
I expect much adventure and discovery in the new routes from Naivasha to
Nakuru, sounds fun.
Q How do you compare the SC-RVO to other multi day races you have
complete in?
A The SC-RVO is feels much more Africa
smaller and friendly, relaxed mood.
DOUGLAS SIDALO
Q When did you take up mountain biking and when did you turn
professional?
A I participated in 2003. Face of
America – world Team Spots, 280 miles cycling journey from NYC – world trade
Centre to the Pentagon in honor of September 11 families this served as the
beginning of my cycling adventures. In 2007 I participated in the Tour De’
Afrique cycling adventure from the North to the south of Africa Cairo – Cape
town: covering a distance of 12,000 Km in 95 days, I have been involved in
cycling as an amateur due to limited sponsorship, but when Standard Chartered
brings me on board as the Ambassador for @seeing is believing’ I will go
professional.
Q What is your general view on your performance at last year’s
event?
A I participated in SC-RVO in 2013 after
a 6 years break form active cycling and my performance was tremendous since I
was out of training for 6 years and the pilot engaged was new in Tandem
cycling.
Q What lesson is any, did you learn from last years events?
A Proper preparation is paramount for
success. You need to train and prepare along with your pilot for better
performance. The circuit is difficult and rigorous for every rider’s body, mind
and soul, and greater challenge for the Blind and visually impaired. The
atmosphere is friendly especially with villagers, and spectators cheering us on
along the route.
Q How have you prepared for this year SC-RVO 2014 and what are your
expectations for this year?
A My preparation for this year has been
extremely good with my pilot who is now well acquainted with Tandem cycling
having acquired more skills. For the past 8 months I have participated in the
Kenya MTB circuits, i.e 2014, 10 – 4 Mt. Kenya Bike Challenge, 2014 SC-RVO
Sagana Hills, and 2014 Laikipia extreme challenge as a build for the 2015
untamed Africa MTB Race – The Cape Epic.
Q How has the ‘seeing is believing’ initiative impacted the event?
A Standard chartered through their
sustainable SiB initiative has helped a great deal in preventing avoidable
blindness to those who would not otherwise receive modest eye care treatment.
In 2013 over 2000 people were treated through an eye care camp in Naivasha,
transforming lives of Kenyans who would not otherwise receive preventable eye
care treatment. I personally participate in these adventure activities to
excite and inspire the public and to demonstrate that, “what is in you in much
stronger than that which is in your way.”
Q Does SC-RVO put pressure on Kenya cyclists ?
A SC-RVO is a gruelling adventure not
for the faint hearted and requires proper preparation, courage and a good
mountain bike which is beyond reach for most Kenyan cyclist’s.