In a Country of Runners, Kenyan Cycling Team Faces Uphill Climb

AS IT IS 2015-10-22 In a Country of Runners, Kenyan Cycling Team Faces Uphill Climb

In East Africa, the sport of cycling has been growing in popularity¹ in recent years.

There are plenty of hills for cyclists to climb and a mild² climate – not too hot, but not too cold. In addition, two-time Tour de France winner Chris Froome was born in Kenya and trained by one of Africa's best cyclists, David Kinjah.

Now an area 50 kilometers southeast of Nairobi is seeking to become Kenya's center for cycling.

Some cyclists make it look easy. But with hills in Kenya rising as high as 1,600 meters above sea level, cycling the countryside is anything but effortless.

That makes Machakos County³, Kenya, a good place to test the abilities of East African cyclists during the Tour de Machakos. This is the second time the race has been held.

Twenty-three-year-old Cyrus Wambua is one of the riders⁴. Born and raised in Machakos, Wambua has been riding bicycles since he was a child. He says his mother urged⁵ him to start.  

"My mother got inspired by that strong guy from the Tour de France, the Lance Armstrong. So I used to read documentaries⁶ and when we were a small kid, they used to tell us that one day you'll race like Lance Armstrong."

Uganda's national cycling coach, Jesper Fiedler, says this is one reason why Kenya's and East Africa's cycling community has continued to grow over the years.

"Partly, it's the exposure⁷ on TV. More people can watch these races on TV, and then the more people who are riding around in different towns around East Africa, the exposure's just bigger. So people, they see and they say, Maybe we should pick up this sport.'

Alex Tibwitta organized the Tour de Machakos. He says Machakos has it all -- nice hills, good roads and a government that supports the cycling community.

"I'm pretty confident that with the right nurturing⁸, this is definitely⁹ the best place to base a sort of cycling in Kenya, and probably in East Africa."

Some of the best marathon¹⁰ runners in the world either live or train in the Kenyan towns of Eldoret and Iten. Both towns are high in the mountains. Some cyclists think Machakos could eventually have that same reputation¹¹.

Uganda's national cycling coach, Jesper Fiedler, agrees.

"So definitely, this is a perfect place. If somebody wanted to build a camp up in the hills at maybe 2,100 meters, you're more or less at the same level, as let's say, Iten. So for sure, this could become a new cycle hub as well, that's a perfect setting¹² here, perfect, really good."

And for cyclists like Cyrus Wambua, that would be good news indeed.

"I like cycling so much because as a sport, it always keeps you busy in that you avoid bad company, don't take drugs, even on the other side, it's a source¹³ of living. You can earn something from the cycling event and you push your family, you do your things, and that's all."

The Tour de Machakos covers 400 kilometers around Machakos County. It is the biggest road race in Kenya. This year there were 130 registered¹⁴ cyclists -- double the number from last year.

Words in This Story

mild – adj. not strong in action or effect

exposure – n. public attention

confident – adj. showing that you are sure in yourself or your actions

nurturing – adv. caring for something or someone

definitely – adj. surely¹⁵

reputation – n. public image; the common opinion that people have about someone or something

hub – n. the central and most active part or place

1 popularity   

n.普及，流行，名望，受欢迎

参考例句：

• The story had an extensive popularity among American readers.这本小说在美国读者中赢得广泛的声望。
• Our product enjoys popularity throughout the world.我们的产品饮誉全球。

2 mild   

adj.温暖的，暖和的，（天气，尤指冬天）；性情温和的

参考例句：

• That coat is too heavy for such a mild day.这样暖和的天气，穿那件大衣太厚了。
• He is mild of manner.他举止温和。

3 county   

n.县，郡

参考例句：

• When the good news reached there,the whole county rejoiced.喜讯传到那里时，全县的人都欢欣鼓舞起来。
• In that year county after county fell to the enemy.那一年一个又一个的县城沦入敌人手中。

4 riders   

骑（马、自行车等）的人( rider的名词复数 )； 乘客； 附文； 附加条款

参考例句：

• a group of riders strung out along the beach 沿海滩散开的一队骑手
• The riders came trotting down the lane. 这骑手骑着马在小路上慢跑。

5 urged   

v.力劝( urge的过去式和过去分词 )；强烈要求；推进；驱策

参考例句：

• She urged him to stay. 她力劝他留下。
• Urged on by the PM the police tried to end the strike. 在首相的敦促下，警方力图终止罢工。 来自《简明英汉词典》

6 documentaries   

n.纪录片( documentary的名词复数 )

参考例句：

• As for 'documentaries', these too are not altogether new. 至于“资料性文学”那也并不完全是新鲜事。 来自辞典例句
• These are not just animations live-action films, comedies, dramas and documentaries. 这些不仅仅是动画片，还包括表演摄制影片，喜剧，戏剧以及纪录片。 来自互联网

7 exposure   

n.暴露，面临；揭露，揭发；曝光

参考例句：

• After only a short exposure to sunlight he began to turn red.他在阳光下只晒了一会儿，皮肤就开始变红了。
• I threatened them with public exposure.我扬言要公开揭发他们。

8 nurturing   

养育( nurture的现在分词 )； 培育； 滋长； 助长

参考例句：

• These delicate plants need careful nurturing. 这些幼嫩的植物需要精心培育。
• The modern conservatory is not an environment for nurturing plants. 这个现代化温室的环境不适合培育植物。

9 definitely   

adv.一定地，肯定地；明确地，确切地

参考例句：

• The team will definitely lose if he doesn't play.如果他不参加比赛，这个队肯定会输。
• I shall definitely be home before six o'clock.6点以前，我一定回家。

10 marathon   

n.长距离赛跑；需要耐力的比赛；(M-)马拉松

参考例句：

• I'm hoping to be in the marathon next year.我希望明年能参加马拉松赛。
• The meeting was a bit of a marathon.这次会议有点马拉松赛的味道。

11 reputation   

n.名誉，声誉，声望，信誉

参考例句：

• We are very anxious to keep up the reputation of the firm.我们对于保持公司的名誉非常急切。
• He has not too good a reputation in the matter of honesty.就诚实而言，他的名声不太好。

12 setting   

n.背景

参考例句：

• The play has its setting in Vienna.该剧以维也纳为背景。
• Where and when a story takes place is called the setting.故事发生的地点和时间称为故事背景。

13 source   

n.来源，水源；原始资料

参考例句：

• They mentioned you as a good source of information.他们说你消息灵通。
• All works of art have life as their source.一切文艺创作都来源于生活。

14 registered   

adj.登记的，注册的

参考例句：

• Ships were registered abroad to circumvent employment and safety regulation. 船只在外国注册以逃避有关雇佣和安全的规定。
• In former times, only property owners could be registered as voters. 从前，只有有财产的人才能登记作选民。

15 surely   

adv.确实地，无疑地；必定地，一定地

参考例句：

• It'should surely be possible for them to reach an agreement.想必他们可以达成协议。
• Surely we'll profit from your work.我们肯定会从你的工作中得到益处。