When Phil Freeman set out from Henties Bay on Namibia’s Atlantic coast, ahead lay 3,200km of riding across Namibia, Botswana, South Africa and Eswatini before reaching the Indian Ocean at Sodwana Bay.
It was a journey that would take him and his ALLGRIT TI-X titanium gravel bike from deep sand and relentless desert corrugations to long stretches of tarmac, steep rocky climbs and wet, muddy trails. With days stretching beyond 200km, both rider and bike would be tested across constantly changing terrain.
Twenty-three days later, Phil rolled into Sodwana Bay having completed the entire journey on the same 50mm tubeless tyres, without a single puncture.
We caught up with Phil to find out what it takes to ride across Africa, why he chose titanium for the challenge, and how his Ribble performed over 3,200km.
What made you take on a challenge like this?
My family are all Ironman athletes, so I suppose I wanted a challenge of my own before I got too old! I came across the event while I was in a four-day saturation decompression and it immediately appealed to me, particularly because there was a charity element to it.
The challenge was to cycle from Henties Bay in Namibia to Sodwana Bay in South Africa, passing through Botswana and Eswatini along the way – around 3,200km in total.
What made you take on a challenge like this?
My family are all Ironman athletes, so I suppose I wanted a challenge of my own before I got too old! I came across the event while I was in a four-day saturation decompression and it immediately appealed to me, particularly because there was a charity element to it.
The challenge was to cycle from Henties Bay in Namibia to Sodwana Bay in South Africa, passing through Botswana and Eswatini along the way – around 3,200km in total.
What made you take on a challenge like this?
My family are all Ironman athletes, so I suppose I wanted a challenge of my own before I got too old! I came across the event while I was in a four-day saturation decompression and it immediately appealed to me, particularly because there was a charity element to it.
The challenge was to cycle from Henties Bay in Namibia to Sodwana Bay in South Africa, passing through Botswana and Eswatini along the way – around 3,200km in total.
What made you take on a challenge like this?
My family are all Ironman athletes, so I suppose I wanted a challenge of my own before I got too old! I came across the event while I was in a four-day saturation decompression and it immediately appealed to me, particularly because there was a charity element to it.
The challenge was to cycle from Henties Bay in Namibia to Sodwana Bay in South Africa, passing through Botswana and Eswatini along the way – around 3,200km in total.
What made you take on a challenge like this?
My family are all Ironman athletes, so I suppose I wanted a challenge of my own before I got too old! I came across the event while I was in a four-day saturation decompression and it immediately appealed to me, particularly because there was a charity element to it.
The challenge was to cycle from Henties Bay in Namibia to Sodwana Bay in South Africa, passing through Botswana and Eswatini along the way – around 3,200km in total.
What made you take on a challenge like this?
My family are all Ironman athletes, so I suppose I wanted a challenge of my own before I got too old! I came across the event while I was in a four-day saturation decompression and it immediately appealed to me, particularly because there was a charity element to it.
The challenge was to cycle from Henties Bay in Namibia to Sodwana Bay in South Africa, passing through Botswana and Eswatini along the way – around 3,200km in total.
What made you take on a challenge like this?
My family are all Ironman athletes, so I suppose I wanted a challenge of my own before I got too old! I came across the event while I was in a four-day saturation decompression and it immediately appealed to me, particularly because there was a charity element to it.
The challenge was to cycle from Henties Bay in Namibia to Sodwana Bay in South Africa, passing through Botswana and Eswatini along the way – around 3,200km in total.
What made you take on a challenge like this?
My family are all Ironman athletes, so I suppose I wanted a challenge of my own before I got too old! I came across the event while I was in a four-day saturation decompression and it immediately appealed to me, particularly because there was a charity element to it.
The challenge was to cycle from Henties Bay in Namibia to Sodwana Bay in South Africa, passing through Botswana and Eswatini along the way – around 3,200km in total.
Ribble Across Africa: 3,200km. Four Countries. One Bike.
From Namibia’s deep sand and relentless corrugations to 210km days across Botswana and the steep, muddy climbs of Eswatini, Phil Freeman put his ALLGRIT TI-X titanium gravel bike through 3,200km of some of Africa’s toughest terrain. One bike, 23 days and not a single puncture.
How to choose your Gravel Bike
The sheer versatility and ride-anywhere capabilities of Ribble Gravel bikes make them the perfect vehicle for off-grid adventures. Here, we explore the range and explain the key differences to help you choose yours.
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