February 18. 2008
For the first time in the 6 year history of the Tour d'afrique, a Canadian racer is amongst the top 3 racers. Chris Wille is happy, healthy, and is riding strong. A challenging week long, mountainous route through Ehtiopia has just been completed. Riders are taking a well deserved 2 day rest in Addis Abba, the capital of Ethiopia. "Ethiopia has proven to be amazingly beautiful. Warm temperatures, sunny skys, challenging ascents, wickedly fast, winding descents, smooth roads. It truely is a rider's paradise" Chris said."the people are warm and friendly, often dropping whatever they are doing to cheer and wave as we racer's go whipping by in our compact peloton. At times I feel like i"m a racer in the tour de france," he added.
I'm grateful for the experience, and look forward to each day, each stage, each challenge."He said. a difficult, challenging 1,500km section, named :'the gorge' has just been completed. Chris finshed this section in 3rd place, and is also in 3 rd place overall on the tour. amongst the challenges on this section were the Choke mountains, which saw the riders riding several stages at 2,500 + meters, with a max altitude of 3,100 meters. "you can really feel the altitude, Chris said, especially those of us that live near sea level!" Some riders fared better than others, many loosing their efi (every freaking inch) riding status in this difficult but beautiful section. The biggest highlight for most riders was riding the impressive, daunting "Blue Nile gorge". That day we rode 40kms from our campsite, then down a steep, switchbacking 20km downhill plunge to the bottom of the 3,500 foot gorge, where a 22 km, 3,500' time trial climb started to the top of the rim. "the ride down was sweet and fast", said Chris, who arrived at the bottom in 26 min, with a big grin on his face. " It was time to go to work on the climb up", he added. Chris finished the climb in 1 hr, 59 min, good for 3rd place in the time trial. "everyone who completed that stage was a winner!", top riders were cheering and shouting encouragement to fellow riders as they completed the last part of the steep ascent."I have a great respect and admration to all who took up the challenge' Chris said, "especially Gavin Greig, who, at 67, is the elder statesman and most senior rider on the tour." Stunning views and an awesome sunset caped a most wonderful day in the gorge. 3,200km's done, 9,000 to go. Riders have 2 well deserved days off in addis Abba Ethiopia before riding and racing continue...
Chris Wille on the 2008 tour dafrique.,
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3 comments:
Actually, Stephen Topham from Toronto placed 3rd overall in the first (2003) TdA.
Ever since the TC published a feature article on you I have been following your progress in the TDA and you are doing a wonderful job. I am Gavin Greig's sister - "the elder statesman" as you called him! Please say hi to him from me. Keep up the good work, Chris. I shall be interested to hear if you are going to climb Mt Kilimanjaro and even more interested to hear if Gavin is going to join you! All the best...Noreen Greig, Victoria, BC
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