Getting ready for adventure: how to prepare for cycling in Africa

JW Barkmeijer is an avid cyclist and committed ambassador for Amref Flying Doctors. What began with tours in the Netherlands has grown into impressive bike rides through Africa, where he lived for a long time. He has already cycled hundreds of kilometers through Tanzania, Kenya, and South Africa—and Rwanda is on his agenda soon. For JW, cycling is more than just a sport: it's a way to contribute to better healthcare in Africa and to challenge himself, both physically and mentally.

If you think you can just cycle a few hundred kilometers across Africa, you're wrong. For JW, preparation starts months in advance—and not just on the bike.

"I'm starting by racking up the miles. In the Netherlands, I mainly train by cycling a lot, but you hardly get any elevation gain here. That's why I occasionally participate in races like the Amstel Gold Race, just to get used to the climbing," says JW.

Spinning classes are also part of his training routine, especially in the winter. But physical preparation is only one side of the story. "Your equipment also has to be right. I always have a bike fitting to fine-tune my position. A good saddle is essential. Otherwise, you'll get back problems or saddle sores, and you don't want that when you have to ride for six days straight."

Nutrition is another important aspect. "The first time, I brought way too much with me: bars, gels, powders... After that, I learned what I really need. Now I usually take Kalkman products. They're easy to digest and give me enough energy."

Mental preparation also helps. "You have to accept that it's going to be tough. You'll be tired, maybe grumpy, soaked, or dusty. But that's part of it. Ultimately, it all comes down to one thing: keep moving."

No trip is the same when you cycle through Tanzania, Kenya, South Africa and soon Rwanda

"What makes every trip so special? No day is the same. No country is the same. And no ride is the same," says JW with a broad smile. He should know: he's already cycled in Tanzania, Kenya, and South Africa—and soon, Rwanda.

His first trip, around Kilimanjaro in Tanzania, made a deep impression. "I'd climbed that mountain before. When I cycled around it later, it felt like I'd come full circle. And because I was one of the few to fly there with Amref, I got a unique glimpse behind the scenes."

Kenya was personal. "I lived there. It felt like coming home, but also like a confrontation. Lots of rain, lots of mud. Physically tougher than I thought." The route, the terrain, the temperature—it all makes a difference. "In Kenya, we were soaked in the tent at night. In Tanzania, it was dry and dusty."

South Africa was different. Not a charity ride, but purely for fun. "It was more like a cycling holiday. You slept in a bed, ate well, and rode gravel bikes. But you did ride 100 kilometers every day. So it wasn't exactly easy."

And now Rwanda awaits. "Afterwards, we'll go gorillas spotting in the wild. Something completely different. That's what makes it fun: every trip is unique. Each time you learn something new, see different landscapes, and meet special people."

Keep pedaling for Africa, for a good cause and for myself

For JW, cycling isn't just about sport. It's a combination of meaning, memories, and a desire for simplicity. "I do it for Amref Flying Doctors. They're committed to health in Africa, and I want to support that. But it's also something I do for myself."

The journeys take him back to places that are important to him. "I lived in Kenya. Returning by bike gives me a different perspective. You feel the landscape. You experience it. You see how people live, and you visit the projects you cycle for."

And then there's the rhythm. "On the bike, it's simple. You eat, you pedal, you rest. No emails, no deadlines. Just you, your bike, and the road. That simplicity is liberating."

Cycling has also taught him things he applies to his work as an entrepreneur. "Perseverance, dealing with setbacks, and knowing when to let go. You don't learn that from a book, but on the bike. Especially when you think: why am I doing this again?"

Yet he keeps on doing it. "I have plans for Central and South America. Perhaps the Pieterpad in the Netherlands. Whatever it is, I know one thing for sure: as long as I can ride a bike, I'll keep doing it."