Patrick

When I first heard about the Tour d’Afrique 8 years ago, I wanted to head straight to Cairo immediately. Crossing the amazing continent of Africa, at a pace where I would see, feel and experience everything. Unfolding the map a little more each day and cycling to its end is enormously appealing to my sense of adventure.

At home in Sydney, Australia I am an emergency response paramedic. I share my home at Fanny Place with my partner Wayne and my two turtles.

I have been extremely fortunate to spend much of the past 20 years traveling the world, and for the past dozen with my friend and partner Wayne. Traveling is part of me. I have always desired to see what was over the hill or around the next bend, to meet the people along the way and ‘drink’ in every experience.

As I prepare for the ‘Tour’ I keep returning to the same thought.  That of the emotion I will experience as I cycle away from the pyramids at Giza, with the whole of Africa ahead of my bike and I. Of the people I will meet, the scenery I will see, and of course the experience of a lifetime.

Of my many achievements and experiences the Tour d’Afrique is certainly the biggest challenge I have embarked upon.

Wayne

Working in the travel industry for a number of years has given me the   opportunity to realise many dreams & challenges, rewarding me with the   inspirational, the humbling & the unforgettable.

As long as i can remember the idea of adventure travel has had enormous appeal.

I've climbed to the summit of Mt. Kilimanjaro & Mt Kinabalu, trekked Nepal &   seen the sunrise on Mt. Everest.

I have been in awe of the symmetrical beauty of the Taj Mahal, the eerie serenity   of the Potala Palace, the power of Iguassu Falls & the spirituality that is Machu   Picchu. We've tracked Rhino in South Africa, Tiger in India, sat with the amazing Gorillas & shared their space on the mountains of Rwanda, and we've jumped from & leapt off or into more obstacles than is sensible for any 'mature' adult male.

I have an insatiable desire to see & experience the pleasures & challenges of life, push the boundaries of my comfort zones, challenge my sense of what is just in cultures other than my own, create memories that will stay with me forever, and tell & share worthwhile experiences & the lessons of life with family & friends.

This is a once in a lifetime opportunity to benefit others, continue my pursuit of fitness in a most spectacular fashion, control my competitive nature in the hope of remaining injury free, indulge my love of photography, and share the good, the bad & the 'wretchedly ugly' traversing an entire continent with my partner Patrick.

These are the things I look forward to from the Tour d'Afrique.