Keegan’s epic Cairo to Cape Cycle
In just a few days local Witbank cyclist Keegan Longuiera takes on the biggest challenge of his life when he cycles across the African continent from Cairo to Cape Town in an effort to try break the current world record and raise money for The Smile Foundation.
“I was in Malawi earlier this year and had the opportunity to sit-in on an operation with the surgeons from The Smile Foundation and just realized again that this is a cause that I need to keep supporting,” said Keegan during a recent interview on 5fm with renowned DJ Fresh. “It is exciting to see national media supporting this young man along his journey but any additional sponsors are still welcome. We actually have enough money to get us half way through Cairo, so additional funding would be most welcome, but with or without it I am committed to taking on this adventure.”
The idea was sparked when Keegan heard of a cyclist from the Netherlands that had attained the previous record from Cairo to Cape in 70 days.
“When I did the math, I realized that if I could average about 165km a day, I could possibly beat the record,” Keegan said with the knowledge that he had already averaged those speeds and kilometers during previous trips with The Cape Trek challenges from Witbank to Cape Town in previous years.
“Are there any countries you are a bit nervous heading into,” asked DJ Fresh.
KL: “Well Kenya is a bit of an unknown at this point and I’m not sure what to expect.”
DJ F: “And a white man on a bicycle in the heart of Africa is definitely going to stand out.”
KL: “That’s true, but I have tried to grow my beard to try took more African during my travels,” he laughed as the interview concluded.
Keegan is planning on travelling across 10 countries within 64-68 days and will cycle a distance of about 11500 kilometers. He flies to Cairo on December 31 with Ethiopian Airways and will land in Egypt on New Year’s day. After a night’s sleep he will embark on leg one of the trip to Kourtoum, Sudan which is a 2000km journey.
In a final fund raising initiative, there will be a Boerewors Roll Sale from 08:00-14:00 on 20 December outside Fruit & Veg, Witbank at R20 each so please come fill your tummies in an effort to support the cause. As it is the Christmas season and expenses are high and cashflow low, it also costs nothing to keep Keegan in your prayers during the next 80 days and ShowMe will keep up to date with his progress along the journey.
With Keegan taking on one of the biggest challenges that a human being can attempt, he said that he is nervous, but feels at peace with the trip, I am just excited to get started!