Day 26: Cycle to Rumuruti Forest


Started off the morning with a 450m climb from Subukia, the final lift out of the Rift Valley and feasted our eyes on the Lakipia Plains on arrival at the summit. Luckily we were on tarmac, which made it much easier than a rocky road. 

Tom had a moment of geographical disorientation, asking if we had gone "further north than Nanyuki yet?" having crossed the equator again just 15 minutes before (for non-Kenyans, Nanyuki is well known for being on the equator).

Then we went to a town! Nyahururu. Our first since Malindi way back on Day 1. The place has a great feel to it, as we were welcomed at every turn. Tom had himself weighed for 10 shillings, went to the bank to stock up on 50 shilling notes and Daniel bought 37 shillings (25 pence) worth of petrol for our cooking stove.
Back on the forest tracks we had a chat with Kigen, a policeman at rural control point. He is a Kalenjin, well known for producing the legendary runners. Kigen did not dissapoint, his best marathon time is 2:16 and half marathon 1:02. He is 38 now and we wondered how long ago he did those times.

We are camping at Scilla Davey's wonderfull little campsite at the North of the Rumuruti Forest tonight. At 2pm we sat down to lunch bought on the road: our staples of chapatti, avocado, banana and today a boiled egg, for a treat.
Big day coming up tomorrow.

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