St. John's prof crossing a continent on two wheels
A St. John's philosophy professor is on his way to Egypt to start a five-month bike race down the length of Africa.
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Garver, who teaches at St. John's University in Collegeville, is participating in the Tour d'Afrique, described as the world's longest and most challenging bicycle race. It starts Saturday and ends in May. The route goes from Egypt into Sudan, Ethiopia, Kenya, Tanzania, Malawi and Zambia, and then across Botswana, Namibia, and South Africa. Climbs along the route total 25 miles.
Garver is using the ride to raise money for the Minnesota-based American Refugee Committee's relief efforts.
Garver celebrated his 50th birthday biking from Seattle to Tijuana, Mexico, and learned to swim so he could do triathlons for his 60th birthday.
Without a doubt, he said, this is the biggest physical challenge of his life. "It's right at the edge of what you're capable of," he said.
Garver's wife, Jane Bennett, said she has no doubt in his physical ability to complete the trek. However, she added, "he owes me big-time" in the form of a family vacation to Costa Rica.
Garver will ride a Salsa Dos Niner, a mountain bike with 29-inch wheels that he expects will do well in the sand and mud he'll encounter.
In preparation for the race, the 5-foot-9 Garver said he put on 10 pounds, bringing his weight up to 160. By the time he finishes, he said, he expects to weigh somewhere in the 140s.
As for what he'll eat along the way, Garver said, "Anything in sight."
Donating a penny per mile means a $70 contribution to the American Refugee Committee (www.arcrelief.org). The money will be earmarked to the committee's work in Africa.
For more on the race, visit www.tourdafrique.com.
PAUL WALSH
