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Classic Run 10th / 11th June 2000 by Roger and Jane Bryson

We have only been in Kenya two years and were unable to take part in last year’s fourth Classic Run, so it was with a mixture of anticipation and trepidation that we went to meet our fellow runners at the petrol station on Limuru Road. There we joined Ollie Keeble and Pierre Parsons who were driving Ollie’s MGB, Mike and Heather Tilley in their Mercedes 220 and J-P and Marcelina in the Zodiac and felt a little out of place in our modern, characterless tin box. The initial route past Limuru and Naivasha to Nakuru was familiar territory as was the state of the road! From there though it was all new ground as we headed on further in the direction of Mount Elgon and the Ugandan border. It was soon apparent that the modern box was no match for the lower slung classics either on power or more noticeably on cornering ability. This meant that the speedier members were obliged to stop and wait for the slower vehicles probably more frequently than they would have preferred which in turn caused a revision of the route to omit a loop or two. Nonetheless the highlight of the run out was definitely the Kerio Valley with its mixture of sweeping turns and hairpin bends down one side and up the other. This gave rise to some interesting in-car comments, like “wow – look at that view” and “oh hell I’ve lost them, no, there they are, two bends up!” On via Eldoret then Kapsabet where a thunderstorm slowed progress, validating the decision to shorten the trip, to the well chosen Rondo Retreat in the heart of the Kakamega Forest. We shared a large cottage complete with a full-length veranda and easy chairs. It was perfect for gathering and comparing notes of the trip out over a sundowner (or two). Then a shower and a simple but well prepared dinner which left enough time for more veranda chats and a night-cap. Next morning after breakfast there was just time for a short guided walk in the forest where Colobus, Red tailed and Blue monkeys shared the top of the canopy and birds and butterflies were in abundance. It would have been nice to take more time but we had to get on. Leaving the forest we motored down the face of the Nandi escarpment and on to Kericho where we turned east back towards Nakuru through rolling hills of tea plantations and a flat plain of sugar cane. A loose throttle cable bracket was the cause of the only hiccup, but with so many able mechanics on hand the delay was short indeed. On again to Molo and thence by back roads to Nakuru for a welcome comfort stop. Then, onto the worst piece of road in the entire trip (including more than a few kilometres on murram) between Nakuru and Naivasha, across and up the side of the Rift Valley back to Nairobi. Thanks to all those who made the weekend very special for us and showed us some of the beauties of Western Kenya and very special thanks to Pierre (and as we later found out, Brian Nicol) for setting such a fine and interesting route. It was quite hard driving at times, but we did 850 rewarding kilometres.

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ROADSITE STOP EN ROUTE TO KABARNET.

THE ORGANISER, PIERRE PARSONS.

MICHAEL TILLEY WITH HIS MERCEDES 220.

ROGER AND JANE BRYSON, SANS CLASSIC CAR!

OLLIE KEEBLE'S MG CLIMBING TOWARDS ITEN.

J-P'S FORD ZODIAC MKIII.

DRIVING FROM ELDORET TO KAKAMEGA, WE WERE CAUGHT IN A THUNDERSTORM. THE PICTURE IS TAKEN FROM THE COMFORT OF THE WEBMASTER'S FORD ZODIAC, BUT THE CREW IN THE MGB AHEAD WERE LESS FORTUNATE! THE DRIVER OLLIE SAID: I'M OK, ONLY ONE LEG IS WET...

THE CARS PARKED AT THE RONDO RETREAT, IN KAKAMEGA FOREST.

ON THE WAY BACK, SMALL STOP TO REFIX THE MGB'S ACCELERATOR BRACKET BEFORE GOING DOWN THE NANDI ESCARPMENT.

IN MOLO TOWN, I HAD TO STOP TO TAKE A GOOD LOOK AT THIS POOR MKII ZEPHIR!

AFTER A LAST STOP NEAR THIS RAILWAY BRIDGE, WE HEADED BACK TO NAIROBI, ONLY TO GO THROUGH MORE RAIN AND HAILSTONES!