The following text may have been generated by Optical Character Recognition, with varying degrees of accuracy. Reader beware!

Cycling from Cairo to Cape Town in four months By Dominik Kurek OAKVILLE BEAVER STAFF If riding a bicycle for 12,000 kilometres isn't difficult enough, how about adding tough terrain, equatorial heat, climate changes, deserts, dangerous wildlife and many more obstacles along the way? For a 54-year-old Oakville woman this will be the way of life for about four months when she sets off on a journey from Cairo, Egypt that ends in Cape Town, South Africa. Nola Reynolds, a massage therapist and holistic life coach, is doing the expedition through Tour d'Afrique, an organization that puts on trans-continental journeys. Though the journey will be gruelling, Reynolds expects to have a great time. "I couldn't pinpoint one specific thing. I think the whole experience will be one thing after another that will be amazing," she said when asked what she's looking forward to the most. "One thing I've always wanted to do is a safari and we'll have an opportunity to do that." Reynolds is expensing the trip herself. However, she is also raising funds for the Stephen Lewis Foundation (SLF) through its Dare Campaign. Reynolds' donation page can be found by searching her name at www.darecampaign. ago. I remember picking up a brochure at a bike show. At the time, I probably thought: who does stuff like that? But it kind of f caught me and I feel like it has to be done now," she said. "I think what's driving me now is that I want to experience life at a different level; a more basic life, be in the moment and take each day as it comes. "I don't have to worry about what's going to happen tomorrow other than getting up every day and riding my bike." Reynolds has lived in Oakville on and off f over the last two decades and has recently returned from spending four years in China and Dubai. Reynolds is not new to long-distance activities either. She has competed in marathons, ironman triathlons and even done one ultramarathon. Reynolds bikes recreationally, as well as when training for triathlons. She also completed a two-week bike trip in China. A trip through Africa is about going back to the basics and living simply, she said, but it also requires a lot of preparation. "To prepare physically, I ride a bike a lot. I try to watch my nutrition and make sure I'm eating well so I have energy. I get regular massages to help my recovery and to prevent See Reynolds page 20 19 · Thursday, December 8, 2011 OAKVILLE BEAVER · www.insideHALTON.com ERIC RIEHL / OAKVILLE BEAVER ACROSS AFRICA: Nola Reynolds is going to cycle through Africa, Cairo to Cape Town, beginning in January. ca. "The funds will go directly to the community level, the grassroots level," said Reynolds. "I know it will benefit people directly. It's people who are working hard to change the face of AIDS in Africa. It goes to the Africans themselves." Bicycles will hit the pavement, and sometimes dirt, on Jan. 14 in Cairo, while the tour is scheduled to end in Cape Town in May. During the journey, Reynolds will celebrate her 55th birthday. She said this is something she must do. "This seed was planted p a number of years y LY ONE NIGHT ONL th 5pm - 9pm 16 r e b m ce Friday, De Purchase a $ th service & retail Can be used on bo le & Burlington Melonhead Oakvil For only rd 65.00 Gift Ca.0 0 $ 49 s er m ! sto bag u 0 c loot 5 st a Fir get Brought to you by your Local Newspaper Pop in or call 905.469.4877 for an appointment Lakeshore Road 131 Lakeshore Road East, Oakvi ville Thoma homas St We have tons of unique gifts & stocking stuffers Same g great service now in the heart of Downtown Oakville! FREE PARKING with this ad for duration n of hair cut Navy St