I wish you all could see what I see. Experience what I experience. I want you to understand how much everything we do matters, not only in cycling but also in the lives of the young people in the Team Africa Rising orbit. We can’t accomplish this without you. Sadly, you don’t get to witness the daily changes in these young lives, but today, I want to give you an insider’s view of what this all truly means.
I want you to hear the laughter of Rwandan and Benin riders talking during evening walks in the Wyoming mountains. – English, French, Kinyarwanda, the local language of Benin – it’s all chatter and laughter, stories shared among teammates and friends.
Everyone vying to wear the Go Ruck packs of Jock (Muzehe) and me (Mucecuru) – (old man/old lady). All of us teasing the 18-year-old Exodus for choosing the 20-pound old lady’s pack over the 37-pound old man’s pack. The camaraderie is tangible.
They’ve had the whole Wyoming wild west experience, even racing along a trundle of elk!
Learning how to eat like a professional cyclist
Exodus has dropped 3kgs of baby fat and every day looks leaner and rides stronger. He’s large for a rider, definitely a sprinter, but we want to do everything in our power to help him up those hills in Rwanda next month at the World Championships.
Most importantly, Exodus now understands the importance of proper nutrition. He helps with meals and now asks questions about what to eat and how much to eat.
“What is protein, and how much should I have?”
“Can I stop eating carbs to lose weight?” – Yeah, NO, carbs are still important!
“Can my mom make this in Benin?” – Yes, everything I make here, I make sure and show them how to do it in Benin.
“My dad could lose weight.” – Yes, he could be healthier 😉
“I want to be fast!”
Hermionne is the sous chef of the group. No one can chop garlic into itsy bitsy pieces like Hermionne. She’s curious about everything – how to make it, what’s needed in the recipe, can I take this 5# of French green lentils home?
Meet Hermionne Ahouissou
Hermionne is fierce on a bike. She has adapted well, and with each passing day, we are hopeful that she’ll finish the Maryland Cycling Classic and roll right into the World Champs with a strong event completion performance. She almost did it in Zurich last year. This year, she is WAY more fit!
Hermionne now owns all the Strava QOMs on Wyoming 70.
With all the success Hermionne is experiencing in her training, which we hope will translate to her racing abilities in September, our conversations highlight a deeper significance of the work we do. Hermionne is a former three-time Speed and Endurance Rollerblade Benin National Champion who took up cycling three years ago. Hermionne is 27, which is considered old for a single woman in Africa. However, that’s not the case if you’re a single woman in Benin! Benin is a progressive country that celebrates strong women—just read about the Amazons of the Kingdom of Dahomey. We had an in-depth conversation about expectations for young women. Hermionne said she doesn’t feel any pressure to marry or have children. She mentioned that the support she gets from her family, her Federation, and Team Africa Rising makes pursuing her dreams achievable.
Raimatou Kpovihouede
Her teammate, Raimatou, 24, also feels free to chase her dream of becoming a world-class cyclist. It took Raimatou a bit longer to adjust to the dry, high-altitude climate of Wyoming. But with each passing day, she feels stronger and has even set a QOM herself.
These two young women fully embrace the entire experience of the Wyoming training camp, including learning about nutrition, understanding Whoop, Strava, and recently undergoing a VO2 test. They have also completed numerous interviews in preparation for the Maryland Cycling Classic. They are actively promoting their country during this unique time in history. Team Africa Rising does what no other organization does in cycling development across the African continent. We develop not only world-class cyclists but also build infrastructure and support systems that will last for decades beyond our direct involvement. While there are African Continental Teams and organizations that select cyclists from these nations, only TAR invests in grassroots efforts to ensure long-term sustainability.
Training the Trainers
This year, Salami Avoceiten, the Benin Assistant Coach, is back for another round of training. Yesterday, he learned how to administer the VO2 tests. By the final test, he had the entire process down to a science. Salami is only 20 but is the technological mastermind behind all the virtual training, Strava, Whoop, and data collection for Benin. Benin is the leading country in this area. There is no other country collecting this much data and teaching riders how to interpret and use it.
The Ask….it matters
The purpose of this newsletter is two-fold – to share a glimpse of our world, the world you support, and to let you know that we need your help more than ever. After mid-2026, TAR’s support from our benefactor for almost twenty years will end. The Rob Walton Foundation has backed our efforts since 2008 and has been the key driver behind TAR’s success. We thank Mr. Walton and honor the legacy he has helped us build in African cycling.
But the work continues, as mentioned above, TAR is the only organization that does what we do. If we’re not there, the void will be huge and irreversible. It’s up to us, all of us, to continue delivering for these young people.
You can help by spreading the word and making a donation. It’s that simple. We need your help.
