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From Narok to Njoro and back

Happy Birthday KayTee
15 November 2021
From the ocean to the slopes of Mt. Kilimanjaro
28 November 2021
 

By Peter Gichere

Saturday's 20th November random.

So on saturday we had planned out a trip to Njoro and back from Narok. We were to go through Bomet-Tenwek route that goes through some kind of forest reserve then come back via the Mau Narok route making it a circuit. The trip on maps indicates an estimated 301kms but my odometer reads today we've clocked in an estimated 335kms.

The trip was to start at 8am but I love sleep so much that leo nikachelewesha Steve Maingi. Got out of the house at around 8.30am went for bike service (change of oil, check of air and oil filter, tightening of few things here and there) by the time it was done time was around 10am. Had to do one work related errand along the way so round off the time to around 12pm by the time we were reaching Bomet.

 

We branched off at the junction leading to Tenwek Hospital stopped over to see a mutual friend. Got lost a bit trying to find the tarmac leading to Njoro due to road closure. We wanted to pause a bit at Tenwek falls but due to time constraints and road closure couldn't make it. Finally found the tarmac leading to Njoro from Tenwek and the route was set.

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Went through some beautiful views phone cameras can't even do justice. This region is prone to rainfall especially at that time that we were passing but today we got lucky we passed though mostly light showers, couldn't stop at some places because the conditions were wet and a bit dull but the rain is nothing we couldn't handle. The road is just nice, very little traffic, some twisties and bendies. Though like almost all Kenyan back roads especially you gotta watch out for unmarked bumps some were even placed in corners hujamaliza ata kulean.

One of the stops we made was around Kiptagich reminded me of my time in Limuru there is just something with tea plantations, you cannot get tired of seeing well maintained tree hedges.

 

So we proceed and like always you can't always trust Google maps to the fullest. It told us we've arrived at our destination with almost 50 something kms left🤣🤣🤣. Then there is this stretch not sure where it begins I think from keringet on your way to Njoro extremely bad stretch of road full of humongous potholes.

Along the way we meet with another guy 'Dan' having an older model of Steve's bike (Keeway Superlight). The guy is a local and stop for a while having chitchat then we agree he accompanies us to Njoro as he was proceeding to Nakuru.

 

We get to Njoro stop over at a junction ask a few local boda guys which is the route to Narok via Mau Narok and they show us. We learn some section is unpaved and that brings some anxiety because none of us is riding a serious offroader categorised with inches of suspension travel and also it's the rainy season also it was getting a bit late.

We are better on tarmac with some light offroading due to necessity. We even contemplate going to Nakuru then proceed to Naivasha which is very long but at least we won't get lost. At that time Steve's google maps is telling him kuenda Narok lazima aende Nakuru-Nairobi then to Narok via Mai Mahiu 🤣🤣 (No kidding).

Google's maps finally comes to it's senses and we see Narok is just 105kms via the Mau Narok route. We settle for it and proceed to have lunch (well sought of). We order some Samosas which are the largest I've ever seen just for 50bob (and if any one of you is missing their beloved dog or cat please holla at me I might have some leads). 'Lunch' is finally over and we have some chitchat.

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Our friend Dan then proceeds to Nakuru and we head out to Narok. We stop to refill at Rubis because that was the only option the proceed to Narok via the Mau-Narok route. This is one of the most direct routes I've ever been on. Straight and straight ahead no branching or anything. The tarmac is fresh most if it. Very wide, minimal bumps that were mainly found around Egerton and the town centres near to it. The unpaved part is nothing our bike couldn't handle actually very smooth rough road.

 

The rest of the journey is just empty tarmac with no bumps most of it and you are just wishing your bike could turn into a 600cc beast or an R1 crossplane and eat the tarmac the way it should be eaten.

Anyways by 6.30pm we are back in Narok and go our separate ways and I proceed to buy some Gin which is one of the main co-authors of this post. In short the day was well made and wasn't a waste of soap.

1 Comment

  1. From Narok to Njoro and back!!!! Gich despite being a super rider you also are an amazing rider and narrator…..I could literally see you ride..the getting lost part and not trusting google maps had me laughing 🤣🤣🤣🤣 ….I also need a Gin lol😂
    What a ride and beautiful pictures!
    Thank you for sharing !!
    Can’t wait to read more of your adventures
    Super proud of you always 💯✍️😊

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