Don’t date a girl who cycles in Nairobi. Meet her at the bike repair shop as she gets her bike tuned, at the traffic stop as you both wait for the lights to change, during a group Sunday ride, heck even chase her down in your car, on your bike or motorcycle to get her number. She may turn up for that first date in barely there make-up, bare, toned legs and sensibly mid-heel high heels. She is fit and body confident.

She’s that girl with multi-toned skin – sun tinted forearms and forehead – and battle scars where the pedals have kissed her shins, or where the chain ring grazed her calf. Each scar accompanied by an urban half-pedestrian encounter, or collision with nature story. She is not obsessively image-conscious, with every hair exactly in its place or tucked under a severe, straight weave or curly, voluminous wig. What fashion trends?

So technically adept at fixing punctures in less than 10 minutes and maintaining that bike, she may well know how to get the air-lock out of the pipes. She may never need you. Cycling on these streets is a solo sport that nurtures independence.

Don’t date a girl who cycles in Nairobi, you will feel that you can’t match up to her adventurous bravado, and nervously dominate the conversation with tall tales of your own adventures. Every day is already an adventure. She is not easily impressed by the mundane. She is constantly aware of her vulnerability, cycling through these streets, knowing every day may be her last on that saddle.

Don’t date a girl who cycles in Nairobi or you will wait a few days wondering what happened, until you call her to chat and ask her out again. You suggest the same restaurant, the food was great. She knows a better one, also great food, great service, good wine and ambiance. She never takes the same route twice in a row.

Don’t date a girl who cycles in Nairobi, conversation will be a revealing journey of both your lives; hers a map marked with destinations you have always wished to visit, yours a curious compass ready to be pointed to the next adventure. She knows that everyone has taken the wrong turn, she will expect you to admit wrong turns and won’t always expect you to know the directions.

Don’t date a girl who cycles in Nairobi, she will probably kiss you first. She never hesitates and knows her capabilities, makes decisions pretty fast and sticks to them. If she didn’t she’d be roadkill by now.

Don’t date a girl who cycles in Nairobi, there will probably be grease under her pinky nail every now and then. Everything needs thorough, constant maintenance to keep working right. If taken for grunted, it will fall into a rusty state of disrepair.

Maybe she will stay. Make you her next adventure. That new road she has never traveled. Lot’s of blind spots add to the thrill. She will expect you to be mysterious, unpredictable, that cool drizzle on a hot and sunny ride.

A woman who cycles knows you can go further if you set your mind to it, and she will expect you to. It’s never about the destination, but the long, winding journey with promise on the horizon. You must will your mind to push up the hills, take time to enjoy the reward of the view from the top and the effortless downhills.

A girl who cycles in Nairobi knows every by-way and back route out of your life or back home. Heri kulia kwa baiskeli… Tears dry quickly when you cycle. On to the next one.

In brief, ride hard or go home!

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(*)/ (*) Enjoy the ride!! ❤ Cycling! ❤ Nairobi! and beyond!