Episode 84: Stephen Drew

Bikepacking Across Namibia – The Ride of Independence

In this episode I feature guest Stephen Drew who shares his bikepacking adventure on what he calls his Namibian Ride of Independence. Stephen has been adventuring on his bike since he was a young kid and he recalls growing up in South Africa and spending many hours with friends exploring dirt tracks. That love for riding bikes never truly left Stephen and as he grew older he turned to Mountain Biking. He competed in many races, and was even part of the first South African team to take on the prestigious Trans Alps MTB race.

Stephen’s first tours were actually taken on a motorbike. Each year he’d enjoy time away with some friends on various motorbike tours. It was during one of these journey’s that Stephen ended up in a freak accident – one with life changing consequences. He would ultimately lose his right leg – amputated above the knee. I can’t fathom going through this experience, but listening to Stephen recount the story, and subsequently his recovery and rehabilitation process, what really shines through is the outlook he has chosen to face his life with. Instead of lamenting his lost limb, he instead put his focus on what he could do.

He turned to the bike as part of his recovery process, within 5 weeks he was on a stationary bike, and 8 months post accident was taking to the start line of mountain bike events as part of a tandem. He tells the story of learning to ride the bike again with such gripping reality and certainly enlightened me to just how difficult the process was, to do so with a prosthetic limb – especially as an above the knee amputee.

Stephen’s yearning for travelling by bike ultimately led to him creating a goal – one which he calls his ride of independence. One which would see him explore the landscapes of Namibia – an area he had toured through on his motorbike previously. His good friend Willy accompanied him on that expedition – one that would take them through empty desert scapes in searing heat. They battled sickness, food poisoning and dehydration – but all told with a great sense of humour.

Stephen is now about to embark on his next huge adventure – one that will see him travel through Zimbabwe. You can follow his adventures via his instagram account – @StephenFDrew