Mwafrika.. It is entirely possible for an African to be a racist. Ask me. For the longest time, I'm ashamed to say, I was one.. Couldn't stand being in the same room with, let alone talk to, a white person or an Indian... Especially after visiting the Ghana Slave castles... but dude, I've learnt that just like with the PEV proponents, I was wrong.. there are only bad people (Rain-bugger, Hitler, our MPigs etc) and good people.

I will concede, however, that a lot of whites do think they're superior. Notwithstanding the fact that I've beaten every one of the ones I've encountered in my areas of expertise.

Mr Davies...I have not the time to read all the posts but I will venture some advice since I surmise none of the previous posters is posting out of experience. This comes from someone who HAS cycled to work - both road bike and MTB - 40 kms per day - Thika Road near Kasarani up to Ngong Sarit Hyper or thereabouts...brag brag....and has also cycled to Lake Magadi half a dozen times...and was an amateur cyclists for quite a while.

I'd say as long as you are bold...even on narrow roads...make your intentions clear...don't allow room for overtaking cars to try and squeeze by and clip you with side mirrors , etc...ANY road is good. Even Waikayi Way, Langata Road (that road I am very familiar with...all the way to Ngong Town to Kiserian, Rongai, etc). This has to do with safety in the sense of NOT becoming a bonnet ornament or shattering someone's windscreen.

There is just ONE road that really freaks me out - Jogoo Road - on account of the matatus pulling in and out of stages, pedestrians, handcarts, other cyclists laden sky high with all manner of things, etc...you need as many eyes as a spider on that road.

Regarding safety in terms of theft/attacks...that can happen anywhere and I mean anywhere. I recall one sunday morning I was going to a cycling race that started at Nyayo Stadium...near the Nyayo House roundabout three guys jumped me...and tried to take my bike...strangely they were not aware that cyclists have pretty strong legs...so, balancing on cycling shoes with cleats and all I let them have it....I even threw my water bottle after their retreating figures...that was JUST after Grand Regency and just before the roundabout ....in broad daylight....but I did anticipate it as they looked suspicious...so, look ahead, try and read people's intentions, avoid deserted places and be prepared to go down fighting. People are awakening to the fact that a decent MTB can cost as much as US$ 1000...or a racing bike up to US$ 2000....

In Karen-Langata area you should be fairly safe...A good part of Langata Road has a pedestrian/cycling path....and I find it safer to ride in heavy traffic...so once you get to Nairobi West...if it peak hours, you'll be thankful to be riding and not sitting in traffic with the "I must drive my ex-japan Toyota to work" class.

Do it! Bonne chance!

yes i'm guilty of getting carried away with this!
sorry!

Anyway, thanks for your advice, thats really really helpful!

We dont know exactly where we are living yet, so I may have to figure it out when we are over, but I'm allowed to bring a bike with me on the plane, but i'm not sure whether to give one to my wife to carry over too (a crappy comuter bike)

Cheers
Mark

@mozenrat
Think about it, when you have righteous indignation in response to being mistreated, your sentiments and reaction cannot be racist. Racism implies initiative in creating offense, in other words a reaction to evil is not tantamount to that evil. Which is why if a cop shoots and kills a thug it is not murder, but if a thug kills his victim, it is murder.
What you need to know is that those people do hate us, Indians mercilessly hate us and I've met many abroad who contemptiously derided me. One would not serve me in a computer store. Why they hate us is not because of us, but because of the evil that lurks in each and every one of them. Keep your resentment and don't feel guilty about it.