Haley Hunter Smith had the adventure of a lifetime at Safari Gravel Race in Kenya
We’ve seen some impressive leadouts before, but nothing like Haley Hunter Smith’s courageous domestique: A galloping zebra, weighing perhaps a quarter ton, clearing the way for her Safari Gravel Race win through Hell’s Gate National Park in Kenya.
Smith has been trotting the globe all year — from bikepacking in Tasmania, to tackling the daunting challenge of Cape Epic in South Africa — and has taken on the biggest races in mountain biking and gravel during her career. She’s never experienced anything like riding Kenya’s sweeping plains.
“I can’t believe I’m lucky enough to be here, in Kenya, racing my bike,” Smith said. “It’s hard not to feel like my entire cycling career has been building towards opportunities like this. This is way cooler than having gone to the Olympics, I can tell you that for sure. I’ve never been more grateful to have the ability to ride and race my bike.”
Haley atop the Safari Gravel Race podium. | Photo: Andy Bolo
The Safari Gravel Race is the finale of the Safari Race Series, which takes place throughout Kenya. Smith raced 120 kilometers through the landscape that inspired “The Lion King.” The course was technical and undulating — exactly to Smith’s liking.
“I wish all gravel races were like this!” Smith said. “It was rugged with some very technical descending (and even technical climbing). Nothing was ever flat, nothing was ever very straight, and not a single meter of the course was boring. These are the types of gravel courses that suit me: technical, hard, and fun to ride.”
The wildlife ready to lend riders an assist. | Photo: Andy Bolo
Smith rode with Rwandan rider Claudette Nyirahabimana for most of the day. Nyirahabimana put pressure on Smith during the climbs — and with 1,760 meters of elevation gain, there was plenty of climbing — but Smith hung tough and managed to go clear off the front with 30 kilometers to go and rode away steadily for the win.
To take on such a unique course, Smith opted for an XC-worthy Supercaliber outfitted with drop bars.
“It was 100 percent the right choice,” Smith said. “I used all of my suspension and was able to really play to my strengths on the descending.”
Haley making her move. | Photo: Andy Bolo
Smith’s trip to Kenya served as a palate cleanser coming off the heightened pomp and pressure of racing Unbound Gravel earlier this month. She has been embracing balance throughout the calendar. The Life Time Grand Prix circuit may host the biggest events of the year, but gravel racing is about adventure, first and foremost.
“The cycling culture here is vibrant and so welcoming,” Smith said. “People have a run what ya got mentality, and showed up on all sorts of bikes to tackle this beast of a course. I’ll never forget the badasses that took on Safari Gravel.”
