The 10 to 4 is Kenya’s premier mountain bike challenge. Organised by Mount Kenya Trust, this annual challenge raises support that goes towards protecting, preserving, and enriching one of the most vulnerable UNESCO World Heritage sites in the world – Mount Kenya.

The 10 to 4 has been running since 2002. For more than 20 years, I have followed it from the outside.

This year, I got a front-row invitation to participate as a photographer, and here are highlights of my unforgettable experience.

Working as a Team

First, shout out to this amazing team of photographers and videographers with whom I spent three days in the wildernesses of Laikipia, shooting, editing and collaborating to document the 10 to 4. I was meeting most for the first time and it was a pleasure telling this important story together.

Every evening, we received a map like the one above, showing where each team would be positioned for the following day. This helped us plan better and give priority to the shots that mattered most.

Borana Race Village

Borana Conservancy hosted the Race Village. It sits at the bottom of a valley with tall acacias and a river running through. Around it is a vast wilderness. This is where the race is run from. We camped, had our meals, and had a special tent where we got to edit the images and videos shot each day.

On our first night there, three lions visited the camp as we were going to sleep. Sadly, they hadn’t registered for the race so they were sent away.

Day 1, Friday 20th February.

On this day, we had three races – Extreme and Wild Categories which are bicycle races, and Clamber which is for runners. Three teams of photographer and videographer pairs were assigned to cover the day’s races. I was paired with Rocho.

Wild Rides Water Point

10 to 4 partners get to flex their creativity at water points where the cyclists stop to refuel before proceeding with the race. This one was sponsored by Wild Rides.

Special shout out to Justin who helped be strobe some of the shots after I forgot my tripod at camp.

Wildlife and Landscapes at Borana Conservancy

Vast and wild, Borana hosts amazing wildlife and landscapes.

Day 2, Saturday 21st February

This is race day proper, where the cyclists ride from 10,000 to 4,000 feet above sea level. That is where the race gets its name.

I was paired with Mercy on this day which started quite early for us. We left camp before 5am to ensure we were at the start point before flag off, which we were.

Mt Kenya Landscapes

Their beauty remains undefeated.

Water Point 4

My first photography position was Water Point 4 which was on a good open flat with lots of grass and trees.

Just before the water point was the craziest dry river crossing I saw in the race. Here, cyclists had to help their bicycles negotiate the rocky incline out of the dry river bed.

Tambuzi Water Point

As cyclists came through this water point which was at the edge of Ngare Dare Forest, the team from Tambuzi, which is a purpose-driven carbon neutral rose farm, threw petals at them, allowing the cyclists to receive their flowers before the finish line.

From here it was a short climb then mostly downhill to the Borana Race Village for the finish line and the awards ceremony.

Day 3, Sunday 22nd February

Not to be left behind, the next generation of cycling champs had their taste of competition at the Mini 10 to 4.

It was a very exciting three-day adventure for me, spending time in the beautiful wildernesses of Kenya north of the equator, and creating memorable moments with an amazing team of photographers and videographers.

Thank you Mount Kenya Trust for the opportunity to attend and tell this important story.

I’m still debating where to go as a cyclist or photographer for the 2027 edition.