We do not have any prerequisites, though everyone who registers is required to fill out a medical form that we’ll review for potential issues. A big goal for us is to make adventure bike tours accessible to as many people as possible and our support system is designed around that idea. Not only do we want everyone to be able to experience Africa by bike but the more diverse the group of people on tour the better the tour experience is for everyone.

If you regularly ride 3 days a week or more you should have no issue. In the rider updates that all registered riders get we have advice on training and preparation.

We hire between 5 and 8 contract staff every year. Everyone starts as contract staff. They pay is terrible and work is damn hard. If you come back for a second year the pay gets better but it is certainly not something you do to get rich. You can apply via our website.
Hiring usually begins in September for the following year. Mostly we hire:
1) Experienced Medics (nurses and paramedics),
2) Chefs (trained chefs, the fact that you “love to cook” or “cook a lot for friends” does not count, not when you are cooking for 80 people in the middle of a desert.) 3) Communications officers – People with proven photography, writing and social media skills. Having your own (successful) blog or experience working as a freelance writer is a big plus.
4) Experienced Bike Mechanics (again you need training and time working in a shop) and
5) Assistant tour directors – this is a broader category but you should have leadership experience, a lot of travel experience, some first aid training and some basic skills as a bike mechanic.

All candidates need to have travel experience (if you’ve never left your home country don’t apply) and wilderness first aid training is a plus.

Seems like its becoming a trend for people to ride our Africa tour and then do the tour divide as we have at least one client finishing up his Cairo to Cape Town tour this week who plans to race the divide this year as well.

Coincidentally we are touring the divide next year on our Alaska to Mexico tour (called the North American Epic) Its not official just yet but we should be announcing that in a few weeks on our website.
I can imagine the Tour Divide is a much bigger physical challenge. I would say the pace of our tours is moderate for a fit cyclist. Opinions vary though.