Team Nowak follows in the footsteps of the Polish world traveller on the Kanzo Adventure Alu through Africa
Nearly a hundred years ago, Polish explorer Kazimierz Nowak was one of the very first bikepackers in the world. He stepped out of his front door to cycle to the southernmost tip of Africa. Along the way, he wrote hundreds of articles that were published in newspapers in his home country. Cultural scientist Tom Ysewijn wrote the masterpiece Alone Across Africa about this journey. The story was picked up by actor Titus De Voogdt, who, together with content creator Jeroen Franssens and Ysewijn himself, will head to Africa this October on our Kanzo Adventure Alu for the podcast Nowak.
You may know De Voogdt from his extensive theatre work or from roles in productions like De Dag and The Missing. At the Velofollies cycling expo, he visited us and spoke about his new project. His great inspiration is Kazimierz Nowak, whose journey nearly a century ago was both an adventure tale and a critical reportage on the African continent. The one part he was unable to complete at the time: a wild ride through Namibia and Angola. Titus’s passion and enthusiasm were contagious, and we decided to prepare three Kanzo Adventure Alu gravel bikes for him and his two companions.
You may know De Voogdt from his extensive theatre work or from roles in productions like De Dag and The Missing. At the Velofollies cycling expo, he visited us and spoke about his new project. His great inspiration is Kazimierz Nowak, whose journey nearly a century ago was both an adventure tale and a critical reportage on the African continent. The one part he was unable to complete at the time: a wild ride through Namibia and Angola. Titus’s passion and enthusiasm were contagious, and we decided to prepare three Kanzo Adventure Alu gravel bikes for him and his two companions.
Meticulous preparations
The Nowak project subsequently received production support from the Flanders Audiovisual Fund, and at the end of March we received word that plane tickets had been booked. The adventure was taking shape. Titus, Tom, and Jeroen will fly into Windhoek and cover more than 2,000 kilometers on two wheels in just one month. We were impressed by the trio’s preparation. While selecting a Nordisk tent, we saw them working in the garden, weighing the pros and cons of comfort versus lightweight design.
In early May, we welcomed the trio to our headquarters in Beringen. Titus, Tom, and Jeroen were given a tour of our factory and underwent necessary testing in the Aero Performance Lab. Coach Hendrik put them to the test and concluded that Tom, in particular, was already in good shape. The gentlemen also took their aluminium steeds home with them, so the real training could begin.
In early May, we welcomed the trio to our headquarters in Beringen. Titus, Tom, and Jeroen were given a tour of our factory and underwent necessary testing in the Aero Performance Lab. Coach Hendrik put them to the test and concluded that Tom, in particular, was already in good shape. The gentlemen also took their aluminium steeds home with them, so the real training could begin.
The bike for every adventure
The story of Nowak aligns perfectly with the Kanzo Adventure Alu. This bike allows for tires up to 52 millimetres wide and features an award-winning geometry that prioritizes comfort during long days in the saddle. With 18 mounting points, it’s easy to attach various bike bags and fenders to shield against rain and dirt. The bike is available for under €2,000, making it highly accessible for all dedicated adventurers.
That’s when the real cycling fun began. Since the men will soon be doing everything themselves – from travel to carrying their own tent, food, water, and microphones – they focused on putting in as many kilometres as possible. Their first test ride was a success. They also found a partner in Vaude for the bikepacking bags. Earlier this week, we received images of a camping trip, complete with a campfire, in temperatures climbing into the high 30s. Africa awaits — and Nowak will be ready.
