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B.C. ultra-endurance athlete completes solo cycling trip across Africa

Facing wild animals, border crossings and even physical assaults, Kelowna's Nick Pelletier pedalled over 10,000 kilometres in a gruelling solo journey.

Kelowna-based ultra-endurance athlete Nick Pelletier has another feather in his cap after solo cycling almost 11,000 kilometres across Africa.

"I've always wanted to just keep doing things bigger and bigger. So one of my idols, Mark Beaumont, who has the record (cycling) from Cairo to Cape Town, had done the exact same route that I just did. And it was a goal of mine to get it done, so I went over there and made it happen solo," says Pelletier.

Pelletier previously swam the length of Okanagan Lake, covering a distance of 106 kilometres from Vernon to Penticton. He's also attempted to swim across the Molokai Channel in Hawaii, but was forced to quit after being stung by a jellyfish.

Pelletier has also solo-cycled across the United States from San Francisco to Orchard Beach, Maine, in 50 days.

So he's no stranger to daring feats, especially if they involve swimming, running or cycling.

Pelletier made it across nine countries on his most recent trip, cycling 10,316 kilometres over 79 days.

"I hit the lowest point on the continent of Africa, Lac 'Assal in Djibouti, and then I went to the very highest point, Mount Kilimanjaro," he said.

His biggest hurdle was the logistical challenge of crossing so many different countries.

"You have to go across eight border crossings. It was really exciting to see the wildlife on the side of the road, elephants, giraffes, zebras. Climb Mount Kilimanjaro. That was one of the highlights of the trip," says Pelletier.

One of the big challenges was avoiding confrontations.

"I wasn't as afraid of the animals, I was bit more concerned about people," he said. "I met tons of nice people, but you do have to watch your back.

"In Ethiopia, as I would pass, they would throw rocks at me and hit me with sticks. And as I was coming into Cape Town, five minutes before I ended my trip, somebody punched me in the face and tried to steal my phone."

Pelletier says he had to fight to keep his phone, which he did, but when doing a solo trip, he stressed the importance of looking out for yourself.

Pelletier also says he raised about $3,000 for Charity Water.

"Going through some of these countries that they build the wells in, you can see the need for water. It wasn't just them that needed [water], it was me when I was over there. You can see how it really makes a difference in people's lives."

Pelletier has no plans to slow down; he'll be returning to the desert this fall to compete in the Moab 240 in October.

"Last year, I slipped and hurt my knee. So I only made 100 miles. So I'm going back in October to do that one again, and then we'll see what's after that," Pelletier says.