📸 Visit from the army, cooking outside, and a head injury: Ten Dam’s bike-packing race ends after unfortunate crash

Laurens ten Dam has again shown himself to be a true cycling adventurer. The national coach of the Dutch women's team competed in Rwanda in the Race Around Rwanda, a 1,000-kilometer bike-packing race through the African country. Unfortunately, it didn't end well: the former pro had to quit after a crash in which his front wheel was damaged, and he injured his head. That said, there is no lack of adventures.

Earlier, Ten Dam shared images of the beautiful roads. There, he rode together with Thomas Dekker, and they also came across part of the course where the World Cycling Championships will be held later this year: a great way to explore in advance. The roads in Rwanda's capital were good, but they became rougher outside Kigali. So Ten Dam was well prepared with his brand new Gravelbike.

But good preparation can only do so much. After all, a crash can happen to anyone. Ten Dam slammed his front wheel into a wildlife grid and toppled over. In doing so, he hurt his head: the footage shows an extensive abrasion and bump. But his bicycle was also damaged. The tire was broken, and the wheel had a huge bump. So, end of story. "At the exit of the last gravel lane, I got stuck with my front wheel," he says on the Instagram page of Live Slow Ride Fast. "My front wheel broke, and I crashed. I have a little blood on my cheek and jaw." 

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Local cyclists offer helping hand

The 44-year-old cycling enthusiast shared images of the scene on Instagram, where even the army was present. Although his race was over, the adventure was not: After he rode to the nearest hotel, he got help from a few locals. They were cyclists, too, and offered him a ride and shelter. There, they made a meal on a small gas stove. Also, the muddy clothes were washed, and the bike was cleaned. What a service!

The Race Around Rwanda continued without Ten Dam, who was riding in front and competing for the prizes. However, after his crash, the race was over. The race is nearing its end, and American former pro Edward 'Ted' King is currently in the lead.

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