User:Kstober

FITNESS AND WELLNESS

In Uganda, it is very rare that a person trades his vehicle for a bicycle to commute to work every day. However, Ken Stober, a group managing director and chief executive officer, of Simplifi Networks, Uganda does that every day. The theme for the National Day of Physical Activities in the country is exercise in medicine. Stober shares with Vision Sport’s Mau-reen Nakatudde how he has used his bicycle to keep his health at top-notch. I have been cycling since I was very young, even spent some years racing bicycles in the USA. Today, I ride my bicycle to commute to work and for general exercise. on the days I’m unable to ride, I miss it terribly. Many days you will see me riding my Gorilla Mountain bike on the roads on my commute. I try to commute each day for my health, it also keeps my car off the roads during this time of massive road work and large potholes that could swallow small children. I ride to reduce my stress after a long day at work. My sports watch manages my sleep, heart rate, stress levels, and many other health variables. When I’m riding, my stress levels are lower than the days I don’t do it. Additionally, I have a computer on my bike that tells speed, time, and average speed. I’m always trying to ride the fastest on my commute from home to work and vice versa. The fastest I ever rode was during the COVID-19 lockdown because there were no cars or taxis on the road: I could literally fly on the roads.

Besides, there is this question people always bring up to me; “Isn’t it dangerous to ride on the Kampala roads?” “Yes, it is,” I always respond. But over time, I have learned to work my way out. I observe maximum care when riding. But with many years of riding, I have a good understanding of my bike, and how I can maneuver vehicles in traffic. I do this by always wearing a helmet. I also keep away from any distractions like listening to music or podcasts to avoid accidents. A few years ago, I took my bike to Queen Elizabeth National Park, and I wanted to ride there. My goal was to ride to Kasenyi Village. When I checked in at the Uganda World Authority (UWA) Ranger Station, they thought I was crazy. They said if we do not see you in four hours, we will send someone to look for your body: we all laughed. Two and half hours later, after getting to the village and back, I stopped and checked back in, I was safely back and went home for a cold beer and sleep. I do most of my own bike maintenance, I have a set of bike tools and a bike stand to hold my bike. I get spare parts from the USA via Amazon or when I visit my family. I also have an extra set of wheels in case something breaks. I carry on my bike, spare tubes, pump, and some simple tools in case of repairs while riding. For those interested in cycling, I advise them to first find a safe quiet location with little traffic, then practice. As they get better, there are several groups that do rides for beginners and more experienced riders such as Cycle Tours Uganda. You can meet with them and ride together. To be safe, always wear a helmet.