Skydiving, taking a world trip from running a marathon. Those are all examples of things that can be on a bucket list. Also somewhat is the Amsterdam – Dakar challenge, where teams cross from Amsterdam to, you guessed it, Dakar. Eva Spigt will participate, in November the time has come. But there is still a lot that needs to be arranged before then…

The Amsterdam – Dakar challenge is definitely different from a rally race. No one competes to be the first to reach goals, but the lines are on the joint result of the finish line. The 33-year-old Eva can ever see the time to do this adventure, also to show that women can be made the journey just as well as men. ‘Women can do everything’ is her motto. Subway talks to Eva about her motivation, preparation and all other things around this adventure.

Amsterdam – Dakar Challenge

“The Dakar Challenge has been organized since 2004, really for a good cause. During the 7000 kilometers traveled, from Amsterdam to Dakar and finally to The Gambia. It is quite intense: you drive 7000 kilometers, which means that you spend about 10 hours in the car every day. The route goes through Western Sahara, Mauritania and Senegal. I was actually a bit wrong about that, because some areas are marked as unsafe due to mines and famine. So it will be nice not to have a very nice feeling not to drive through areas.”

When Eva was on a road trip in Portugal with friends, the idea came up to participate in the Dakar challenge: “I enjoyed driving there, it was great to race. And my friends encouraged me to join. When I saw it taking place in November, I thought: ‘Yes, I can still participate!’. But actually I was too late, the organization announced that they were full.”

‘I want to prove the contrary’

On their website the organization writes: ‘Where to distinguish themselves from boys’, and Eva tells that very stupid to men. “Now I really want to participate, to prove otherwise. Then I chased the organization after their pants and finally I got the green light. Only then did I look at what exactly it contains.” And with that, Eva was faced with a few toys. “But I’ve been very involved with women’s emancipation since primary school. So this is important for me to do. I can do this!”

Eva likes adventure and travel, “and I really only do fun things in it,” she says. “Before I start the trip in November, I’m going on a camping trip to Norway, so hopefully I can use that as extra preparation.”

The Amsterdam – Dakar challenge is done in teams. Eva’s team continues with the women’s theme: „There are only women in our team. I took two friends with me. When we went to investigate what the challenge entailed, they were a bit shocked. ‘What did we say yes to?’ it sounds. But we are going to prepare well. For example, we will learn sand driving, change car tires and all other car-related skills extensively. It is something new that we learn then, and I think that is super fun.” Of the fifty teams, three are women’s teams, including Eva’s: „That is really nil. I want to show that women can do anything they want.”

Good preparation is crucial

The trip lasts three weeks, most of which is done in Africa. The teams must have left Europe in three days. Via Spain the route goes to Morocco and so on. “When we are out of Europe, the real adventure begins.” But Eva and her are still at the beginning of their team. For example, they have to arrange a vehicle for the Dakar challenge themselves, and they don’t have that yet: “It’s nice to collect your sponsor money yourself and to arrange everything on your own. We have already received a Toyota, but we are keeping our options open. Maybe there are other people who can help us with a car or other necessities during the trip.”

And if something breaks on the car, you’re the jack. But the Dakar challenge differs from a rally, because you can and can help each other. “Sometimes a team drives four hours back to help others with problems. That’s very beautiful.”

Challenge for a good cause

The organization of the Amsterdam – Dakar challenge has a number of charities for which money can be raised. At the end of the trip, the vehicles with which the teams made the trip can be auctioned in The Gambia. Eva recalls: “That money goes to a charity of her choosing from the list of the organization. My team and I are going to ride for the education of girls in The Gambia, a project of Brighter Future Foundation. I want them to have a good future, and education is important. For us here it is self-evident, but good education there can also ensure that girls become more resilient to sexual violence and that they do not have to live on rotten jobs.”

Once the car has been auctioned, the intention is to return to the Netherlands: „I could fly back, but I do my work online so I could even stay in The Gambia. I have no idea yet. I may have to hitchhike again, but I think I’ll be on the road for longer than three weeks.” Eva is now a big fan of car rides, cross roads and road trips. But that was once different: “I have had my driver’s license since I was eighteen, but I did not dare to drive for ten years because I had a fear of driving. I had to drive for work, so I had to. After a driving lesson and some practice in Curaçao, because I visited my sister there, I got the processing back.”

‘Expect a great adventure’

„There is much more to the Amsterdam – Dakar challenge than I initially think, but I am really looking forward to it. And I will do everything I can to get off to a good start. I expect a great adventure in which I encounter unexpected ones; new languages, new people… I’m really looking forward to that.”

Want to follow Eva in her journey to the Amsterdam – Dakar challenge? That’s possible Instagramand you can contact Eva and her team via this email address.

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