A ride to remember
Son of CMS mission partner takes on 5,000km African cycle challenge in memory of his father
Photo: CMS supporter David Hubbard gets ready for a mammoth cycling challenge
David Hubbard is a CMS supporter preparing to cycle through Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania in 2026 in memory of his father, a CMS mission partner. As he tells Emily Wilson in this interview, his 5,000km East African ride is more than a challenge – it’s a tribute to his father’s life in mission. And a way to raise money for CMS.
David, what inspired this incredible, intrepid undertaking?
My parents, Laurie and Wendy Hubbard, went to Kenya as mission partners with CMS in 1966, my dad served as an Anglican vicar in the Kenyan towns of Nyeri and Nanyuki for about seven years. I don’t know what drew Dad to Kenya – he was open to anything – but I know that his dad had also done mission work for many years in Nigeria back in the 1920s or 30s.
I was born in Kenya, my wife Rachel was born in Kenya too. My family left Kenya before I turned five, but I have a few childhood memories of Nanyuki. I do remember that on a clear day you would see the very beautiful view of Mount Kenya in the distance.
When Dad died this year we were thinking, what can we do in his memory? And this idea came about.
I understand you’re a competent and keen cyclist but why such a long way, and why East Africa?
Any excuse for a long cycle ride, especially in Africa, if I’m honest! But I was thinking, while it’s a fun thing to do, and it’s a challenge, how could I honour my dad and encourage others along the way?
After discussing with various people, and realising that CMS [still] has links in East Africa, I came up with the idea of cycling a kind of loop around Lake Victoria. I’ve cycled in Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania before. My family and I visited Kenya this summer and I had a chance to do some cycling and plan some of the route. I brought out a folding bike in a suitcase, which held up remarkably well on the rough roads!
How long do you think the cycle will take?
My hope is I’ll do it in two months. I can use leave or school holiday time in order to have enough time away from my jobs teaching and with Friends International.
Starting in Nairobi, Kenya, I will travel north to Nyeri, near Mount Kenya, to visit a family that my dad knew well, before heading across the semi-arid area called Laikipia, hopefully seeing some wildlife along the way! I’ll meet up with my son-in-law’s family in Busia County, visit the CMS-Africa team, then head into northern Uganda to visit CMS’s work with refugees. From there I will then travel south across the border into Tanzania. I hope to visit schools in Iringa and Morogoro where I used to work. I want to help do some staff training with teachers whenever I get the chance, as teacher training opportunities are quite limited.
In Tanzania I also hope to visit CMS mission partners Ben and Katy Ray before crossing north back into Kenya to complete the 5,000km loop.
There are various personal connections – former colleagues, friends, family – but I also want to give as much time as possible to see school projects, CMS projects and to link with other people where I could do anything useful. That would be great.
Why do you think your father stayed connected to CMS’s work for so many years after he returned from being a mission partner in Kenya?
“I think he was motivated by a few things. One, he made connections with people. He’d fallen in love with people, their warmth, their kindness. But he also saw the need to care for them, he was very generous and supported CMS and individuals in Kenya for much of his adult life. There are so many physical and economic challenges in that part of the world.
Two, his work for CMS when he returned from Kenya. He got involved from a different angle. As a regional secretary in Kent in the 80s he was encouraging other people, visiting churches and groups to raise awareness of CMS’s work. He believed in what CMS does and what you stand for. Along with my mum, he went to CMS conferences and kept up relationships. You want to support people who have been through something similar to you.
How will you stay motivated on your ride?
Firstly, knowing that Dad would be really, really happy and supportive of it.
Dad maintained contact with, and a passion for, CMS all the way through his life. When you do these things there’s always going to be times when you think, “What am I doing this for?” It’s good to know that this trip is bigger than I am. It’s not just a jolly, a physical challenge or even all about fundraising for CMS – it’s something that will hopefully achieve something really positive.
I want to go and see these people. People are moved when you make the effort to visit them. Whether they are missionaries or local partners, friends, family. They really, really appreciate it. And I know I’ll learn much from meeting them, too.
From generation to generation in mission
David has many family connections to Africa. His grandad was a missionary, followed by his father Rev Laurie Hubbard. David and his wife Rachel have taught in schools and walked alongside friends in Tanzania and Kenya. Their daughter, Sarah, spent two years as a teacher at St Andrew’s School, Turi, Kenya.
The impact of Rev Laurie’s mission work didn’t stop when he returned to the UK, when he retired or even now that he has passed away. His missional legacy continues with his family – with David honouring his father’s memory and fundraising to keep the work of CMS going for the next generation.
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