Until recently, Udoh Ebaide Joy had never ridden a motorcycle. But after a life-changing event, she made a decision that led to the ultimate adventure. In June, Joy became the first Black African woman to ride a motorcycle solo from East Africa to West Africa.

Joy didn’t always have such a sense of adventure. But about nine years ago, when she was 23, she was involved in a serious accident. Unable to walk for several months, she got around by using a wheelchair. As Joy healed, she began to think about the future.

“[The accident] made me decide that I will live my life to the fullest,” she told the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC).

Earlier this year, Joy bought a motorcycle she named Rory and took a weeklong class to learn how to ride it. Then, on March 8, 2024, Joy set off from Kenya, in East Africa, and headed west. Joy’s 5,600-mile (9,000-kilometer) journey took her from Mombasa, Kenya, to Lagos, Nigeria, in about three months.

Joy’s route went through nine countries. Along the way, she rode through the mountainous terrain of Rwanda and saw a waterfall called Victoria Falls at the Zambia-Zimbabwe border. In a village in Tanzania, some women offered her a meal and asked her about her experiences as a motorcycle rider.

“The conversation was so sweet,” Joy told the BBC. “It just felt good to eat and to see people.”

She got encouragement from people all over the world, who watched the videos she posted on social media. She also met other bikers (motorcycle riders), who gave her advice about where to stay and get good meals.

Some bikers also met her in Lagos, at the end of her trip. It was a celebration.

“When I arrived, I couldn’t hold back my tears. People were dancing and cheering. I couldn’t contain my excitement,” Joy said.

Joy started a new bike trip in September. This time, she’s riding through 15 countries.

These photos were taken during Udoh Ebaide Joy’s journey across Africa.