Hello - thanks for visiting my fundraising page.
As you have probably gathered, I have now completed the 450km sponsored cycle ride in Zambia, to raise money for some development projects there run by the charity Transaid. Thanks so much to everyone that has sponsored me. As you can see, we have smashed my fundraising target - fantastic stuff everyone. And if you haven't yet, it is not too late to sponsor - please see the instructions at the bottom on how to do that.
Here's a few highlights of the trip:
Day zero - Friday 8 May
We arrived in Lusaka around 1pm after flying through the night. Although tired, the first thing we do is visit the ITC training centre that we are raising funds to support. It provides driver training and vehicle maintenance training in fairly basic surroundings with few training aids. Rows of seats had been set up outside for a presentation by the ITC director, but just as we were taking our seats, the heavens opened unexpectedly and we had to move rapidly inside. The locals said they had not seen such a heavy downpour in several years – quite extraordinary timing. Indeed, the rain was so heavy that even indoors it was almost impossible to hear the presentations because of the roar of water on the tin roof. Eventually we moved to a suitable room where we could hear the final presentations. As well as the driver training project, we hear about the initial successes of the bicycle ambulance project that Transaid is also supporting in Zambia. We met quite a lot of the trainers and staff at the project, who are very interested in us and their work and also are very appreciative of our support. After leaving the ITC, we got caught in an extraordinarily heavy traffic jam, in part because the downpour had caused a major road to be closed. We get a taste of what life on Zambia's roads can be like - rather chaotic.. We arrive, therefore, much later than planned at Eureka lodge, in Kafue, and after a quick brai (barbecue), we go to bed around 9.30pm.
Day 1 - Saturday 9 May
Today we started the challenge itself and after a short trip by road we collected our bikes, fitted things like saddles and pedals and made final adjustments before setting off. The bikes are almost new and have front suspension – a major and unexpected bonus with all the off-road riding ahead of us. Of the 73km today, the first 10km is on tar road, with the remainder on dirt track. We met loads of really friendly people in the small villages we passed through and received a tremendous welcome at our last water stop before Mazabuka. Dozens of people in the truck-stop town/village had gathered and clapped each rider in - as if we were professionals competing a section of the Tour de France. What a fantastic boost in the scorching afternoon heat. Although we were protected a bit in the morning by cloud cover, by the afternoon it must be getting on for 35 degrees – and humid - and by around 3pm, this Celtic cyclist is really feeling it. A tough but great day, and fantastic to get our first taste of what is to come. The warm and friendly reception that we got from local people was a real joy.
Day 2 - Sunday 10 May
We set off early this morning at 7.00am from Mazabuka, for what is probably going to be the toughest day of the challenge. The first 20km of today's 94km total is on road, followed by challenging but enjoyable off-road tracks. We spent most of the day right off the beaten track and it was fantastic riding through spectacular scenery and meeting more really friendly people. The locals were really great again and flocked around us when we rode into the various villages. I decided to push myself in the afternoon and caight up with the leaders and rode with them, but I really overdid it at the end in what was 30-something degree heat again. I will pay for it tomorrow. A really tough day, and we arrived in Monze at around 5pm. After a few medicinal beers and a bbq of excellent spare ribs (the vegetarians among us were reviewing out eating philosophies in order to get some protein back into our legs...) we head off to bed. Another early start tomorrow.
Day 3 - Monday 11 May
This morning we set off from Monze at 7am on the 105km ride to Choma – mainly on tar roads. Our first stop after 20kms is in the village of Chisekesi where we are met by locals coming out onto the street to talk to us. The children and some of the adults are fascinated by the ability of our digital cameras to take a photo and then see the result. The kids in particular flock around those of us taking photos. The heat is blistering today at 35 degrees for much of the day. It’s a tough route for the group, with many hills on the way taking their toll. Many of us take turns supporting and encouraging those struggling towards the rear. I was really feeling the effects of the sun in the final section, and wishing I had brought a different helmet with me, rather than the black BMX helmet I had brought. By the time we reach Choma I am almost delirious from overheating. We take a brief tour of Choma museum, but I am more interested in rehydrating. After a couple of drinks and a welcome Mars bar from Choma's Spar supermarket, we head on another 6km to Kozo lodge. I'm feeling pretty unwell by this time – cold and shivery. The team doctor says I am suffering mild sun stroke and heat stroke and probably a bit of exhaustion. I drink loads and sweat buckets in the night, but feel a lot better by morning.
Day 4 - Tuesday 12 May
It was touch-and-go whether I could ride today, but I feel OK to carry on. I take it pretty easy. It turns out that a few other people had also got the sun-stroke shivers in the night, and there are more than a few with a bit of Lusaka-belly. As we set out from Choma on today's stretch of 78km to Kalomo, we cover the first 8km on tar roads road. It's a good way to warm up, but the sun is relentless again today. We turn off the main road and begin the 70km of off-road track on the toughest terrain yet – deep sand, particularly in the first 20km. Experienced sand-cyclist Jim does a great job of giving us tips and helping one of the group get through the day's terrain as she was about to give in on the demanding surface. We make it through each 20km break and stop for lunch at with approx 30kms to go. Sticking with it we push on to our penultimate stop just 10km from Kalomo and with a final push we all make it to the end.
Day 5 - Wednesday 13 May
Just 69km to go and we're all excited about finishing the challenge. The people we've met on the way, especially in the small villages, have been superb and great fun. For them, seeing a white person is a novelty in itself, let alone a whole herd of us brightly dressed on mountain bikes. The kids we've met are really fun. Taking their pictures and then showing them the digital result instantly really makes them laugh. Watching them identify themselves and their friends is really great to see. Something we now take as being so normal for them is amazing.
The ride today is fairly gentle, and much of the 69km is downhill – payback for all those hills we climbed.. Before we know it, we are entering the town of Livingstone and heading towards our final destination – Victoria Falls. The organisers have got permission for us to ride our bikes onto the bridge, and as we start crossing the bridge and see and hear the awesome falls, a little tear crosses my eye. It has been an amazing journey in so many ways and it is a very special ending.
Special thanks to Jim Collins for the use of some of his diary notes, and thanks again for everyone's support.
About the project:
The project aims to cut the very high rates of death and injury due to road traffic accidents in Zambia, and, ultimately, neighbouring countries in southern Africa. It may not initially seem the most obvious project to support, but the benefits and logic become clear once you drill down into the issues.
Road crashes are responsible for 1.2m deaths and 50m injuries per year globally and are a bigger cause of death in Africa than malaria. Tragically, it is the lower income families who are most affected and who are being driven deeper into poverty by the loss of breadwinners and the added burden of caring for members disabled by road traffic injuries.
Transaid has identified that there is a severe shortage of trained drivers in Zambia and its neighbouring countries and is working with the government-backed Industrial Training Centre (ITC) in Lusaka, Zambia to develop professional commercial driver training standards. Neighbouring countries have indicated that they will also put in place similar structures once the Zambia project has become a proven success, creating a snowball effect throughout southern Africa.
As you can see below, I have donated £1500 myself to cover all the expenses associated with the trip, so any kind potential donors do not feel they are partly sponsoring a holiday for me..
Donating through Justgiving is quick, easy and totally secure. It’s also the most efficient way to sponsor me: Transaid gets your money faster and, if you’re a UK taxpayer, Justgiving makes sure 25% in Gift Aid, plus a 3% supplement, are added to your donation.
Thanks for your time, and, if you choose to sponsor me, thanks for your generosity.
Best wishes,
Will.
