Bike for Africa

Last month I was invited by Brussels Airlines to participate in Bike for Africa 2018. This was the fourth edition of their charity fundraiser for Africa. This year Mercy Ships were the major charity and I was asked to represent the ship for a week of mountain biking in Cameroon from 28Feb-7Mar18. 

Day 1 - I met the majority of the group at Douala Airport with my bike it bits in a bag and we traveled up to Melong on 3 mini buses. The flight from Brussels was late and there was an enormous thunderstorm on the way up so we did not arrive until after midnight.

Ekom Falls

Day 2  - Acclimatisation Day - not that I needed it after 7 months living in Cameroon but it was a good chance to get to know some of the fellow riders. We visited Ekom Falls which were magnicicent after the previous night's storm.

Ekom Falls

After visitng the falls we drove to Bangangte where all the other participants bikes were waiting. They had been flown in over the weekend to Yaounde, transported to Bangangte and assembled by a team of three mechanics. There was plenty of bike bling and I was sure my trusty old MTB was going to look the sadest and most tired of the lot. With the help of Stefan and Yves I had mine assembled in quick time. Also joining us there were the Gold sponsors who had flown into Douala a day later and traveled directly to Bangangte. Then it was dinner, briefings, welcome and bed. Shared a room with Patrick - a pilot.

Herman - pilot, bunkie and cycling buddie

Day 3 - Bangangte to Bandjoun - an easy first day of 49 km with 1100 metres of climbing. We started the day off in Bangangte where we were welcomed by the Mayor and the regional Governor. Particularly touching was to hear the Mayor speaking of a child who had just returned to the area after having surgery on the ship.

That evening we stayed at Centre Climatique de Bandjoun and I shared a room (and very large bed) with Herman - another pilot. There was a shortage of twin rooms. We were also privileged to visit the local chefferie - the official residence of the local chief. Very interesting however the tour was all in French and too quick and involved for me to comprehend.  Had a great meal and sleep.

The Chefferie in Bandjoun

Hippo head and big ivory in the Chefferie

Day 4 - Bandjoun - Nkoutie - 72 km and 1000 metres of climbing

Stayed overnight in the monastery of Nkoutie. We were obviously in the older accommodation and very basic. I have seen cells better equipped. Our single concrete cell had a very basic bed with ancient foam mattress and a blow up camp mattress for my "cell-mate". The shower drain did not drain and just flowed out into the room. Lucky I am used to quick ship showers. However the location was amazing with a lovely courtyard to relax in and chill out. The food was also great. Shared a room with Jan.

Herman, myself and Serge

No words required...

Beautiful jacaranda trees in the monastery courtyard

Bikes lined up - after cleaning by the local boys

Day 5 - Nkoutie - Bangourain - 83 km and 1900 metres of climbing. This was a very tough day. Super hot, long and lots of climbing. Really glad to roll into the campsite at the end of the day where I lay on the ground for 20 minutes recovering before grabbing a beer. We camped on the school ground, used camp showers, pit latrines and ate another magnificent meal under marquis like tents. Shared a tent with Jan again. No need to lock up the bikes at night. They were guarded - as were we - by a police contingent who were with us all week.

Jan and our tent

Another magnificent meal

Herman and Wim

We had lunch besides beautiful Lake Noun

African solution to saddle sores

Day 6 - Bangourain - Petpenoun - 82 km and 1100 metres of climbing. Another tough day but we set out earlier however I struggled the last 10 km and was towed in by Wim. I think in hindsight my bottom bracket was failing and giving me more resistance. Petpenoun resort was amazing. Set on a lake, when it was built it must have been five star. But a lack of maintenance had allowed it to deteriate. After camping and the monestry it was luxury. I shared a room with Wim (aircraft technician) and Frederick (finance). There was a great pool and of course the lake. Again a wonderful dinner.

The pool at Petpenoun

The pool and lake at Petpenoun

Bikes at the end of the day

Day 7 - Petpenoun - Petpenoun - 63 km and about 950 metres of climbing. We headed out early to Foumbot where we visited a school which we were donating 12,500 Euros to for a roof. There was a great programme of entertainment and speeches before we continued on. Lunch was at a spectacular spot. We cycled up and up some really steep and loose tracks until we were at the base of a crater. We then climbed up to the rim of the crater where we were treated to a most amazing view of both the crater lake and the surrounding valley.

Wim and his little friend

Cheeky girl

Crater lake

Myself and Kirsten (pilot) at the crater lake

Two of our police escorts for the week - armed with steyrs

View from the crater

Bike for Africa 2018 Survivor Trophy

Sunrise at Petpenoun

Day 8 - Petpenoun to Douala. By this stage we were 350 km from Douala and facing a 7 hour bus ride however the Brussels Airlines country manager - Mathias - through his contacts had secured a ride on a Cameroonian Air Force C-130H Hercules. So we traveled by bus to Koutaba air force base and enjoyed a very pleasant 30 minute flight. Memories of my former life in the Australian Defence Force.

Boarding C130 at Koutaba

Onboard, ready for take off

Disembarking at Douala

Once back in Douala we all traveled to the Africa Mercy where we had the opportunity to host all the participants onboard for the afternoon. During this time Herman Carpentier from Brussels Airlines presented a cheque for 140,000 Euros to Mercy Ships.

There was also a Bike for Africa official blog with updates of each day:
Bike for Africa blog

And I recorded most days on my Garmin:
Day 1 part 1
Day 1 part 2
Day 2
Day 3
Day 4 - I lost mine but here is Wim's who I rode with
Day 4 - Wim's Strava file
Day 5 part 1
Day 5 part 2

I had an absolutely amazing week doing something I love - riding my bike - in a country I have come to love - Cameroon - on a continent I have a heart for serving. I met and made friends with a fantastic group of people from Brussels Airlines and the gold sponsors. I was immensely impressed by the "family" feel of the company. They genuinely cared about each other, their company and their customers. I was a guest this time but in two years time I would pay and travel to participate in Bike for Africa 2020 if I could. For me, at a time in the field service that is always challenging, this was like a love letter from God.