Day 1 - dehydration and twitchy muscles - TIME TO ADAPT!

Day 1 in the books.  Hot and tough but a good intro to the week.  Only 1 flat today for 12 of us.  Rwanda is gorgeous just like Burundi. Clearly years ahead of Burundi though in terms of quality of life.  Spending tonight at Africa is Rising Training Center, home of Team Rwanda National Cycling Team.  Resting now.  Leg muscles just twitching all over.  I dehydrated a bit today (gee - ya think - I have not peed since waking up and it is nearly 7pm now!!) - not a good idea to repeat this week!

Pushed it a bit on the 2nd climb and stayed with the lead "pack" of young folk (Hank and the UK speedsters - including the very strong Marina and Jo - 1st females to ride in the Biking for Burundi!).

Turks finally delivered and just in time for Day 1!

Just before we start the 2017 Biking for Burundi

We cause a commotion whenever we stop.  We had 150 kids around us at this stop near a local football match!

Boy at side of road, fetching water

Selfie post Day 1 ride at Team Rwanda Cycling Center

This is what dinner will be like nightly - rice, veggies, potatoes and meat in sauce!

Team Rwanda Cycling were great hosts!!!

Tomorrow is a bit of a rest (relatively) - though probably best given the first of 6 straight days to get out of bed following a ride.  My legs and body are not used to consecutive days of riding.

Saturday's breakfast devotional was fitting and will be on my mind all day today (and all week)!

Psalm 121

A song of ascents.

1 I lift up my eyes to the mountains—
    where does my help come from?
2 My help comes from the Lord,
    the Maker of heaven and earth.

Safely into Kigali!

Arrived safely into Kirundi shortly after midnight and enjoyed a beautiful lightning show out the plane window the final 45 minutes of the flight.  Unfortunately Turkish Airlines left my bike in Istanbul, so hoping it arrives safely on tonight's flight.

Luckily, we have 2 back-up bikes at hand and I was able to tool around Kigali with the team today on this yellow one, complete with a 3rd front cog - a VERY tempting granny gear for me as I am quite anxious about all of the climbing this week!

Do you think that I packed enough energy bars, gels, etc... for the week???

Stay well!

36 Hours and Counting - our itinerary

36 hours until lift-off from Barcelona, for a 10 hour (flight time) trip to Kigali, via Istanbul on Turkish Airlines (maybe Morgan Freeman will be on the flight!), landing just after midnight on Friday.  Hopefully a bit of sleep in store.  Friday will be an unpack day, fingers crossed that the bike makes it and then more so that I can successfully put it back together!

Here is an overview of the week's route within google maps:

Although someone from last year thinks these elevations are very light (ugh - was hoping for "positive" errors!), here is the blow by blow itinerary for the coming week from Strava.........

The week starts with a 600m climb over the first 25km followed by what looks (I trust nothing!) like a reasonably enjoyable ride until we hit 62km mark and a rather steep 550m ascent over just 8km - ugh.  Not going to like that part at all although excited to see the volcanoes at the end of the ride!  We get to stay at Africa Rising Cycling Center - home of Rwanda's national cycling team.

Day 2 looks like possibly the easiest day of the week at 60km plus the promise of a cafe at the end run by two women from California.  Seemingly the calm before the storm......

 

Monday the 29th has been hanging over my head for some time!  We start the day with a 30km 967m climb (yes - that would be over 3,000 ft).  That will challenge the breakfast to remain in the stomach for sure.  Simon promises "spectacular views" for our enjoyment - yet I am guessing this will be strictly a sideshow to the pain of nearly 3,000m (or more) of climbing on the day and 140km.

Day 4 has an interesting elevation profile as we meander a bit until 25km - then a monstrous 770m climb over 23km.  If I can survive that climb, the rest of the day seems (again - caution!) downhill.  We finish on the shorts of Lake Kivu - certainly some swimming will be in order.

Day 5 has a ridiculously steep downhill at 30km.  It looks like we drop off the hill.  Some very brutally steep looking climbs on the day make this another day close the eyes and bite the tongue and hope to finish.  At 100km mark there is a 450m climb that just looks like no fun at all - though we are promised a brand new road to cycle on (oh boy).

Thursday Day 6 is to be the most difficult day of the week so says Geoff (Burundi 2014, Rwanda 2016).  Certainly all of this actually looks manageable in these pics.  That is a big worry though this day should be fantastic as we will be cruising through Nyungwa Forest - one of the oldest forests in all of Africa.  The road will be very isolated, though through the jungle and rain forest should be visually impressive!

The ride home to Kigali looks like one climb after another (of course downhill in between).  There are some steep average gradients in those climbs and after a brutal week - this promises to not let us off with an easy finish.  On the bright side, we will be hosted by the British Ambassador to Rwanda on Friday evening - the carrot at the end of our 750km, 15,000m stick!!

Presenting at Tasza's school - spreading the awareness of Burundi and GLO

Just back from an awesome time at Natasza's school - The Olive Tree School.  I had access to present Burundi and Great Lakes Outreach for an hour to about 50 kids (years 4 - 10).  Lots of fun and some very challenging questions.  Really charged me up in terms of motivation for the non-physical part of the Tour (motivation for riding now not exactly high as the two rides this week have been exhausting).

At The Olive Tree, of course we talked about my favorite project - COWS!!!

In fact, we just approved purchase by Evariste of 15 additional cows yesterday, 5 in calf (pregnant) - so the project is moving forward and surviving - YES THE MILK IS STILL FLOWING!!!

The rest of the presentation focused on some Burundi history and the evolution of the Tutsi / Hutu issues as well as the current crisis originating from President Nkurunziza's insistence on a third term of office.

I then drew a lot of laughs from Simon's monkey encounter:

My entry line for this was "My friend Simon is a bit crazy" and of course, this is NOT the craziest thing that I have seen him do at the Burundi reptile and primate zoo to which he has the "Simon Pass", meaning anything and everything goes!  When I was there in 2014 (you can see photos from that blog post), we were IN the crocodile area and he was pulling a big 8 footer by the tail!

I continued in the presentation though about Simon's passion for a better Burundi and his great vision and leadership.  Certainly reasons for my efforts on behalf of GLO and Simon and for my confidence in suggesting others to support as well!

Gotta go for now!

Here WE go again!! 2017 Africa GLO Tour a.k.a. Biking for Burundi (Again!)

Burundi is the world's HUNGRIEST country.  Burundi is the world's POOREST country.  Burundi is the world's most UNHAPPY country.  Seriously, these are just the adjective's measured by published indexes, but you could insert just about any undesirable adjective in CAPS and Burundi would likely "win".

Due to a President that will just not step aside and allow new leadership to direct the country, Burundi is now in an all out crisis.  Things are bad enough there that the safety of this year's riders cannot be certain in Burundi, thus we are going to be riding through Rwanda!  I will return to Central Africa in May 2017 to cycle the mountains of Rwanda, Burundi's northern neighbor.  Rwanda presents a greater challenge, 780km (490 miles) and 14,780m (48,500ft) of climbing over seven days, but nothing compared to what friends are experiencing in Burundi simply living day to day. 

The goals are simple!  First and foremost we want to spread awareness of Burundi's dire situation and second, to raise donations for furthering its improvement.

Without any cost except a few minutes of your time, YOU can help achieve the first goal quite easily.  Share my facebook posts (yes, I will be a bit more active the next couple of months), print and post on your work or school bulletin board blog post or two from this site or just plain tell people you know someone that thinks Burundi is important and you can tell them about it or direct them to me!

The fundraising, yes, well I know a few folks that it is easier to make a quick donation as their time is valuable and hey, I am all for that as we indeed have 2 objectives!!  I am so into the 2nd objective that I will match all donations up to my stated goal of $20,000 USD.  All donations will go directly to Great Lakes Outreach ("GLO"), a registered US not for profit charity (can you say "US Tax Deduction"?!).  That's right, for every dollar, euro, pound, Burundian franc or zloty you donate, my wallet is lighter by the same amount!

GLO and its founder, Simon Guillebaud, are working to deliver a better future to Burundi's 10.2 million population through outstanding local leaders and sustainable projects.  GLO has 10 project partners that receive management, networking and financial support.  Simon, his wife Lizzie and their 3 children live in Burundi, allowing Simon direct access for support and oversight of GLO's partners. 

Donations received related to my fundraising will be split, 50% for GLO and its partners and 50% for Milk for Transformation.  Yes, those cows are still kickin' and the milk is still flowin'!!  Through the donations and support of many friends over the past three years of my involvement on GLO's Board, this project continues to nourish those in need, while creating a "flowing" micro-economy for many Burundians without other economic options to provide for themselves and their families.  GOTTA LOVE THE COWS!!!!

Thanks for your thought, consideration and support!!

Mark

Mark Hopper in aid of GLO, charity registered in the US (EIN 61-1542335) & UK (1097267)

2015 Tour du Burundi - Is It In You?!

Simon has asked us to put the word out to our friends and followers alike to see who may have an interest in joining him in Burundi for the 2015 Tour du Burundi.  Timing is earlier next year (due to Presidential elections in Burundi in May 2015, which could lead to some uncertainty), so the Tour will go from 18 - 24th of January, with arrivals slated for the 14th/15th of January.  

I cannot more highly recommend the opportunity, the experience and the cause.  Oh yeah, the biking is pretty exceptional too.  Give this some thought and certainly if you have an inspiration or interest in it, let me know and I will put you in touch with Simon.

On a personal note, I was "back in the saddle again" today for a 88km (55 mile) jaunt here in Catalunya with our lawyer, Rafael.  I really need to find more out of shape "friends" to cycle with as Rafael really had me struggling to keep up!  Certainly this was a more serious ride than I had anticipated for my "return" to cycling post-Burundi, but it was really enjoyable just the same.  Thanks for sandbagging Rafa!!!

Donations are now up to $24,429 - just $5,571 to reach the $30k mark!!  

Thanks everyone for your financial support of GLO and personal support for myself and the 2014 Tour du Burundi team!!

Do not leave my matching funds "on the table"!! $6,508 USD more to reach my target!!

I hope that you have found some time to follow my blog on the Burundi visit, which is now complete.

Our team of 21 riders totaled 770km (478 miles) in 8 days, including climbs of a total 10,200 meters ( 33,464 feet)!!  With just 7 flats and 1 accident (Geoff is ok), we were fortunate.

The trip has solidified my belief and confidence in the projects that Great Lakes Outreach are supporting, further incentive for me to reach my donations goal of $30,000 USD.

With $23,492 raised so far, please consider making a donation if you have not already done so.  I stand ready to match.

Thanks for your support of Burundi.

Best regards,

Mark

Pics and videos from the trip

As an added "bonus" for those with great interest, please click below for all photos and videos from the trip.  The videos from the "interactive" zoo visit might be a bit much for some (crocs eating guinea pigs), but generally I thought there might be a few interested souls out there!!  All the best, Mark

Picassa Web Album for Burundi Trip

Day 7 - Tougher than expected 67k finish

We were far to happy and relaxed on Saturday morning after a visit to the YFC Homes for Hope site in Burundi, expecting a flat and easy ride "home" to Bujumbura.   It was far from that as the 67km ride had some early short climbs and the entire route was against a strong wind gusting off of Lake Tanganyika!  As an added "bonus", there was a 20km middle section of the route with a "road" of non-stop potholes, rocks and cars.  We really struggled through that obstacle course at 15kmph, but surprisingly with no blow outs or flats!!  After 3 1/2 hours we arrived into Burundi and were greeted by some local families and friends, followed by smoothies and sandwiches at a local cafe by the Burundian Board of Tourism!!!  Awesome!!

Home for Hope orphans sang and danced for us before our ride. 

Donut-like balls were part of a generous breakfast at the orphanage.  YFC's model for its 2 up and running orphanages (Gitega and Cibitoke) is a large ground area with an orphanage, food producing farm animals and a bread making hothouse, a public school for locals and orphans and a health clinic.  This model is getting perfected.  Funding of course is the need to roll this out further, but what we saw was indeed impressive in both locations. There is also the opportunity for child sponsorship via GLO at $50 per month!  Consider this as I have seen this firsthand and it is working. 

These boys enjoyed seeing a few of my family photos, the. Wanted me to take one of them too.

Mural on side of orphanage building.

Cotton fields on the route today

Another alternative if we felt our cycling was too challenging

Even more demanding!

Anything and everything via bike transport

Celebration at KCC dinner with Burundian drummers (you tube Burundi drummers and you WILL be impressed with their show!)

Some serious leaping!

On the 8th Day, we rejoiced!

As inspirational as the Burundian people and the aesthetics in general of a country as lush as any island in the Caribbean have been, my joining Steve (guest pastor) and 4 other riders for Sunday morning services at a local Anglican Church added a new and even higher level of inspiration!  We arrived to a non-descript building in a residential area of Burundi and upon leaving the bus were immediately hit with music and singing bursting from inside.  We were sat on the "stage" area and the music, singing and dancing continued for a good 60 minutes more when we jumped in (literally) and joined the fun.  Amazing service and boy do they know how to give it all in song and dance for God!   It was a truly exhilarating (even Steve's sermon 😇) 3 hour service that felt like 30 minutes!  Each of us were asked to share one thing with the SRO crowd of 500 as well.  I spoke of the inspiring perseverance, hope and determination that I saw all week.  All with vision towards a greater future in Burundi. 

This was such an emotional morning that intensely matched the physical challenges of the preceding week. 

A parade of different choirs (12 or so?!) led the first 60 mins of the service

It was 36c outside (98 degrees F), but a wonderful breeze was blowing through the building.