26 MARCH - REST DAY IN IRINGA

After 7 hard days on the bikes the riders finally have a rest day. It also marks the end of stage 4 of Tour D'Afrique and also the completion of the longest ride on dirt of the TDA, covering almost 700 km without stepping on tar, except for a few kilometers in Dongola.

Not much to do for the riders on their rest day - washing and cleaning everything they can and eating! The riders are now 400km north of the Malawian border - much more traffic await them!

UPDATE : 25 MARCH

A "bad day at the office". Heavy rain during the night and whilst getting up. Got to my bike to discover a flat tyre. Spare tube also had a puncture. After 19 km another flat, had to borrow a tube, then had chain stucked etc etc. Eventually got to Iringa. Tomorrow is a rest day and sleeping in a bed tonight!

25 March : Ifiga Bush Camp - Iringa

Thank you Nicholas & Michelle de Clercq for sponsoring R 3000 towards today's cycling - Jos really needs the support after a few days of crazy cycling!

COUNTRY SPONSOR:

UPDATE : HALF WAY!

We reached the halfway stage (distance) at lunch today. Only 5850 km to go - which feels and sounds like a lot at this moment. It was another 6 hours (100 kms) bumpy & hot road in 38 degrees ride today. Everyone was exhausted, but finally there is a rest day in sight. We are camping next to the road again and there is a big storm approaching.

WELL DONE JOS FOR GETTING SO FAR!

You deserve a medal!

24 Mar - Chipogolo Bush Camp to Ifiga Bush Camp

COUNTRY SPONSOR:

UPDATE - 22 & 23 MARCH

22 MARCH
111 km to Dodoma, all dirt except last 10km, but road in better condition than yesterday. Got here at 1.30 and staying at a hotel. Everyone tired as last few days have been tough. We have 3 more days of cycling before the next rest day. Beautiful lush vegetation the last few days.

23 MARCH
93km of rough dirt road. Bum sore from all the bouncing. Beautiful baobabs trees the whole day. Sleeping in yet another bush camp.

23 March : Dodoma to Chipogolo Bush Camp

COUNTRY SPONSOR:

UPDATE - 22 MARCH

No news from Jos yet. Seems that either he lost his cell phone (btw he lost his computer a while ago!), but got some news from Gerald. They were in Dodoma - which is the capital of Tanzania for those of you who didn't know.

Heard that yesterday's 100 kms was very hard, even for the mountain bikers. It had everything of a hard day, plenty of climbing, with steep, and difficult road surface. Some of the downhills were so technical, that many had to walk sections of them. When the dirt road was not made of rolling stones and deep holes, it was thick sand...

There is also a rumour about Locker 9 - this is where all the old riders (In age I presume!) keep luxury stuff like wine, spirit, chocolate and cigars. Locker 9 is well protected and the key holder is Jos! Heard that they had Cuban cigars, South African red wine and port with dark chocolate last night - perhaps that is why Jos is so quiet!

22 March : Bush Camp - Dodoma

No news from Jos yet! But seems that there is little communication from all the riders.

COUNTRY SPONSOR:

21 March - Salanka Mtn to Bush Camp

Thank you to Rory Rootenberg & Arno and Bonnard from Holland for sponsoring today's cycling.

COUNTRY SPONSOR:

20 March - Update

Another one bites the dust. Long 122 km, hot, bumpy dirt ride. It was a mondo day (the toughest day of this section), but it was fun. Camping on a school ground and washed at the local water pump

20 March - Update

Another one bites the dust. Long 122 km, hot, bumpy dirt ride. It was a mondo day (the toughest day of this section), but it was fun. Camping on a school ground and washed at the local water pump

20 March - Lake Manyara Bush Camp to Salanka Mtn Bush Camp

COUNTRY SPONSOR:

Update - 19 March 2010

Easy 105 km ride out of Arusha. Everyone relaxed after the break. Camping in long grass, so not quite a hotel suite. Hitting the dirt tomorrow.

19 March : Arusha Lake to Manyara Bush Camp

THANK YOU TO THE TANZANIA COUNTRY SPONSOR:

Update - 18 March

Back in Arusha after a great trip to Ngorogoro. Checked into hotel and got updated to a stunning suite. So, sitting in a room as big as my flat - can't believe it is back to camping 2morw!


It is because you are helping others, that goodness is coming back to you, Jos! Thank you to Johan & Marina Cloete for sponsoring 29 March 2010!

18 MARCH - UPDATE FROM JOS

I am sitting at the Sofa lodge, on the rim of the Ngorongoro crater, and staring down this magnificent green crater. Would recommend that you put this spot on your must do list, probably the most beautiful spot I have visited. I am waiting for the driver of NBC to come and fetch us to go back to Arusha. We arrived in Arusha on 15 March and have 3 rest days. We start cycling again t/row 19 March. Went for a game drive yesterday to the bottom of the crater and saw 4 of the big 5. The crater bottom is +- 300km2 with over 25 000 animals, I have never seen so much game.

View from the Sopa lodge.
Me, game watching in the crater
Unbelievable, the concentration of animals

REFLECTION ON THE LAST DAYS OF CYCLING
The meltdown madness section ended in Nairobi and had some of the toughest sections as well as some of the easiest days, so a real mix. The first few were though due to dirt, rain etc. Day into Nairobi very hilly and terrible traffic. I am still enjoying the cycling very much. My is bike starting to give some problems, to be expected after 5000km so it needs the rest days as much as me. Broke my saddle on the day out of Nairobi, so had to cycle standing for 40km which was not fun. Had my second flat the next day to Arusha. The next week cycling going to be on dirt roads so hope the rain stay away.

After spending all day cycling in lava rock we need to camp on it as well. Me scouting for a spot to pitch my tent. This was the worse camp “site” of the trip sofar.

THE SECOND FALL

Trying to get the dust out of my mouth Clean shirt vs dirty shirt (after the fall!)

At least I remember this fall and it was quite spectacular according to my co-riders. I was charging down a hill at 40-50km a hour when a insect hit me in the eye, as I was wiping my eye the road was diverted and the next moment I just saw this deep sand in front of me and I knew I am a goner, I stood up and relaxed my body so when my front wheel hit the sand I went straight over the handle bars, head first into the sand. Fortunately I only had dust all over me but no injuries, so quite lucky.

VIEWS ON KENYA
One can’t compare northern Kenya to the South. Since we crossed the equator it is as if we entered a new world, shops have stock, petrol stations with cold drinks and clean bathrooms etc. Previously we bought whatever we could lay our hands on, so need to adjust and only buy for the moment. All the books I read of people doing this journey advise to fly from Nairobi to Addis, I now fully understand why.

Southern Kenya is very developed and very populated. Nairobi’s population is 5million. We stayed in a suburb and did not see much of the city but were able to shop properly for the 1st time on the trip. Ride to the border out of Nairobi was very scenic.

We are also staying more frequently in proper camp sites with showers, toilets and sometimes even hot water. Quite a few also have rooms so guess where I am sleeping. The people are very friendly and speak very good English.

The launch of the business lounge
A few of the more mature guys decided we need to up the after supper drinks and bought a selection of wine, whiskies, nuts, chocolates and cigars. We even bought proper glasses and rent locker space from the kids to store the stuff. The launch party was a great success as Gabriel girlfriend brought with her a selection of salami and cheeses, so the glass of the wine turned into numerous glasses, so that we have to re-stock the lounge in Arusha, but was great fun to the envy of the rest of the group.

Gabriele very proud of the salami from Italy

The launch party, quite s spread.

NBC Sponsorship
NBC is the country sponsor for the Tanzania leg. I wear there branded cycling shirts for the duration of the Tanzania leg. They met me at the border to hand over the Jerseys.

They also donated clothing to an orphanage in Arusha, which they requested I attend. I did the hand over and a TV interview. If you feel still generous please visit this website and assist the orphanage. There are people doing amazing things all over Africa. Please vist http://www.aussieaid4africa.com/ to see more about the orphanage.

NBC also arranged my trip to Ngorongoro. I wish to thank them for their support and effort.

Fund raising
I understand from Monique that we have not yet reached the target so please spread the message. I have never in my life worked so hard for R100 000, so will be a great pity if this target is not reached.

Jos helping more!

During the last few days Jos has not only been cycling. On 15 March, on his arrival at the border he was met by a NBC representative who handed over his NBC cycling shirts. Jos will be cycling not only for Matla A Bana, but his Tanzanian cycling will also be in aid of theTumaini Orphanage Center. This centre located in Arusha provides for Tanzanian children by securing resources for education and shelter to meet the children’s basic needs. The vision of the organization is to create a community of well disciplined, independent, confident, hard working people with wide knowledge to cope with the challenges of modern society. Currently the center is home to 17 children aged between 4mnths and 7 years of age and is run by Beatrice Boniface who also acts as the manager of the children’s village. There is a kindergarten facility, as well as four houses where kids live.

The next day Jos, together with the NBC representative handed over school clothing to the kids - who looked so great!

Thanx Jos and NBC for changing the lives of many children!

Tanzania -16 -18 March

Wanting to share this with you! Gerald recollection of Jos's great fall!

"It was a long straight downhill where we almost lost Jos again.... At one point the dirt road split into two and Jos made the wrong call, he choose the right hand road which had an enormous hole filled with fine clay dust. As he hit this he flew over his handle bar and went straight into this giant hole, head first. I was right behind Jos when that happened and had managed somehow to anticipate the situation, so all I saw was Jos going over his handle bar and disappearing into a big cloud of dust, before he reappeared standing up, completely black. It was a miracle as he stood up unhurt and covered with this fine clay dust. A group of local girls passed by walking along the road and exploded in laughter when they saw Jos face, so did Peter and I."

For the next 3 days the riders will have the longest break on the tour so far. Understand that Jos is off looking for wildlife - not that he had enough! Will keep you posted as we get the news.

15 March - Ilbisil to Arusha

Thank you Talisman Plant & Tool Hire (Colin) and Riaan Senekal Talisman Plant & Tool Hire - Durbanville for sponsoring today!