AdventureSkope - the ramblings of Scott Kennedy: Welcome to Sudan!

AdventureSkope - the ramblings of Scott Kennedy: Welcome to Sudan!

Time Flies

Okay...I did not do the update that I wanted to. I am still in the process but it is slow.

Last Saturday the new group of riders set out from Cairo for their adventure. It is interesting to read their blogs and recall my own experiences on those first few days. We had 57 riders and they are 50 with new trucks to boot.

On March the 7th I will be returning to Queenstown, South Africa, with a group of students to spend time at the Get Ahead Project School. We are presently working with the boys to prepare them for the experience. I look forward to seeing Anathi once again.

UPDATE

I am in the process of preparing a reflection of my journey and will soon be posting to this blog. So watch for this within the next few days. It is time to regroup and move forward towards new adventures with the Get Ahead Project School:-)

Back Again

Well it has been a while since I last wrote here. My life is attempting to get back to normal but after my experience of the ride through Africa I can say that I am a different person now than when I left. How am I different...well I am not quite sure yet....I know that I am changed but still trying to find my way to what that is and how to make it fit with where I am right now...back in North America...in body...but Africa in mind and spirit.

I am looking forward to going back to GAP in March of 2009. It feels like I am going home...however that might sound.

I am working on a short video of the experience I went through and I will post it here when I am done. Until then I encourage all of you to plan a trip to Africa.:-)

Eaupening

I am back in Toronto after a wonderful break in Bermuda. I reflect back on this break as a time of inspiration and gratitude for the expereinces I had while I was there.

Not only am I back but I have also completed teaching another Hoffman Process in British Columbia. If you would like more info about this work please go to www.hoffmaninstitute.ca.

I would also like to bring to your attention a new initative that is called...

The EAUPENING. Below is a description of it. The web site will soon be operational. In the meantime you may join this group in Facebook. If you are not a member of Facebook I would encourgae you to join as it is a great way to saty in touch with your frionds around the world...like I do with some of the TDA Riders.

Bringing to light all that is GOOD in the world and in ourselves....The EAUPENING provides a place for everyone, any age, race, religion or background to fill their cup with all things positive. It is a place where content is monitored by the users. People can drink from this virtual Mecca of positive conversations and information then come away feeling refreshed and better for the experience.

The Eaupening.com will be a social network that is designed to deliver positive news content to the users that is generated by the users. Incorporating the best of Facebook and MySpace, Youtube and Wikipedia the Eaupening will allow the user to become “a part of the change that they want to see in the world”. After more than 300 years of primarily negative print media, it is the firm belief of the Eaupening.com that the world is changing its attitude rapidly away from the old mantra “Good news doesn’t sell”.

The Eaupening will be the source for individuals of like mind to gather and share the message of peace, inspiration and positive, uplifting news. It will encourage people in the world to act differently. The EAUPENING is a place where all people, regardless of their beliefs and backgrounds can come and drink from the cup of positivity. It is not meant to promote anything other than the focus of positive information.

The intent is to grow a place where our world view can grow and expand from a sharing of information with a positive message - Inspiring people to pay it forward and then come back and share...creating a chain reaction of positive works throughout the world.

When we change our focus off of the fear based media and onto Positive content, we can change our life experiences.

Making the people around you better starts with yourself, "You must be the change you hope to see in others – Ghandi."

Abundance in Bermuda

I am on my last day of holiday In Bermuda and again I am so aware of the abundance that I have in my life:-)

The event put on by the Leacock Foundation was a wonderful evening. It was nice to reconnect with those who had supported me over the months that I was away. The evening was full of the incredible energy of individuals who make a difference in the world...especially the GAP school.

Around the walls were photographs of GAP children that added to the celebratory nature of the evening.


More when I get back.

Back in Ontario

I am back from Calgary and I am preparing to attend a function put on by the Leacock Foundation where I will present a brief talk about my experience and the importance of continuing to support the GAP School.



I have added a few more pictures for you to view.



On the Bike with Joy



On the Road
Photo by Rae and Ursala



The Bike as a family Vehicle
Photo by Rae and Ursala

Off to Calgary

Just a brief not to say I am off to teach a Hoffman Process in Calgary. I took the Process 18 years ago and have since become a Supervising Teacher and have taught the Process for the past 13 years. To find out more about it just click on the title of this post. To be able to do this work is a blessing and it is in my vision to assist those in Africa to be able to benefit from the work...one day!!!

Happy Canada Day

Happy Canada Day to all!!!!

What an amazing day it has been and continues to be!!! The weather is perfect to do anything that you what to and it appears that many people are doing exactly that..enjoying themselves...way to go !!!

So what are my thoughts today. Well I have been using facebook a lot recently and it has allowed me to connnect with a lot of the people that I made friends with on the TDA. If you have not joined this I suggest that it is something you may want to consider.

I wish each of you a wonderful day that is full of abundance and gratitude.

Louder than words song

Click on the title above:-)

Toronto Candlelight AIDS Vigil

I was at the Aids candle light vigil last night here in Toronto. It was a moving event as the names of those who have died of Aids here in Toronto were read off. At the end of the evening this song was sung. I am including a link to You Tube where you will be able to listen to the song. It speaks loudly about what is happening at the GAP school. Action is taking place and for that I am grateful.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SGXsODNbsQ8&feature=email

I was very aware last night that there are many individuals that live in Africa that will not have a memorial built to them and their name will not be read off to a group of people...I reflected on my time in Africa and all the poverty that I expereinced and I wonder how many will die without a name being told to the world.

I chose to do the TDA to make a difference in the world and I feel that I have made a drop in the bucket with the money that I was able to raise and I am very grateful for that.

May you all be blessed today and know that somebody will remember you due to your actions.

As I tell my students..."What you do is not who you are. Who you are is how you do what you do. So take action from a place of character."


The link below is from our PBS Broadcsting...a photo essay about Aids in Sub Sahara Africa

http://www.pbs.org/frontlineworld/flash_point/africa/

Life continues to unfold for me as I return to my normal life. I am aware that my normal is not the normal of all and that I have such great abundance in my life. The other day I donated food to a food drive and I was questioned why I was giving so much food. I replied that one of the things I learned was the abundance that I have in my life and to share it from an even greater place of intention.

I am off to Calgary next week to teach a Hoffman Process and then to Bermuda for a week with Randi where we will visit his family. Then I am off to Vancouver to teach a Hoffman Process and then back to Toronto to do another one and finally we will be off to New York for the Labour Day weekend ...not that I am wishing the summer away I can tell you that!!!

If you are interested in reading about the Hoffman Process you can find alink to it on the sidebar of this blog.

Summer is really here in Toronto and today will be hot and muggy...typical Ontarion weather..Love it:-)

I will post again soon.

First TDA get together

My Arrival in Cape Town

A few of us had a wonderful reunion last evening here in Toronto. One of the group had arrived from California and one from Holland so it was a real treat to get together. For me it was the debrief that I needed. While it has been great being home it has also been a hard adjustment as my inner reality has changed and the outer reality that I came back to did not, so there is some out of sync stuff going on. That being said I know that I live here and will adjust!!!!

I completed my school year today and look forward to a summer of relaxation, reading and yes some cycling...although only around the city.

I am close to reaching my fundraising goal! Thanks to all of you who supported me and gave so generously. You have made a difference in the world.

I am reminded of how our lives impact so many areas of life as I reflect back to the time on the dunes in Namibia. As I walked along the crest of the dune the desert winds would slowly start to fill the footprint back in with sand. Each of my footsteps was actually altering the shape of the dune. So I KNOW that each step I take in my life does have an impact whether I am aware of it or not. So I choose to be aware as possible and make a choice from a place of consciousness and without ego getting in the way.

If you have not read the book A NEW EARTH by Eckhart Tolle you may want to consider doing so.

A new posting will be here in a few days...check back :-)

Life After TDA

Yes there is a life after TDA although it takes awhile to get back into it. Having access to such abundance makes life easier but at the same time I am aware that many have so much less than I do and that what I have is not to be taken for granted and to be valued and used with respect.

One of the things that I value the most is the individuals in my life. As I have said many times before...."you never know when you say goodbye if it will be for the last time or not." Reconnecting with people has been extremely rewarding. To hear what has gone on in their lives while I was away makes it wonderful. Four months is a long time and the changes in the physical appearance of people has at times taken me by surprise. The body does change each day!

I am still working through all the photographs and will post some soon so watch for them.

For now it back to work and prize day at school followed by graduation where I will get to say goodbye to a group of amazing individuals who will move into their place in the world and in their own way make a difference.

Enjoy your loved ones and embrace them before they get away:-)

Update

In Namibia




Last Desert Campsite




Sunset in Africa




I am back at work today and it has been an emotional time as I reconnect to the many friends and colleagues that I have not seen in such a long time. The bigger impact for me has been adapting back into the North American lifestyle. After traveling through so many countries where there was so little it is overpowering at times to see the quantity of wealth that surrounds me...just the food choices alone when so many have so little.

I was able to spend two weeks in South Africa after the tour ended. One week was in Cape Town and the second week was at the GAP school in Queenstown, South Africa. It was a humbling experience to be with the students that I love and care for so much..it was returned to me many time over in the few days I was there. I know without a doubt that the students of GAP are well cared for and continue to grow as a result of the education they are receiving from such caring individuals.

As I look back on this adventure I am aware that it will take time to process all the happened on the tour. I am aware that one of the major things that I needed to adjust to was that my identity as a teacher, partner, parent etc counted for nothing. Sixty some people who did not know each other found out about each other on a day by day basis. Who am I when I am not in my role...and how do others perceive me by what I did?

There have been many questions asked of me. For instance.."how was the food?"...as a vegetarian I can say that it was better on the second half of the trip as it was easier to get a greater variety food to serve us so...I did need to supplement on the trip.

Another question is ..."Did I ride every kilometer?"...and of course that answer is no...only 12 individuals did that. For myself, I wanted to enjoy the experience and see Africa and I did that. My intention was always to arrive in Cape Town on May 10th., safely with all the other riders. I took each day as it came.

Another question..."How was the large group to live with each day?" In retrospect I thought that we would be a team of individuals who would assist each other in this journey...and for many we were. Perhaps it was due to the group being so large or that there were many groups within the larger group that I did not always experience a cohesive group. In the end we all live with our own experiences and move forward into this journey called life. I thank each member of the tour who gave the amazing gifts of themselves to me...it made for a rich experience.

For myself, I am proud of what I accomplished and I know that there are now more children in South Africa who will be able to have an education that before was out of their reach. I will continue to "..be of service and make a difference in the world through my act of contribution." I look forward to returning to the GAP school next year and continuing to build my relationship with the many children who make up the school...until then I will continue to move forward and process the experience of this tour.

I plan to continue to update this blog as I process the trip so please check back in. There will also be more pics to see:-)

Arrival in Cape Town

WOW!!!....what an adventure and what a welcome it was for me from the GAP kids and Helen. I was interviewed by CBC and there may be a follow up story about the GAP school which would be amazing...there was also a photographer hired by the Leacock Society who took photos of the entire arrival...To see some photos of the event go to..

http://picasaweb.google.com/adrian.photographer/TourDAfrique?authkey=TtB-qmZJLLo

In the end it is all about doing your personal best and being proud of what you have done...it is all about the personal experience we each had and not to compare ones experience to another experience to validate what we did...so many lesson learned and more to reflect upon soon.


I will be writing more here in a few days. For now I am getting some rest and eating some great food and drinking wonderful coffee..the weather is cool and that is okay. Look for an update in a few days:-))))

South Africa!!

Well we have arrived in South Africa after an amazing time in Namibia..that country is a place I will be back to for sure. It is a land of incredible beauty..both the land and the people.

We have just completed our third day of riding and the weather has finally warmed up and stopped raining. The wind at night really whipped the tents around and the mist in the morning made things fairly wet but we cope with it. I have decided to cope with it by getting a room each night instead of the tent and somehow my room becomes party central as everybody wants to watch TV. It is such a pleasure to eat supper and NOT have to go to bed right after...I can watch movies all night if I want to..such a simple pleasure. I am sure I will adapt back to life in North America easily I am sure!!! Don't get me wrong..I would not change this experience for anything in the world. I have travelled into countries that have captured my imagination for years and also met the most amazing individuals. I have tasted foods that have enriched my food wants when I get back to Toronto. I have been tested not only physically but also mentally and spiritually. I have been a part of a group who has shared each other 24/7 for four months and most people are still talking to each other and of course there will always be those individuals who will remain aloof and by themselves but even they have added to the experience. I have been pushed into patterns that still surface after all the work I have done on myself over the years and I am proud to say that I have been able to be aware that I am feeling the emotion without going into the emotion. The Hoffman Process is very grounded with in me and for this I am grateful.

As the ride comes to an end in the next three days we are really aware that we will not be seeing each other..in some cases forever..and in other cases hopefully again. We did what we did to create the experience we did ..individually and in a group...and I can only say for myself but I am proud of what I have accomplished. I have been true to my intention and I will stay in my power until the end.

When I arrive in Cape Town it will be bittersweet. I am so looking forward to seeing the Get Ahead Project students and especially Anathi the boy that I sponsor at GAP. I have learned that he has passed successfully into grade six and I trust he is as proud of this as I am of him!!!! I will also have my good friend Helen to see me as I pass over the line and I know that my partner Randi will be with me in spirit...and we will see each other in a few weeks time:-)))

A special thanks to all of you who have supported me over the past four months and in some cases years! I thank Crescent School for believing in me enough to be able to do this. In the weeks after the tour I will have a lot of time to reflect and think about what I have been through. A special thanks to Deb who has stood by me through this all...Mel who I have connected with on such a deep level...Erica who has the spirit of an angel..in fact I told here the other day that God did not rest on the seventh day..he created her so she could be on this tour with us...what a godsend!!!...Harrison who has be an individual who stands in his integrity. Most importantly a BIG thanks to Melanie at the Leacock Foundation who has believed in me from the start and has spent so much time making this a special trip.I will have more thanks in the weeks ahead you can count on it...so don't fret if I missed you!!!

Don't worry I will update this blog when I get to Cape Town and put up pictures and such...WHAT A TRIP IT HAS BEEN AND CONTINUES TO BE. Bless you all:-)

Jamie

First Rest Day in Namibia

Well it started with getting up in a very cold tent...we are taking a room tonight so we do not have to put our tents away wet as we are leaving the tour for a side trip. The skeleton coast is so near we won't miss the opportunity to go.

As I was getting stuff out of my red box from the truck it is stored in I slipped and cut my shin on the stairs. It hurt like **&&^...I had it looked after quickly as any small wound tends to take on a life of its own if you are not careful..so I have a large gash with a large bandage on it. I will need to watch it for the next few days. We will return to the large group and have eight riding days and one rest day until we arrive in Cape Town. I, along with many others have had one reason or other to not ride for whatever distance it was. There are about 12 EFI (every fabulous inch" of the way..we are keeping our fingers crossed that they will be able to maintain it in the days ahead. There are also many individuals who are very focused on riding no matter what...some feel they are missing the experience due to the riding.. but not me. As I look back I can honestly say that it has been an amazing experience that has taught me a lot about myself and what a life I have in Canada that is amazing as well. I can recommend the experience to others but as of yet I am unable to recommend the TDA company. There are many issues that I could focus on with them that would have made this a better trip but I choose to look at all the beauty and people I see around me each day.

Many of us went out shopping today to get new outfits for our big party in Cape Town as we will not have enough time to do so when we arrive on May the 10th..some are even getting their hair cut or done...well it has been four months. I can tell you now that all of my clothes that I have worn will be thrown out and much of my equipment will be donated to a group in Cape Town...then I can shop!!!

Take care all and watch for an update from the coast...hopefully many of you are riding your bikes by now as it is getting warmer..RIGHT!!!

Bless you all.
Jamie

Windhoek Namibia

Arrived into the true Western world today after five cycling days..one of the days was the longest to date...207km. I was unable to do this day as I was looking after Deb who was seriously ill. They needed to inject local anesthetic into her neck to block pain. As we have become good friends there was no question in my mind about riding or not riding. As far as I am concerned people relationships are far more important that a relationship with a bike!

Namibia is beautiful!. We have traveled along the Kalahari Desert and this means very cold nights and warm days. IN fact nobody wants to get out of their tent in the morning.I am so looking forward to a warm bed and different food. Our breakfast has been the same food for four months so you can imagine how we look forward to that each day!!

Six of us are leaving the tour once more for a short trip to the Namibia coast to see the Skeleton Coast and then inland to the magical dunes. We will rejoin the tour and have 8 days of riding left before we arrive in Cape Town.

As I continue to reflect on this experience I can say in my view that one of the most important things that Crescent School has done is to establish the relationship with the GAP school. II am sure it will be seen over the upcoming years that we are helping to make a huge difference in the lives of the children there. Each day we pass so many children and we all ask.."why are they not in school?"...and of course we know the answer. So all you students at GAP who are following this blog...continue to value your education and keep doing your best...you are the future of your country:-))))..and I know that each of you is a valuable contributor to it in some way or other.

I will update this blog from somewhere on our little holiday...until then send me your strength as the winds will likely be headwinds as we turn to head south from Windhoek..until then stay well!!!

Maun Botswana

Another rest day after five days of riding along a very flat and straight road with the occasional sight of elephants and other wild life. We arrived yesterday after a day that included a time trial. I was on the "Truck People" team and we did the 20 k in just over 40 minutes although my time had us under 40...will still take the fourth place win anyway..it was all in fun yesterday anyway as we dressed in costumes for the trial. I must say that I have had so many good laughs on this trip...one of the gifts that I have received and I am grateful for.

Today will be a day of rest, bike cleaning, eating and reading. The weather continues to be hot during the day and cool at night. We have had a tailwind for a day or so but the nasty headwind keeps slowing us down.

Our bus camps have been in national parks alongside of the road. We are very aware that the elephants and cats are around us and we are happy that they have decided we are to thin to eat from all of our riding. It is a real treat when we get into an actual campsite and have showers food etc. As of today we are just under three weeks until our arrival in Cape Town. We have about 18 more riding days and three more rest days. As the time bets closer to the end we are beginning to feel the group awareness that this adventure is almost over and of course many do not want it to end. As I say..."I will smile because it happened not cry because it is over."

We are going into Namibia in about three days time and with that comes more desert conditions but the sand dunes will be amazing to see. Each night the moon has been shining brightly and as I lay awake at night in the moonlight I spend the time reflecting on my life and this experience and I realize that I am a very blessed individual who has a life that is full of contentment, serenity, love and blessings.

So until my next from Windhoek Namibia, stay well and live life.

Last Rest Day in Zambia

Today I returned to the camp site to put up my tent for another night of camping. It was a difficult thing to do after four nights of living in "civilization"...bath tubs, showers , surround sound TV etc. We have five days of riding ahead before our next rest day in Mann Botswana..I am sure I can make it until then...mind over matter I guess is the way to go :-)

We had a wonderful day yesterday. We went to Chobe National Park for a river cruise and and game drive. To say it was amazing would be an understatement. we were so close to the elephants that we could have reached out to touch them...we actually felt the flapping of the elephants ears. We were in an open air vehicle which made it so wonderful. To see the big animals that close...the giraffes were the same as were all the other ones we saw.

To do this we needed to cross into Botswana and then re-enter Zambia upon our return...so that was another 50 US dollars but the tour company actually paid half of the cost so it was convenient. By having a glimpse of Botswana we got a feel as to how the roads would be... very good with few potholes...now if we can just get a tailwind that will work for us as we cycle along.

The next five days will be a true test for us as some of mileage will be high due to the flatness of the country.

As with all rest days we are challenged with having enough of the countries currency without having a lot left over...so I have about 70Kwacha left right now..about 20 some dollars. When I leave from here we will go to the Spar supermarket and pick up some chocolate for the next days. As we cross the border tomorrow I will not need any local currency to do so. The next challenge will be to get our heads around what the Botswana currency will get us for an American dollar...after all the beer on rest day is the first priority for some so having that information is very important.

So once again ....keep well...live fully and joyfully and be grateful for all that you have...especially the people in your lives...in my case Randi :-)

Cheers

Vic Falls Zambia

I arrived in Livingstone Zambia after a 6 hour bus trip along a highway that was more potholes than pavement. We had purchased our tickets the day before we left. As is the usual we found out when we got to Livingstone that we had been charged twenty thousand Kwachas to much for our ticket...we had no recourse to do anything about it..and we were promised a new bus with air conditioning..of course that was false as well. I am really getting tired of the corruption that goes on with us as tourists...it makes for low trust when we are dealing with others. I try to keep and open mind but at times it can get very frustrating when you sense you are getting taken due to who you are.

I am here with Deb and Harrison..we all needed a rest from the tour. The days are getting longer with the cycling and we needed to prepare for our push through Botswana..which I am trusting will be tailwinds and flat all the way..or at least we are told.

Yesterday we went to the falls. We decided to walk and it took us about 2.5 hours from town or about 10k. We stopped first at the Royal Livingstone Hotel..a five star place right near the edge of the falls...just using the washrooms was a treat.. I could have moved into the one I was using it was so luxurious! We made it to the falls. The Zambia side is smaller but in order to sit from Zimbabwe you need to pay a visa fee of 65 dollars so we passed it up. We got totally soaked as we strolled along the walkways but as it is hot is was very refreshing. There are no guard rails along the route and it makes for some very terrifying moments...and of course the monkeys are constant entertainment.

Tonight we are doing a sunset cruise on the river where we will see the animals come down to drink. Tomorrow we are doing a full day Chobe River Cruise...three hour boat ride to see the animals from the water ..a buffet lunch and then a three hour game drive. We never tire of seeing African wildlife.

One month from today we arrive in Cape Town. It is getting closer and we are talking about what it will be like..not that we are spending a lot of time talking about it!!..we take each day as it comes...like the other day when I order a cappuccino coffee and was expecting it to be instant as in the past and it was in fact a fresh brewed one..pure heaven and bliss.


Today we will explore more of the city....still very African in nature with a mix of Western..nothing like Lusaka...but distinct in its own way. Perhaps we will indulge in some ice cream at a place we saw yesterday..or may be not. It is interesting that you crave certain things on this trip and then when you can get it there are times you don't want it..just knowing it is there is enough.

I will update from the next rest day. Pray for god weather and tailwinds as some of the longest days of riding are ahead. One treat we can look forward to is that in Namibia and South Africa we are not allowed to bush camp..we must stay in campsites so that means showers ever day..what a blessing. Speaking of showers and water... I have a tub finally at the place where i am staying ... I took a shower and then I soaked in the tub for over and hour the day I arrived...it is amazing how mush dirt one can wear for so long..the ring in the tub was pretty bad...but I am clean. It will hard to go back to tenting for a few more weeks but we will do it.

Take care all and look forward to the day I can get a computer that will allow me to upload pics for you to see...and enjoy life as I say in ever blog...it is short and you never know what the day will bring...may you all be healthy and well. Cheers

Rest Day In Lusaka Zambia

WOW!...what a few days of riding... the weather has been very hot ...we are done with the rain I trust!!!! The mileage was long each day as you can see by the mileage chart on my blog. Many of the riders are beginning to break down as are some bikes, but we all keep going as best we can. We only have about five weeks remaining in the tour and while we are anxious for it to end we are already starting to get a little sad as we have all been through so much together and have developed close ties and friendships. Each campsite we sit around and share stories of the days and stuff from our lives. Don't get me wrong we do not stay up until midnight...we are usually all in bed by 6:30 or 7...whatever will we do when we get home!!!


Zambia is a beautiful country and the population is much less than previous countries...the coke stops are few and far between if at all. Somehow it never fails that when you think you have a private quiet place to do a washroom break somebody show sup. We are beginning to call this the "Tour of the Living Dead"...in a continent that is as large as Africa and you are never without the presence of people. The second last bush camp we stayed at we heard drumming and chanting until about four in the morning...nice for awhile but hard to get to sleep with. the drums move in a circular fashion throughout the night so when you wake up it is heard from a new place.

Last night we stayed at a Jehovah Witness site. It was preparing for a gathering the next day and women were busy plastering the walls of the various structures around the compound. It is interesting as I mentioned before that women seem to be the ones who do a lot of the manual labour..usually with a baby ties to her back and at times one on the front as well. We did see one man carrying a child wrapped on his back but that is very unusual.

As mentioned in my last post some of us are headed to Vic Falls ahead of the group for a few days of rest. The journey has been long and hard and it will prepare us for the last push to Cape Town. It will be hard to leave Lusaka as it is a very Western city..in fact we feel like we are in an amusement park after so many months of rode riding and such. It has a movie theatre, ice cream, a Subway, banks, bowling etc. ..we will make good use of the services here. Lunch was soooooooooooo amazing!!!

I trust that you are all well and if you are in North America you are finally getting some spring weather to enjoy. May the sun continue to warm your hearts and souls. I will update from Vic Falls!!!

Rest Day In Lilongwe and Tyler's Birthday!!!..(my son)

What a difference a day makes. I had a wonderful day yesterday and am reorganized with my equipment and red box. We really need a system with our red boxes to ensure that when we put it back on the truck it slides into place easily. I do not remove my box but take out the stuff that I need each camp site. It all goes back into the top layer as long as it is dry out and not raining. As it was wet each day the stuff kinda jut got pushed into place. So having done laundry and such I am ready for our ride tomorrow.

Last night almost all the riders went to the same Italian Restaurant...it was okay as it was a large establishment. We all ordered at our table and prepared to wait as we usually do...to our delight all our meals were delivered to us at once and only after 15 mins..it was amazing to taste a great pizza once again. When we paid we had given a tip along with the meal money. By the time the money made it to the waitress who took it to the cashier it was short 1000kwacah...the waitress had pocketed the cash. We explained to the manager that we had left a tip of 1500KW for her so in fact she had taken 2500kw...he said do not worry about it...I have no idea what happened to the waitress but we were reminded once again that we need to be aware..and it is getting so old that we are being taken advantage of by locals. I understand that poverty is an issue here but if tourists are ripped off word of mouth will spread the news. The other issue as I have written about is how the price for a service or product will rise as more of us go to an establishment. When we say what we know others have paid they take the right price but if you don't have the info then you need to barter.


Today I will go and visit the local market and a few other places. We went to the back today to get Zambian Kwacha but the line up was around the building as it is every day at a bank here. I guess we will deal with the money changers at the border..an experience in itself. One rider last time was to get 8000kw..about 70us and found out that he only got 800kw..again we must be aware as when the "zoo" comes to town word gets around quickly.

Have a wonderful day if you are reading this blog. May you be a peace and enjoy your loved ones. It is a long time to be away from a partner or spouse and many of us a longing for the reconnection when this experience is over.

It is also my sons birthday today..so Happy Birthday Tyler...as i said ...may your day be as blessed as my day was the day you were born!!!..and as you enter your last year in your twenties know that you can't go back so make the most of each day!!!...love you and miss you and we will celebrate when I return....ENJOY!!!!!

Lilongwe Malawi

I arrived today after five riding days. I wish I could say that I rode the full five days but that would be stretching the truth. I rode mostly half days and had a full rest day as well. It has rained most nights which has meant putting our tents away wet. As we arrive in camp the first thing we do is to get them out to dry. The sun is usual out by the afternoon and the tents dry in a few minutes. Once they are set up it is time for a peanut butter sandwich and something to drink.

I am getting more energy now that we have a new cook. He has taken the veggies under his arm and is preparing amazing food. That and the fact the meat eaters can't have our food when they get seconds means we do not have to rush to get our seconds. There is a certain amount of survival of the fittest that is appearing in camp as we get closer to the end. In general things are even and people are getting along well.

The race for the women is a litte skewed as there are only three registered to race the tour. One left at the Kenya border and one is not really racing. The woman who is in the lead is really there as a result of the first place dropping off. So can you call it a race when only one is racing?..not sure but it will sort itself out somehow...I heard through the grapevine the one racer may take herself off the race list as well...oh well we will see.

The men racers on the other hand is alive and active. There are about six or so registered....and while the lead will probably continue to lead until the end the others race with each other each day. It will be interesting to see how the guys place in the end.

The expedition riders such as myself enjoy each day and are not as rushed to get into camp. We take more coke stops and camera stops along the way. I know many of you will be shocked but I am consuming a large quantity of pop each day. It is cold and liquid. Along with this is the increase in consumption of sugar at each meal...on cereal..porridge..peanut butter sandwiches...coffee...tea..etc. I am sure that it will not be something I will continue when I get home!!!!!

Lilongwe is a very Western city from what I an see and tonight we are going to go to an Italian restaurant. I will keep my fingers crossed they have all the food on the menu. When we were at a stop two days ago we went to a restaurant and as usual we asked first if they had everything on the menu.."of course we were told"...GREAT. " I will have the fish and chips please."..."sorry no fish"..."okay I will have and omelet and chips"..."sorry we have no chips"..."okay I will just have an omelet"..."sorry we have no eggs!!!!!"...so we left and did this with three other places before we found an Indian restaurant that had all we asked for....such is life in Africa!!!!

We are here for one rest day and then five days to Lasaka where we hear they have a STARBUCKS!!!...we have five new riders joining us when we leave so there will be about 80 riders descending into Starbucks for a coffee...hope they can handle us all and that all that is on the menu is there!!!

The experience I am having is still amazing. I awake each day and have to pinch myself that I am in Africa and not Canada. Much of the landscape we have gone through in the past while could be anywhere in Ontario...lush...green...wet....trees and meadows...the only give away that you are in Africa is the locals who walk everywhere. We have less than five weeks remaining with lots of mileage left to do as well..so long days of rising and riding. I take each day as it comes and do as I see fit. With a new round of illness going through the riders I do not want to be in a weakened state. I have managed to this point not to get sick and I am grateful for this.

Take great care of yourselves once more as I always say. Life is short so let yourself have some madness in your life to balance the daily routine!! The quotes in the book that was given to me inspire me each day and are always so appropriate to how I am feeling on that day...I treasure each and every one as do the others I share them with. Until Lasake Zambia..farewell!!!

Iringa Arrival

I am now in Iringa after seven days of riding. It has been the longest stretch of riding days before a rest day. As fate would have it we were blessed with dry days and rain at night. The road conditions we were on are the worst of the tour and we were lucky as had it rained during the day it would have bee mud city. As it is, our bikes were covered with red mud from the evening rain and wil get a good cleaning on this our rest day.

As I was coming into town yesterday it started to rain and I got soaked..was refreshing to start and then I got cold as we had climbed 1600m during the day. It continued to rain all night and up to about an hour ago. I handed my laundry into be done which I do at all oppourtunities I can find and it has hung outside and is still wet. I trust it will dry as the sun is now out. If not then we will have to pack it away wet when we leave tomorrow. I do have a dry riding outfit and for this I am VERY grateful.

I am staying in a room with three others. We have no hot water...no that unusual here in Africa and the TDA people keep telling us that this is a camping trip not a hotel trip. That is all fine and dandy but hot water and a shower after seven sweaty days of riding is a matter of importance....to me:-)... So how did we solve it. We found the rooms that did have hot water and we took turns showering. The feeling of dirt washing off your body is wonderful. I was able to trim my beard and shave so another blessing in my life. Funny how our standards have dropped..."it has a bed and a toliet... lets take it!!!"

We had all forgotten that this weekend is Easter. Today being Easter Sunday we did not have a bunny show up with any eggs or bunnys:-(((...so we are in town looking for chocolate. I am confident we will find some! We were able to find a restaurant that provided pizza for lunch. It was a pizza that had cabbage, beans, peas and other things on it ....very spicy and full of chili peppers. We only had to wait about an hour to get it. We have become use to the pace of "fast" in Africa.


We leave tomorrow morning for a five day sprint. Hard to believe that we are over half way through the tour but not half way through the total distance to be ridden. What this means is that we are headed into very long riding days. The roads improve from here on and the winds are to be at our back. I am trusting!!!

I awoke this morning and found I had my first flat tire of the tour. I was able to change it before we headed to town. Thank goodness it did not happen on the road. Many are the days when riders will have three or four flats on a riding day. Most times another rider will stop to help...or a local. I am amazed at the number of bikes we see being used by the locals. All one speed Chinese models. Rather embarassing as they ride past you up a hill carrying a load of fire wood or goats in a basket. We have all the bike technology and they still out shine us. Jambo is exchanged between us (hello) and they laugh at times as we ride with all our gear. There are no rock throwing kids here...only lovely people who greet you with a smile and a wave.

The new riders are finding the ride a challenge and I see that some are are getting tired fast in some cases. We have been on this tour for a long time and they are riding with a newness that reflects where we were. Some will be with us for a few weeks and others will be with us until Cape Town.

Many of us are looking forward to the end but also not wanting to wish the rest of the trip away. We have many beautiful countries left to see and many more adventures to have as a group and as an individual.

Stay well everybody and I will update from our next rest stop. Pray for no rain for us and great roads...we will need it. We wil be having a party at the half way point in the tour (mileage) and I am looking forward to this as it will bring the whole group together in a different way.

Me again:-)))

Well I am back in Arusha. A few riders wanted to know where the internet was so I brought them in.

We had a rain storm last night and I am pleased to report that my tent was dry and warm...it is a bigger tent than I had so I am able to get more of my gear into it or under the fly. I did a bit of laundry yesterday and of course it was soaked last night...the sun is out now and it is hot so I trust it will dry.

I talked to Dr. Luke who is a member of the TDA team. He told me about his ride through Kenya driving one of the support trucks. He said it was a long drive due to road conditions and that likely we would have been very tired and stressed as the road conditions were worse than our worst day along the tour.

The camp we are at is a large venue and has a large bar and restaurant. We found out last night that it si the party central for locals and a lot of the safari people. So the music was loud, the booze was flowing and those of us who wanted to sleep were unable to...as a result we are a little tired today. Oh well it will prepare us for the next riding days...seven days then a rest day. Tonight being Saturday should be even a louder affair...maybe we should just join them. My bike was looked at by one of the mechanics as it is now fit to ride...as I am.

Tanzania is by far one of the most expensive countries we have been in. They do have atm machines and a few places do take visa...this will improve as we head further south.

Well I am off now to get a good cup of coffee..and avocado sandwich and some food from Shop Right.

Stay healthy and warm....will update from the next possible location.

In Arusha

We arrived in Arusha yesterday after a short flight from Zanzibar. While the humidity is down the rain is up. The camp site we are at has been soaked for the past few days and my tent is a bit damp. The good news is that I have been able to get a new tent!!! I am a happy camper and I will set it up when I get back to the campsite.

My bike needed a good cleaning after the truck ride it had through Kenya. It was coated with red dust as was all the stuff in my redbox. So I cleaned it all up, degreased the chain and relubed it. The tires are fine and I am ready to ride!!!!...if it rains we are all concerned about what that wil be like but we will cross that river when we get there!

I have had some exciting news about my arrival in Cape Town. I can't believe it but there will be 12GAP students, 2 staff and Ralph my good friend who drives us each year when we go to GAP and my GREAT friend Helen Valleau who will be there to greet me...how exciting and cool is that!!! It will make the ride from here on in so much more.!!!I am truly blessed to have received this news and I trust that all will go well for all of them as they travel to Cape Town. I am reminded once again that the universe has an amazing way to support each of us as we venture through life.

So with this news I will now travel back to camp and think about what the finish will be like...WOW!..thank you to the sponsors of this treat!!!!!

My love to all and may you all be as blessed as I am.

I will write more when I get to our next rest day.

Last day in Zanzibar

Well I awoke to another day in paradise...hot, humid and sunny...like it always is here. I had a wonderful breakfast of spiced coffee, fresh fruit, and an egg omelet..breakfasts here always include eggs of some sort. After the meal I did some writing in my journal. I wrote that having a loved one to share this experience with would be the icing on the cake...I will bring Randi here one day I am sure.

As I prepare to go back to my ride I thought about all the campsites I have been in over the past two months. Each one had its own "special" quality...be it a rock quarry...a cow pasture..a flat riverbed with goats all around...a farmers field on the Nile...a mountain top with a "loo with view"..and of course the rest days where I have stayed in all sorts of so called Hotels and some very nice places. What is common about all of them is that as the riders come into camp it develops into a community of people who make it home for a few hours...the tents come out...the food truck starts supper...the camp stools come out and we group to talk about the days adventures. Then there is the famous call from Duncan the TDA leader..."riders meeting"...which by the way took a few times to figure out what he was saying as he has a New Zealand accent! We gather to hear the news of what the next day will be like and any other news that needs to be told. We then eat and if you have dish duty you spend a few minutes with your hands in water. After all of this most people are in bed by 7:30 or so...and of course have to get up a few times each night. In the morning we strike camp...eat and leave and the spots where we were look as natural as when we arrived.

There have been many funny moments in camp. I am reminded of how in Ethiopia if the camp site was not roped off the locals would enter slowly into the camp. One day one of the campers was changing in her tent when a large group of locals began to laugh out loud...they were watching. You have to realize that we are all white and a novelty for them. Another time we had cows in the campsite that needed to be chased out but they felt like staying instead and came back time and again...and they liked to lick the bikes...no idea why.

As we head out on the 16th it will be good to know that we know the routine and will be able to get back into the action easily. Many tales will be told about our adventures over the past two weeks and also about what lies ahead. We had to say good-bye to Janet Alexander at the border in Kenya. She rode last year and had an injury that prevented her from doing all of the fist half so she came back...especially to do Kenya....and was not able to do so...she knows it must not be in her strs. Her husband Chris joined herfor the last eight days before we headed into our break. Janet was the one who with great drama and zest who told us what was lying ahead for us..the roads...the campsites...the hotels etc. Now that she is not with us we will have to find out for ourselves. She did give some advice about a few hotels that we should not miss out on. She will be missed.

We have also had to say good-bye to other riders. Some only ride a section and others a few sections. Some did sections last year and others will complete the ride in the year ahead. It will be a new dynamic with the new riders who will be joining us in Arusha.

I am also looking forward to seeing more of Africa. It is a huge continent and is mix of many cultures each bringing their own aspects to creating what is known as Africa. In Zanzibar it is a mix of the Middle East...the buildings and food express it all. Northern Ethiopia was the place where the Arab world meets Africa. The various religions also add to the mix. Zanzibar is 90 percent Muslim as our spice guide informed us. We awake to call for prayers again each day. As we move onto the main land we also have the various tribes that make up each country. I have experienced that sitting in North America it is easy to say what should be done to aid Africa. The truth for me at this point is that it is not so clear as what should be done...it is a very complicated place. I would love to see that students would get the opportunity to see and hear what I have. I truly believe that their education of theory needs to include experience in the field to become knowledge. Crescent schools Global Outreach fulfills a part of this and for that I am grateful.

I am now off to have more spiced coffee as it will not be available to me on the ride. Stay warm and healthy and know that what we have in our lives is so much more than so many others in the world...use it wisely and share it freely.

Back in Stone Town

Good-morning!!! I am back in Stone Town on my own. I dropped the others off at the airport to fly to Arusha as they are doing a three day safari. Since I have done one I decided to say a few days longer here.

I bumped into the TDA riders who climbed Mount Killy and they all were able to summit!!!...must have been because their legs were so strong from the bikes. Apparently it is a lot cooler in Arusha and we look forward to that as we end our break.

We all talk about the past two months and what we have had to deal with...from campsites ...to flats ...to kids with stones...to wounds that won't heal..etc. As we look back we are able to see that each of us has handled their own issues with the tools they have to work with. As we head out we wonder what will lay ahead as we are south of the equator. Some of the countries we will go through have large lake districts so we are hoping that water will not be an issue..nothing like sweating in cycling gear to get the insects buzzing around you!!! As a last resort we can just stand in the rain and wash. We have all taken great advantage of the hot water we have had access to over the past few days..not to mention great food.

When we return we will have a new cook with us as well as two new truck drivers so the routine we are sue to will change...not to mention the new riders who will be joining us. We will have more access to food along the route so the menu should improve. As a veggie I will still need to work on getting enough protein. I am hoping that when I am in Arusha I will be bale to find protein powder to use...if not it will be tins of tuna.

If you are a veggi reading this blog and you are considering doing the ride do not let TDA tell you that you will be fed with enough of what you need. As youu read in a previous post even the doctor on the TDA team has acknowledged the inadequate amount of protein. Have no worries you will not die...juts have no energy.

So off I go to explore this amazing town. It is lined with small streets and tall older buildings that remind me of a little bit of europe. I will also have to put my tough skin on to ward off the street hawkers. I know that they are only trying to make a living but they do not take no as an answer. I had a henna tatto applied to my arm and leg yesterday and I am going to have it improved upon...only lasts for three weeks but it is fun.

Take care until my next post.

A few photos and comments

Zanzibar coast line

We have heard that the trucks that are carrying our bikes have arrived safely in Nariobi and will continue onto Arusha. It must be a sight with 60 bikes on the tricks. We needed to take off the pedals and turn our handle bars sideways to try to get them all in...hopefully none of them will be damaged as without a bike you are not going to do the ride.

I brought enough bike parts to rebuild my bike if need be..to date I have used none of them...and I knock on wood here...knock, knock ...as I have not had a flat tire to date. Some people have a flat a day.

Yesterday ass we walked along the beach we ran into a nu,mber of people who are with the tour that arrived at different times and will leave at different times as well. We end up talking about the tour and discussing the various places and situations we have ahd to deal with over the past two months. IN fact today the 8th is two months since I departed Toronot..and we have 9 more weeks of the tour and then 2 weeks in Cape Towna and the GAP school.

I understand that the boys travelling to the GAP school this year from Crescent have arrived safely and I trust are enjoying their experience. I look forward to hearing about it when I arrive in May.

Today we are going to go shelling...which means we are walking along the beach with our heads down ans hopefully find some shells that will fit in our redboxes.

As I have a bikers tan on my legs...which means that the tan starts where my bike shorts end... I have been trying to even out the large white spaces at the top of my legs that show when I wear my other shorts. I am also tired of wearing the same clothes day in and out so I bought a new pair of shorts and will get a few t-shirts when I return to Stone Town on the 11th of March. We were commenting yesterday that we have only known each other dressed in certain clothes for two months...to us it seems so natural to see somebody in an old t-shirt that when they do show up in a new one it is like.."who are you!"..."do I know you!!" We will need to get new clothes when we arrive in Cape Town for the big celebration dinner. It will be nice for those of us who have somebody coming to Cape Town to connect with at the end....and for those who do not then there will always be the rest of the riders.

The photos are slow to upload so I will post more as I am able to...somebody is waiting to use the computer...so good bye for now

Zanzibar

What a beautiful island this is....very HOT and humid but a good start to being conditioned to ride in this type of weather. We have stayed two nights in Stonetown and will now go to the north end for a few days. We all rejoin as a group in Arusha ready to leave on March the 16th.

The adventure continues and each day brings new insights. We are all happy to leave Ethiopia and be south of the equator. The countries we will be in over the next two months are more developed and geared to tourists. Do not get me wrong each of the three countries we have traveled are beautiful and the people as a whole have been amazing but it is all about making money and pressuring you and following you at all times. Here in Tanzania we walk about without a hassle and feel the pressure of watching over you back to be gone. We are a large group and when we come to town to eat they are not used to such a number and the service fro even a coffee can take an hour...and anybody who is impatient will eventually get mad and try to get what they want when they want it...and of course get more frustrated.

It has been an experience to watch how others handle situations. Myself i just sit back and say to myself...this is African time.

From the TDA website..."The cyclist’s bodies have also begun to break down. It has not been just the weight loss that comes with the massive amount of mileage. The “veggies” have had a particularly tough time. A number of them have small wounds that are just not healing well. Miles, our chef, has done wonders with the food but Africa is definitely not prepared for vegetarians, at least not those that intent on cycling more than 100km per day."...seems if the doctor is saying this then you would think that something would be done about it...but that has not been the case to date..I will bring this up when I return...you can see why my riding has been reduced...and I know that I must remember the difference between an intention and an expectation.

I am now up at the North end of the island and have checked into a beautiful resort on the Indian Ocean. The largest regret I have is that my partner Randi is not here to share it with me...as relationships have a lot to do with memories this will be one that will be in my mind only..photos will have to suffice for Randi. I know that we will have a lot to talk about when I return but this has been my experience and it will not be his..such is the loss...LOVE you anyway:-)))


Deb and I are the only two who are staying here at the moment. It is hard when there are nine of us trying to book into a hotel...so many patterns come into play. Deb and I have become used to sharing a hotel room..we are respectful of each other and make sure we pay each other back when we "borrow" money...we are each able to allow the other their adventure...many of us do the sharing to cut down costs as we are all on budgets that have been blown out of the waters...thank goodness for plastic as it is now accepted in Tanzana...and what a treat to use my ATM card. The currency in Tansania is shillings..you get about 11,000 per dollar so when you get money from the ATM you have a HUGE wad of money that is worth very little...and it goes quickly as you eat.

We went on a spice tour yesterday and I now know about many of the spices that I use and why some are so expensive. I was able to enjoy a spiced coffee here that had ginger, nutmeg and cloves in it...hmmmm...maybe I need to bring this back to Toronto and see if it is worth starting a coffee house over...just kidding!!!!


I am now going to go for a nap...I have found that since I have stopped riding that I realize just how tired I am..so off to the hammock I go and dream about getting back onto the bike...well I will try!!!


Stay well fellow readers and send me some comments!! I will update mileage tomorrow.

Cheers
Jamie

Back In Addis ready to leave Ethiopia

I am back in Addis at an Internet cafe that has keyboards that stick like crazy so I apologize for any spelling errors I do not catch.

We arrived in Moyela Ethiopia after a number of hot gruelling riding days. I walked to the Kenya border and looked at the road we will not be going on...and we are all happy about that. One rider has chosen to ride into Kenya knowing his insurance will not cover him. I trust he will do well but North Kenya is very rough. This section is called Meltdown Madness for a reason. We are all tired and many are sick. I still continue to eat little more than pasta and eggs on rest days and I seem to be okay. The water we drink is heavily chlorinated and thus tastes like a swimming pool but at least it is clean. We all drink a lot of fluids due to the heat.

Here are the rider injuries to date:

1. One rider was drafting a truck to gain speed and hit a piece of metal and went over the handle bars. His helmet saved his life and we were warned once again not to do this.

2. One rider hit a speed bump at a fast speed and went over the handle bars and suffered a broken collarbone and cracked rib and has to leave the tour for 6 weeks to heal.

3. One rider hit a child (she is fine)and he went down and suffered a cracked rib and had memory loss for awhile.

4. One rider was pushed over a ledge by a local with an umbrella and then she had rocks thrown at her and she suffered a cracked rib and had her camera stolen. The locals found the camera and it was returned.

5. One rider hit a child ( I will explain about this) and she had to take stitches to the knee and leg. In the end she had to pay the mother of the child 100birr...about 9 dollars and then she was free to go...this with the police involved.

6. One rider hit a goat and had stitches to the shoulder severe road burn.

7. Many riders have been sick with a fever and other ailments.

The good news is my hand has healed and I am not sick.

As for the hitting of children with bikes. As we ride through towns we have children running after us shouting "YOU, YOU, YOU" and "Give me birr". We are not able to stop as we will be swarmed with kids demanding money. So as we do not stop they do what they do to their animals to get their attention...they shoot rocks at us...and try to put sticks through our wheels to stop. You need to be on guard at all times and thus some children get hit with a bike. We have grown very hardened and just ride as fast as we can. As we have been in this country for almost a month now we are all anxious to leave.


We were bused back to Addis..two days with a bus that had a huge poster of the Virgin Mary staring back at us...and did we need it as the animals have the right of way and since cows and goats are the currency here there are many of them. The first day was 13.5 hours and the second day was 6 hours. I checked into the hotel and stood in the shower for about 30 minutes while the water ran brown. We were commenting on how we just get to a camp site and put on the same dirty clothes and it all seems so normal. The first month we were very awre of the crap shi#%^^## that was at every camp site...now we just kick it out of the way and set up our tents. We have 12 nw riders joining us in Arusha and it will be interesting to see how we looked and reacted to things two months ago...they will be like deer and headlights to be sure.

I leave tomorrow for Zanzibar and I will update my blog from their. While I have had a great experience I am looking forward to getting back to some developed country things like ATM machines and the use of credit cards...and ice cream...and food that is not lamb, or goat...not that I eat it!!!!


On my next blog I will inform you of many of my experiences but for now I am getting frustrated by this keyboard and am ready to go to the Hilton Hotel for a little bit of luxury...a pastry and a BIG cup of coffee.

For those of you going to South Africa give my love to the GAP school...say hello to Anathi for me and all the others I care for.


As I have traveled through three countries I can see that the long term plan for GAP is so important. Much of the aid I have seen is short term and has caused many to dependent on it. There are so many children who are not in school here due to fees and such. The students at GAP are getting a very special education that is not available to many. So this ride for me has for me taken on a deeper meaning and my connection to the GAP school is stronger than ever. If I can help Anathi and others to get and education then I have made a small difference.

Anyway...stay warm and look forward to my next blog update hopefully with pictures.

Rest Day in Addis Ababa Ethiopia

Well I am alive and well. It has been impossible to get Internet access since my last post due to speed. I am now at the Hilton in Addis Ababa and it is high speed...so here goes.

I left Khartoum and we had a number of days of very flat and straight days of cycling with strong headwinds. Our campsites where everything from along the Nile where we had a great swim to a rock quarry where we were guarded by armed soldiers all night. The days were warm and the nights cool but at least we have a warm breakfast instead of freezing while we eat.

We entered Ethiopia and camped right inside the border. The only place we could shower was...ready for this ...a brothel...so for 2 birr...about 40cents..we had a very cold shower in a corrugated tin hut...but believe me after so many days not washing we were in heaven. We then all had a cold beer as Sudan is a dry country.

Ethiopia is a beautiful country...right now is the dry season so it reminds many of us of Tuscany. The only problem in the hills and the rock throwing children. The hills are long and inclined and the children run along side of you in bare feet on the gravel saying YOU! YOU! YOU!....and beg for money or a pen...and when your back is turned you can be hit with a rock...or as in one case urinated on or in another case have your breast grabbed. It takes away from the beauty of the country as you need to have your eyes peeled at all times. A few have been hit and have the marks to show it.

This section we just completed is called The Gorge. The Gorge day was 90 k...with 14 of that down into the Gorge and 22k up the Gorge...some paved and some not. I elected to ride it out in the truck to be able to see the Gorge and also due to an infected hand. I awoke one morning and I had a small hole in my hand on the back that was infected...probably a spider bite...and it would not heal. I am now on antibiotics to fight the infection so I will report when it is healed.

There has been a lot of sickness going through camp and I am blessed that I have not been affected. I know that many riders immune system is down due to the stress of riding each day and therefore it is difficult to fight infections.

I am listening to my body and riding as I see fit. Some days it is all day and some days it is a half day. I am here to enjoy the experience and as I said in my intention..."to arrive in Cape Town on May 10 with all the other riders safe and sound"...so I will do what I will do to stay with my intention.

There are a few of us who are going to stay behind as the tour leaves Addis to go to Lalibella ..where the churches were carved into the ground...we will rejoin the tour at the next rest day.

The reality or riding day after day, camping day after day, and eating the same food day after day is beginning to settle into our lives in different ways. For some they are still sailing along while many are starting to feel the routine in different ways.

The other day I had to confront one rider who was making a comment about somebody who was riding the truck a lot. I explained that we are each here for our own experience and to let her have hers and keep his comments to himself. In no way does she affect his ride...with such a large group there are groups that have formed that keep us from all connecting as one. Anyway...I continue to do what I do.

As we are not going into Kenya we are going to go to many places. I have elected to go to Zanzibar for a number of days and then to Arusha for a few days ...hopefully I can get a two man tent there as mine continues to be too small for me and where we will rejoin as a group and continue to tour. We will have new riders jon us and new drivers and a cook as well so it will take awhile for the group to gel once again. Two Canadians are leaving us and will be back next year to complete the tour.

I was asked what I would tell somebody who was wanting to do the tour. All I can say is it is everything thought it would be and more. You can't train for this type of riding as the terrain is so varied...you need to monitor your progress to keep well...the food especially if you are a vegetarian is not giving enough protein so bring supplements....be prepared to ride in all conditions...it is at times the survival of the fittest when it comes to lunch stops...be prepared to bring fast fuel day after day and also be prepared to have the others know you in a way your friends don't...as a tube that consumes food, and gets rid of it...that has gas all day and night long and that your tent is not sound proof...and that the sound of you being sick..while not pleasant is all a part of the night ritual.

Anyway...I continue to ride and enjoy the experience..whatever each day brings...and pray for flat hills!!!!!

Take care fellow people..and enjoy what blessing you have in your life...I will update from Zanzibar in a few weeks or sooner as it depends on the Internet access.

Second Rest Day in Khartoum

My bike and red box ready to roll.



One of the many coffee and tea ladies along the way. Strong Turkish coffee with sugar. A treat to find.



My tent and bike ready for the night in a desert camp



A common sight along the road in the Nubian Desert in Southern Sudan



My bike gets the honour of being the first to ride on top of the truck:-)


Northern Sudan





I know it might seem boring to you or maybe routine but once again I awoke in a warm bed and had a long HOT shower. I am going upstairs to breakfast in a few minutes to have a delight of some sort I am sure and of course a couple of big cups of coffee. I am wearing the clean pants and t-shirts I had laundered the other day...again I am grateful for small things.(breakfast..scrambled eggs. toast, grapefruit, cheese, yogurt, cereal, chocolate pound cake, dried fruit and fresh kiwi and oranges along with gava juice)

As I was going to sleep last night I was reflecting on the varied experiences that I have had in just three weeks. My emotions have run from joy to almost depression...that point being in Northern Sudan when I was faced with days of sand riding. As I feel each emotion I just let myself be in it and let it run its course rather than say I "should" be feeling something else. It has and will continue to take time to adjust to this new way of life and realizing what we take for granted until we do not have access to it. It must be remembered that we are also 65 people who did not know each other three weeks ago who have each been having their own experience while we share a common experience...and I know that a common thing to do is to let walls down slowly. As the days have passed and we have all had to interact with each other for some reason or other it becomes clear that we are all here for a reason that I am sure will reveal itself at some point.

Last night at dinner Henry told us about past particpants and some of the things that had happened to them along the route due to being to naive or trusting. Scams happen and they can be painful learning expereinces.We are to use caution at all times.One of our riders had his iPhone taken at a restuarant today and he spent most of the day with the police..of course with no luck...an expensive lesson to be sure.

We have been informed that all the women on the trip should adopt a "husband" when they travel around the city. Deb has chosen me ...so we have four kids and a dog...such an great family. The other day she let her guard down and was approached by a man who began to ask her questions and she started to give some info that she probably should not have. After the brief encounter I walked up to her and said "I don't appreciate it when you talk to other men..remember we are married!"..the light bulb went on...that is how unaware we can be until this new way of life really becomes something we practice all the time. I trust that we will have no major problems along the way.

A little bit about Sudan and Khartoum. It is not as dirty as Egypt was but it still ranks very high. I have no idea if there is garbage colection or not as so much of it is in the streets and the side of the road...and factor in the donkey and goats and you can imagine what it look like. The most popular colour is brown of course followed by a muddy yellow. One huge difference is that the Sudanese people are so nice and accomodatiing as compared to my expereince in Egypt where it is all about money and wearing you down. One example is the taxi driver who took me to the campsite today along with a fellow rider Janet. He charged us the right price and he waited for us for 1.5 hours while we cleaned our bikes and repacked our redbox.


Speaking of red boxes...I was able to let go of a few articles I will not be using such as the second pair of old sandals, travel soap dish and I put all my spare tires up on the roof of one of the trucks...thus I have a little more room in my permanent bag. I look forward to Cape Town where we all deposit all the stuff we are not going to take back with us and it is donated. As you may be aware I am leaving my bike at GAP to be mounted on the wall with a plaque that says something like..."You can do whatever you put your mind to...don't let anybody stop you from following your dreams." I will leave the bike gear behind as I plan on getting a new bike when I return...not sure it will be a mountain bike or not...I imagine I will not ride for a short while upon my return...just for a break.

We are headed for lunch in a few minutes and then we will go outside of the hotel to get some supplies for the next few days such as tuna, chcolate, etc...small things to look forward to. I will add to this entry after I return. Enjoy you Sunday:-)

Well I am back...had a wild goose chase to find the Dundas Internationl Hotel which is where some fellow riders are staying...I was sent on more wild goose chases for over 1.5 hours...I finally gave up and came back for a shower. Today Sudan is the hot place it was suppose to be all the way along...hopefully it will stay that way. I know that a few of the riders are coming here for dinner tonight so I will catch up then.

I spent awhile trying to find flights to Zanzibar as Kenya is a no go for sure. It wil take a bit of planning to get there and without internet connection it will have to be done from here or our next rest day.

Tomorrow morning we will leave the hotel at 6:45 after our last breakfast and head out to rejoin the group. We are to leave in a convoy out of the city and then four days of pavement and two of none until we have the next rest day. It wil take a bit to get back onto the bike but we will do it.

Take care all my friends...I send you my love and blessings and wish you all good health. Talk to you in 6 days time.

First Rest Day in Khartoum

Let' see...I awoke at 7:30 in a warm bed with the sun coming in my shuttered french door windows. I walked across the hall and had a long HOT shower and sand still fell to the bottom of the tub. I took my laundry to the reception desk to be done today...ahhh clean clothes to ride in. I then went upstairs to the dining room to get breakfast with the others. Today we had pancakes, eggs, yogurt, toast, grapefruit, cereal, dried fruits, pound cakes, and fresh juice, cheese and crackers...and oh yes...REAL COFFE and we could go back as many times as we wanted...I only went back three times...I will savour every moment of this experience!!!

I have brought a one man tent with me...big mistake..if for any reason you are going to do this ...then bring a two man tent. One man tents weigh less but also have less room. By the time I am in it that is it. I have had to be very creative about packing stuff in my redbox so that I do not have to take the complete redbox out each night. I take out what I need and leave the rest in the box. So today I asked the hotel manager if it was possible to get a new tent. He did some checking around and said I might be able to. He found me a taxi driver they use who speaks English and we set off at 20 Sudanese lbs per hour. In 20 minutes I was wisked away to a back alley where the man was making tents out of canvas for the army...huge monster tents..he had a "two man tent" that was made out of cotton and weighed about 100 lbs. I finally convinced him that I did not want this tent and he then said he would cut it down for me...NOT!!!...and then suddenly it was breakfast time at 11:30 am and the driver sat down with all the workers and had a common bowl of beans and pita eaten with fingers...no forks here...this took twenty minutes and then he decided that he needed to drive me rather than eat ...and not back to the hotel but all the way across town to an illegal/legal market to another tent man..(probably some relative). We arrived forty minutes later into a huge area of laneways where everything from shoes to clothes to computers were being made and sold. As we walked further into the maze of stalls I must say I was begining to feel a little vunerable as I was the only "white" person walking there...(I now know what this feels like)...at least my driver was clearing the way of others. We arrived at a stall and the tent was cotton canvas once again and huge. I kept saying no and an argument ensued between the driver and the seller. I just stood there calmly and said no again and again. Finally I started to walk away and the driver followed me and we made it back to the hotel...60 Sudanese lbs lighter (30us)...and no tent. I will give up the quest for now and trust if one is to find its way into my life it will have to come to me...I will not go to it!!!

So of course I made it back for lunch...french fries (I am SOOOOOOOOOOOOO greatful), vegetable curry with rice and chutney, a spinach salad with tomatoes and feta cheese, rolls, real coffe again...an orange...filtered water, ketchup...and coke...and supper wil be at 8 tonight. I will eat as many calories as possible over the next two days as we have many miles ahead. (HMMM..back to peanut butter and syrup sandwiches)

After such a tring day it was time for a nap so I opened the french doors and shutters wide and slept for an hour...and what the heck might as well have another shower...so I did. I am going nowhere else but here.

There are english newpapers here so I have read about the snowstorm you had with school closings. I must say I forget that it is the second of February and winter in Canada. My tan lines are weird due to the bike clothes but at least we are all the same. I have become use to the warm days..(I will not go on about the cold nights). The interesting aspect of reading a newspaper after three weeks is the realization that world goes on without me...imagine that!!!

It is now 6:15 at night on Saturday. To show you how this country is changing, today was the second Saturday that was a part of a two day weekend. In the Muslim world Friday is the holy day and they work six days a week. They now get two days off a week...so it means there is less traffic on the roads...but the banks are closed only to open the next day...being Sunday...so I will make a trip to the bank for some more funds. Apparently we will have more opportunities to stop along the route as expedition riders to have a coffee or coke stop. This is sopmething I look forward to.

I also need to find others to ride with as it wil make the going easier as it will block some of the wind we are to encounter. As we finsh off with Sudan and head into Ethiopia we will begin to climb and then as I mentioned in another post we will be dealing with altitude and its effect on our riding...not to metion the rock throwing children.

I was told the other day that over half of the population of Ethiopia are under 16. This being due to so many parents who have died from Aids. If that is true you need to imagine that children and rasing children and what that means. We are a noevlty and "we are white people on bikes" as the tour leader tells us...so we need to take anything off our bikes that we can...no tool boxes etc. I have a rain cover for my camelback so I am trusting that will keep wandering hands off my stuff and out of the pack. I will need to carry my extra tubes with me in the backpack as there are three zippered compartments on my tool box and it is behind me where I am unable to watch it...so into my red box it will go. We will need to ride with a partner as much as possible.

So that folks is how I have spent my first rest day...I trust you have all had a wonderful Saturday in North America and that the weather will improve. It is almost over the hump for winter and March is next month...well I am trying here to be an optimist!!!

I will update this post after supper tonight to let you know what we had.

I wish I could upload pictures to these blog enteries but I do not have a laptop to upload my pictures to first...but I am working on this so stay tuned. For pictures go to www.tourdafrique.com...and see if you can find me in any of them...I am there!!!

...well I am back after a meal of fish, scalloped potatos, green beans, salad, gingerbread and turkish coffee...wonder what the campers are having for supper...I am sure it is just as wonderful. Henry Gould..the person who started the tour is with us at this hotel and we have had many interesting conversations with him about Kenya etc. As he said to me..camping for four months is okay if you are twenty but when you are "our"age not a great plan..thus hotels wherever possible..I agree with him :-)

Well I am of to bed in blue sheets with a ceiling fan blowing a cool breeze..no sound of wind whipping my tent with sand or the sound of others tossing and turning and getting up all night to beckon to the call of nature...actually it is all a part of the experience and I am grateful for it all.

In the morning I will have breakfast with Janet and then we will go back to the campground to clean our bikes and pack our red boxes and permanent bags and then back here for the afternoon and one more night of luxury. I will report with a new post. It is such a treat to be able to spend so much time writing about my experience especially when you get time to reflect on what has happened and process the information.

Sleep well fellow souls and may you continue to be blessed and grateful for all you have...Good-night:-)

Khartoum Arrival!!

WOW!!! What a strong four days. We crunched five days into four to get two rest days in this city. The past days took us through the Nubian Desert which I absolutely fenll in love with. We lucked out with tail winds most days and were able to make it into camp by 2 or so..after a start at 7:30. Day two was the hardest as we had a sandtsorm the whole way and everything was covered with sand....we were unable to keep it out of our tents so we all slept with sand coming into the tent all night. In the morning we just shook it all off and packed our red boxes. The worst part is that all the food we get for meals has sand in it and no matter how you try to keep it out it keeps getting on the plate. The word paenut butter "sand"wich comes to mind!!! All in all we are in good spirits.

The past three weeks has been the coldest it has been in 30 years here in Sudan. Last year the tour people slept without putting up tents because it was so hot. We are keeping our fingers crossed that it will warm up. The mornings we have hard bolied eggs we all stick them in our pockets as hand warmers!!!

Khartoum brings to a close the first section of the tour...the Pharohs Delight. We begin the second of seven sections when we leave here in two days...only three or four days to the Ethiopian Border and green vegetation. It will be bittersweet to leave the sand and desert behind....and climb mountains.

We heard today that we will not be able to go through Kenya as the situation is not good. We will instead ride to the border and then bus back to the capital to fly to Tanzania. That will give us about 13 days to kill so many of us are going to go to Zanzibar...and lay on a sand beach...was 91 there today..such is life. We will restart the tour as per the plan. The trucks still need to make it through as they will be carrying all the bikes and gear. They plan to drive by night and take a northern route to avoid Narobi.

All the bikes are showing the wear and tear of days of sand and wind. We are using a wax based lubricant and need to apply it each morning. It flakes off by the end of the day but at least it does not collect sand like a wet lube. We also have to check that all the nuts and bolts are tight each day. The other day I heard rattling coming from my tool box. My allan wrench set had vibrated to pieces and the top had come off my sunblock so it was a lovely mess all mixed in with sand...hard to clean in the desert with no water. I must admit I do take a bottle of water each night and have a face wash as the sand is not great to sleep with.

The food is great but consists of a lot of beans which makes for a lovely symphony of sounds all night long. We are still in bed by 7:30pm and are sleeping within minutes. The cold desert nights are so clear and beautiful...very spiritual as you look at the stars and sand.

I am at the Acropole Hotel in Cairo. It is 150 US a night but incudes all meals and free internet....and I am worth it!!! I have a BED and hot water. I showered as soon as I was in and the sand in the tub just from my hair alone was amazing. It took three scrubings to get clean and yet I still have found a few patches I must have missed. I can tell you I will be having a shower before bed as well. I plan on staying here and relaxing in preparation for the next days of riding.

I do miss the man of my life Randi. Not only because it would make for a warmer night of sleep but also because he is an amazing person. I know that he keeps me in his prayers each night as I do with him. Relationships are part of our human experience and by not being in mine for four months it will bring much time to reflect and connect with all the great things that I have in mine.

Geoff Roberts, the Headmaster of Crescent, asked me once in the meetings we had as I planned to do this tour if I was a cyclist...out of concern I am sure. I can safely say to him and all of you that I am a cyclist having just completed over 1900km of desert riding. It feels so strange to know there are still over three months of riding ahead...oh and the trip to Zanzibar as well.

Sudan is a very Muslim country and the women on the trip really notice it as they need to cover up when they come off a bike or go out to town. They also do not sell toilet paper as all the washrooms here are "squatters"...an expereince to have. In the desert we need to dig a hole with a spade...it has become known as the "spade of shame" as everybody knows why you are carrying it. It is strange how we have all adapted to desert and camp life..."oh there goes the spade again".

I had dish duty the other day. If you can imagine a HUGE pot each morning of porridge and all the stuff to cook food with..all having to be washed in three small buckets of water after all have washed their own dishes. Not an easy job and it means you leave camp last and get into camp last...and if the tent sites are few and far between you may end up with the rock site. Thank goodness for thermarests!!!!

Spirits are running high. Today we did time trials for those who wanted them. I declined as it meant we would have to line up and racers are first. Besides the cold this morning meant I wanted to ride as soon as possible to keep warm. We rode 66k in headwinds and tailwinds and cross winds and had lunch as a group. We then needed to ride as a convoy for 30k through Khartoum with a police escort to the camp site. It was fascinating to see so many people cheering us on with the ocassional shouting of "down with the USA!"...and there are only a few US on the tour.

After we had collected our stuff to take to the hotel we needed a taxi to so we walked to the main road and hailed a "taxi". Turned out it was a family with their mother on board. We negotiated a price of 30 lbs...15 US..they loaded our luggage on board and they we climbed in. The doors where closed and mother was left by the side of the road. We all shouted "WAIT"..."Mother is not in"...the driver laughed and said that she would walk to their home a short distance away. We all sent her our best. The power of money in Egypt and Sudan is everything. Prices can climb as you have a second cup of coffee..turkish...and by the time more arrive it may be two. You need to barter for everything. The only places where prices are marked is in a Pharmacy...an there are many to be had.

The riders continue to build community as we get to know each other. It is also important to get away from the community for a break as we have so much time when we are together. One relationship has started which means we have one less tent in our group. Many of the couples are being tested as well living in such tight quarters. Living in a two person tent for four months is bound to bring out patterns.

I will update this blog over the next few days as I go over in my mind the past three weeks. I trust you are all keeping warm and enjoying your beds and other things I use to take for granted. I have become very aware of what a privilaged life I live in Canada. So far we have experienced millions who will never get anywhere near to what we have. As I look at it from here it is like North America is a bubble that is changing at such a great pace, while much of the rest of the world is growing so slowly. No wonder so many have negative feelings for us. I keep saying peace, love and positive energy to all when I think of it.

Bless you all:-)

Rest Day in Dongola

Ah the joy of sleeping in a bed and waking up at 8am to a warm day. The first thing I did was to take in the laundry which I had done the day before and had hung out to dry on my balcony. The smell of clean clothes is something to be treasured. I then had a breakfast of pita bread with fig jam and an energy bar. I will join others later for a better meal. The next thing I did was to walk into town to change money. Visa is not accepted in Sudan due to the American embargo that has been applied to Sudan. It took only a few mimutes as I was wisked to the front of the line to be served. It made me see yet once again how foreigners are treated in this country. The time we spent on the ferry from Wadia Hafia made it clear that we are serviced before locals which none of us really want but it seems to be the way here.

Following the money exchange I went back to the camp site and cleaned my bike in preparation for our departure in the morning at 7:15 am. I also repacked my permanent bag which will go back on top of one of the trucks not to be seen until our next rest day. You need to be sure that you have all you need for the red box or you are out of luck and will have to beg for a bike part or toliet paper.

The other day one of the bikers broke a spoke and they were unable to fix the wheel. It turned out that the extra rim that I had brought was the right size so I let it be used and it will be replaced by one that will meet me somewhere on the route. The woman who needed the rim gave me a piece of cheese that lasted me for about two days. It was energy that I needed. It is this type of community that I am a part of and I am so grateful for that. I am sure there will be many times when we will need to be there for each other.

One of the riders that I have made friends with has decided to take a bus to Khartoum and meet us there. This will give her about 5-6 days in the city.Her partner and I will meet her in the city with her booking hotel rooms for us. What a blessing to look forward to. We only have one day off in Khartoum not two as I had thought. Oh well a rest day is a rest day.

There is always a line up at the internet cafe when we hit town. Everybody needs to connect with somebody somewhere. It is amazing that we can be here and I can let you know what is happening.

Tyler my son...your messages are so wonderful to read. I would email you but I am not able to get into Crescents web site as often as I would like to. Please send me you email address to jamiem_@hotmail.com...and of course anybody else can also contact me through that address. And yes Tyler Peanut Butter is in a food class by itself...and we have a choice of smooth or crunchy...topped with golden syrup or honey or jam...sugar sugar sugar...

Anyway I am off to take my permanent bag back to the camp so I only have a small bag to carry with me in the morning. The camp is only ten minutes away but my bag weighs about 27kilo so I will take one of the 2-stroke taxis to do it. I will update next in Khartoum...until then live life and enjoy all the creature comforts you have...many in this part of the world have few.

Dongola Sudan

I arrived today in Dongola Sudan after four days of desert riding. It was km after km of sand, rock and heat. I imagine the moon or mars must look like northern Sudan. We arrive in camp by about four after a start at 7:45am. We set up our tents and then we have supper and are in bed by 7:30 only you have to get up a few times each night to answer natures call. It is very cold at night and especially at dawn as we head out. The rides have taken a lot of energy to do. Today I needed to get on the bus as I was drained. Many were the days when we were in up to our ankles in sand and had to walk the bikes sometimes for km at a time.

After Luxor we went to Aswan where we needed to board a barge ferry with all our gear and bikes. If you can picture a boat that is overloaded with every object you can think of and all floors covered with people you may get an idea of what it was like. We had taken all the 1st class cabins and we were able to get some sleep but not much. Our trucks had to cross separately and were held up in customs when we arrive in Sudan so we had an extra rest day. As usual rest days are filled with laundry, buying food etc. We are getting use to the sand but it is in everything and impossible to keep out of our tents. I guess the best thing is that we all stink so nobody notices:-)

We have five days of riding ahead to Khartoum...YAHOOOO!!!!!!. We then get two days of rest.

All the riders on the tour are wonderful people as I knew they would be. There are racers, and a lot of us expedition people. We all help each other out with changing flats on the side of the road etc. As we come from so many places in the world we have much to share. The cook on the tour is amazing and prepares great meals for us even though we have to eat it in the dark. I have never eaten so much peanut butter and honey in my life but we are burning calories at a fast rate and need the energy. It is available at breakfast, lunch, after the ride and at supper.

I hope you are all well and checking the web site at www.tourdafrique.com for daily updates and photos. I will write again when I get to Khartoum.

Luxor Arrival

We arrived In Luxor after an early morning start... it was our coldest start to date. The day before we had to ride a 40km ride up a 1200 meter rise above sea level incline. It took about four hours straight up and then about 30 more km before the lunch truck was waiting for us. There was no headwind so that made it a delight. However, we did have a headwind for the last 30 km. Brutal.

What can I say about Egypt except it is sand and dirt everywhere you go. Even today as we rode along the Nile to Luxor it was km after km of garbage....at least it was green with no sand to see.

We are all in good spirits as we head into our first rest day. I have taken a hotel room..18US for the night. No hot water yet but I am sure it will be there soon!!!!..if not I will use the shower block in the campgrounds.


I am attempting to get a two man tent as the one man that I do have, while good, is to small to store any stuff I need. Talking about stuff...we are all so happy to have access to our permanent bags after so many days without. We all packed to much stuff into our red box and we look forward to eliminating stuff we do not need. I already have a small pile of things like an extra baseball cap and arm warmers that will be donated to the hotel "pool". The hotel is finding me a new tent ...I PRAYYY!!!!...and of coures we all did laundry.

As we prepare to finsh off this leg of the journey we have been warned to enjoy even the cold water as we will have no water for personal use while in Sudan for the first seven days and temperatures into the forties. We have a 22 hour barge ride from Egypt to Sudan and we need to bring enough food and water to last us for that time. There are 25 rooms with two bunks that will be assigned to people by senority..so my age finally becomes something to value...mind you the room will be packed with bags to the ceiling and we are all assigned security detail for about an hour at a time to watch over the bikes on deck.

Am I glad I am doing this...without a doubt. Has it pushed my boundaries and limits...you bet. Have a learned anything about myself...yes...the committment that I put into thngs such as my training pays off...I can do things I though I could not do...and I am making friends that will share the same experience even as we experience it in our own way.

Tomorrow I wll sleep and eat..and do a tour of Luxor Temple...another thing to check off my list of things to do before I die.

I do not know when I will post another posting but until then hold me/us in your prayers and thoughts..especially when we run out of paved roads!!!

Again I apologize for any spelling errors...I never did get my keyboarding down to an art form.

It's a GO!!! Cairo Departure

Well we are on our way!
The first day was brutal with a headwind for the entire day. We left at 8 from the Pyramids and I arrived at camp at 6pm. It was dark and I had to set up my tent in the dark with sand blowing everywhere. I crawled into a sand filled sleeping bag and slept like a log only to be awoken at 6 by the horn of the bus. I had breakfast and was off by 7:15. I made it into camp at 3 with great tailwinds.

There are many novice riders who are finding it a challenge but are doing their best. I am so glad that I trained as hard as I did.

We are now in Safaga..a seaside resort where I was in early enough to get a hotel room and a shower. Many late arrivals need to sleep in their tents once again.

It has beem a tough four days amd more to come I am sure. We have been prepped about what lies ahead and it will test all of us in some way or another.

So far all I have seen is sand and garbage. I am sure that there is no garbage pick up at all...people just toss it.

Our campsites have been terrible but did offer some protection from the wind but we just have to live with the sand.

I apologize for any speeling errors as the keyboard is Arabic...so I have done well.

I just shared a pizza with another copule and I will go pick up some food for the next few days as we head to Luxor. It will be our first rest day and I/We all need it.I will update from there. Take care and send me your energy amd prayers. The signatures on the bike have been a Godsend as has the book of quotes.

Miss you all:-)

Riders in the Tour

Here is a breakdown of the group of riders.

There are 55 full-tour riders.
39 Men
16 Women

Nationalities represented: 15
21 Canadians
10 Dutch
6 Americans
4 South Africans
3 British
2 Swiss
1 Pole
1 New Zealander
1 Irish
1 French
1 Dane
1 German
1 Belgian
1 Australian
1 Austrian

Amsterdam Arrival

Well I have made it to Amsterdam at last! There where only nine babies on board all who were awake at one time or the other...and of course never at the same time!!!...oh well it was great to hear the voices of the future generation...may they continue to voice there opinions when they get older. And what would a flight be without one drinker who wants to party all night long.

A special thanks to Mrs. Murray who dropped me off at the airport...I don't know where I would be without you :-)

It is only costing me 9 euro to use this computer for an hour...so what is that in Canadian?...about 18 dollars...glad I live in Canada.

I will get some rest and then a quick tour of the city before I leave for Cairo tonight at 9:30pm...arrive 2:15 am.

Will write again from Cairo. It is an exciting time.

Three Day to go until Departure for Cairo

Well the time has almost arrived and it would not be an adventure without last minute changes. Apparently we now can only have a 70 litre bag and what will fit into our permanent box. This means I will have to repack. I would suggest the changes are due to the number of riders who are coming on the ride...about 65 I believe. I had packed my bike box...good thing I had not sealed it yet!!!



On another note...if you wish to donate and have not done so I will be fundraising while I am on the ride so please consider supporting the cause. Just a reminder that all the money that is donated will be placed into the Bridge GAP fund...none of it will be used to pay for any aspect of my ride.


As I reach the departure date I reflect back on the journey that has taken place. As Oprah says..."what I know for sure is...."....that once I make a commitment it is amazing how the universe supports me to achieve the intention...that one needs to be flexible...that I have amazing friends in my life....that small steps lead to the final step... that I have the ability to push myself to do what my mind will try to convince me that I am not able to do...to stay focused...and as my dear friend Harriet has told me..."with discipline comes freedom"...yes it took incredible discipline to buy my condo and pay it off in five years...it took many sacrifices but it also gave me the freedom to achieve this dream that I am about to embark on...I am very grateful for all the advice that I have been given even if I did not follow it:-))))


So again I say stay well and may you be blessed in this new year. We never know if when we say good-bye if it will be for the last time or not...so if anything does happen....THANKS for all that I have learned and gained from each one this lifetime...now that is over!!!!!...hopefully I will see you all when I return.

I will update this blog as I can along the route. You can always go to www.tourdafrique.com for daily updates and photos.

BYE!!!!!

Christmas day in Mexico

Well it has been a wonderful day on the beach here in Mexico. I am really resting before the big day of the start of the tour...I have missed my daily bike ride but it has been a good thing for me to not obsess about getting the ride in.

It is still a surreal feeling to know that I am almost at the start of this big adventure...how I wondered if the day would come.

I will get home on Friday and start to pack my bike box and stuff in preparation. I was able to find a self contained apartment in Cape Town...right down town for 500.00 for seven days. I plan on spending a wek there and then I will fly up to Queenstown to be at GAP for a few days.

Happy holidays to all...I will write more and post pictures when I return.

Spell check does not speak English on this computer so I apologize for any mistakes and will correct when I get home...it is only 15 pesos for 60 mins..a real deal...still need to work on the local phone call however!!!




Me Snoozing...guess I need it!

Last Day at Crescent

Well it is my last day at school and what a day it has been!

It started with drawing tickets for wine, gift certficates and art...all donated by staff ...and they raised $1600.00 for my ride!! I am VERY GRATEFUL to all!!!!!




We then had an full school assembly and I was given 1200.00 from the proceeds of a dress down day in my honor last week...again the abundance that has flowed into my life continues to fill me with a smile.

I am off to Mexico tomorrow and with it a slower pace with no biking...and then home for the last week to train a bit more and then to Cairo..it is really surreal:-)))

Have a great holiday and look forward to Jan.23rd which is National Pie Day!!

Update of Donations will be posted Dec.20th:-)

Bike in a Box

Our Chef!!!!


Well my bike is in a box and I am feeling complete. It was a great experience to finally see the bike apart and in the box. I will now put my camping gear into the box and seal it up. The box does not count as luggage and the air line charges a fee of 150.00 to ship it...oh well money well spent.

I receive an email today from the Tour company's chef that will be preparing our food. It was rather interesting to see the variety of food that will be prepared. He also informed us about water rationing. We will always have drinking water but not always water for washing...thus the baby wipes we are all taking!!!..ahh the joys of four star camping. Actually I am looking forward to the desert nights and the stars.

Courage is the capacity to confront what can be imagined.
Epictecus

Three weeks to Cairo...but who is counting!

A Toronto Winter Wonderland:-)

What do you want to do? What do you want to be? What do you want to have? Where do you want to go? Who do you want to go with? How the hell do you plan to get there? Write it down. Go do it. Enjoy it. Share it. It doesn't get much simpler or better than that.
Lee Iacocca

I received a book entitled... Whatever It Takes... from The Kaye Family. Their son had traveled to South Africa with a group I took about three or four years ago. As I read the above quotation from the book it reminded me of what I encourage the boys I teach to do...live there life for themselves...in the end it is not about who you are ...your life is measured by what you do.

Staff Send Off

Cory the student who "pushed" me to do this.






WOW! On Friday evening after classes my school had a special send off for me. It was an opportunity for all to sign my bike with best wishes (we used sharpie markers). The words will be with me as I ride.

I was also presented with a book that had been created by Ann Murray. It has a quote from a member of the Crescent staff or student body for each day that I will be riding to encourage me. There was also copy made to be left in the staff room so it can be read each day as I ride. How amazing is that!!!

The student who actual challenged me years ago by asking "what was I doing" showed up at school on Friday...by accident!...I doubt it. It was great to be able to tell him what he had "encouraged me to do".

We had a major snow storm over the weekend and I can only say that I am so looking forward to sun and sand. (At least I am saying that now!!!)

Once again I am thankful for the abundance that is in my life.

My Passpsort is BACK!

WOW!....what an experience. I was on the phone to the Ethiopian Embassy yesterday from 9-2..on hold...giving my name yet once again with "how do you spell that"...to "the person you need is not here"...to "we will call you" (which never happened)...to "we did not receive it"...(Canada Post said you did)...finally I was told to call back today.

I jokingly said to a fellow teacher..."watch it will probably be in my mailbox at home"...and guess what IT WAS!!!!...I now know what it feels like to wonder who has access to your identity. As I looked at the Priorty Post Envelope it appears not to have been processed...yet I got it.

Anyway...peace of mind is back.

The Journey

I trust you will enjoy this poem...and while you are reading it I will be on the phone to the Ethiopian Embassy trying to find out about my passport:-)

One day you finally knew
what you had to do, and began
though the voices around you
kept shouting
their bad advice -
though the whole house
began to tremble
and you felt the old tug
at your ankles.
"Mend my life!"
each voice cried.
But you didn't stop.
you knew what you had to do,
thought the wind pried
with its stiff fingers
at the very foundations --
thought their melancholy
was terrible.
It was already late
enough, and a wild night,
and the road full of fallen
branches and stones.
But little by little,
as you left their voices behind,
the stars began to burn
through the sheets of clouds,
and there was a new voice,
which you slowly
recognized as your own,
that kept you company
as you strode deeper and deeper
into the world
determined to do
the only thing you could do --
determined to save
the only life you could save.

One Month to Departure From Cairo!

That day has arrived. The last month has started!!!

I went out yesterday to get a roll of electrical tape and a small trowel for those intimate moments when nature calls and all there is only sand and desert and all the other riders and locals! I am sure there will be more last minute things to get as the start approaches.

I have not received my passport back from the Ethiopian Embassy. If it is not in the mail today I will have to call as I need it to travel next week.

My Personality Type

A member of the tour this year is going to "conduct a sociological study of group dynamics of the Tour d'Afrique riders." Yesterday we were sent an email with a request to do a personality profile. Being the personality that I am I quickly did the request to get it out of the way. After doing the online test I found out that I am a mobilizer...or is that THE MOBILIZER....sounds like a Hollywood character.

Supposedly my outgoing friendly nature makes it easy for people to follow my lead. I take a genuine interest in those around me and people appreciate it. I like to push myself and participate in challenging tasks, and often reach my goals (BOY THAT IS GOOD NEWS!!!!). I possess an underlying optimism in the face of adversity that helps me overcome challenges (HOPEFULLY THAT ASPECT WILL SURFACE AS I DEAL WITH FLAT TIRES AND OTHER EVENTS!!!)

I am sure it will be an interesting group of people no matter what our personalities are and I look forward to mobilizing them!!!

Thought

I watched the CNN Hero presentations on the weekend and I am amazed at what people are doing in the world who make a difference. I was particularly impressed with a man from Kenya who, as a child,lost both of his parents to an unknown disease and then six other family members to other diseases. He decided that he was going to focus on getting an education. Through perseverance he was able to get scholarships and eventually ended up in the USA. Once he graduated he returned to Kenya to set up a clinic and now as a result the community has a place for people to go to to get assistance. He stated that the entire community had supported him while he was on his journey and this sustained him

My experiences in Africa has taught me that family and community are the most important aspect of the way of life. Now if the world can act the same:-)

Read the story below:
Peter "Awilo" Kithene was born in the remote village of Muhuru Bay, Kenya in the early 80’s. He was a typical village boy, living in a world of poverty without electricity, without plumbing, and often without food — like everybody else there, but from the beginning he was different: he had an enormous respect for his parents, and an endless thirst for knowledge. As a child he already had a goal — to study and use the knowledge he gained to help others in need. At twelve years of age, Peter's parents died, leaving him to care for his three young siblings and unable to afford the cost of Kenyan elementary education.

The death of his parents nearly ended Peter’s plans. Being, what he terms, “an ordinary African orphan,” he knew chances weren’t good he’d make it far in life; elementary school fees were prohibitively expensive in Kenya at the time, and his friends and relatives considered his passion for education a selfish waste of time. They begged him to give it up so he could commit full-time to the raising of his siblings. ...But he knew the best way he could help his family was to get educated.

At twelve Peter left his family to move to another village to live with his maternal grandmother—since she allowed him to pursue his educational goals. He knew by then that he wanted to become a doctor. His goal was to help people in need of medical services in parts of the world like his own, where there were none. His parents died of undiagnosed disease—neither ever having received any medical attention; the same was true for six of his ten siblings. Peter did not want this to happen to other people. He didn’t want any more of his family or countrymen to die from illnesses which are preventable or curable. This drove him to work ceaselessly at his schooling. He focused on nothing but the dream that he would become a doctor so he could help families like his own.

At age 12, an American couple (volunteering at a neighboring village clinic) ‘discovered’ Peter and provided means for him to finish elementary school. He repaid them by organizing and performing skits at various functions to raise awareness about health issues. He studied ceaselessly, often spending all night at the school and performing odd jobs to earn money for paraffin so he could study by lamplight. At the end of grammar school Peter took the national exams and emerged as the number one student in his province. This achievement afforded him a scholarship to study at Kenya’s premier high school in Nairobi, a nine-hour ride from his village.

At Starehe Boys Centre, Peter continued working hard to honor his parents for the start they had given him in life. He rose to various leadership positions: school prefect, student-in-charge of the school clinic, chairman of various clubs, etc. While working within these stations, he was further confronted with the medical crises of his country. In 1998 a blast rattled his school and sirens filled the city; the U.S. Embassy had been bombed, and as the student-in-charge, he gathered supplies and a crew and rushed to the scene to pull bodies from the rubble. Tragedies are commonplace in Nairobi and were part and parcel with his school responsibilities: tending to children hit by trucks on their way to class, or nursing fellow students in advanced stages of cancer and leukemia. When villages were struck with cholera, Peter went to the quarantined areas to provide care. At 17, he traveled with the Ministry of Health to regional schools to teach AIDS awareness. At 18 he opened a small village grocery—with a ‘welfare’ area dedicated to the sustenance widows and orphans … the only such amenity in Muhuru Bay.

After sitting exams, Peter graduated his O-levels and was awarded places at both the University of Nairobi and the University of Washington. He chose to come to the West, he says, so he could enjoy the most relevant, hands-on, and technologically advanced education around. He is currently studying Psychology and pre-medicine at the UW. The idea for him is to learn how things are done in the developed world, so he can carry that knowledge back to Africa; he wants to help lead Africa into the post-modern world, so she can begin to grow a strong infrastructure of leadership.

As if all this weren’t enough, in August of 2005, Peter merged his two loves: Africa and medicine. Peter’s greatest desire is to create awareness of the suffering of these rural communities; his overarching goal is to build and run hospitals, health centers, and clinics after finishing his medical training—but he couldn’t wait that long. The need is now. He couldn’t bear any longer to watch as his family and friends back home lived without access to trained doctors, or to sit and watch as deaths in his village, and those around it, continued unabated.

This is no longer the case—at least not in Muhuru Bay, Kenya. While returning home to marry his American bride in a traditional village ceremony, Peter opened his very first medical clinic; in one of those hardest hit areas of rural Africa he had long dreamed of helping.

August 16, 2005 saw the grand opening of Mama Maria Kenya—a grassroots organization dedicated to providing developing countries replicable and self-sustaining programs to advance the most vital aspects of village health, education and development. Peter built Mama Maria around the idea of not simply providing basic medical help for those ravaged by poverty and disease, but to provide opportunities for self-sufficiency for those most affected by it.

Peter’s little Mama Maria organization had a miraculous start—within months of its conception he had put together a powerful board (including the Attorney General of the State of Washington, Rob McKenna, in advisory capacity), and had raised over $20K of funds and supplies—enough to get set up as a 501(c)3 in the States, and to get off the ground in Kenya.

But best of all, Peter opened the doors to his first actual health care clinic in Africa … which has seen resounding success. The response from the community has been overwhelming. Between the people who have received employment from Mama Maria, and those who have benefited from its services (the first three weeks they averaged 100 patients daily), each day his dream is one step closer to realization. While it is a constant struggle for Peter to juggle time, school, family, and funds, he has found a way to make great things happen so far, and knows a way will be provided for him to continue his dreams in the future. In Muhuru Bay, and beyond.

One month to deaprture to Cairo

WOW!
Only one month until I depart for Cairo Egypt. Hard to believe but soooooooooo exciting.

I took my bike in yesterday to get it tuned up...new chain, brake pads, cables etc and will pick it up Saturday. I was going to get it boxed but I need it for next Friday when it will be available for people from work to sign with a sharpie wishing me good luck. LOVE THAT!

The weather continues to be cold bit at least the sun was out yesterday.

I am blessed!!

Winter in Africa

Well more snow today. Maybe the forecast for one of the coldest winters in the past 15 years may be coming true. I am soooooooooooooo looking forward to NOT being here for it!

I spent a part of Saturday putting my new tires on my bike. I have used Armadillo Crossroad Elites with a slime tube and a Mr. Tuffy liner...hopefully this will cut down on punctures but I am also acutely aware of the thorns in Africa. My experience with them comes from South Africa where I have cut my forehead a number of times by running into branches and also by walking on them. I will surround my tires with trust!

I only have about two weeks left at work and then I am off to Mexico as I wrote earlier. The break from training will be nice and then I will have a week before I leave for Cairo when I return.

I need to get my bike packaged up and I will do this after the 14th.

HMMMMM...from a sectional rider this year who did the ride last year

More interesting words of encouragement!!! GULP!!


"I didn't get to experience the Mars like landscape, the brutal heat and humidity, the jarring volcanic rocky roads, the baboons aiming their evacuations at tents with such precision that it was both annoying and humorous or seeing the proud northern Maasai with all their exquisite jewellery."

"I'm told by the 2007 TDA family that there will be days in Kenya that I will regret and will seriously question my sanity..."

Here's to more sand, early morning prayers, donkeys, camels, desert camps and a whole lot of stone and stick wielding Ethiopian children in the middle. Bring it on!!!

Weather woes:-)

Well winter has certainly begun to get a grip here in Toronto. I have not been able to ride my bike to work for about a week and a half now. Sure do miss the commute. I have compensated by doing a longer time on my indoor trainig bike...it is getting somewhat boring but it is only for a few more weeks. I am actually looking forward to my week in the sun at Christmas..sleeping in, reading and more sleeping.

I am down to the last three weeks of school and with that comes the heavy work load of marking and doing reports along with the regualr aspect of teaching. I had forgoten that I am also on duty this week so I have no free time...I continue to trust!

I will be updating the donation thermometer shortly....watch for it:-)

Visa Back

Well I received my visa back from the Embassy of Sudan in Ottawa yesterday and I will now prepare to send it to the Ethiopian Embassy on the 28th of November. Apparently they are much quicker with the processing.

Now that winter weather has arrived in Toronto I am not riding to work but still doing my indoor training. I am sure we will have summer, spring or fall weather again soon...after all this is Toronto!

From the Tour d'Afrique website - The Social Effects of Motorized Transport

The United States puts between 25 and 45 per cent of its total energy into vehicles: to make them, run them, and clear a right of way for them when they roll, when they fly, and when they park. For the sole purpose of transporting people, 250 million Americans allocate more fuel than is used by 1.3 billion Chinese and Indians for all purposes.

The model American male devotes more than 1,600 hours a year to his car. He sits in it while it goes and while it stands idling. He parks it and searches for it. He earns the money to put down on it and to meet the monthly installments. He works to pay for gasoline, tolls, insurance, taxes, and tickets. He spends four of his sixteen waking hours on the road or gathering his resources for it. And this figure does not take into account the time consumed by other activities dictated by transport: time spent in hospitals, traffic courts, and garages; time spent watching automobile commercials or attending consumer education meetings to improve the quality of the next buy.

The model American puts in 1,600 hours to get 7,500 miles: less than five miles per hour. In countries deprived of a transportation industry, people manage to do the same, walking wherever they want to go, and they allocate only 3 to 8 per cent of their society's time budget to traffic instead of 28 per cent. What distinguishes the traffic in rich countries from the traffic in poor countries is not more mileage per hour of life-time for the majority, but more hours of compulsory consumption of high doses of energy, packaged and unequally distributed by the transportation industry. Energy and Equity. by Ivan Illich: Toward a History of Needs.

Motor vehicle transport usage is rising steadily throughout the developing world, and creating even higher levels of energy consumption and CO2 emissions. Global passenger car production reached a record 39 million vehicles in the year 2000, rising three percent in 1999.

Car use in Third World cities is very regressive: It absorbs massive public investments for road infrastructure building and maintenance, taking resources away from the more urgent and important needs of the poor; creates jams that hinder the mobility of the bus riding majorities; pollutes the air; makes noise; road arteries primarily for private vehicle users become obstacles to lower income pedestrians; it leads to a progressive invasion of scarce pedestrian spaces by parked vehicles.

There clearly are contradictory interests between motor vehicles and human beings: The more a city is made to accommodate motor vehicles, the less respectful of human dignity it becomes; and the more acute the differences in quality of life between upper income and lower income groups. Children, the old, handicapped and vulnerable populations are particularly alienated by increasing motorization and the processes that come with it. Enrique Penalosa, former mayor of Bogota

While automobiles may be the vehicle of choice for a limited circle of affluent, bicycles continue to be the primary means of transport for millions of people, the world over. The WorldWatch Institute estimates that 20 percent of the world's population can afford cars, while 80 percent of the world population can afford bicycles. Yet with the exception of far-sighted cities like Bogota, bicycles are increasingly being pushed to the margins of transport policy in developing countries, even in China, where bicycle travel is the most intensive in the world. In many developing countries, motor vehicles typically account for more than 40 percent of energy consumption, creating a huge drain on foreign currency. (World Resources, 1992-93).

The Tour d'Afrique, by promoting bicycle travel as a high-status mode of travel, will help raise awareness of the crucial importance of bicycle travel as a part of transport, environmental and social policy planning, not only in the media, but also among policymakers and residents of the continent and around the world.

The Number Grows

During a conversation Friday night I was informed that there are about 60 full tour riders this year and at some points there will be 90 riders in various sections. WOW!...what a sight that will be. I wonder how the cooks will handle the large numbers?

In other news we received an additional letter that needed to be sent to the Embassy of Sudan. I rushed out during a spare yesterday to send it prioroty post. I am surrendering and trusting I will have my passport for my trip to Mexico at Christmas.

One Month Until I am Finished at Work

Well Friday night was great. There were eight of us who were able to make the get together. Six are doing the complete tour and two are doing a section. We exchanged notes on our preparations and what we have been up to along with out stress over not having our passports back from the Embassy in Sudan. A few, like myself, are going away at Christmas and it makes for a tight timeline since we still need to apply to the Ethiopian Embassy. The evening was for me a needed event as I finally felt like the tour was real. I look forward to seeing all in Cairo or sooner if we can arrange it!

My indoor trainer died on Saturday so I needed to replace it with only a month or so to go. It had served me well so I am not complaining. I am grateful that I was able to afford the new trainer. It is a magnetic one compared to the liguid Cycleops that I had. I was skeptical at first but after my first session I was sold on the system.

It was a cold ride into work today but felt good to be still riding outside. I have started to get up at 4 to get two hours on the indoor trainer. I am determined to be ready for this and not sabotage myself by thinking I am ready.

On Saturday I went and purchased the final tires and tubes that I need. I got a few slim tubes so along with Mr.Tuffy liners and my Armadillo Crossroad Elites I hope it will all work. I am of course bringing extra tires and tubes. The couples who are going have an advantage when it comes to packing as they only need to bring one tent etc. which leaves more room for other stuff. On the other hand it could prove to be "The Incredible Race" for some couples if you know what I mean:-)

Fundraising is going well and I expect that I will be abale to meet my goal. Hopefully before I go, but certainly by the end of the ride.

Contact

I sent an email to the riders I know of in the Toronto area to see if we could get together this Friday evening. The intention of the evening is just to connect and talk about where we are with our plans etc. So far the response has been great and I look forward to a super evening. After all we will be spending four months together under intimate circumstances.

The weather is still co-operating and I had a wonderful ride into work. As long as it does not snow I will be using my bike. I know that I eventually will have to pack it up but until then I will enjoy it.

Talk about packing. I have packed and repacked my two bags time and again attempting to balance the weight between the two. The extra bike parts do add a fair amount of weight. I am not worried about clothing as that can be purchased en route. Bike parts on the other hand will likely be few and far between.

I converted some of my money last week when the dollar was worth 1.10. Glad I did as it is going down once again. I also applied for a VISA card. I use MasterCard all the time but apparently it is not accepted worldwide as much as VISA is. Ah the details one needs to take care of!!!

New York Report

Wow...love that city! Broadway was closed down but it was still a wonderful weekend.

I was able to get my bike tires along with a new pair of shoes and a large North Face Water repellent duffel bag. I saved about 75 dollars so it was worth it.

I feel rejuvenated and ready to continue to train for the ride.

I am a little tense about getting my visa for Sudan as I needed my passport for the New York trip so I only sent it in yesterday. I also need to apply for an Ethiopian visa and I need to send my passport to them. I also need my passport for my trip to Mexico at Christmas. Randi and I will have a week together before we are apart for five months. I will just trust that Canada Post does its thing!

This Friday I am meeting with a few of the riders who are going to be with me. I look forward to putting a face to a name.

I am grateful for the continued abundance in my life

New York Break and Two Months To Go!!

Well, I am taking a break for a few days and heading down to New York City. We have a four day long weekend so my partner, Randi, and I will make the most of it. While I am there I will be able to pick up a set of tires for my ride. The ironic part is they are out of stock in Canada right now and would cost about $75 each. The price in New York is $55 each and with the Canadian dollar where it is that works out to about $47 each. I will see what else I can acquire while I am there.

I have posted mileage for tomorrow with the intention of doing this ride. If I do not then I will change the distance when I return.

The weather looks like it will be great!

As of today I only have two months left until I depart for Cairo. It has been a long four years and the last few months seem longer than the years! I know the departure time will arrive soon and I also am aware that I believe I need to work on patience in this lifetime:-)

Have a wonderful next few days!!!!

Courage

Courage is not the absence of fear but the willingness to walk through your fear in pursuit of a goal that is important to you.

Robin Sharma

I came across this in my morning reading. It is from the book Discover Your Destiny.

I am constantly told by people how much courage it must be taking to do this ride. I do not consider it courageous...it is a challenge. Courageous to me are those individuals who get up each day wondering how the day will end. Will there be food, water or shelter? Will my child be in school? Does anybody even notice me?

As I move through the streets of Toronto on my walks or bike rides I try to notice those around me who are less fortunate or appear that way to me.

Today we will be having our remembrance day service at school. I myself am named after my uncle who died in the WW2. While I never met him I am aware of who he was through the stories passed down to me and the photos I have seen. I am proud to have his name.

When I went to France a number of years back I was able to locate his grave in a Canadian Cemetery. It was a powerful moment to come face to face with a part of my past.

As I continue to prepare for my ride I keep in mind that I will be witness to many different cultures and individuals. My intention is to be open to see the differences but most importantly to celebrate the uniqueness that we each have. At the same time I am aware that we are all more alike than we are different. Six billions souls get up each day and need to consume resources. I am just one of them.

An image to start my weekend with:-)

Well another work week comes to an end and a beautiful weekend is upon me. I leave the above image for you to see...and my journey continues:-)

Sudan Visa

Well I finally received the information today to get a visa to get into Sudan. We need to apply for this and an Ethiopian visa before we leave. The other countries we will be going through will issue them at the point of entry.

Once again a little step that will lead myself and the others to a great experience.

I have an eye examination lined up for later next month to get new glasses...and sunglasses. I have a couple of biking sunglasses that I am taking and hopefully I will not need more along the way although we are encouraged to bring a lens prescription along with us just in case.

The penny jar that I placed in front of my display board is filling rather quickly. I know all the loose change that people have will make a difference. For this I am grateful:-)

Display Board

This past weekend I completed a display board that I set up in the main hallway of my school so that students, parents and staff can see where I will be going. It will also be a place where updates can be placed while I am actually on my bike.

I have also added a large empty water container to collect loose change. I believe that every penny will make a difference.

The morning rides are getting a lot cooler and the ride home is beautiful as the day warms up. I have no idea how much longer it will be before I will be unable to ride but I will make the most of it until that day arrives.

As I was cleaning and de-greasing my chain last night I was imagining the amount of sand that will be on the chain during the trip and the sandpaper affect of that sand on the chain and gears...oh well I am bringing extras along for sure!

Motivation

One of the boys asked me how I stayed motivated for so many years with “wanting” to do this ride. First, I replied to him that I did stay connected with “wanting” to do this ride, as I know from my experience that I would only get the wanting to do the ride in my life. What I stayed connected to was the “intention” to do the ride without being attached to when I did it. I also replied to him that for me I needed to make the intention or dream become tangible in some way and be something that I would be able to connect with each day either purposefully or just because it was there. I knew that for me it needed to be visual.

What I created was a circular poster that was then inserted under a piece of glass on an old table that I had. This table was already something that I had in my life and I just found a new way to use it.

I sit beside this table each morning when I get up with my coffee and my morning reading and I look at the poster. Sometimes I study it for a while and connect with what I had set my intention for. At other times I would just glance at it and then move on with my day. Many were the times throughout the day when I would look at it without really looking at it…and yet my mind would register the image. As a teacher of Media Art I know that power of images on the human mind!

As the day of departure gets closer I spend more time each morning reading the words and expressing my gratitude that the time has come for me to do this ride. My “vision” table has kept me connected. For that I grateful.

Contact

I had a wonderful conversation last night with Rae and Ursala who will also be riding in the Tour this year. I made contact with them through their blog site. It was exciting to be talking about the upcoming trip. Just to hear what tires they were going to use was so helpful as the tires I need are the last items that I have to purchase. They also have Stumpjumper bikes….hmmm…do I see a club starting here! We talked for about an hour and the adrenaline was certainly flowing with me.

In talking with them they mentioned that they are planning on spending a few weeks after the Tour in South Africa and plan to ride to Cape Point. I have driven there on tours with the boys when we travel to Cape Town and like Rae and Ursala I plan to ride to the tip of Africa as well. I know that it will be a windy ride but after almost 12,000km what is a bit of wind!

I spent part of last weekend putting all the stuff that I need to take with me into 70 liter and 50 liter waterproof duffle bags. As I began to see it all come together it reminded me of all the small steps that I have taken to prepare for this trip. If I had thought about doing all the steps I am sure I would have been overwhelmed, but by doing it slowly it all got done. Each day on the trip will be a day of steps…or revolutions of the bike wheels… that will eventually lead to my arrival in Cape Town. Again my intention is to arrive in Cape Town safely with all the other members of the Tour. And, speaking about members, there is close to 40 full time riders the last I looked and on top of that are all the sectional riders…I am sure we will look like quite a spectacle at times as we ride with the latest spandex clothing in all various colours.

After talking to Rae and Ursala I will send an email to the others in the Toronto area and see if we can get together to meet before we go. What an amazing world I am a part of!

To check out other rider profiles go to http://www.tourdafrique.com/tourdafrique/profiles.html

Help your brother's boat across, and lo! your own has reached the shore.

The saying above is a Hindu Proverb and it reminds me today of all of you who have made donations to my ride (boat) to help me reach my shore. I feel so full of gratitude for all of you and the fact that you care in the ways that you do.

I trust that each and every one of you will reach your own shore and I look froward to finding a way to be a part of helping your boat.

I am now about two months away from leaving my job for five months and just over two and an half months from my departure date. I have a lot of training left to do and staying connected to each and every one of you as I ride my bike is what I do.

Again...may you be blessed!

Another example of many hands supporting me

I am very grateful to a friend of mine, Harriet Wynne-Jones who has supported me in so many ways over the years I have known her. As a colleague she has traveled with me to the GAP school and offered an amazing week of art to students in grade eight. Her butterfly inspired creations were a real hit with the students. More importantly she created an environment that was conducive to the students not only learning but sharing a common experience together.

This past weekend she used her skills once again with children and has donated her funds to my ride. I am moved by her ability to use her talents in the way she does and to share so freely from her heart.

I will miss our daily talks while I am on the ride but I know that she will be thinking of me each day...and that is a good thing!

Don's Incredible Run!

Congratulations to Don on his successful run in the 2008 Toronto Half-Marathon! I was there as he crossed over the finish line. One could not help but notice the determination on his face as he was doing so and then the sense of satisfaction that I experienced after the running stopped.

We all have personal goals that we work towards, and while some of them may not be as large as running the half-marathon, they are still wonderful examples of individuals being in-tension (intention) towards something that they desire and then working with commitment to make the end a reality. I wish you all great success and satisfaction with whatever you are in-tension with. Enjoy the journey and relish the destination when you get there!!

With Many.

Al Gore has received the Nobel Peace Prize for his work with Global Warming. During his acceptance speech he spoke of an African saying that goes something like this..."If you want to get there quickly go alone...if you want to go far walk with many."

I really feel that I am "riding" with many on this journey. Each and every one of you is aiding in my journey to go "far" and as I remember this each day I am grateful for the support that I am receiving in so many forms.

The sun is coming up as I write this and I am about to get on my bike for a long ride. May your day be filled with many friends and may you go far.

Run with Don!

This coming Sunday, October 14th Don Haag, a fellow teacher here at Crescent School, will be running in the Toronto Half Marathon. All the proceeds that are raised by Don will be directed towards the 'Bridging' GAP fund with the Leacock Society.

I know the amount of training and commitment that is required to prepare for this event and I wish to express my gratitude and appreciation to Don for what he is doing. It is another example of how this ride of mine is supported by so many others in so many ways.

The world is a great place!

Read about one riders experience in last years Tour

Double click on the image below to see full size.

Summer Still Here?

What an amazing weekend. When I rode yesterday I felt like I was back in mid July! I for one am not complaining here...I LOVE the heat and it is something I will need to get use to again when we start the ride in January after a few months of fall here in Canada.

I leave in three months for Cairo!! I know the time will pass quickly but I am still eager for the experience to get started. It will arrive when it will and not a moment to soon.

I have been enjoying my new camera. Now if only I can figure out a way to get me in some of the pics. Even with all my Photo Shop skills it is a challenge.

Tenacity

Tenacity is when you follow your heart - when the whole world is screaming to get back into your head.
Sonia Choquette

HMMMMMMMMMM...how many times have I had people say to me that this ride is going to "kill you!" As I said before we are all going to die!

The weather continues to be amazingly warm...in fact it will be around 30C this weekend, perfect for a bike ride or two.I am enjoying the last days of really great riding weather as I am sure fall will come...global warming or not. If I do not post anything before next week then I wish you all a weekend full of tofurkey (vegetarian here!) and family joy!

With gratitude to you all!

Update

Well it has been a few days since I last posted a post. The weather has been amazing here in Southern Ontario and has made for some very pleasant riding...especially in the early mornings.

I have changed my training schedule with the anticipation of cooler wet weather.I now get up at 4:30 and ride for 1.5 hours on my training bike and then ride to work and finish the day with 1.5 hours in the evening for a total of 4 hours a day. I know that the training will keep me fit, and I am also aware that the only real training will be the ride itself and all the terrains I will encounter. Bring it on!

The long Thanksgiving weekend will be upon us soon and with that will be a trip to my bike shop to acquire the last of my gear for the trip. I have collected all the items I need for the actual excursion and feel prepared in that area.

This past weekend I purchased a new camera for the trip, a Nikon D80 along with a sportcam. I will be picking up a MACbook so that I can edit pics and video as I travel and then be able to send them back to the school as I can along the way. Of course I picked up some extra batteries for the trip. I still need to see if I can find a solar charger for batteries that will work for some of the gear I have.

I am grateful for the abundance in my life.

Friday Thought

When we are really honest with ourselves we must admit our lives are all that really belong to us. So it is how we sue our lives that determines the kind of men [women] we are.

Cesar Chavez

As I ready myself for the weekend I am grateful for the past week.
1 I was able to maintain my intention to ride each day and I did.
2 I am grateful for the donations that are coming in to support me with my contribution.
3 I am grateful for the continued support by others to assist me with my intention. Without all of you it would not be as successful as it is. Thank you!

Thoughts for the Day

The photograph is a picture of a banner that was made by a class of grade six students at the GAP School about four years ago. It was presented to our school when the Principal was able to travel to Canada. I walk by it at least once a week in the Lower School hallway.

As I was looking at it today I was wondering what has become of the hands that made it. Have these children come closer to a dream of theirs or further away? Are they still at the GAP school? How has life changed for them or not?

My ride this morning at 5am was about directing myself to my dream and the contribution that I desire to make. The hands that made this banner are somewhere doing something...and it is all a good thing.

I am also reminded by this banner that the individuals who will be riding in this years Tour will be coming together to form a community for four months. During this time we will get to know each others in many ways and our hands will lend themselves to many tasks.

I truly believe that all who are on this ride are here for a reason. After all, we each have made the choices in our lives that have brought us toegther. When I think about the mathematical formula for this happening it makes me smile.

Questions asked by my students.

"Sir...how do you ride your bike such a long distance?"

Answer. "Because I can!"..."Actually it is because I ask myself what is my level of commitment to do this ride...what will it take to ensure I have as much success as possible and then I just do it."


"Sir...why do you care so much about the school in South Africa?"

" I care because, like yourselves, once you meet somebody they become real and not just an image on TV or a magazine. It becomes harder to just turn them off after you have connected and developed a relationship with them. I also sponsor a boy in grade five and he is very much in my mind each day."

"Sir...How can something like a bike ride make a difference in the world?"

"I am a believer that each action that I take has an effect on something or someone else. So my action may be the first drop in the ripple effect or it may add to the movement already created. I am also not attached to the outcome of my action. I trust that it will make a difference at some point."

"Sir...won't you get tired riding so far each day?"

" I imagine that I will! But I ask you how often you are tired just doing what you do in a day...and yet you continue to do what you need to do. Besides...there is a start and an end to the riding each day and I have no control on what will happen between the two points. All I can do is be aware of what is going on for me and hopefully respond and not react to the physical effort."

World Car Free Day - What an amazing day to ride..sun..warmth...water...wind...and an extra 10km

Wow! What a beautiful day it was to do my long ride.The wind was a headwind all the way out to the Burlington Skyway...which means it should have been a tailwind all the way back. If only nature was that predictable! NOPE...it was both. Oh well the sun and warmth and trail were amazing.

Tomorrow is to be as nice as today...nope no long ride...a sleep in and then a light ride on my indoor trainer.

I am grateful for all the things that came my way today to support me with my intention. I can only trust that I was able to support somebody today as well...whether I knew it or not.

The bottom image is part of the waterfront trail that I use for rides...a very peaceful palce to stop for a breather.

Words of encouragment from Get Ahead Children and staff...all spelling and grammar is the way I received them...enjoy!

FROM UNATHI KONKWANE – GR 10.1 (COLLEGE)
Dear Jamie

Jamie, we would like to encourage you on your mission and hope that you will accomplish it very soon. We really appreciate your efforts in trying to extend our opportunities.

Your efforts don’t fall down on fine sand, but are held up high at our school and hope that everything you have planned will be successful. Determination, courage and faith are what you need on your trip as well as a positive approach towards it. Doing this might be impossible for others, but here at Get Ahead we urge you to keep your head up high and persevere when things get tough and to think of us as your number one supporters.

Do not loose hope but rather gain it, so you can go through it effectively and always be in a good mood in order to experience a joyful adventure. Jamie, I have never met anyone who would sacrifice his own life to comfort others, but you are amazing! You are the bravest person in the world and we are proud of your courageous spirit, and helping us.

We hope that you can complete your mission and be satisfied by what you’re doing and be proud of yourself. At Get Ahead we are honoured to have you as part of our family. We will pray and ask God to strengthen you each day of your journey.

Good luck on your adventurous and fearful journey and may you enjoy everyday that goes by.

Yours sincerely,

UNATHI KONKWANE (Get Ahead College Learner)

FROM PATRICK NDAWANA – TEACHER

GO, JAMIE ……. GO, GO, GO!
Jamie, it is a very long ride! Please think of us every time when you push those peddles forward. It is a great challenge but I know you’ll make it.

I hope to see you again next year in good muscles and I know you.

Thanx

Pat

FROM BABALWA -GRADE 5 GIRL – QUEENGAP
We are so pleased to be writing this letter. You have always been part of our lives and everytime it has been a wild ride. So we wish you a good trip and ask God above to be with you every time you put your feet on those paddles. (Peddles).
Greatfully thanks!

We wish you a spectacular adventure.

Kunye ne nqubela plhambili enkulu kakhulu!!!!!!

Translation: “May you advance forward greatly”



FROM SIYAVUYA - GRADE 5 BOY – QUEENGAP

We would like to wish you good luck on your trip because there are many bad things happening in Africa, but us Africans are also very hospitable and loving, like you know. We pray that no harm will befall you, because it is a very long trip and we hope you will be strong and not faint on the road. We would like to thank you for doing this for our school. We are proud of you and we shall be looking out for information on the internet. We also hope that your bicycle won’t have any problems on the trip. We wish you good luck and may God be with you. ‘Uhambo oluhle!” (have a great journey).


Jamie,

For as long as we've known you, you've always radiated a positive energy and a love for life. You are blessed with a passion for teaching, for children less fortunate than yourself and with an unselfish caring for your neighbour.

You have enriched our lives beyond words with your charming personality, dazzling smile and geniune friendship. We have yet to meet someone as kind, generous, endearing and special as you.

We wish you luck with your venture and we know that you can do anything you put your mind to. When times are tough, as we sure they will be, just remember why you are doing it and how many lives you are going to touch throughout Africa!! How blessed you are to live your dream.

Take this Bible verse with you:

"For I can do everything God asks me to with the help of Christ who gives me the strength and power" Phillipians 4:13

Good luck and God speed, Jamie. You'll be in our hearts, thoughts and prayers.

With love

Vicki and Whit GAP staff

Drawings to me from some of the GAP children

Today I received these drawings from children at GAP....I LOVE their interpretations of my ride:-)

Morning Gratitude

As I was riding to work this morning I was greeted by the sun and all its splendour and I was reminded once again how amazing life is. I also reconnected to something I read somewhere...the sun does not require the earth to say thanks for what it gives to the earth...it just does what it does. How often have I needed something in return for what I am doing. Makes me think.

I am also grateful that the weather has been so amazing...it makes riding so much more enjoyable. I wonder if it will last until I leave for Cairo January 8th?

OPRAH!

Now that I have your attention:-)...in reality I did send Oprah a desription of why I am doing this ride. My intention is to surrender to what is....and just maybe she will find a way to contribute to my contribution....would be wonderful:-)

Today was a beautiful day to ride to work. It was cool and I did need the long fingered gloves but there is something about riding in the early morning with the sun coming up and the world slowly awakening from the dark of night. It connects me to my spirit.

I trust that all of you were able to find something in your day that made you appreciate that you were allowed to open your eyes and be a part of it. And now, as the day comes to a close I am grateful for all that it brought me.

If you do wish to leave a comment all you need to do is click on the "comment" below and you will be able to offer me all sorts of words of encouragement...or:-)

Still More Gratitude

Just wanted to thank all of you who continue to bless me with your words of support and encouragement. Without them it would be a lonely haul. May you be as blessed in return:-)
p.s. Margaret..you rock!...and you give great hugs!!!!!!

Saturday Century Ride

I set off this morning at 7am after I pulled myself from a warm bed. I could tell that it was cooler than yesterday so I added arm warmers and a vest and headed out. Not only was it cooler it was also windy..in fact gusts of wind. So I had to deal with headwinds, tailwinds, sidewinds, gusts of wind, clouds, the odd mist shower...and of course the usual ..."lets see what will I do today? Oh I know I will get in the car and go for a drive and pretend I know how to drive while I ignore cyclist...." drivers.... for those drivers it is always my responsibility to be aware!

There was at one point along Lake Ontario where a beautiful rainbow appeared backed by dark clouds. I could see the end of it...nope no pot of gold to pay for this trip...but it did remind me that nature has got to be one of the most spectacular elements in our world.

I am also grateful that I did not put any carbon into the air..just me and my bike:-)

Training this week

Well being back at work and training has certainly brought up many patterns for me. I continue to surrender to what comes my way and trust that it is all happening for a reason. This past week I was able to get about 300km of riding in. I get up at 5 am and do 25km on my indooor training bike, ride to work and back - 20km on my mountain bike , and then do 25km in the evening on my indoor training bike. I do this 6 days a week. I then get a century ride in each weekend, although last Sunday when I planned my ride it was rained out. So therefore, I will ride Saturday or Sunday depending on the weather.

I know some of you are probably saying...."would not a ride in the rain be great to do since you will probably be doing that on the trip?"..to which I say..."then that will be the time that I need to do it...not now!' I have in fact ridden my bike in rain and heat and cold but nothing will preapre me as much as the time in the saddle on the trip.

Watch my Video

Well I have made a video to explain why I am doing this ride. It is about 9 mins long and well worth the watch. Just click on the title above and afterwards you can go to the Leacock Foundation link and make a contribution:-)I have also include the link in my website link section and in my donation section of this site. Enjoy.

With Incredible Gratitude!

When you are inspired by some great purpose, some extraordinary project, all your thoughts break their bonds: Your mind transcends limitations, your consciousness expands in every direction, and you find yourself in a new, great wonderful world. Dormant forces, faculties and talents become alive, and you discover yourself to be a greater person by far than you every dreamed yourself to be.

Patanjali

Last evening at the Leacock Foundation’s annual dinner and auction I was blessed with an incredible gift of generosity when I was presented with a cheque for 10,000 dollars towards my intention of raising 50,000 dollars towards the Bridge Gap fund for the GAP school. I was absolutely in shock, as I had no idea that when I arrived for the evening this was going to be part of such a glorious event. I was in fact speechless and it took me a few moments to realize what had just happened before I thanked the Foundation. The money came from one anonymous donor. The donation is without a doubt going to make a difference! I am filled with gratitude that one person is willing to support me in this dream to such an extent. It is something I will carry with me as ride each day on this adventure.

When I said yes to this dream so many things fell into place. I continue to surrender to what is and to recall each morning what my intention is and then I follow through with my commitment by taking action and getting on the bike…even with my mind thinking it does not need to do it!

To each and ever one of you who is contributing to the ride I send you my love and blessing and may experience the generosity of spirit that I have.

Questions I am asked.

1.How many KM do you ride a week?
I always reply with a smile because the usual response is...."you must be nuts!".
I ride between 350 - 450 Km per week...or at least I did before I started back to my job as an educator. I plan to keep the mileage up with workouts on my indoor training bike..a road bike...and century rides on the weekend on my Stumpjumper.

2. Are you doing the race or the expedition?
I am doing the expedition as I plan on taking pictures and enjoying the experience....how many times do you get to ride from Cairo to Cape Town in your life?

3. What is your intention?
My intention is to arrive in Cape Town on May the 10th, 2008 safely with all the riders of the adventure.

Century Rides

Well the Labour Day weekend has come and gone once again and with it is the first century rides of September. For those of you who do not speak bike lingo that is a 100 mile ride...or about 150km ride..give or take a few millimeters:-)

Five things I am grateful for this day are:
My body and the way it supports me ride after ride.
The beauty of each new day and that my eyes were allowed to open to it.
The food that nourishes my body.
The people who say good morning to me as I ride past them and I return their greeting with a smile.
The warmth of the sun in these last days of summer.

I am really back at work tomorrow and with that I will start to commute by bike as long as I can. I still get up at 5am for an hour long ride on my indoor trainer. I need to keep the mileage up until I leave. How I will do that I have no idea but I set that intention:-)

Back At It!

Well my summer holidays are officially over...I know...all of you who do not have the summer off feel so sorry for me!!!

This change in routine will mean a change in my training routine as well. Yesterday I rode out to Burlington and back...really savouring all that it has to offer and giving thanks for the past months that I have ridden this route. Of course I had to stop at a Starbucks along the way...what would a ride be without coffee. Sure hope there are Starbuck stops in the TDA...of course that is not likely going to happen...oh dear does that mean instant coffee!!!!!

I was up today at 5am and did an hour on the training bike I have set up in my condo with the fan blowing on me but somehow it does not compete with the real thing. I will be able to do long rides on weekends until around the end of October but after that it will be indoor training...thanks goodness for iPods!!!

My donation procedure will be up within the next two weeks. I really appreciate all of you who have already made a donation to my ride. All the funds raised will be placed in the Bridging Fund for the GAP School which will go towards emergency tuition assistance for one or more years for GAP children in need. Please pass this information along to others in your circle of friends who may wish to support me. My intention is to raise 50,000.00...and every dollar brings me close to that amount. More about this later:-)

I have collected almost all the items that I need to take with me. The idea is to travel as lightly as possible....let's see what comforts can I do without!!!!

Tomorrow I go and have my last rabies shot and that will complete the shots needed for this trip.

Please feel free to leave comments of encouragement or just telling me I am crazy to be doing this...after all...I am not going to end my life with a list of regrets!!!!

Gratitude

Today I brought my camera with me on my ride to Burlington and back (135km-from door to door). As I ride each day I am so grateful for the beauty that I get to see each day. There is a place on the waterfront trail that has a lovely bay that is home to many swans. To see them against the blue water is pretty wonderful. I also was aware of the beauty of the clouds today so I took a picture of them as well. And of course my bike against the Burlington sign as a reminder of how blessed I am to be able to have the abundance that supports me with this dream.

I am grateful for all that the universe provides me with as I continue to vision my life.

Travel Shots

Well this afternoon I am off to the travel clinic to start my shots for the trip. As there are a number of immunizations and some require more than one dose I will be going back again at a later date.

This is yet another step in the different stages of preparation. If I review the list I can see why I was a little overwhelmed at the start but by staying connected to my vision and intention and taking action steps as they arise I am now nearing the completion of the steps...except for the waiting I feel centered and grounded.

I continue to train and had a wonderful ride out to well past Oakville and back yesterday...about 130km...just a typical ride day on the TDA route...ahhhhhh the anticipation!!!!

Stay tuned...

How Much is Enough

I am reading Dr.Wayne Dyer's latest book and the reading today was about staying connected to the abundance that is here for me/us. One needs to decide how much is enough and stop the consumption. With more stuff there comes the need to protect what one has accumulated and that brings with it another stress.

Over the past number of years I have consciously chosen to reduce the number of things in my life and to be respectful of what I spend my money on. I ask myself the question "Who's salary am I supporting by spending this energy?" As I accumulate new "stuff" for this adventure I am making sure that the material stuff that I am purchasing supports this question. Thus, I am acquiring a lot from Mountain Equipment Co-op (MEC). I also bring green bags to carry my objects home as this will enable a donation to a greener planet by a donation from MEC in lieu of using a bag.

I really believe that small choices can make a huge difference in the world. As I continue to prepare for the trip and make more purchases I will continue to be aware of the effect my choices may have.

The countdown continues:-)

Once an Oppourtunity is Lost...

Well I went out yesterday and purchased a money order for the entry fee. As it is in US dollars I have been playing the waiting game....how high will the Canadian dollar go? Last week I could have saved 2 cents on the dollar but alas yesterday I ended up paying 1.08 CD for 1 US...still an amazing deal when compared to the exchange rate at this time last year.

I am blessed that I have such abundance in my life...that I can release so it flows to other sources.

Power of Intention

July 28, 2007

I have just returned from teaching a Hoffman Process in Toronto. I am blessed and grateful to be a facilitator for this healing work.

While there I reconnected to the power of intention and commitment. One of my intentions is to arrive safely in Capetown South Africa on May 10, 2008 with all the others riders in the tour. Intention means to be open and not being attached to the outcome of how, when or where it happens. The power of intention continues to flourish in my life.

Each morning of the process I awoke with the chatter in my head about not needing to get up at 5am and do my cycling for the day. I would reconnect to my intention and my commitment to do what it takes to make this ride manifest for me. I know that each day I need to commit to do what it takes. In this world of opposites...life-death, hot-cold, up-down...there is a key one for me...try or do. I know that trying will not create the energy needed to support my intention. The only energy that will support the intention is doing. So I have the conversation in my head and get up and do it. To me this is living in the moment and prepares the ground for the future.

The weather is turning hot as we enter mid-summer and with it more training. I am grateful for the beauty of each day.

How I Spend my Summer Holidays!

Well I am officially on summer holidays and of course this is giving me plenty of time to train for the ride. Yesterday...Canada Day!!...I headed out along the waterfront trail and I ended up in Oakville....a pleasant ride. If somebody had told me a year ago that I would be riding distances like this I would have laughed. Now it is just a part of my weekly routine.

I am truly grateful for my body as it adjust to hours in the saddle. I am also grateful for the abundance of time I have to devote to this life adventure! Life is an adventure and I trust that each of you who read this will find your own exciting path to follow. We are all on a journey as individuals but we are all connected to each other as well. As the saying goes.....there is no me without we...thanks for being a part of me:-)

Worth Thinking About.

"Some people are more talented than others. Some people are more educationally privileged than others. But we all have the capacity to be great. Greatness comes by recognizing that your potential is limited only by how you choose, how you use your freedom, how resolute you are, how persistent you are - in short by your attitude. And we are all free to choose our attitude." Peter Kostenbaumher

I often think of this quote as I get ready to go for a training ride. Many are the days that I procrastinate, think of other things I would rather be doing and tell myself "rational lies" as to why I don't need to do this today. It is at that point that I become aware of the patterns taking place and decide to choose a different attitude. It is amazing how easy it becomes when I get out of the negative and focus on the intended outcome. Other days all the planets seem to line up and it is effortless. The lesson for me is always be aware that the negative voice in my head is the voice of somebody from the past...it is not who I am!

Write a letter of protest!

From the mouth of Rob Ford, Toronto City Councillor
(Ward 2 Etobicoke North)

In the Toronto Globe and Mail on Saturday, April 14th 2007, this self-proclaimed car fanatic was quoted as saying,

“I can’t support bike lanes. Roads are built for buses, cars and trucks…My heart bleeds when someone gets killed, but it’s their own fault at the end of the day.”

Please contact him and let him know what you think! He can be reached at:

councillor_ford@toronto.ca

apask@toronto.ca

amatern@toronto.ca

Finally Warm Weather!

Had a wonderful ride last night along the waterfront. The Tommy Thompson Park provides a great ride of 10k...out and back...gets somewhat boring when you do it 7 or 8 times but at least the Canadian Geese and views break the ride up...no hills... which is nice... but they will have to become a definite part of the training.

Day By Day

Well I am riding my bike on a daily basis and have been able to manage a good ride each day so far this week. Some of them just an E for effort while other ones are very pleasurable...very reflective of things in my life :-)

I have passed the 100km mark with my rides and I look forward to reaching the 150km mark. It is a bit of a challenge to achieve high levels of km riding in the city so I concentrate my rides along the waterfront and the trail system there. Once I have completed my role as a teacher at the end of June I will begin to ride earlier in the day.

Welcome

Sometimes we are in a place with our lives where we are able to make a difference. Such is the place that I find myself. My personal mission statement is …to be of service and make a difference in the world through my act of contribution.

There are dreams that call to you and then go quietly back to sleep and then there are those dreams that keep calling to you . . . again and again. . . “come home, come home…” and you just have to say “yes”!...for to end your life without heeding the call would mean a major regret on your death bed. Such was the dream that kept calling to me to Africa.

I first heard about the Tour d’Afrique when a Crescent old boy, Dr. Greg Wells, came to relate his experience for an assembly at Crescent School (where I have had the pleasure of teaching for the past 19 years). There was something about the passion with which he expressed his experience that ignited the dream within me. And then a few years later in the fall of 2004 I was traveling to South Africa. Synchronicity?

I had the opportunity to journey to South Africa along with another teacher and two students, to the Get Ahead Project School in Queenstown as a part of the Triangle of Hope Project which was being set up by the Stephen Leacock Society. The Triangle of Hope connects an inner city school, a developing country school and a school of privilege together. The belief is that each school has something to offer and give to each other no matter what the circumstances.

As I stepped off the plane I had no idea what to expect of this country. In my mind I had a picture that was created from the images, sounds and others experiences that I had read about and seen. What I discovered was a place that is like no other in the world. What have drawn me back year after year are the people I have had the honor of getting to know and admire and the magic of this amazing land. I returned home with a sense of leaving home…from a place I had just arrived at. I have since returned to South Africa and the Get Ahead School with other staff and students and developed a connection between Crescent School and GAP.

Always in the back of my mind and calling me louder and louder was the dream of riding in the Tour d’Afrique . . .a 12000km bicycle ride, through ten countries over 120 days that begins in Cairo Egypt and ends in Cape Town South Africa. I finally said yes to this dream in September of 2007. I filled in the registration application and pressed the send button. This blog, in the spring of 2007, is the start of my journey towards my dream. . . at least the web aspect!

Having been a runner for the past 20 years the transition to being a cyclist was the easy part. The challenge was to surrender to the fact that I knew little about what would be required. As Steven Covey points out in his book The Seven Habits of Highly Effective People, there are four stages to learning something new. The first stage is that you are unconscious that you are incompetent. The second stage is that once awareness kicks in you become conscious that you are incompetent. This was the stage I found myself at last fall. . . conscious that I knew very little about being a long distance cyclist, let alone being able to figure out what bike I would need. I knew that I had to set my intention as I set out to discover, learn and surrender. Gradually through training reading and asking questions I have moved to the third stage learning which is, that of being consciously competent. I look forward to being in the fourth stage, which is to arrive at the place where I am unconsciously competent, just being one with the bike and journey.

Always in the back of my mind was my dark side saying to me . . “you are too old…are you kidding! Do you really think you can do this…what will others think of you…how can you possible leave your job to do this?..” There were times when I let this voice become the loudest and I became trapped with the fear of what I was setting out to do. When the awareness kicked in of what voice I was heeding, I would breathe and reconnect to the dream that called me to action. Gradually the fear voice became smaller and smaller and the dream louder and louder.

Along with the learning that was taking place was the way that people and things I needed would show up in my life. It is said that when the student is ready the teacher will appear. My teachers have been books, television programs and people…in many cases people who are younger than myself…go figure!!!!...talk about going into patterns!!!

My intention with this blog is to provide a venue where you may read and follow along with me as I follow my dream. My intention with the ride is to arrive in Cape Town on May 10, 2008 safely and with my fellow sojourners.

I am calling this dream the Pedal for Hope. I am also setting the goal of raising funds for the Get Ahead Project School that I have come to cherish and love. The money raised will assist the children at this school to receive a quality education that they might otherwise not get within the regular school system. To learn more about the Triangle of Hope program and the Get Ahead Project school please visit The Stephen Leacock Foundation for Children at http://www.leacockfoundation.org/



So be sure to visit this blog regularly as I update it with training reports, photos and where I am with my fundraising etc. Once the actual ride begins I will updated it as a computer and the Internet become available. You can always follow the action in words and photos at http://www.tourdafrique.com/