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WANT TO JOIN THE RIDE?
That’s great !
First and foremost:
If you do decide
to take part in the ride, you do so entirely at your own risk.
Neither of the charities being sponsored via this site nor any of the
organisers of the Fun Zim Ride, takes responsibility for your safety or
your travel arrangements. Having said that, the more people take
part and raise funds for Zimbabwe, the better and the more fun it will
be. The organisers are happy to share detailed plans and contacts
with like-minded riders to facilitate that.
Secondly – some practicalities:
Dates
To be confirmed but the current intention is to complete the ride in
Harare on Zimbabwe Independence Day Saturday 18 April 2009. That
means leaving Bulawayo on Wed 9 April. You should allow at least
a week in advance to acclimatise and make local arrangements.
Easter Sunday 2009 falls on 13 April.
The ride
The ride will be physically challenging: 7 days cycling at an average
of 80 kms (50 miles per day). A reasonable level of fitness and
bike training will be required but the objective is not an extreme
physical endurance test. There will be time for rests,
contingencies, some sight-seeing and socialising. Most cycling
will be done in the mornings before the full heat of the day.
The roads
Due to fuel shortages even the main roads are relatively quiet and it is intended to stick to tarmaced roads.
The physical conditions
Temperatures will be cooling by April but still above 20 degrees C in
the day perhaps dropping to 6 degrees C at night. It will be dry
season but there may be showers. Strong winds are not
expected. Broadly speaking, there is a down gradient for the
first third of the ride (dropping approx 400 metres in height).
Into and beyond Masvingo there is a more gentle incline to varying
degrees for the remainder of the ride into Harare which is at a similar
elevation to Bulawayo.
Accommodation
It is expected that accommodation will be a mixture of camping and
staying in houses of personal contacts with one or two nights in
commercial lodgings. You may need to make some of your own
accommodation arrangements.
Food & water
There are some food shortages and clean drinking water can be difficult
to obtain. We will have to carry some of both plus sterilisation
equipment as well as relying on local contacts in some of the towns en
route.
Local support
The only local support for the ride as such is expected to be one or
two local men who will act as interpreters in Shona and Ndebele and
provide a degree of security. It is hoped that they will also
pull a trailer with supplies and equipment.
Bikes
The intention is to purchase bikes locally including a trailer of the
type that can subsequently be used as a bicycle ambulance. The
bikes are expected to be left in Zimbabwe as part of the charitable
effort. If you join and wish to bring your own bike you will have
to make your own arrangements. We will need to be self-sufficient
for repairs and spares and have contingency plans for major
problems. There will be no facilities for cycle repairs or spares
between Masvingo and Harare.
Medical
You will need to make your own arrangements for inoculations and
medical supplies but we may be able to offer advice nearer the time.
Flights & insurance
You will need to make your own arrangements for flights & travel insurance.
Finally:
As you can see, there is a lot to think about and many arrangements still to be made. If
you are still interested in joining us, then you may well be the sort
of person we are looking for! We will be able to provide you with
more information and would be keen to talk to you and meet well before
the ride.
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