Even as I write this four days after completing challenge4acause my legs feel like jelly. Rich Laburn and I (Team Londolozi) have just completed the 320 kilometer cycle across the Damaraland desert in an attempt to raise nearly a million rand for the Save the Rhino Trust, Wildlife Act Fund and The Good Work Foundation.
Challenge4acause is a mountain bike event through one of the greatest wilderness left on planet earth, the Damaraland desert. For five days of the year the dull tones of the desert come alive with flashes of bright padded Lycra as ten cyclists challenge themselves against this jagged terrain in an attempt to raise money for conservation and education.
This year Rich and I went into the challenge severely undercooked on the training front. In fact, between us, we had managed only three preparation rides.
On the night of our arrival in the dessert our guide, Chris Bakkes, looked up at us from under his wild mane of hair and said “sand is not your problem… rocks are your problem.” It was an ominous statement from a man who knows the desert of Namibia like the back of his hand.
Chris was right. For the next five days the stones of the basalt plains of Damaraland lashed us.
We spent between five and six bone rattling hours in the saddle each day. But strangely despite the sheer physical exertion what remains in my mind are the deep emotions I felt as I rode along. My body became a machine that just spun its legs each day as my eyes took in the vastness on landscape. Herds of mountain zebra and giraffe could be seen dancing across the “vlakkte” as herd of springbok loomed across the horizon.
With an aching body on the third day I had an experience on a flat section of compact sand. The combination of the substrate and the thirty-knot tail wind meant that the speedometer of the bike was recording speeds of up to 50 km/h. a herd of gemsbok, with their rapier like horns and war painted faces broke from a gully and charged across the front of me. I turned the bike off the rode and stood on the pedals. A gust of wind catapulted me forward and for a moment I became a part of the herd. Gemsbok and dust flew all around as I merged into their midst’s. I felt I had for a second I had become a part of the desert.
This is the nature of the challenge it is a combination of grueling and awesome. It can take you in a day to the lowest and highest of emotional peaks.
Damaraland is desert of contrasts
We were also lucky to track and find a desert black rhino. To see this amazing prehistoric creature on this ancient landscape was fuel for every rider. Save the Rhino Trust is doing amazing work to protect and monitor this population of ungulates and in a small way through our fundraising efforts every rider had become a part of that effort.
I thought also of the learners doing literacy training through the Good Work Foundation and what effects our raised funds would have on their lives. I needed the strength that comes from realizing my endeavors each day were bigger than me.
In the end we have raised over eight hundred thousand rand and counting! We had a wild, crazy, and beautiful experience in one of Africa’s great wilderness. And after all the rage and joy of the ride all that was left was a deep sense of satisfaction.
Our sincere thanks to all who supported us and to all the other riders on Challenge4acause 2012. If you didn’t get a chance to submit your donation to this years Challenge4aCause, you can still do so HERE.
Rich on the trail
Our ‘luxury’ tented camps often found their home in a dry river bed
Boyd taking a break
You two are amazing young gentleman!!!! Congratulations on your successful mission!
Way to go Boyd!
We love you guys. Thanks from all the children of the Good Work Foundation x x x
Well done to you both! So very proud of what you did – look forward to having you back so can make you both something nice to eat! x
Congratulations! A worthy cause, thank you for being a part of it.
lovely stuff lads.
I reckon we could raise close to 2 mil if we attempt it on Unicycles and Penny-farthings…any takers?
The thread of your tires has left a story and a massive contribution across the sand. Well done!
Empowering students to better their lives … GOOD WORK Boyd and Rich!!
HI BOYD & RICH,
CONGRATULATIONS ON YOUR MAGNIFICENT ACHIEVEMENT, AS WELL AS FOR A VERY WORTHY CAUSE!
KIND REGARDS,
TED.
This is incredible Boyd and such an important cause.
Congratulations, really awesome work!
Soph