Day 4 Koforidua to Begoro

I need to say again, whoever said Ghana was fairly flat is stretching the truth. Today we seemed to be constantly going up then down then up and down.

Today we completed 62km and recorded 3800 feet of climbing. We have just 1.5 days (less than 100km) of cycling remaining to reach Kwahu-Tafo.

A lot of today was spent cycling on tarmac roads (with very large potholes), the heat reflecting off the road surface in the direct sunlight makes climbing any steep uphills feel unbearable.

As we left Koforidua we came across a large number of school children singing and playing drums with banners encouraging parents to send their children to school. It was an amazing, colourful sight.

On the route we stopped at Boti Falls which is a local waterfall (approx 200 feet) As we are nearing the end of the rainy season the river was full and noise was very loud. It was a great spot for a rest as the mist was cooling. Tim had a swim (he is experienced) with a couple of the bike support team.

After 30 km we stopped for water and a look around a village. Every village we pass children appear from everywhere, and they love being photographed.

We cycled for another 20 kilometres before a very late lunch (another African time delay) which was our longest so far and I really struggled as I had drank all my bottled water and it is amazing how dependent you are on it.

You can see Ghana is not short of water it is clean water that is the problem.

The last stretch was up to the hillside town of Begoro and a planned event at the "Kitkat Club" by a local farmer on Cocoa production. Unfortunately there was a huge thunderstorm and the heavens opened which meant this had to be postponed.

Neil (my brother), Anders, Hans, Gideon (leader) and Fraser at the Kit Kat Club at the end of the ride.

Tommorrow we have the hardest day as it is virtually all off road including sand roads near Lake Volta, camping overnight then the ride into Tafo.

The map of the ride:

Gary

Day 3 Aburi to Koforidua

This was a long day cycling sapped by very hot temperatures. In the afternoon it hit 38 degrees and felt unbearably hot; cycling makes you feel cooler but when stopped the heat hits you immediately. I really enjoyed today but the last 10km was really exhausting as I was physically drained. This is the longest day of cycling I have ever done and I feel fantastic as to my progress so far.

Today we completed 78 km with a good deal on rough roads. Whoever said Ghana was fairly flat is not telling the truth, as we climbed 3700 ft during the day. Altogether we have now completed over 10000 ft of climbing and 8500 calories of energy burned up. We are now over half way and I still feel in good shape (apart form some discomfort 'downstairs')

We are really experiencing rural Ghana passing small villages and the odd town with a bustling market, full of small stallholders selling everything dead and alive.

The start of the day was particularly rewarding as we completed an excellent downhill offroad run. Only one spill in the group and not a major injury.

I've eaten loads of dust as any traffic passing throws up loads of red dust. I can draw a picture in the dust stuck on my legs.

We are passing lots of people walking by the roadside, travelling to market or bringing a crop back home for cooking, Banana, Pineapple, Plantain, Cocoa crops can all be seen from the roadside.

We enjoyed a spag bol lunch prepared by Peter the chef, a Ghanaian Rasta blasting out Bob Marley music from his truck. Jim provided entertainment to the local kids while we waited.

Lunch was on time today enabling us to complete our day by 5pm. After lunch we passed a bustling market, the photo is of a market trader selling sandals made from old car tyres and you would not believe what people are trying to stuff into taxis.

I found the last stretch of 10km very hard as I my battery was low. The overall exertions of the day had caught up with me. Although I feel I am eating and drinking a lot it still clearly is not enough to maintain energy levels. We finished the day through the busy town of Koforidua which was tricky given the rush hour and we had to cross the town to reach our overnight stop. Just finished a good hearty meal which will set me up well for tommorrow.

The map of the ride:

Gary

Day 2

Today was a long day of 86km with more on roads than yesterday but with a steep offroad hill climb at the end, which the guide, Gideon, was reluctant to describe in advance for fear of scaring us too much.

Early rise and very interesting start to the ride travelling through the town of Agona with a busy market and chaotic road, choked with traffic.

We made good progress with plenty of breaks and lots of rehydration as today was noticeably hotter with occasional cloud cover.

Jim and Tim

We had a long break at lunch (at a school) which was not intentional due to African time management but this kept us out of the midday sun.

School girls watching our group

We got to learn about the final challenge later in the day and this entailed 2 very (very) steep off road climbs for 5km. I did it but found it really hard and this rounded off a great day.

The car should be driving on the right, but the potholes take it on a different course.

The map of the ride:



Day 1 - Cycling

Arrived Safely in Accra on friday night and spent yesterday travelling to Cape Coast which is our starting point. Had the chance to visit the historic Slave Castle which contributed to the processing of 2 million slaves for lives in the new world. A very humbling experience but well worth it.

Today was an early rise and 86km of tarmac and dirt roads. Our bikes have been around a bit but with a little oil the creaking subsided. Forecast for the day was cloudy with rain which proved accurate. The rain is warm and refreshing.

Me at the start. Note jersey sponsor 'Texon'

Really enjoyed the day particulaly riding the off road. These dirt roads have been badly cut up with the heavy rains, it seems the rainy season has still not quite finished and this added a lot to the challenge. Not me, but a few of the other cyclists fell off navigating the deep ruts. Nothing too serious, most nursing their pride.

Off road the villages are very rural with most houses made from mud. The kids seem very surprised of the sight of so many cyclists in bright jerseys, and shout 'white man, white man' in ghanaian, waving and running towards us. It is not offensive, in fact a friendly call.

Rough roads

I completed the day reasonably refreshed looking forward to tomorrows adventure.

The map of todays ride:

Gary

3 days to go !!!!

Physical training is done and I am now taking it easy ahead of the challenge. If I am not prepared now, there is nothing more I can do that will make a difference. Pity we have not had a 30 degree + summer.

Since starting to prepare seriously a few months ago I have completed over 1000 miles and a 100 hours of cycling. This has been the equivalent of climbing 90 Roseberry Toppings or 3 Mount Everests and I have not felt this fit for many years.

I set off on Friday, meeting up with the other cyclists at Heathrow. Below is the itinerary:

Friday: travel arriving late
Saturday: travel (bus) from Accra airport to Elmina (Cape Coast area), chance to acclimatise
Sunday: first day cycling, 86km
Monday: 90km
Tuesday: 74km
Wednesday: 61km
Thursday: 62km, toughest day and overnight camping
Friday: 25km, arriving in Kwahu-Tafo, traditional Ghanaian welcome and celebration
Saturday: Tour of the town (especially the wells) led by local school children and a football match, Cyclists v Town
Sunday: travel back to Accra, overnight flight
Monday: return home, no doubt exhausted

Wish me luck, Gary

Windy workout

I completed a 34 mile ride on Sunday, 22 miles (with Sharon) on Forest trails which was great practice. I finished off riding home the last 12 miles on the road and the wind conditions made it really hard.

Sharon took a few photos so I have updated my picture on the Virginmoneygiving site and wanted to check out how easy it is to import into this blog.

Seems easy enough!!

I've ridden to work today when the wind was even stronger. Bottled out on the return as I thought it was too dangerous with the weatherman warning of gusts up to 70 mph in North Yorks. If I can achieve back to back cycling all week it can only help my fitness.

Training, less than one month to go

I now have just 3 weeks before the cycle challenge!! The amount of donations has increased further and I have now raised £5058 which is fantastic. The charity will also receive UK gift aid adding more to the fund.

I am fully focussed on preparing myself for the trip. I will have my last jab shortly (rabies) and start the anti malaria tablets before travelling. Then it is all systems go.

Pretty much all my spare time is now spent clocking up miles and time in the saddle. As well as weekends, I have been riding to and from work. Although not too far, this is a 22 mile round trip, with 2000 ft of hill climbing.

The training plan given to us included back to back cycling days; spending at least 5 hours on the bike each day. I have done this a couple of times and apart from bum ache I would say I achieved this quite well.

The cycle challenge will take us off road so I have included some local forestry trails in my programme. I particularly enjoy this as it is more interesting, requiring balance and confidence as well as building fitness.

I had a set back last week as my bike was stolen whilst locked to my car!!!!!

I was on the way to visit my brother in Birmingham (who is also doing the challenge) with a view to cycling off road at Cannock Chase. I hired a bike for the day so at least I could maintain the training.

Thankfully the insurance came through promptly and I have managed to purchase a replacement bike quickly as I need to continue training.

I want to say a big thank you to Nathan at Evans Cycles in Castleford for listening to my circumstances and giving me a good deal.

The new bike is great and I just need to spend as much time as possible in the saddle to get it moulded to my shape.

More cycling this weekend, weather permitting, high winds and rain forecast.

I am new to blogging, but hope to keep up regular postings and add photos for you to follow.