Jehovah School Camp to Lusaka (103km with only 820m of climbing)

Zambia

Day 84 - Apr 6- Stage 59

Thursday: Judith decided to ride the full 103km distance from the School Camp into Lusaka. This suited me, as I was still EFI-Zambia and we could then ride into Lusaka together.
We woke up to a glorious Zambian sunrise, which was a good omen for the coming day's riding. It was a relatively short day of cycling, with the hills becoming less steep and more undulating as we approached Lusaka. 

Sunrise at the Jehovah School Camp

Getting ready for the days ride into Lusaka

Jehovah School to Lusaka

Lunch was at the 60km mark, we had a leisurely lunch and departed just ahead of the Sweep Rider.

The ride from lunch to Lusaka became a bit more difficult as we got closer to Lusaka due to the increase in traffic, especially with the increase in trucks and busses, as the verge of the road was not in a good condition, and not conducive to moving over for them either.

Fortunately as we got closer to the metropolis of Lusaka the roads improved considerably (double highway) and we were able to keep out of the way of the heavy vehicles. We (four of us riders and the Sweep) made a stop at the first Mall we came to, and made a mad dash to the nearest ATM, as we were all low on cash.

Judith and I left the Sweep Rider Max with Liz and Marie at the Mall, since they wanted to go and have ice cream, totally acceptable under the circumstances. But we just wanted to get to the finish at the Chainama Hotel (previously the Great Eastern Hotel).

A Local salvaging the steel spring from a bad wreck (Taxi ploughed into a Truck) to make himself an axe.

A Chinese make of Truck not feeling well and broken down at the side of the road

Mike One - What else is there to know!

Dr Mugwagweni can cure all ailments!

The Papparazzi have arrived

Last Coke Stop before Lusaka

Commercial Farming in Zambia

Arrived at the finish only to be caught by a brief downpour, those having ice creams at the Mall missed getting wet!!

We then proceeded to try and get a decent room, which took ages, rejected the first room (no electricity) then moved to the second one (no hot water) finally moved to the third room which was acceptable. All this time moving around and carrying our four luggage bags, riding kit and then our bikes!

The Chainama Hotel has definately seen better days, but then TDA do not choose their Camp sites because of the rooming facilities, but because of the camping needs of the Riders and Staff who do not take rooms on rest days.

After a well deserved shower, it was off to another Mall by taxi, with a group of Riders for supper. We finally ended up at Rhapsody's where we could order either from the Rhapsody's menu or from The Ocean Basket Menu (it was situated next door). 

A pleasant meal was had by all, followed by a final round of nightcap drinks, while watching a live band. We are definitely getting closer to civilization and better facilities as we travel further South.

Cheers,
Mike T

The best thing about the Chainama Hotel was their signboard

Marie enjoying her chocolate cocktail at Rhapsody's

Such decadence after five days of cycling!

Enjoying the after dinner drinks at Rhapsody's

The Live Band playing at Rhapsody's

_

Lilongwe to Chipata [Mama Rulas Camp] (152km with 800m climbing)

MALAWI - ZAMBIA

Day 80 - Apr 2 - Stage 55

Left Lilongwe after an average type of Rest Day, fortunately it was a Sunday, so the traffic was relatively quiet as we passed through the CBD of the City on our way to the next Country, Zambia - which we were both looking forward to visiting since it is the land of my birth. 

I wanted to see how much the Country had changed, and it has been 50 years since I left the then young Independent Republic, and immigrated with my parents Ken and May Treloar, to South Africa. My parents had been in the then "Northern Rhodesia", since 1945 after the Second World War, and left to go South in 1967. I had not been back officially to Zambia since then.


After riding 80km, Judith got on the TDA Cruiser to rather ride to the Border, as she felt she would hold the border crossing procedures up by getting there too late if she continued cycling, a wise decision as we were actually running late.

The Malawian kids were still shouting, "Give me my money" which had by now become quite boring, although I did get a, "Give me my cell phone" which was soon followed by a, "Give me my bike".  Hell, what was I expected to do, donate my bike to some kid and then walk to Cape Town!??

After lunch, I cycled the 42km to the Border, but had a Coke Stop on the way with Liz, Marie and Helen the Sweep Rider. Once at the Border, crossing out of Malawi and into Zambia was absolutely painless. 

On the Zambian side, the Immigration Official noticed from my passport that I was Zambian born, and said, "Welcome back to Zambia!" How cool was that!

Amazingly once across the Border, the call of "Give me money" by the kids immediately stopped! It was replaced by a chirpy, "Mzungu, how are you?"  What an absolute pleasure....

The road surface on the Zambian side was just perfect, rode the final 30km to the Camp with Marie, who kindly allowed me to draught behind her for the complete 30km, and she didn't cycle slowly either, we averaged a decent 30 km/hr!

Arrived at the Mama Rulas Camp, had a few beers while I waited for Judith to arrive (she was with some of the TDA Staff doing some shopping in Chipata) before doing my tent erection duties. We decided to camp as it didn't look like it was going to rain.

Mama Rulas Camp had a great Bar, named "The Pit Stop", the beers were relatively cheap, cold, and plentiful, and a good time was had by all.


A local Indian fellow came to the Camp to assist us in changing our money from Malawian Kwacha to Zambian Kwacha, or to exchange US Dollars for Zambian Kwacha. Some of the Riders said he looked like my Brother, but just from another Mother!

Of all the Camps we had camped in so far on the Tour, Mama Rulas was one of the best we have encountered, and hopefully a taste of things to come in Zambia.

Tomorrow is a long day, 176km from Chipata to Petauke, don't know what Judith is going to do, will she ride the whole distance or only part of it? Tomorrow will tell.

Cheers,
Mike T

Could this be my long lost Brother ?

I don't know how the car got into the mielies

 (corn) but it got their proper!

Crossing a Bridge on our way towards Zambia

Liz and Marie at the Coke Stop waiting for Sweep Rider Helen to catch up with us

Chipata in Zambia has dedicated cycle lanes which were such a pleasure.

We are starting to see more and more home comforts & brands we recognize as we progress further South...

Ah Spar, "one wherever you are!"

The "Pit Stop" was well received at Mama Rula's

Riders enjoying quality time at the Pit Stop

Finally, the chance to drink my first "Mosi" in Zambia!

Come on the "Lions" my favorite Rugby Franchise.

Andrew and Linda taking some time out.

Judith taking advantage of a clear sky and hanging out some washing

Tomorrow's ride - Chipata to Petauke

Yup, a good time had by all who frequented the Pit Stop.

Alex finally conceding defeat and realizing she had eaten enough

Tallis making new friends at Mama Rula's

_

TDA - Arrival in Cairo

The eight hour flight to Cairo which left on Monday evening was fortunately rather uneventful, and we landed at Cario Airport in the early hours of Tuesday morning. At the Airport we managed to collect our 4x 23kg bags and were ecstatic that our two bike boxes were waiting for us at the odd sized baggage pick-up area.

Ramos the Hotel Representative was at the Airport to welcome us and organised a taxi to transport us with all our luggage and bike boxes to the Cataract Pyramids Resort in the Giza District.

Arrival at Cairo Airport

At the Hotel after booking in, we were greeted by our first TDA Bulletin Board, a daily feature which will be part of our experience for the next four months.

The First of our Daily Bulletin boards

Tuesday was taken up with us unpacking and assembling our bikes, with Leo the Tour Bike Mechanic checking them out to see if they were mechanically sound after their flight to Cairo. Unfortunately the rotor for the front disk brake on Judith's bike was bent rather badly and had to be replaced, but all's well that ends well.

Bike Assembly

In the evening we had an informal "Meet & Greet" where all the riders who had already  arrived in Cairo, met up with each other and all of the TDA Crew over drinks.

On Wednesday we had our first official TDA Briefing Session, where we were officialy introduced to the TDA Crew, and we're briefed and informed about the many aspects of the Tour. There were however two issues I was not in agreement with, these being; Fridges are not there to keep riders beers cold and vehicles are not to be used to buy or collect beer for the riders. It seems other plans will have to be made relating to these issues.

We were also informed, that due to the current political climate in Egypt, it has been decided by the organizers, that all the overnight Desert Camping Sites, are to be replaced by hotel stay overs! Something I am definitely in agreement with. 

The TDA Crew Members at the first of our Briefing Sessions

The rest of the morning was taken up with a trip by taxi to the nearest Bank, to exchange US $ for Egyptian Pounds, as well as purchasing an Egyptian cell phone Sim Card to use for data purposes. 

Wednesday evening was spent at the Pyramids & Sphinx, watching a Light and Laser Show with fellow South Africans, Liz Morris from Cape Town (who is being accompanied in Cairo by her husband Tim) and Kyle, also from Cape Town.

One of the three pyramids of Giza

The Sphinx

So all is well this side. Tomorrow, we start cycling.

Cheers, Mike T