The Treloar Herald

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

Luangwa Bridge to Jehovah School Camp (124km with 1 720m of climbing)

ZAMBIA

Day 83 - Luangwa Bridge to School

Started the day by climbing out from the River Camp all the way up to the Village on the top of the hill, not an ideal way to start the day, but definitely an indication of things to come.

I rode the whole way today. Judith rode to lunch on the truck (with many other riders) since most of the climbing was to be done prior to lunch, she then cycled to Camp - a very prudent decision.

It was a very hilly route, long uphills with relatively short down hills, not leaving you with much time to recover before you started climbing again. I rode with Phillip, who pulled me through, I just couldn't get on the truck while he was still around watching!!

We were met by a Welcoming Committee at the finish, and I was given a cold beer by Murray as we approached Camp, such a great serendipity moment!

I was very tired, Judith had put the tent up, so I crashed and slept for a while, before supper (missed Riders Briefing) but I was exhausted.

It was a very pleasant camping ground, the first time we had camped at a Zambian school. We were not inundated by curious children or adults. School children gave us a look, some waved and then continued with their afternoon sports practices...

Cheers,
Mike T

Steve loading bikes onto the Lunch Truck in the morning

A lot of the Riders chose to only start riding from the Lunch position so they left Camp in the Lunch Truck

The long climbs up and over the rolling Zambian hills

Main Road maintenance on the road to Lusaka

A little bit of encouragement kindly supplied by the Lunch Truck Staff

Philip enjoying his lunch

Coke Stop, but this time in a Local Bar

Welcome Committee near the Finish offering us a well earned cold beer

Camp at the Jehovah School Soccer Field

Goal post washing line very popular with TDA Riders

The Farrow's enjoying a quiet moment

This evenings dishes "Washing up Team"

Supper time enjoyed by all

The "Twilight Zone" approaches

Rain clouds gathering but thankfully staying away

A glorious Zambian sunset

Petauke to Luwanga Bridge Camp (171km + 1'410m climbing & 1'950m downhill...)

Zambia

Day 82 - Apr 4 - Stage 57

Max giving the evening's Briefing Meeting

Had a great day cycling, cycled with Philip, as Judith took Dr Helen's advice not to cycle, after yesterday's physically demanding hours of bum-on-saddle ride. Helen said she needed to rest up, so she rode on the Main Truck with a few others, to the Bridge Camp.

Wasn't an easy cycle, another 171km after yesterday's 176km, with a lot more climbing, I struggled up the hills, but have yet to meet a hill I could not simply walk! My thanks go out to Philip for his patience, and waiting for me when the going got tough.

We spent the whole day answering the local kids, whenever they shouted and inquired, "How are you ? How are you!?" This was met with a response from us of "We are fine, how are you?" Which was then followed by... silence!!

Lunch was at 80km, and after another 91km we arrived at Camp, which was situated along the Luangwa River, directly across from Mozambique.

Spent some quality time at the Bar which had a great setting and ambiance together with Judith and some of the other Riders and TDA Staff, a good ending to another tough day.

However, for all of its natural beauty and it's fantastic setting, the Camp was a major rip-off. The Owner charged us for beers at 30 Kwacha each!! We only paid 12 Kwacha at the previous Camp (We all need to put it out there on Trip Advisor). As a result hardly anyone took up a room as accommodation. It was totally overpriced. Very shortsighted of the Owner. If he had lowered the room prices... they would have all been sold out!

Anyway, off to bed & another tough day tomorrow - a shorter distance but with 1'720m of climbing, mainly in the morning.

Cheers,
Mike T

All flagging-tape leads to Camp!

Looking down from the Bar Area towards the Camp grounds

Petauke to Luangwa Bridge Camp

Tent up and waiting at Luangwa Bridge Camp

Afternoon Coke Stop with Philip

Riders enjoying the Luangwa Bridge Camp Veranda

Paul and Wendy enjoying the peace and tranquility of the Boma

Erin and Kim catching up on some social media time

Judith trying to make her point of view known, pinky-finger style.

Rupert spending some quality time with Cath and Alex

View of the Luangwa River with Mozambique on the opposite bank

Great setting for a Camp

Amarula time at the Bar

Chipata to Petauke (176km) & A New Record for Judith

ZAMBIA

Day 81 - Apr 3 - Stage 56

Local Zambian Riders (Judith in the background)

It was a very long cycling day and Judith decided to give it her best shot, and consequently... it was Judith's new personal best! She completed the 176km distance and we arrived at our destination before sunset (cut off time).

Early morning we reluctantly left Mama Rulas Camp in Chipata, it had been the best Camp so far, I would have preferred a rest day there, as opposed to the one we had in Lilongwe, but it was not to be.

The Zambian road surface was fantastic, from the dedicated bike lanes as we left Chipata, to the very smooth surface of the Great East Road, which had been rehabilitated by kind donations and loans from European Investment Bank, European Union and Agence Francaise de Development - (for which we were extremely grateful).

We cycled 81km to lunch, then a further 96km to Camp, we might of come in last, accompanied by the Sweep Rider, but we had done the distance! Briefing was already in progress when we arrived, and we appreciated the thunderous applause we received from the other Riders.

We were just too tired to Camp, so we took a room at the Lodge, had a few drinks with Murray & Andje on the veranda, and then it was off to bed.

Tomorrow is another long day with a 171km cycle to Luangwa Bridge Camp (we cross over the Bridge, then cycle to the Camp).

Cheers,
Mike T