Tragic News

ORIGINALLY POSTED 28th SEPTEMBER 2018 from LIVINGSTONE, ZAMBIA

Dear friends. You are probably wondering why I have not posted an update of the last two days of my ride in Zambia. At the end of Day 4 (Wednesday), having conquered a 70km gruelling dirt and deep sand track, there was a tragic accident involving a car and two of our riders.

Unfortunately one of our team was fatally injured and another seriously hurt less than 1km from our hotel. All other team members are OK as am I.

We are all shocked and saddened as we had just about completed the hardest part of our challenge. Needless to say we cancelled the final day’s 70km road section to Livingstone and we transferred here by bus yesterday morning.

Those who wanted to, have already returned to the UK early, some are flying back today and I am coming back as planned with 8 others on Saturday/Sunday.

The Transaid, Dream Challenges and local support team members have been superbly professional and supportive throughout and those of us still in Zambia are being well looked after.

The spirit and camaraderie between all those involved, both experienced Transaiders and first timers like me, from experienced and hardened cyclists to novices and from the oldest to the youngest has been inspirational. Remarkably for a group of 48 we had already developed a close bond.

This incident has made that bond even stronger and we will need the emotional support from each other and from you, our families and friends, to come to terms with the loss of a lovely lady and serious injury to another.

This has been a terrible and shocking ending to a fantastic challenge but we have met many local people along the way, seen how they live and better understand the value of the work Transaid funds and supports in Africa. I am sure the good memories will come back and endure a lifetime. I look forward to getting back home and catching up with many of you in the next few days and weeks. 

- Bryan

Cycle Zambia Ride Videos (courtesy of Relive)

The attached links take you to a reconstructed version of our route, courtesy of Strava and its companion app Relive, with a brief description and data on distance, elevation etc.

Zambia 🇿🇲 Day 1

Kafue to Mazabuka

Total distance: 67km, 437m

Description: After crossing the Kafue river, we had a bit of a climb and undulating ride on tarmac over some hills.  Turned off the road after about 25km and the rest of the day spent on dirt road, much of it past farms and sugar cane plantations.  Some of the road surface was black with molasses.  A relatively gentle introduction to rural Africa and a taste of things to come.

Part 1 - Strava, Relive (44km, 334m)

Part 2 - Strava, Relive (23km, 103m)

Zambia 🇿🇲 Day 2

Mazabuka to Monze

Total distance: 104 km, 576m

Description: A tough second day, initially on road, but suddenly turned off into real rural Zambia on dirt roads with our first taste of sand and a lot of corrugations.  Passed by many small settlements and villages.  A bit more sand and rough dirt roads which was draining followed by a 12km out of Monze to our campsite.

Part 1 - Strava, Relive (64km, 444m)

Part 2 - Strava, Relive (16km, 55m)

Part 3 - Strava, Relive (24km, 77m)

Zambia 🇿🇲 Day 3

Monze to Masuku Lodge

Total distance: 126 km, 558m ascent

Description: Nice gentle start followed by a mammoth 90km ride on tarmac along the main T1 road.  Passed through and stopped off in the small town of Choma.  A bit more tarmac and then a rough, sandy dirt track with a bit of nice singletrack just off the main road. Last 5km to Masuku Lodge was lovely but a shame there was no water (hot or cold) for showers. The lodge where we had dinner was lovely and sitting in a leather sofa, a very pleasant experience.

Part 1 - Strava, Relive (86km, 416m)

Part 2 - Strava, Relive (40km, 142m)

Zambia 🇿🇲 Day 4

Masuku Lodge to Kalomo

Total distance: 105 km, 664m ascent

Description: Tough 18km rough and sandy uphill track to main road, followed by 18km on tarmac. Then back on to the sand for a gruelling 70km.  Hottest day yet with temperatures reaching 46C.  Lots of interesting villages and small farms on the way.  Entered busy town of Kalomo around 5pm.  Then disaster struck just before we reached our lodge.  See subsequent posts.

Part 1 - Strava, Relive (70km, 523m)

Part 2 - Strava, Relive (31km, 141m)

Arrival in Lusaka

We arrived safely in Lusaka as dark was closing in after a long journey via Addis Ababa. We called in to see one of Transaid’s projects and spent a few hours getting to see and talk to the Emergency Transport Scheme and Community Health Volunteers who are doing so much to prevent malaria and providing access to healthcare in rural communities. 

The drive through the outskirts of Lusaka was probably what you imagine of a large African city (slow, busy, chaotic, dusty but interesting).

Sandy’s Lodge is very nice - clearly they are breaking us in gently. The next 4-5 nights will be different. 

Bikes are fitted and ready to go. Up at 5am.

One week to go

Well, that is it.  Training pretty much over and I am not going to get any fitter now, so I need to take it easy for a few days ahead of our departure for Lusaka.  I am really looking forward to meeting my fellow Cycle Zambia Challenge participants at Heathrow on Friday evening.

The summer is gone and it is starting to feel a lot more autumnal with some recent rides in almost full winter gear and temperatures down to below 5C in the early morning.  However, looking back over the past few months I don't think I could have wished for a better summer with all those lovely, hot summer days for getting out on the bike and really enjoying putting in a few miles in.  

Looking back on my Strava feed I managed 700-800km each month from May to August and have done about 400 already this month (most of it in a single week).  That doesn't sound like that much given we will be riding 500km in 5 days in Zambia, but it does include a lot of climbing - 9,000 to 10,000 meters (or more than the height of Mt Everest) per month, which I am hoping we won't be facing next week.  I have also been building up time on the MTB recently as that is what we will be riding in Zambia.  

Importantly, I have also lost about 16 lbs in weight since April which definitely helps going uphill!  Let's hope I can keep it off as one positive side effect is that I have stopped snoring (almost completely!).  That will be something both Sue and my  Zambia tentmate will be happy about.

All that is left now is to get a bit more used to the heat we are going to have in Zambia so intend to do a few gentle (non-cycling) workouts at the gym, followed by a good hot steam/sauna this week.

I will be posting updates from the road when we start cycling on Sunday morning so look out on the Powerfully Semple Blog, Facebook page, Instagram, @innovate360 Twitter feed (and if you work with me, the Slack and Flock channels).

In the meantime, thank you once again to all my corporate and individual sponsors.  Without your support, Transaid would not be able to continue to provide its superb services to the rural communities in sub-Saharan Africa and many more adults and children would die due to lack of access to healthcare services.

If you would still like to donate, please visit my Fundriasing page at https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/bryan-semple1