Sunday, January 14, 2018

mountain biking in the Northern Province

After delivering the VAST Facilitator Course on Friday, we were all ready for a break. Our trusty driver, Alphonse, picked us up for the 2 hour drive to Ruhengeri in the Northern Province of Rwanda for a mountain bike ride on Saturday.

Alphonse's timing was impeccable. We hitched on the back of a military convoy travelling with flashing lights and people pulling over to let the convoy pass. This was warp speed. At the half way point, we decided to leave the convoy for a potato and goat brochette stop. Fortunately, the convoy stopped as well. As they were departing we quickly hopped back in the car and rode their tail most of the way to Ruhengeri.

The Africa Rising Cycling Centre is home to Team Rwanda, the national cycling team which was established in 2008. The riders are elite level and crazy fit. There is an annual Tour de Rwanda. Our guide, Abraham, was a 5 time Tour de Rwanda winner. The ARCC has small houses to accommodate visiting teams and guests. The grounds are beautifully landscaped and located with a backdrop of volcanic mountains. We pulled in Friday night in the rain and once we settled in we crossed the street for a delicious dinner and celebration of the excellent success of the VAST Course (week 1).

Allison is not a very experienced cyclist but was a great sport nevertheless. Abraham assessed us quickly and proposed a slight change of itinerary. He said, "my sister (Allison) has little training so we do a small ride". The route was lovely. We rode about 40 km out and back on dirt roads. This was thorough farmland and tiny villages. As always, we were a hit with the kids. The air was beautifully fresh, scented with eucalyptus and rich smells from the fertile volcanic soil. It remained comfortably cool all day, perfect cycling conditions. 

Allison managed a wipeout with some road rash to the elbow and later on a flat tire. Honestly, she maintained excellent cheer throughout.

We had a very long descent to Lake Ruhondo where we hopped in a boat to a restaurant on a island in the middle of the lake.  The meal was slow in coming but we enjoyed the pause with no agenda after a busy week. The ride back included a very long uphill. I went too far and had to be herded back in by Abraham. 

Although a bit sore, we all felt infinitely better after a full day of riding.

Now it is Sunday and we are catching up on work and getting ready for another busy week. My friend, Terri, has joined us this afternoon. She will be with us for 10 days doing a research project. She came to Rwanda with me in 2012, so it is a pleasure to see her again.





The team getting ready for the ride - Allison, Patty, Michelle, Adam and Stewart




Abraham trying to keep up with Adam, volcano in the background

verdant farmland

three little piggies

Arranging for the boat

Local tranport



On the island



Grounds of ARCC




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