Tour de Kruger - Day 5, 38kms dirt track, hilly

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We weren’t expecting to cycle on day 5, but we’ve already had a whinge about the information with regards to routes & distances, so won’t mention it again. That said we didn’t have sufficient clean clothes for 5 days, but at this stage we were past caring.

We set off later than normal and yet again had to keep close together in our group with a Landy following close behind due to game concentrations. This makes riding very dusty! We had to stop once or twice to avoid elephant activity, but we were never in any danger.

The pace was fast and there was some sense of humour failure when we hit hills for the last 10kms, some of which Laura had to be pushed up by fellow cyclists! We reached the tar road at 11:30, which was the end of the ride. It was a bit of an anti-climax ending the ride on the side of the road with everybody rushing around packing bikes into trucks etc. We were last in again so had to make some hurried good-byes and weren’t able to change our clothes. We sat in our dirty cycling gear on the bus for three hours before it stopped and we were able to make ourselves partially presentable.

All in all it was a great experience, though far tougher than either of us ever imagined. The camaraderie was fantastic and without it neither of us would have made it to the end. We learned a lot about our physical limits and we’re extremely thankful for the training that we did do, it wasn’t enough to get us through unscathed, but it would have been a whole lot tougher without it.

We met some great people along the way and hope to stay in touch with several of them. Phil coped really well with the challenge and would like to do it again, Laura is happy to volunteer her services to the support effort, but won’t be getting back in the saddle for a while.

All in all Phil completed a total distance of 328 kms and Laura completed 261 kms. Thanks again to all of you who sponsored us and helped to put us through a tough but character building experience.

We’ve spent the best part of a day putting this little tome together, don’t expect such verbose updates in the weeks to come. Internet access is likely to be few and far between from now on.

Phil & Laura

If you're interested in finding out more about the charities that benfit from this fund raising event, please use the links below:
Children in the Wilderness Website
Peace Parks Foundation Website

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Photos

Cycling the last day
Groups 9 & 10 cycling through the Pafuri concession on day 5

Group 9 & 10 on the last day
Looking somewhat more bedraggled than when we started 5 days ago!

Comments

[Bella]

Congratulations!
Am so impressed with both of you! Especially Phil - it must have been tough at your age! Loved reading the entries and will keep an eager eye out for more tales from the Coles! Lots of love xxx

[Ella]

Well done guys!!!
Finally sat down and read it. Very entertaining. So proud of you. A great achievement. How's the farm and the Fitzhenry's? and little Chloe? It was so great to have you here. Missing you already. Lots of Love.

[PSC2000]

Re: Congratulations!
Cheeky Mare!

[Emma & Duncan]

Congratulations
So pleased for you both what a fantastic achievement, so proud of you. Love reading your adventures and viewing your photos, you should publish it all in a book!