Forabola (Dem. Rep. of Congo) : following bicycles on footpaths
S 05°43.119' E 012°37.646'
After talking with locals about the road condition we decided to keep going as the worst, sandiest section was the next 15 kilometres. Were it too difficult, we could always turn back. It was hard going and our determination faded fast. In the next village we inquired once more about the route and got more than we bargained for. A sketch map of an alternate route to by-pass 50 kilometres of the truck-worn road, and four local with bicycles who were going that way on their way home. They use an old road (which is now impassible for vehicles) and footpaths, and were happy to take charge of us. Without this gamble on offer and the cyclists’ optimism and encouragement, chances are good that we would have turned around. Nevertheless, there were many difficult sections and Annabella walked many kilometres that day. There were steep climbs and decents, completely washed-out sections of road and deep sand, all of which had me walking ahead many times before the attempt with the bike.
The cyclists shared our concern and would come running the moment I needed help, be it to push or to pick up the bike after a fall. Their patience and comeraderie brought to a climax our perception that the highlight of our trip through Africa are the people. It seemed clear too that today would also be our most adventurous day of the trip. On entering the village of Forabola the last challenge of the day was to negotiate a small river after rearranging the logs and planks which served as a bridge half the way across. Diego, one of the cyclists only left us once he had handed us over to the military post – a retired lieutenant and two soldiers. We had an audience ofmore than fifty children and a bunch while we pitched our tent and cooked dinner. It was almost unbelievable to us that we were again received with such hospitality. Despite our remoteness we felt comfortable as if at home. That day we had managed to do only 37 kilometres between 09h00 and 17h00 moving at an average speed of 10 km/h!
After talking with locals about the road condition we decided to keep going as the worst, sandiest section was the next 15 kilometres. Were it too difficult, we could always turn back. It was hard going and our determination faded fast. In the next village we inquired once more about the route and got more than we bargained for. A sketch map of an alternate route to by-pass 50 kilometres of the truck-worn road, and four local with bicycles who were going that way on their way home. They use an old road (which is now impassible for vehicles) and footpaths, and were happy to take charge of us. Without this gamble on offer and the cyclists’ optimism and encouragement, chances are good that we would have turned around. Nevertheless, there were many difficult sections and Annabella walked many kilometres that day. There were steep climbs and decents, completely washed-out sections of road and deep sand, all of which had me walking ahead many times before the attempt with the bike.
The cyclists shared our concern and would come running the moment I needed help, be it to push or to pick up the bike after a fall. Their patience and comeraderie brought to a climax our perception that the highlight of our trip through Africa are the people. It seemed clear too that today would also be our most adventurous day of the trip. On entering the village of Forabola the last challenge of the day was to negotiate a small river after rearranging the logs and planks which served as a bridge half the way across. Diego, one of the cyclists only left us once he had handed us over to the military post – a retired lieutenant and two soldiers. We had an audience ofmore than fifty children and a bunch while we pitched our tent and cooked dinner. It was almost unbelievable to us that we were again received with such hospitality. Despite our remoteness we felt comfortable as if at home. That day we had managed to do only 37 kilometres between 09h00 and 17h00 moving at an average speed of 10 km/h!
posted by Retobados at 6:58 AM
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