Feel it, it is here! Today 16 challengers are en route to the vast wilderness of Namibia to undertake a monumental task. They fly to Namibia. Once there, they will hop on their bikes and proceed to peddle their way over 300 kilometers of the most arduous land this side of Timbuktu. Mountain biking uphill on sand. Not for the faint hearted. Of course it’s all in the name of charity, all monies raised are going towards The Save The Rhino Trust in the hope of protecting the endangered desert adapted black rhino from looming extinction. If you want to see why we really need to raise these funds you don’t have to look far, this year alone 126 rhino have been poached in South Africa, articles like this one from news24 are a dime a dozen and each equally as harrowing.
The sixteen challengers who are brave enough to take on the desert are:
David Ryan – Rhino Africa’s fearless leader.
Charlie David – Canadian actor of Dantes Cove fame.
Boyd Varty – Londolozi Game Reserves eco-warrior!
Brett Roux – A friend to the Varty family, the fittest challenger!
Shan Varty – The Grand Dame of Londolozi.
Bronwyn Varty – Another Londolozi challenger brave enough!
Richard Laburn – Famed Londolozi blogger (hopefully we’ll see some videos form this man)
Debra Wolf – Works for Murray & Roberts in Johannesburg.
Leigh-Ann Combrink – Rhino African and leader of this expedition.
Anton De Wit – Rhino Africa’s smiling face (will he keep the smile through the pain?)
Ingo Brüggeman – from our German Rhino Africa Division.
Peter Allanson – From Lion Roars and a very experienced MTBer.
James Dumbrill
Susan Van Diggele – From the Mantis Collection.
Jaco Ehlers – From those amazing Singita Lodges!
Ben Goosen – The man from Career Junction.
Last years challengers found the going tough, but returned happy and satisfied that they had done their bit to save the rhino. We asked two of them for a last minute tip to give this years challengers.
Billy Hare had this to say; “Take an inflatable pillow, the supplied ones are of little use and sleep is most important” he added after a little thought; “and an Ipod, a few tunes to push through the pain, nothing like Queens ‘Bicycle’ to get you going.” He then proceeded to launch into a rendition of the song, it was fairly good actually.
And Sian Bester had some advice for the lady challengers; “Two.. no three all important words to remember, Shammy Cream and Prep.” I have no idea what she’s going on about, but there you have it.
Challenge4aCause has already raised nearly 300 000 rands this year and we would love to raise more, so head on over to our pledge page and give generously.
This is a copy of our good luck message to the challengers:
To the Warriors of Challenge4aCause 2010
There is a mountain in front of you. But with every pedal stroke know that you are dealing a hammer blow to the poachers – you are fighting a war for the endangered rhino. You possess that spark of individual initiative that sets the leaders apart from the led. Once you get going don’t stop. Never stop trying. Fill yourself with the warrior spirit – and send that warrior into action. It is not the mountain we conquer, but ourselves.
Good luck to you all, we’re in awe of your warrior spirit and will be willing you on with every push of the pedal.
All our love
The RHINOS
