'Bike for a Bakkie' Fund-raising news from Norway

Thanks to a very generous donation made by 'Friends from Norway' we have just about reached our initial goal of raising R 150 000 to buy the Keiskamma Trust a replacement for the pick-up truck they use to transport patients to clinics and hospital.

We are most grateful to all our supporters for their generosity.

Almost like the Argus: Pom-pom girl cheers us on South of Beaufort West

En route from Rondawel to Prince Albert we crossed the national road between Outshoorn and Beaufort West. At the crossing, we were met by a cheering crowd of four enthusiastic fans, including Edwina, our pom-pom/baloon girl.

The scene called to mind one of the feeding stations on the Argus Pick and Pay Cycle Tour. Except that this was a little less crowded; and that one does not get to eat marshmallow Easter Eggs going up Chappies.

Edwina is officially our First Fan.

Thank you Sharon and Jeremy of the Klaarstroom Guest House for bringing her 30 kilometers up the track to cheer us on.

A week ago, on the way to Anysberg

The teams split up. The A team proceeded along the Waddilovian route, cross-country and over locked gates and high fences, while the B team stuck with the support vehicle, on roads a Toyota Condor could navigate.

 The A team had about 10 hours of riding to do that day, but could occasionally give their bikes a rest.

From a week ago: More senior citizens behaving strangely

Really, couldn't someone just have told this old codger to go and lie down somewhere? Quietly?

Hoffie leads the way up to the top of the Gamkaskloof 'ladder', the valley lies behind him. No problem for the Man of Iron.

A week ago today, senior citizens behaving oddly...

Steve heading up the 'ladder' to get out of 'Die Hel' - Gamkaskloof - at its western end

The homecoming ...

'Twas a cold grey afternoon in Cape Town as a lone vuvuzela heralded the arrival of our very brave Pedal for Peddie 2011 Team.

A group of die hard supporters yelled their encouragement through the rain as Paul, Debbie, Steve and Hoffie cycled that LAST 1 km up the hill (Murphy's law) to the entrance of Groote Schuur Hospital and into the welcoming arms of Sister Isaacs and her team of healthcare workers. 





And what a welcome home it was!  Some well deserved cups of tea were passed around and tummies filled with goodies as everyone got a chance to thank our cyclists for their sterling efforts.

We are happy to report that by our calculation we have ALMOST reached our target with a kitty of
R123 000.00 so far!

Thank you to all the the staff and supporters of Kidzpositive Family Fund and The Keiskamma Trust for all your hard work!  And to Debbie, Hoffie, Steve and Paul  ...

You inspire us all to do great things!

Thank you!

This time last week...

                                          We had cycled up the Swartberg Pass in the morning...

                   ... and were cheerfully posing for this photo, at the gates of Hel, in the afternoon

Zog the frog blogs with eyes a-bulge

A strange thing happened on the way to Philadelphia this morning.

One moment there were four cyclists, then there were three...

Zog's eyes bulged an additional 8.75 mm.

Table Mountain as we see her

'Are we there yet?' Is the question on Zog's vermillion lips.

'Not far now Zoggie, that grey smudge on the horizon is Table Mountain.'

Table Mountain in sight

Day 11 cycling is over, really quite gentle, approximately 60 kilometers from Tulbagh, up to Brambleberry Farm. Table Mountain is enticingly in view.

The A team followed the Waddilovian route over a little known track and along the backroads. The B team  took turns to drive the back-up vehicle and enjoyed a Zoggian cappuccino in Riebeeck Kasteel, before churning up the Bothmaskloof pass to reach Brambleberry.

Around 85 kilometers left to go. According to Hoffie's computer we have covered approximately 900 km and climbed more than 8500 metres - as high as Mount Everest - over the past 11 days

At least some of us will arrive exactly on time (3pm) at the Groote Schuur Hospital Palm Court tomorrow afternoon, even if we have to charter a helicopter to get there.