In mid December, a group of seven individuals took it upon themselves to cycle across Uganda from one border of the country in the NE to the opposite side in the SW. The initiative was called Uganda Border to Border (B2B). You can check out their website here: www.ugandab2b.com and read their blogs here, which details their itinerary as well as the trials and tribulations of passing through Uganda via bike.

This group undertook a massive physical challenge. Not only did they have to cycle over 400 miles in less than six days, but they climbed over 10,000 feet through mountains and hills across the nation. Oh, and all this against the African heat, when their bodies were used to 20 - 30 degree weather!

But what’s more is that the team decided to turn this trip into a fundraising campaign to ensure that more bikes get in the hands of Ugandans via BAP’s program. Most of their outreach happened before the trip, before they knew, firsthand, about the opportunities that bikes provide in Uganda. In total, they raised over $6,500, the amount of 65 bicycles and the equivalent of 325 lives impacted!

I wanted to share a few of my favorite highlights from the blogs and the team members involved. They sacrificed a lot and during it all they provided a deep and meaningful narrative to shed light on their trip, the beauty of Uganda, and the sheer strength of bicycles in Africa.

I hope you enjoy the below quotes and featured photos.

Fighting off altitude sickness and struggling to respond to the eager children looking on, we gradually separated, each confined to attack the hill with no one to listen to except the voices in our head.  — Will Peterson (quoted from this blog post)

The ride had not only redefined what I could do on a bike, as it was almost double my previous far distance in riding, but provided insight into the never ending possibilities a bike offers.  Countless people transporting so many goods to market you almost have to see it to believe it, moving from village to city for work, picking up water from the local well for the day, you name it – using a bike to the most of its re-defined potential.  — Will Peterson (quoted from this blog post)

Fortunately, during long drives we often found ourselves discussing some serious issues. […] The discussion at hand centered on what development really meant. Is it building fancier buildings and replacing all the local small businesses with supermarkets or making sure people’s standards of living increased uniformly? — Muyambi (quoted from this blog post)

While Uganda has many amazing qualities, the most incredible thing about Uganda is its people.  Whether you get a flat tire not 2 miles into the ride on Day 1 and have a whole village help you out, or people willing to share whatever food they have, or just a friendly “Jamba” (hello!) in the east, the people never disappoint. —Jon Powanda (quoted here)

Obviously, everyone on the team realized that the biking was going to be challenging. What we didn’t realize was the amount of support that we would receive. Few things are more encouraging then a group of kids chanting “MZUNGU, MZUNGU” as you attempt to climb one of Uganda’s steep inclines. Out of all the sore muscles that the riders had at the end of the day, the worst were our wrists and cheeks from waving and smiling at the locals. Oh yeah, our thighs were pretty tender, too. —Lauren & Eric Fohl (quoted here)

This office is a critical step as it establishes BAP’s first physical presence in the town.  All of the smaller offices are located out in the remote villages.  It has been great to see them grow with BAP and take on bigger initiatives within the organization. —Kevin Matthews (quoted here)