Travel Reference
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After a slow and methodical approach, my strategy worked well. However, when I
was very close to reaching the summit, things turned for the worse. As I sat in the saddle, I
hitaprotrudingrockhead-onandlostmybalance.Ifellontomyleftsideandsubsequently
watched as my bike sought its revenge by landing on top of me and then slightly downhill.
Surprisingly nothing happened to me physically, but mentally, I lost it. Convinced that I
damaged the bike and the world was coming to an end, I screamed profanities like never
beforeatmybikeandattheroad.Myscreamingdidtwothings:first,itsignificantlyhelped
me release my pent-up stress and second, it was a call for help (which was not my inten-
tion).Thetwomenwhoaidedmeabitearlierrusheddownfromthehilltopandhelpedme
pick up the bicycle.
Wecollectively pushedthebiketheremaining fewmetresuptothesummit.Imade
sure that I thanked my two angels before they left and bid them a good day. Before I con-
tinued onward, I took a moment to take in the views and this time I was rewarded with
360º of stunning landscapes. I turned and proceeded on foot a short distance up the road to
a police checkpoint. Since I really needed to rest, I sat down with the officer and happily
chatted with him for 45 minutes. I thanked him for the conversation and started my final
leg to Fontem. When I arrived at the Catholic mission, Father Vincent Lockhart welcomed
me and offered me a beer. I declined for I hadn't eaten yet and when I told him, he quickly
cooked up a breakfast. We sat together at the table and chatted. After my meal, I took a
quick shower and then a much needed nap.
I awoke and visited the church on the mission property. I was awe-struck. It was a
three-tier wooden structure and its design truly complemented its natural surroundings. In
theeveningIwenttomassinthevalleyinasmallerchapelandmetnumerousinternational
volunteers one of whom was a Brazilian surgeon named David. He told me that this area
had a 93% infant mortality rate which was mainly attributed to malaria and sleeping sick-
ness. It was such a concern for the local chief that he had asked the bishop for help (the
government did not respond). Through the Catholic Church, numerous volunteers arrived
from around the world to address the issues. After mass, I walked up from the valley and
retired to my room.
Just when I thought the cycling couldn't get any more strenuous, the next day
proved to be the most physically challenging of all. After mass and breakfast, I thanked
thecommunityfortheirgenerosityandhoppedonthebike.Istartedtoascendimmediately
andagain,Ineededtodismountandwalkthebikeatcertainpoints.Nomatterhowdifficult
the gradient became, I kept my cool and logically decided when to walk and when to ride.
Only once did I receive a little help from a passer-by who pushed the bike. I was quick to
thankhimandgavehimmylittleCanadianpresent.Asavinggracetothehardshipwasthat
the views were becoming more breathtaking. On a side note, I was happy with myself that
I didn't neglect to took the time to smell the proverbial flowers no matter how difficult the
cycling became…I guess I was maturing!
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