So let it be known...

Freddie is alive and well, working behind the bar in departures at Arusha airport!

Thank you everybody for your support!

So here's the evidence, me, my bro & sis sporting our team shirts at the foothills of Mt. Kilimanjaro...

NO MORE CYCLING. Yippee!!!!

It's our final day together as a group.
Was lovely to be in a hotel last night even if there was no time to enjoy it. We had our celebration dinner but everyone was too exhausted to be good for much.
Everything is sore (and there is a lot of chaffing) but not too bad all things considered.

BUT WE'VE MADE IT.....

We were all up at 6am again this morning but we were fairly buoyant (if sore) as we are going on safari today.
We are also visiting a school project later this afternoon and then it is our farewell dinner tonight.

Even our super-strength Action Challenge leader said this is one of the toughest challenges he has done in the last 10 years.

Feels good to be at the end, but head a bit all over the place as no time to process anything. An amazing experience though and feel privileged to have met some amazing people, got round the Kilibeast and seen the inside of an incredible bit of Africa.

The expectation:

Coasting down Kilimanjaro. Blue skies, the sun on our faces, gentle cycling, downhill all the way.

 The reality:

TODAY WAS THE TOUGHEST DAY FOR ME BY MILES!!!!  

It was 120km (yes, 120km) of hard-core mountain biking, lots of long, long, long climbs on rocky roads which we weren’t prepared for. There were more than a few dark moments I can tell you.

Basically it took all day to cycle round the whole of Kilimanjaro in extreme heat and gale force hot winds which slowed us down and meant it was dark before we finished.

It was pretty scary at the end but exciting as we finished on a very busy main road through Arusha in the dark with a police escort. I did it but I have no idea how….

I feel pretty numb all over, emotional rollercoaster .

I’m sure the elation of it all will hit home soon.

Anyway, off for dinner now and best of all flushing toilets.

Will update you shortly when normal service and spirit is resumed.............

Sorry for the recent silence but we’ve been deep in Massai territory, in the middle of nowhere heading towards the Tanzania border with no mobile signal.

Monday was a challenge but mostly enjoyable, with the Massai providing us with excellent lodgings in a very remote place with hot showers, fed by a very elaborate water heating system, and toilets which even had seats, and most impressively electric light!  Go on the Massai!

Our favourite sign of the day read 'No trespassing - we don't call 911' under a picture of a gun. Out here I've a feeling they really do mean it as well.

Tuesday though has been so, so tough. We cycled 96km with at least a third of it being uphill – we all survived but with the loss of a lot of blood, sweat and tears. There really were some proper tears today with the majority at their limit, even some of the hard-core elite. We made it to Kilimanjaro but it was so, so hard, for me anyway.

There have been a few accidents along the way today, but the Popes remain relatively (ha ha) in tact. Luckily the team are all okay but completely exhausted with some nasty bruises.Such a great group of people and we are all proud of each other.

We are at camp now, part of the way up Kilimanjaro and at the moment in the middle of a pretty impressive dust storm. We are completely caked in dust with one hole in the ground and no shower tonight. No matter, I couldn't get any more dirty anyway so a cold beer and hey ho.

Am going to bed now (9.30pm) or should I say lying in my own filth until our wake-up call at 5.30am.

We’ve beat Kilimanjaro though – well at least the bottom of it.

Tomorrow we get to cycle down it…..

Sunday was a tough day but the best for me so far. 80km of sandy rocky roads and intense heat. Some times approaching our limits but we made it. We visited a school and there were some definite high points. Camping in the wilderness surrounded by hills and green farmland. We are being very well received by the locals who don't really know what to make of it but v excited & friendly. Despite aches, pains & chaffed areas Pope spirits remain high - long as there's beer. Rob & Mikey managed game of football and for first time ever the Tanzanians were beat by the international team 2-1 hurrah fr the boys. Kate lay on the ground cheering. We all bricking it a bit about tomorrow but on we go and loving it!....

Oucha. That was a tough ride today and it's one of the easier ones!  Some massive hills, unreal heat and mountain biking through sand and rocks.
Burning through 4000 calories a day which means you can eat many many biscuits, hurrah!
One poor person down with serious heat stroke already.

We are bit nervous about tomorrow - it's meant to be a real challenge, lots of steep hills and much, much tougher than today......

We saw some amazing views though and had a great reception everywhere from the locals, which makes you feel good and helps you push on.

Have just got into camp and we are scheduled to play football with the kids this evening. No rest for the wicked but I don't fancy our chances much.

Everything hurting and, as they say, hurting in places I didn’t know I had.

However so far spirits remain high.