|
Well we made it! A huge thank you to everyone that participated in the first "Tour de Kruger" This includes cyclists, volunteers, support drivers and all the sponsors who sponsored either products, cash or the cyclists. Your contribution has gone a long way to making sure that this event was successful
From the overwhelming feedback that we have received we are confident that this event was a win-win for all parties. The cyclists appeared to have thoroughly enjoyed the experience (although maybe not all of the time! ) plus I do believe that the event was hugely successful in creating an awareness and funding for the beneficiaries. In total, we covered approximately 326 km in 5 days, starting in Mopani in the Kruger National Park, entering Mozambique through a non existent border post and travelling north through the Great Limpopo Transfrontier Park. We then crossed through another border post back into South Africa and cycled through the Pafuri region of Kruger National Park. The tour ended at the Pafuri Gate of Kruger National Park. The terrain was remote bushveld for most of the way, but we did pass through a few local villages. Here the cyclists became the entertainment of the day for all the local kids. We managed to stop for a beer or two at a local trading store. I am sure that the store sold more beers that day than the entire year. All the cyclists managed to thwart high temperatures, aqueous cream lubricant, electrolyte deficiencies, sandy roads and elephant sightings to finish the tour!
To summarise the event, we had 105 cyclists, nearly 30 sponsors, a back up crew of about 80 staff and volunteers who transported around 80 -100 tons of water, food and equipment through two national parks and two border crossings and in-so-doing, raised a significant amount of money for both Children in the Wilderness and Peace Parks Foundation
The total turnover of the event was approximately R850 000 rand of which approximately R360 000 will be split between the two beneficiaries, Children in the Wilderness and Peace Parks Foundation
Over and above this we managed to raise around R30 000 which will be donated to the Samaria Mission to complete the building of the clinic at Salani Village along the Limpopo River . Thanks to those of you who have contributed and made this dream a reality. This is a clinic that the Baptist Missionaries have half built, but then ran out of funds. We hope that once the clinic is completed that there will be a link to the Limpopo National Park so that the villagers in that area see that there are direct benefits that are starting to accrue from wildlife and from the Limpopo National Park. I have enclosed a photo of the clinic as it stands today and has stood for the past year or two. Hopefully next year, we will see the clinic operating in this local community.
Thanks to those of you who have fed back your thoughts, comments and constructive criticism of the event back to us. It is always great to receive your feedback and we will certainly take it into consideration when planning next years even.
Some of the memories as sent to us by Stuart Brand.
1. Malcolm (the Mallot jaune) falling in front of the camera
2. Jonathan Parkinson falling into the long drop
3. Andy Payne going over his handlebars
4. All the chirps - such a lovely group of guys
5. Watching beautiful Ellies from our bikes
6. 17 ungraceful dismounts!
7. Chaffed starfish of note
8. Pushing our bikes for 12kms through sinking sand and seeing sense of humour failures
9. Eating like a King
10. Drinking like an alcoholic
11. Arriving at a new camp and sleeping in those crisp sheets!!!
12. All the massages - I had a total of 6 (including 2 on one night!)
13. Getting to know people well in such a short time
For next years Tour de Kruger (for which we already have some committed cyclists) we will be looking for a sponsor for naming rights for the event. If anyone knows of any company that may be interested in getting involved in this tour then please let us know .
We loved hosting you all on the first Tour de Kruger! It was certainly a learning experience for us and we would be most grateful for your feedback
A few last housekeeping issues:
Tour de Kruger website - we are busy updating the Tour de Kruger website on www.childreninthewilderness.com to include a photo gallery from the Tour and also a comments page. We look to receiving your comments
Willem's photographs - Willem will be compiling one CD with an assortment of Tour de Kruger Pictures. Willem will be contacting each of you independently to see if you would like to order a copy of the CD. Please liaise with him directly on this and payment should be made directly to Willem
Participants contact details - As requested I will be compiling a list of all participants and their email addresses and will circulate this to everyone in the next couple of days
Lost property - we have a few items of lost property here in our office. If you find that you have lost something then please email me and I will let you know if we have found it!
Tour DVD - We had had several requests for compilation of a DVD. We are busy getting a quote for this and will communicate it in due course
Thanks again for your participation and sense of adventure.
Take care and we hope that we will see you on next years "Tour de Kruger" Our anticipated dates will be communicated shortly, but we are looking at around the last week of July or first week of August
Many thanks
Heather Wilson
Sponsors:
Most of you know the sponsors who kindly donated their time, money or products to this event. The well known sponsors whose products are widely available include the following:
SAB, Sterlings
Contributed towards the cycling shirts and sponsored all the beers and ciders
Powerade
Contributed towards the cycling shirts and sponsored all the Powerade that you enjoyed enroute
Fast Fuel
Sponsored the post ride recovery drink
Supergroup
Sponsored the transport of a big freight delivery from Johannesburg to Pafuri
Glendowers Scotch Whiskey
Sponsored the whiskey and spirits
DPEX
Sponsored the DHL costs for all the tents to be transported from Cape Town return
WHBO
Sponsored the 22000 litre water bowser used throughout the cycle tour
Wilderness Safaris
Sponsored the last night at Pafuri Lodge
www.wilderness-safaris.com
Europcar
Donated a significant cash fund to cover all the fuel expenses for all the vehicles used during the Tour de Kruger. When choosing a car hire company please consider using Europcar. Reservations 0800 011 344
www.europcar.co.za
Landrover Owners Club
Thanks to all the landrover guys who sponsored their own private vehicles, time and services free of charge - an amazing contribution
www.lroc.org.za
Cyclelab
Gave the services of Humphrey free of charge and assisted with marketing the cycle tour
Cycling Super Store!
Tel: +27 (11) 707 2700
www.cyclelab.com
andrew@cyclelab.com
Other less known sponsors include:
Hammer Design
Sponsored the Tour de Kruger website
Contact: Andrew Howard
Tel (011) 3946989, 083 459 8798
hammerdesign@icon.co.za
www.hammerdesign.net
Unipipe SA
Sponsored the shower set up and generators to heat the water free of charge. I am sure you will all agree that this was an unexpected luxury. For further info on Unipipe please contact them as per the following:
+27 12 346 3691 (t)
+27 12 346 3855 (f)
unipipesa@mweb.co.za
New Way Motor Diesel Engineering (Pty) Ltd
Supplied the generators for the wonderful hot water showers
Tel: +27 (11) 680 5632/9
Fax: +27 (11) 680 4040
Cyclesure
Insured 89 cyclists free if charge .
Total value of cycles: R 1 441 475.00
Total value of accessories: R 358 427.00
Total sum insured R 1 799 902.00
Value of sponsorship R 24 042.14
Tel : 0861 292 537
Fax : 0861 242 925
Cell : 082 568 1650
E- mail :fred@cyclesure.co.za
Website : www.cyclesure.co.za
Mount Grace Country House & Spa
Sponsored two nights at the Mount Grace Hotel with R1000 worth of treatments as a prize. For a wondeful week-end getaway, spa treatment or corporate event contact:
Tel: (011) 215 3900
Fax: (011) 215 3939
www.grace.co.za
Email: stuartb@grace.co.za
Elize Els Physiotherapists
Elize donated her phyisotherapy services and physio supplies free of charge . For any physio requirements contact Elize:
Tel:(011) 7456720
Fax: (011) 7456701
email: elizeels@ananzi.co.za
Maxe
Donated two bullbars as prizes. For further information on their products go to:
www.maxe.co.za
Ashanti Trading cc
Sponsored the ice for the entire event.For lodge logisitics contact:
Tel: +27 11 864 2460
Fax: +27 11 864 2459
Multi Knit
Sponsored all the ground sheets for the tents , shower and toilet enclosures . For further information on their products go to:
www.multiknitcom
Livingstones Garden & Home
Sponsored tools and equipment needed for advance camp set up
Tel (011) 8024822
EEZEE Products
Sponsored the Eezee Shades . For further information long onto:
www.eezeeproducts.net
GT/Omnico (Pty.) Ltd.
Sponsored bicycle spares, water bottles and GT bike at cost
Phone (021 6910110 )
Thompsons Indaba Safaris
Sponsored 4 x 10 seater open game viewing vehicles and Value Flatbeck truck to transport the bicycles
TEL: +27 13 737 7115 or 6216
FAX: +27 13 737 7403 or 6529
E-MAIL: tracey@indabasafaris.com
www.ndaba.co.za
Wilderness Emergency Services
Sponsored all the medical back up for the entire event. Including doctor and paramedic
Further information on their services contact:
simonking@cognitivemedicine.com
SATIB
Contributed to the cycling shirts and provided free emergency evacuation insurance cover to all the volunteers
SATIB: www.satib.co.za
WildSure: www.wild-sure.com
tel: (031) 562 1880
fax: (031) 562 1886/7
Samaria Mission
We hired the SAMIL equipment vehicles from the Samaria Mission, however the drivers donated their time free of charge (and this went above and beyond just driving the vehciles!)
email: samaria@mweb.co.za
Thanks also to all our volunteers who provided their much needed services and assistance free of charge. Also to Ed Jooste for providing his medical expertise free of charge and Mike White for sponsoring the use of his motorbike! Thank you!
Indiviudally hired services:
Mango Catering
Responsible for all the great food during the cycle tour
Telephone (011) 6081153
Megacoach
Provided the coaches at a reduced rate
Tel (011) 249 8800
charter@megacoach.co.za
|
