2014 INFORMATION PACK FOR MORE INFORMATION OR TO REGISTER, PLEASE CALL 0207 226 9331 OR EMAIL BIKEAFRICA@LCD.ORG.UK
Link Community Development s Bike Africa events give our supporters a unique and inspiring journey through the heart of our work in sub-saharan Africa. Take the opportunity to challenge yourself and experience the beauty of Africa on two wheels, whilst raising money for an incredible cause. Bike Africa: Uganda starts from the historic source of the River Nile in Jinja and finishes near the stunning Murchison Falls National Park, just north of Masindi. On your journey, you ll cycle through rural plantations of coffee, banana and pineapple and stay overnight in a Rhino Sanctuary. The final day s ride includes a cycling safari through a national park, where you ll see rhinos, elephants and chimpanzees. OVERVIEW Trip duration: 10 days (7 days of cycling) Distance: approx 450km (280 miles) Level: Challenging Accommodation: Hotels and guest houses Climate: Tropical 6-8 hours sunshine per day, some rain showers expected. Average temperature: 26 C during the day, 16 C at night Day 1 - Friday 10 October Evening departure from London Heathrow for a night flight to Entebbe Airport (Uganda) via Nairobi (Kenya). Flight departs at 8pm, please arrive at London Heathrow by 5pm. Day 3 - Sunday 12 October Jinja to Kayunga (approx 55km) Day 2 - Saturday 11 October Entebbe to Jinja (approx 20km) Arrive in Entebbe in the morning and transfer by bus to Jinja. Jinja is Uganda s second largest town and is situated approx 90km east of Kampala. Once a small fishing village it is now a thriving commercial town on the shore of Lake Victoria by the source of the Nile. After lunch and bike fitting, time permitting we will go on a late afternoon warm up bike ride (approx 20km) along the Nile. Overnight stay in Jinja. After breakfast we start our first real day of cycling. This is a perfect introduction to our cycling challenge as the roads undulate through beautiful rural plantations and small villages, with lots to see en route. Overnight stay in Kayunga. Day 4 - Monday 13 October Kayunga to Luwero (approx 83 km) Today we see rural Uganda at its best as we enjoy an absolutely stunning day s cycling through rolling sugar cane plantations and crops of banana, mango, maize, coffee and the sweetest pineapples in the world. Overnight stay in Luwero.
Day 6 - Wednesday 15 October Day 5 - Tuesday 14 October Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary to Masindi (approx 60km) Luwero to Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary (approx 105km) Our longest cycling day as we tackle the unique challenge clocking up 100km in one day! The route takes us past plenty of rural villages and local traders selling coal and fruit to the passing traffic. After the challenge comes an incredible reward an overnight stay in the Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary, with a memorable dinner around a campfire under the stars. This morning we have an optional tour to see the only rhinos in Uganda on foot. We then set off cycling, crossing the Kafu river and continuing to Masindi town, the capital of the region, and stay in the beautiful Masindi Hotel overnight. Masindi is the location of our first project visit, giving you the chance to meet local Link staff and see our work in action. Day 7 - Thursday 16 October Masindi to Sambiya River Lodge (approx 83km) For many, this will be the highlight of the trip as we get the chance to cycle through one of the most stunning wildlife parks of Africa. The day begins along dirt roads before we enter Murchison Falls National Park, cycling through the amazing Budongo forest reserve where there are still approximately 700 wild chimpanzees! We will be accompanied by local park rangers and there will be plenty of wildlife to see en route. At the end of the day s ride there is an option to cycle to the top of the Murchison Falls and back (time permitting). Overnight stay in a River Lodge within the park. Day 9 - Saturday 18 October Day 8 - Friday 17 October Sambiya River Lodge to Buliisa to Paraa (approx 58 km) Leaving the park, we cycle to the second Link project visit in Buliisa on the shores of Lake Albert - one of the great lakes of East Africa. Getting back on our bikes, we reach the River Nile again and cross by ferry, with the chance to see plenty of hippos wallowing in the water! A short cycle brings us to our final destination, the Paraa River Lodge, to enjoy a celebratory meal in stunning surroundings on the banks of the Nile. Transfer late morning back to Entebbe Airport for our overnight flight back to London via Nairobi the first part of the journey feels like a safari, as you pass an incredible variety of wildlife! Day 10 - Sunday 19 October Early morning arrival back in the UK the flight is scheduled to arrive at 6.45am. Please note this is a complex itinerary which is subject to change. Copyright Classic Tours.
Frequently Asked Questions Am I fit enough to take part? The cycling pace will be suited to those of average fitness, so you do not have to be super-fit to take part. However, we strongly recommend that you undertake regular training, including gaining experience of cycling on different terrain, cycling on consecutive days, and cycling some long distances in the weeks leading up to your departure so that you get the most out of the event. Once you have signed up, we will provide you with guidelines and advice on how to prepare for the trip. What will a typical day be? Wake up at 6am. Buffet breakfast from 6.30am. Warm up and be ready to leave at 8am. Stop every 15 20km for water / snacks and to re-group. Lunch break will be about 1 1 ½ hours. Arrive at overnight stop between 4pm and 5pm. Group dinner. Evening briefing for the next day s cycling. How old do cycling participants tend to be? Bike Africa is designed for people of all ages, and we see a large spectrum of people taking part in the event. There is a minimum age of 18, and there isn t technically an upper age limit. However, if you are over 65 years then you will need to provide us with a medical certificate from your doctor. What will the roads be like? The terrain will be a mixture of good tarmac roads and dirt roads. Minor roads will be followed as far as possible to avoid traffic. What will the weather be like? The climate in Uganda is tropical, with average temperatures of 26 C during the day and 16 C at night. There is an average of 6-8 hours of sunshine a day the weather can be unstable, with occasional heavy rainfall. Where will I stay? The accommodation will be in traditional lodges and hotels. Accommodation will be single sex couples can request to share, however we cannot always promise that this will be possible. Rooms are likely to be twin or triple share. Will I have to carry my kit? No - all luggage will be carried in support vehicles. However, you are advised to take a small bag (such as a bum bag) for carrying certain small items with you, such as water, snacks, sun cream and a camera. Do I need any specialist kit? Once you register you will be supplied with a suggested kit list, recommending the type of kit that you will require. One of the essential items that you must provide is a cycling helmet and wear it at all times when cycling. What kind of support will there be on the ride? There will be full medical and mechanical support and English-speaking guides. There will also be support vehicles for participants to ride in if for any reason you are unable to continue. A representative from Link will also be cycling alongside you. Your support team will have plenty of experience of events of this kind, so you will be in safe hands. What is covered by the registration fee? Initially you will receive a welcome pack containing two Bike Africa T-shirts; training guidelines; fundraising advice and resources including sponsorship forms; and a number of other useful documents relating to your tour. You will also receive ongoing support and advice right up until the event. CONTINUED OVERLEAF
2,950 is a lot of sponsorship money - will I be able to raise that amount? Your 2,950 fundraising target is meant to be a challenge but it is an achievable one! Our Fundraising Team help Link supporters to fundraise almost 500,000 every year and we will use all this expertise to provide you with support, advice and resources every step of the way. Previous event participants have been surprised by how easy it can be to make progress and have a lot of fun doing it. By starting early, being creative and staying focused on the end goal, you can soar towards your target and even exceed it by some margin. The Reaching your fundraising target information sheet that you will receive upon registering will help you to get started and give you plenty of ideas for fundraising events and planning your fundraising strategy. If you have any questions or concerns about fundraising, please contact the Link Team on 0207 226 9331. What expenses does the minimum sponsorship amount cover? Scheduled return flights exclusive of airport taxes; all accommodation, food, non-alcoholic drinks and refreshments on the cycling days; all ground and luggage transfers; multi-geared mountain bikes; and all necessary back-up including support vehicles, English speaking medic and guides. What happens if I can t raise the sponsorship money? While Bike Africa: Uganda will be an incredible adventure for all participants, it is first and foremost a fundraising event for Link, so we are unable to waive the minimum sponsorship requirement for any participants. To participate in the event, you will be required to pay 80% of the sponsorship money to Link eleven weeks before departure (25 July 2014). If you are unable to do so, you must make up any shortfall from your own funds or regrettably - forfeit your place on the Bike Ride. You have until six weeks after the event to pay the final 20% of your fundraising (14 December). Please discuss any unexpected fundraising difficulties or personal circumstances with Link as soon as possible the sooner we know about them, the more support and assistance we will be able to provide to you. Do I need insurance? It is compulsory to have a travel insurance policy to cover theft, loss and medical problems. You will be offered the opportunity to purchase a suggested policy which has been designed with this event in mind. You do not have to purchase this policy, but if you choose not to then you must provide evidence to Link that you have an alternative policy which adequately covers you for this event. It will be your responsibility to ensure that any alternative policy provides adequate cover, including cycling as part of a sponsored group, ambulances and repatriation in case of a medical emergency. You must bring and wear a cycle helmet at all times when cycling in order to fulfil the insurance requirements. Do I require vaccinations or a medical certificate? Please consult your doctor for advice on what vaccinations are required. If you are over 65 years of age or suffer from a pre-existing medical condition that is affected by exercise, you must obtain a medical certificate. What else do I need to provide? You will need to pay all the required fees by the required dates, including the cost of the airport taxes for your return flight to Uganda, which you will be due to pay to Link around eleven weeks before the event (25 July 2014). You also need to ensure you have an adequate insurance policy as explained above, and a valid passport and a Visa to enter Uganda (we will provide further details on obtaining your Visa closer to the event itself). Can I stay on in Uganda after the event? This is possible although please note that only a limited number of flight seats can be changed to offer a later departure, and this will be offered on a first-come-first-served basis. Please contact the Link Team on 0207 226 9331 for more details. If you choose to stay beyond 30 days you will have to arrange a visa. Please note that the Bike Africa: Uganda has a complex itinerary which may be subject to change this can affect the information above.
Reaching your fundraising target Your 2,950 fundraising target is meant to be a challenge but it is an achievable one! Previous event participants have been surprised by how easy it can be to make progress and have a lot of fun doing it. By starting early, being creative and staying focused on the end goal, you can soar towards your target and even exceed it by some margin. Remember, if you raise over 4,000, you will be entitled to a refund of your registration fee. Here are a few top tips to get you started Assess your situation Before you start fundraising, think carefully about the contacts you have, and how they could help your fundraising strategy. Do you have any friends in high places? Are you a member of any clubs or groups? Could your employer and workmates be persuaded to support you? Every contact you have whether personal or professional could be a window to a new audience or opportunity. With a few early enquiries, you could quickly have a much better idea of where to focus your fundraising efforts. Start early The most successful fundraisers start early, plan everything in advance and dedicate time to approaching people and organisations. Don t be afraid to remind people several times about making a donation emphasise that the event may be a few months away, but you need to make a flying start now. Fundraise online A simple and effective way to get donations from friends and family! Setting up your online page is easy we ll give you detailed instructions once you register and there is a simple and secure process for making donations by debit or credit card. We ll give you loads of tips on how to maximise the amount you can raise from your page, and we re happy to look over your wording before you launch your page if it helps. Use sponsorship forms Some people still prefer to give cash than make a donation online - the traditional fundraising methods can still be effective. Take a sponsorship form in to work, circulate one to neighbours and family members, even take one along to social events. Carry one with you at all times you never know when it might be handy! Put a generous donor at the top of each sheet as it will encourage other sponsors to follow suit. Involve your employer Many employers offer a matched giving scheme, where the company pledges to match the money you raise pound for pound. It s definitely worth taking a few minutes to find out if your employer offers this. Even if they don t, perhaps they could still help you to organise a benefit event in the office or help publicise your fundraising efforts around the company. Consider whether other local businesses you have connections with might want to help your efforts or make a donation perhaps you could offer them free publicity in exchange for their support? Enlist extra support Donations aren t the only kind of support people could offer their time to help you organise activities, or their contacts to help source guests or prizes for an event. A friend or family member who owes you a favour, or with a passion for supporting charity or a keen interest in Africa, could be an invaluable source of support. Don t be afraid to ask for help and be as persuasive as possible! Remember you re not alone. Link s Fundraising Team will be there to help every step of the way and we ll connect participants to help inspire ideas and events between riders. Once you register you ll receive a rider s pack with fundraising and training guidelines, plus dedicated support from the Link office. It definitely can be done!