The Solidarité Cycling Tour

11 volunteer bikers and 1 driver completed the 140 km bike tour challenge on the weekend of 22-24 July, 2011. The rainy weather forecast had scared away a few others but our little group remained determined and our enthusiasm brought us a completely dry weekend, just perfect for cycling. There was not a single drop of rain and some of us even got a little burnt by the sun.

Friday 22 July we left Brussels with our Pro-velo bikes accompanied by our supporting driver. Thanks to the great organisation we all had a detailed guide on which bicycle road to follow to our destination and besides smaller by-passes we completed the first 30 km without any problem.

Friday evening we checked out the lovely city of Leuven and we happened to be there at festival time. Great way to taste Belgian beer with live concert music. After the challenge of the first day we all had a good night sleep and even if it was not that easy for all to wake up Saturday morning, we continued our way from Leuven to Mechelen by the canal.

The Belgian bicycle road takes you through wonderful places, fields, farms, forests and it is a real pleasure to see the countryside while cycling. After lunch in Mechelen and a bit of sightseeing, the Solidarité cyclers targeted Antwerp. The 61 km ride on Saturday ended around 7pm when the team reached the city of diamonds. The trip was completed without any problem besides a few occasions when someone's chain gave up the fight and fell off but we had our chain expert who did not let any of us waiting on the side of the road for long.

Even if our bikers were not professional they cycled pretty safe with some "calculated risk". The last day was the most difficult after cycling the 2 days before, tired and knowing another 60 km was ahead... But the weather and the lovely scenery helped a lot and after the difficulties of the first 5 km on Sunday, the Solidarité cyclers were riding towards their target with great energies.

Naturally relaxing breaks at every 15-20 km increased motivation and the level of energy. Fortunately, the sun was shining enough to keep the good mood and it was not too hot to make us exhausted either.

In the middle of the last day we had to cross the canal and it was particularly interesting because the only way to do it was by ferry. This also gave opportunity for a small break on the ferry.

Getting back to Brussels the surface became hilly and we had to make a last effort to reach the top of the capital. After 140 km one can imagine how it felt like going up on a steep uphill. But to top it with a sweet adventure when the Solidarité cyclers had to cross an autoroad and no cross was around, two policemen appeared on horses and formed a passage for the fundraisers ensuring safe crossing. We felt really special.

Sunday 6pm we were already back to Brussels enjoying a last beer together under the Belgian sun and recalling the nice memories of the 3 days cycling tour.

Thank you guys for coming, it was a real pleasure cycling together for a good cause! 

Thanks for everyone who supported us by donating for the Madagascar water pump!

Csilla Szabó,
EuropeAid