Embassies and vaccinations

Cant believe the amount of time that goes into planning the vaccinations needed for a trip like this. I was lucky enough to stumble into a Licensed Travel Clinic where the kind lady broke the news to me.

"Sir, you are going to need at least 4 destinations, you are mad!" She said.
Oh goodness, Im probably more scared for the injections than I am for the long Flight to Egypt, but its all a step in the process I suppose. I need to go and pick up my VISA From the Egyptian Consulate  tomorrow as well.

The applications for VISA's are so strange. You even need bank statements and proof of accommodation just for incase you decide to stay in their country and make a run for it. With the amount of terrorist attacks happening I would say that proper clearance for VISA's is required but then again in this instance I'm just wishing I could be an exception to the rule.

Been thoroughly enjoying reading Ron Rutland's (FAT KID ON A BIKE) blog entries about Sudan and Ethiopia. He's an inspiration guy. I have found his attitude to be incredibly good even in bad situations, what a man!

Been doing some reading on Mark Beaumonts bicycle trip around the world as well which looked absolutely epic! He tells some good stories as well, but not as good as Ron's...

And yes indeed, I have just opened my eyes to a new day, Monday morning back here in South Africa and realized that I have written this post incredibly badly! My editor would kill me is she read this...ooops, just had to get some news out!
Kunjani
Keegs

Cairo to Cape Town: The First steps

It would be silly to try and justify that a journey of 11500km's begins with the first pedal strokel. It in fact starts months and years before the first commitment in pen and word is ever offered to an open ear.

My journey from Cairo to Cape Town started in a little coffee shop down the road from the University of Pretoria. I sat munching on a sadnwhich while discussing the prospects of a world record bicycle trip with a proffesional sports scientist and another friend who had seemed to take a massive interest in my venture. The first step however, the promises, the commitment, the interest and funding also ended at that little meeting. Months later, the emails stopped, the phone calls were ignored and I was left alone with this little dream in my heart.

As much as people believe in thier diets, in nature, in people, I believe in God and I felt a strong pull to this venture despite any shortcomings. And so, I began planning a trip into the unknown with no professionals. It started behind a computer researching the the towns that would possibly be stop over points while on the long road. It took me a month to fully map out the route on google maps and after that another month to ully adjust the distnaces and targets for the trip. In 2012 Robert Knol finished his Cairo to Cape Town trip in a record breaking 70 days, I kept this in the back of my mind as I planned vigourously day and and night.

I looked for sponsors among the heavyweight companies in South AFrica only to be ignored, sometimes just a sad little email would have given me hope to keep trying, but being ignored brings it to ones attention, that nobody has time for your dreams. I pushed on and finally landed a couple of small sponsorships in my home town of Witbank. These loyal friends saw something perhaps that I had even begin to doubt.

The money has only just been secured, some 43 days before my departure. To close for comfort some would day, perfect timing an optimist would say.

As I sit here on a rainy day in my home town I am again pushed down by the facts. My bicycle is broken, Im in need of new tryres, I dont have a visa, I havnt paid for my flight and on and on the list goes. If theres something I have learnt though, the facts are never the end result, faith and hope and hunger always prevail. If you wait for the conditions to be perfect, Im afraid you will never persue those dreams!
"Are you scared?" some people ask me, to which sometimes I cannot answer as a rational person and chose to rather remain silent. Theres is an excitemnt in my heart a deep feeling of peace towards what lies ahead. Everyday im researching the history of the places I will be travelling through and feel like an adventurer, Indiana Jones, preparing to trek through ancient lands. I think many adventurres have lost that connection with themselves, technology, funding and the perfect team have become the be all and end all of an expedition. Lest we cast our minds back to the tale of Scott vs Admunson, trekking the South Pole. Scott had a massive team, the best technology and a rediculous amount of funding. On the other hand, Admunson had prepared for a trip to the North Pole only to find, just weeks before leaving, that another explorer had beaten him to the pole. He turned his intentions to the South Pole, not telling anyone his plans. He relied on what was inside of him and not was outside of him to complete a mamoth task with limited resources. Often money comforts us, it taps us on the back and tells us that if something goes wrong, you will always have me to pull you through. This perhaps sets your mind on a plan B always, not fully acepting that your plan A needs to work.

Im grateful for my sponsors, VW Tri sec Autohaus, Timbercity Witbank and Denbey Liquor Warehouse for their generous contributions to the trip. Im looking forward to the challenge and the adventure through Africa. Tri-Sec Autohaus Timbercity

The fear in attempting great things

Hi Brent,

These past couple have day have been an absolutely crazy roller coaster journey. Up and down, yes and no and in a perfect circle and back round to the decisions I started at. I find me talking myself out of the Cairo to Cape Town expedition every day and then convincing myself that I need to have faith and press on. Then later I use reason to explain to myself why I can't possibly do it, mainly because of the money. Then I enter the word and start praying and God reveals many scriptures to me about walking in faith, following him and trusting in his ways. 

I think this is just an incredible testimony of how we trust God so fully and depend on him, but absolutely conditionally. What if decisions involved out lives, our finances, our kids lives, our health, then how dependent are we. Or in those instances do we turn and take the steering wheel from God and say, God, I got this, see you later. 

Its my battle as we speak. Every time I get quite with God he leads me into visions of Moses, leading his people, using what he had (his staff) and pressing on towards an impossible goal. 

By faith on the 31st on December I fly out to Egypt, by faith I start my trip on January 2nd and by Faith I finish the trip in two and a half months. By faith I will go!

Faith without works is dead! This is my "work" to listen and obey every word from God. 

Happy Birthday to your wife as well (I have wished her) but I just pray that God will bless you guys and open the eyes of your hearts each day a new, to love and cherish and hold the gift that God has given you. 

Love you all!

Keegs 

Taking risks and stepping to success: Ben Carson

I came across Ben Carson's literature a couple of weeks ago while strolling around a local book shop. I had some time to kill so decided to spend it sitting on the comfy leather couches in the store, reading the first chapter of the three different Carson books they had available. This was different to my usual book buying habits which mainly entailed me piling books into a basket, paying astronomical amounts for them (as far as book buying is concerned) and then sitting at home with enormous amount of books, with absolutely no intention of reading them all.

I paged through the first chapter and was highly impressed by the first book, and then highly impressed with the second and again the third. I must have read something wrong so I went back and read all three chapters, yet again being satisfied with all three. Surely you not gonna buy all three books Keegan?

So I ended walking out with all three. I tackled the first book entitled, Gifted hands, two days ago and am on the verge of finishing it. In the first thirty pages or so I had cried like a baby 5 times. 

"Surely you didn't really cry," said my girlfriend as we discussed the first book over some sushi at a local restaurant last night. "Can we not talk about this now, please," I said, tears now welling up in my eyes. I had cried, and cried properly. Carson's childhood was tougher than most of ours and I suppose if you have managed to log onto the internet now with your laptop, smart phone or tablet and  are now reading this, your childhood has definitely been better than old Ben Carson from Detroit.

Thinking most of the crying was done, I came across a a chapter called, A Girl Named Maranda. By now, Ben is the head surgeon at John Hopkins hospital at the age of just 33 and already rising to be a top Neurosurgeon and perhaps one of the greatest that has ever lived. Maranda 4 had travelled across the country with her parents after being rejected at hundreds of hospitals previously.

"Mr.Freeman you are our last hope," said the little girls mom. Maranda sat silently listening, hoping not to have one of her seizures that had become a usual part of her day. Without surgury she would get weaker and die within months. 

"Is that right, we may be able to help you," said Mr Freeman.

And then something interesting happens. Mr Freeman calls Carson in to discuss the girls case and whether and ask him, "have you ever heard of a hemispherectomy, I doubt you have Benny."

"I have, read up about it last week, never done one,"

"Is that right, can you do one, it might save this little girl,"

and then ben says, "it sounds reasonable to me."

Let put this in perspective. This surgery hasn't been done in 20 years, most previous attempts ended in 95% failure and death rate and the success of the patients that did survive were severely mentally handicapped. It is reasonably possible? Seriously? Is my reasonably  possible different to a usual man? I think not!

Ben goes and reads up on the surgery and gains more knowledge in the field, calls in the girls parents and tell them he will do it. He is blatantly honest with them and explains the possible complications that might occur of which the worst is death. 

What an incredible man! So lets break this down. What separates the great from the average?

1) The hunger and will to try:

Ben made it his business to educate himself in fields that weren't even in his expertise. When an opportunity arose, he had read about it the week before. The possibilities that he may have never heard of the surgery procedure may have severely influenced his decision to do the surgery. He is willing to try, he asks not; "what if I fail," he asks,"what happens if I don't try," and the answer was, she would die anyway. 

2) Read, learn grow, never settle:

Ben and his brother had to read two books a week instead of watching tv. Their mom, even though poor and struggling realized that self betterment was a way to succeed in life. now I'm not talking about traditional schooling systems I'm talking about extra work, reading up on topics you have an interest in. Ben said "become a professional, read up on any field you love, it will hold you in good stead on day and it will pay off."

3) Courage:

Be different and always look to try new things. Be accountable for your actions and go out hard knowing that failure is a step forward. Be willing to try, don't sink behind possibility of failure. Stand up, raise your hand and be the one who is willing to put their ego aside and try and possibly fail. For the Lord has not given us a spirit of fear...ever!

I haven't even read about him doing the surgery yet, can you believe it? I just sat down and started writing, inspired by his will to try. Now I know he is one of the worlds greatest and fail or succeed in this next surgery he still becomes great! Will definitely let you guys know how the surgery goes! 

Kunjani

An epic Adventure by bike

From the arid dry land of the Karoo to the Beautiful lush Cape Fold mountains, there plenty of the country I have seen by bicycle. Sometimes the difficulties of the road are ushered away by the beautiful sights of slow traveling.

Myself and Brent's son, Rowan, the night before leaving. It was an emotional evening, especially for Brent's family who had never seen him off on a trip like this, into the unknown. 

Plenty of luggage to fit onto the bike.

When I asked a friend to join me on an adventure of a lifetime, I didn't imagine it would be quite so hard. Now I wouldn't call myself the most experienced adventurer but I do feel my experience in the field of long distance cycle touring is up there with some of the crazies of this world. My friend, Brent den Bakker, had never cycled more than 45km in his life and now I was asking him to hammer out big distances day after day. We sat down one evening over a glass of wine, which may have given us that extra bit of confidence, and plotted a route through the flatlands of Mpumalanga, the meandering roads of the Free State and up and down the undulating hills of Kwa Zulu Natal. Nothing ventured nothing gained I suppose. The route would total about 650kms from Witbank to Balito. There was however a crucial question that needed to be drawn up firstly, and secondly, answered. Why where we going to do this? 

Brent 30kms out of Witbank, Day 1, having a break

Both Brent and I are actively involved in Hockey in our province . Brent is a qualified umpire and I am a qualified Coach, we repressnt the Osaka hockey brand and have grown to love the game. We decided that it would be a perfect opportunity  to link the two events. Hockey and adventure. We planned to take our traveling hockey side, The Traveling Pinks, a primary school hockey team who played all over to raise money for Cancer, on a tour down to Balito. We would cycle down while the girls and the families would trek down by car a week later. Simple? Far from it. 

A beautiful sunrise on day 3, Brent's knee was feeling better, our prayers seemed to have been answered, God is faithful

The first day offered a glimpse of difficulties I had seen in past trips. We rode hard, through a headwind, and managed to do 145kms to the little town of Standerton. We had earned our stripes and checked into the beautiful Olive Lodge who had offered to put up with our needs for the evening. It was a pleasant surprise when we rolled into town to find, my Girlfriend and Brents wife, along with his family, following us in their van. They spent the afternoon with us and bought us dinner. This was a luxury, I knew would disappear on day two. 

Day 3 and going strong, we were on a "high" all day.

Traditionaly for me day 2 was tough. Legs are tender and stiff and the mind has taking a beating to. None the less we got up bright and early and pushed on. Within the first 20km's we experienced Mpumalanga in all its anger. The morning skies rewinded to a midnight state and the black clouds rolled in, thunder clapped violenty and not even the bright lightening could light the black we were cycling into. A headwind pounded us as hail and rain crashed into our faces. Being hardly visible to motorists passing us by we headed for the dirt running along side the road. It proved to be safer but it was terribly muddy and slippery. As the clouds cleared some two hours later, we had only hammered out 20kms. The pace was painfully slow but not as painful as Brents right knee was becoming. From hardly doing any cycling to doing over 200kms in two days, his body was crying out for rest and I didn't know what to do. I could tell he was in some serious pain and i hadn't been in a predicament like this, if we didn't speed up we would be sleeping on the side of the road in another thunderstorm that night. Something We really needed to avoid. We managed to limp into Vrede and find a small doctors surgery who administered a scary looking injection to my team mate. We discovered later it was a mix of various pain killer and ant inflamatories, she nicknamed the injection, the "Free-state three some." It seemed to numb the pain. We got to our accommodation just before the heavens once again opened up. 

There was a bit of an akward silence in the room as Brent and I both contemplated the difficulties of continuing with his injury. Our faith wouldn't allow surrender, we got up the next day.

The sand storm on day 3 was crazy! 46km.h winds

Day three, and everything came together nicely. We averaged about 23km/h on the road to Harrismith and even fought through a serious 40km/h wind dust storm just outside the town. We looked like trojans, returning from a victorious battle when we finally got into La La Nathi guest lodge just of the road we were traveling in. This place was incredible, 4 star luxury for two adventurers in some desperate need of love and attention. We had an early meal at the resturant and retired nice and early. 

Day four, or most of the morning rather, was spent climbing out of Harrismith. The hills took a toll on Brents knee who agreed that the pain killer could be waring off. We had a breakfast on the side of the road before getting back on track and putting some more km's asunder the belt. We flew down Van Reenens pass at about 80km/h before the road flattened out once again letting us do another 20kms or so. It was then that the tides turned. Fatugue set in, and another 40km/h wind came out of no where and attempted in pushing us back to where we had cycled from. We were desperate to get through the last 60kms but the conditions were against us. Again the fear of sleeping out in the bush became real. I had never been that desperate and tired in my life. We stopped under a little bridge and said some desperate prayers together. The speed had dropped to well under 10km/h now even on the steep downhills. We struggled through another 10kms before finding a little shell garage where we stopped for some food and hopefully a lift into town. We were about 15kms off our target and it was getting dark. An owner of a bakkie, Mike, offered us a lift and we took it gladly. He drove us to the guest house and helped us load our bikes out and heave them to our rooms. We collapsed after showering,  two minute noodles and corn and only rose again the next morning. 

Our run in with a Police Officer on the last day, many people back home criticized our decision to go on the highway, we regretted it and paid the price. No need for people to have verbally bashed us the way they did publicly.

On day 5 we would end our journey, The plan was to cycle as far as we could before our support team back home picked us up and took us into Balito. Day 2 had cost us our originnal target but our R20 000 for Cancer could still be reached. While we rode on, the girls prepared for their first match against KZN Coastals u/13 the next day. We got picked up in Mooi River after another full day of climbing hills. We were shattered.

A good nights rest in a comfy bed and a good meal was all welcome but completely foreign to us, whose minds were still on the road. Brent and I spoke at length about the journey and how it would shape our future. The answers weren't clear but I had suffered and bled with a great man...I was proud of him.

The next day we got to see the full side, all kitted up in pink and ready to play. Penzance primary school were spectacular hosts, they invited their whole school, some 500 odd children to come and watch our first clash for Cancer on the 3 schools Astro Turn in Durban. The Coastals side edged out a narrow 1- 0 victory in the end which was disspointing but in the end of the day, the fight against Cancer won. The province also offered a generous donation to our cause, we were getting close to our target. 

Brent missed his boy! Shopping for groceries after 5 days on the bike. We made it!

The next game, two days later, we arrived at Riverside Astro to take on the local club. They were a strong side, but the pinks were coming together nicely. We managed to draw with the side and should definitely have won the game. Back home people were donating money after seeing what these soldiers in pink were doing for the cause.

The last game was scheduled for the next day at St Marys Kloof where we would take on Madsen Hockey Academy. The side was coached by legendary SA player, Kelly Madsen and this defiantly excited the girls. Kellly gave the girls an hour clinic before the game and perhaps this was the deciding factor in the game after the girls 

managed a 1-0 victory. 

The Pinks after their first game against coastal, Cancer awareness the winner!

And so came the end of an absolutely incredible two weeks of adventure, charity and love. What an incredible cause we fought for both on the bike and the hockey field. Our target is sitting about R5000 short but we believe that before the end of the week we will reach our goal. 

The girls playing that raised all the money for Cancer, so special. 

Preparing for the open road

Two days before a bicycle trip its always chaos in the Longueira household! My bike is standing pretty in the garage ready for battle, my bright yellow panniers are clean and empty airing for their load and all my spares are strewn all over.

I have just finished a remarkable book; The Pilgrimage, by Paulo Coehlo. Sadly it was not the best book I have read by the author, the Alchemist will surely remain his best piece of work, but there were some fascinating underlying morals that moved me. He is in search of a sword along the ancient road to Santiago, he has been battling inner demons for weeks on the road. He is approaching his destination and still not received or found this sword. He begins to doubt whether this trip was for anything, he becomes extremely depressed by the thought. A couple of days from the end he has a revelation, not once has he stopped and pondered what he would need the sword for and what he would use it for. He has been so lost in the idea of getting it that he has forgot to enjoy the journey and understand the process. Is this not how we treat our dreams so often in life, perhaps it is the reason we never reach them.

While focussing so greatly on what is ahead and neglecting our present time, we lose so much time and in essence...lose ourselves. I keep this thought dear to me as I embark on a mission.

The destination has been left unclear, Durban, Balito, Grey Town, we are simply open to the experience of the open road. There are lessons we will learn and sometimes its not about where we are going but rather how we are getting there. There are swords to be found along the way, what will we do with ours. Will we fight the good fight, will we return warriors, leaders and better men.

Kunjani

Cycling from Gauteng to Durban: Who can do it?

So who can do a long cycle? Who can qualify to cycle 140km's per day for more than 5 days? The answer is simple, anyone can.

On Saturday I set out on a quest to cycle to Durban from the tiny town of Witbank. The trip is planned to take no longer than 7 days. The man who will be accompanying me is an incredible mentor, role model and friend...and now, he steps into my world of adventure. Its an unusual step for him to take and will by no way be easy. Camping, eating strange things, struggling on the bike might all be new things to him but the sooner one can adapt tough life lessons, and apply them on the bike, the quicker one will learn to survive and push on.

So what can you do to prepare for a cycle expedition?

1. Do your research:

You need to have a well planned route which may take some time. You need to do some research into the gradients, the terrain and the temperature during the time of the year you wish to set out.

2. Pack the right stuff.

There are hundreds of web pages that will offer you the correct advice and give some insight into what you need to pack and what equipment will be useful on the road. If you think you are prepared, draw up a "worst case scenario" of things that could go wrong and try measure your kit up against the challenge. You will know if you are prepared.

3. Have a good bike set up:

You don't need to have spent hours and years training but it is crucial to be comfortable on that bike. Make sure you set up. you can do your own simple set up at home but it would be advised to visit your local cycle shop and get it done. A simple test I use to adjust my seat height: If your knee gets sore in the front, your seat is to low. If the back of your leg gets sore, behind your knee, your seat is to high.

4. Have communication:

In my earlier trips I hardly had any communication with anyone. In a way it was freeing but what are your goals? If your goal is to rebel against a economic society and live a life of poverty and adventure, then you need to accept that uncomfortable death is possible. Like Christopher McCandalees in "Into the Wild" you will fall off the radar and possibly never be able to cry out for help when you need. If you intend to experience adventure and then get back to your normal life in a coulple of weeks, make sure you have a phone or any other form of advice to let people back home know how you are doing.

5. Renew your mind:

Every thought, every feeling of comfort and anything you think you know for sure must be chucked out the window. If not you will have the worst time of your life. You need to open yourself up to the possibility of being taught by the road, the solitude and everyone you meet along the road. Humble yourself, open your mind.

The next couple of days on the road will be a pilgrimage for myself and my very good friend, who I think might be preferred not to be mentioned at this stage, until he finishes. The pilgrimage will finish in a holy place for both of us, a place it all began...Grey Town. We were both part of the 2010 Mighty Men Confrence that changed our hearts and transformed our lives dramatically.  Our biggest hope is that we get a chance to meet the man that influenced us so much, Mr Angus Buchan.

May the Adventure begin
Keegan "Kunjani" Longueira