Taking the long route to RideTZ

Hi. Well, my RideTZ adventure has not started off as I had imagined. After I arrived at the RDU airport on Wed I quickly found out that my flight to Detroit had been delayed by 90 min which was going to cause me to miss my connections to Amsterdam/Kilimanjaro. Due to the long lines at the Delta "help desk" and very poor support from my travel agent my options for Wed re-booking quickly evaporated. The only option I was offered was to rebook for Friday and to arrive in Kilimanjaro (2 day late!)

I decided to take my chance and leave on Thursday with the hope of catching a flight from Amsterdam to Kilimanjaro as a standby. I arrived very early at RDU on Thursday and got set for my 12:45 flight. While talking to a wonderful new travel agent named Tracy I was informed by her (not Delta) that my flight had been canceled and I had been re-booked on a 12:05 flight to JFK. I quickly made my way through security. After a quick flight to JFK, I was on the 4pm flight to Amsterdam. We had a wonderful flight to Amsterdam and arrived 30 min early. I reclaimed my bags and began the desperate journey of trying to fly standby on the 11am flight to Kili. Unfortunately the flight was oversold and not only did I not get on as a standby, but 4 others who were scheduled to fly got bumped off the flight (including a man who was trying to get to his mother's funeral). I have to say, my travel mishaps seemed quite small and inconsequential after seeing this poor African man break down in tears knowing that he was going to miss his mother's funeral after a long journey.

Last night I was fortunate to receive a complementary stay in an airport hotel. After my solo RidTZ kickoff celebration, I prepared myself to continue this amazing (if rather circuitous) adventure. I'm back at the airport and barring any further surprises I should be in Kilimanjaro at 8:30 pm and ready for RIDETZ!

Meet Rosie - The little girl who inspired me to bike across Tanzania

Dear Jim,
The first time I came to Tanzania, I met a little girl named Rosie, who was 2 years old, HIV positive and very, very sick with pneumonia. The first day I met her, she could barely stand she was so weak and her foster mother Nora was making baptismal arrangements for her, hoping that if she did not make it through the week, she would at least be baptized. Everyone assumed she had HIV, as her mother died of it, but no one had actually tested her. After hearing that news I loaded up 5 kids and went straight to the doctors. Rosie was in fact positive, but had never received any vitamins, medicine for her pneumonia, etc. When I left Tanzania 6 weeks later, Rosie was running around with the other children. Now 5 1/2 years later she is still healthy, active, loves new clothes (preferably pink) and in the top 3 in her class. She also has routine visits to The Dream Clinic, a clinic for HIV/AIDS patients and she receives a supplementary diet in order to keep both her and Rachel (another HIV positive child in TFFT's program) healthy and strong. I know that TFFT has literally given Rosie a future, and now I get to spend each day with this happy and adorable child. I am also able to see how she has inspired others, such as yourself to take action!

I am so looking forward to meeting you here in July. I've been out on the RideTZ route and must say, it's going to be an unbelievable ride! We cover so much terrain, and so many different areas. I think Tanzania is a gorgeous country, but being out on this ride made me appreciate it even more. Having known several of these children for five 1/2 years now, and watching them grow in a safe environment, with people and teachers who really care about their well being is the best result I could ask for. However, being able to share them, and their country with others is more than special.

Asante sana Jim, for your commitment and passion. Please let me know if I can do anything to help you make this ride a successful and memorable experience!

All my best,

Emily

PS- Here's a favorite Rosie picture for you!! This is on a little field trip to Snake Park...she was one of the brave girls:)




--
Emily Cottingham
Development Director, Tanzania
The Foundation For Tomorrow
P.O Box 119
Duluti, Arusha

+255 787 765 135

RideTZ Course Preview: Volume 9

16 photos|Back to RIDETZ's Photos

At long last, here is the final leg of Ride Tanzania. The weary riders will be energized by seeing the Indian Ocean in the distance. The conditions will be favorable for tired legs, as most of this portion of the ride will be downhill.

Pangani is the final destination on RideTZ. The riders will celebrate their completed journey with a BBQ party on the beach.

This album completes the advance glance at the course. In two months, we'll see great shots of our riders challenging the Tanzanian countryside.

But let's not wait until then to share great scenery and cycling photos. Post your pics to the RideTZ wall for all to see!

RideTZ Course Preview: Volume 8

8 photos|Back to RIDETZ's Photos

Gorgeous views from the RideTZ course continue this week with a look at the descent from the Usambaras.

After the challenging climb, along with a visit to a facility that The Foundation For Tomorrow supports, the riders are greeted with much welcomed downhill paths.

The Tanzanian coast along the Indian Ocean will be in sight, meaning the riders are nearing completion of their journey.

But first the riders will travel through Amani, a forest reserve that's a delight to birdwatchers and entomologists alike.

RideTZ Course Preview: Volume 7

12 photos|Back to RIDETZ's Photos

The journey in the mountains continues with more shots of our stop at Irente. This time, animals take a starring role instead of the children.

After leaving Irente, the mountainous trek continues with various climbs and descents. Pretty soon the Indian Ocean will be in view, indicating that the riders are literally and figuratively "over the hump," nearing the finish.

RideTZ Course Preview: Volume 6

13 photos|Back to RIDETZ's Photos

You may not ever see as beautiful views as you do from atop the Usambara Mountains. Well, except maybe the view of the mountains themselves after you've crossed them! This week's album takes us up the climb, and checks in at a school along the route.

Our riders will meet people along the route who are directly benefiting from TFFT's work, as the foundation seeks to learn how it can serve the people of Tanzania better.