Bedell South Africa Challenge 2011
The Bedell Challenge is back ...... and this time they’ve gone to South Africa!
38 trekkers and cyclists have made their way to South Africa for a trip of a lifetime while raising money for Jersey Hospice Care. The event has been run every two years and it’s hoped fundraising and sponsorship monies raised by challengers this year will bring the total raised by the six adventures of this kind to over and above the £1 million mark.
The cycle
As part of the 2011 Bedell South Africa Challenge, cyclists are peddling their way through incredible scenery on the famous Garden Route, with their aim to reach the most southerly point in Africa (Cape Agulhas). They will cycle on average 65km a day along white beaches and through forest, farmland and high mountains.
The trek
The trekkers will be experiencing genuine wilderness in the Cederberg area comprising crisp clean air, stunning scenery and rock formations, crystal clear streams and pools. Walking approximately 14km per day, Table Mountain will be the final challenge tackled on their last day. Both groups will meet in Cape Town for a celebratory meal at the end of their adventures.
Around half of this year’s challengers have taken part in a previous Bedell Challenge with half experiencing it for the first time and they set off from Jersey Airport on Saturday 5th November.
Fundraising
All the challengers have been busy fundraising for the last year and have raised a super amount so far! Various fundraising events have been organised by the team including a Lexus Lottery; a charity ball which marked World Hospice Day; an Irish Night; a Gig for Hospice at the Watersplash; a 48 hour spinathon in M&S window in King Street; a curry night and a watersports equipment sale; bag packing and lots of car boot and cake sales.
Well done and thank you to all of our super challengers for working so hard to support our cause.
Updates from the groups...
Both trekkers and cyclists had a great celebration meal on Sunday night (13th Nov) and spent their last morning exploring Cape Town, before flying home. Well done everybody!
Cyclists
The cyclists have completed their challenge! ..... "Nice short cycle today to finish, but we visited Hermanus on way to do some whale watching then penguins as long drive to Cape of Good Hope. Everyone looking forward to celebrating tonight and spirits are high - despite being tired. A great sense of achievement!" (12.11.11)
"Hi, all back on penultimate day! We thought it would be a nice short easy ride today - silly idea! Started off in rain but soon brightened. Lots of windy dirt tracks and fierce head winds all the way along coast to Cape Aghulas, by which time it was sunny. Lots of photos by the ocean and all looking foward to last leg tomorrow - certainly lots of weary legs by now!" (11.11.11)
"Wilderness, Mossel Bay, long hard good day, giraffe and rhino! River crossing! What more could you want?" (10.11.11)
"Just back from awesome days cycling - lots of tough hills again but we cycled through game reserve and saw giraffes, rhinos and wilderbeast! Fantastic experience and worth the effort! Then cycled through a river or two! A whole new experience for most of us. Now at accommodation for the night, in a train next to ocean - fab!" (10.11.11)
"Hi from wilderness! All safely in nice hotel - we are now experts in dirt track cycling - especially steep downhills! Tough day with lots of climbing and lots of km’s to cover tomorrow apparently! Everyone coping brilliantly with cycling despite tough conditions" (09.11.11)
"Just arrived at lunch after what feels like morning climbing on dirt tracks - just for a change! We are on 7 passes road and doing an as yet undisclosed number of the 7! Much cooler so far today but dry so far and sun coming out now, so will be tougher this afternoon" (09.11.11)
"Hi from Knysna - all back safely after a long tough day with 85km covered - much of it on dirt tracks - just to add to the challenge! Looks like weather changing with rain tonight so we maybe cooler tomorrow. Lots of early nights tonight!" (08.11.11)
"Hello from lunch at Day 2 of cycling. Awesome scenery and fearsome climbing again, much of it on dirt tracks. Everyone happy amd great spirirt in camp - we are certainly being well fed!" (08.11.11)
"All back at base camp after a challenging day’s cycling with some tough tough hills in extremely hot weather. Scenery is stunning and accomodation for tonight looks lovely, certainly has a pleasant bar!!" (07.11.11)
"All in great spirits here, with first 20km done, now at brunch with an option for a bungy jump for anyone who want to - a few are considering it! Fab accomodation and meal last night!" (07.11.11)
Trekkers:
The trekkers have completed their trekking challenge and on their last day, made it to the top of Table Mountain!
"Couldn’t go to Uitsigkloof as rangers were trapping a leopard on that mountain today. Went on a different track, but can’t remember the name of the mountain. Just about to light the fire to toast marshmallows. Accommodation and food has been fab and we’ve had showers every night!" (10.11.11)
"Yippee, a signal! We are all loving it! Hard walking, lots of blisters but also lots of fun. Scenery amazing - no donkeys though!" (10.11.11)
In a momentary patch of phone signal, a trekker sent on this message...."Everyone’s doing brilliantly, and all are well.No more signal until Saturday. What an experience – made the 22km yesterday - we walked for 10.5 hours! Up in the mountains and it’s absolutely stunning" (09.11.11)
"All arrived in South Africa, really comfortable flight and everyone on good form. Nice and sunny with good forecast for the week. Now off to the Cederbergs!" (06.11.11)
Facebook
We’ve also set up a Facebook Group (especially for the Bedell South Africa Challenge), where you can keep up to date with all the latest information, plus ask questions and share tips with other Challengers.
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