I have always done a double take at the slogan “Support Child Abuse”. Child abuse is a bad thing, right? Of course it is meant to say “Support Anti Child Abuse”. But that sounds a bit cumbersome perhaps.

Whichever, I have elected to raise funds for the SA charity Men And Woman Against Child Abuse by cycling the 1500 odd kilometers from Oslo down to Dusseldorf. Basically Joburg to Cape Town over 8 days.

Vodafone holds an annual Global Bike Initiative which signs up about 400 riders from across the Vodafone world to participate in the charity event. Each country is assigned a number of slots – 16 for SA – and the local committee chooses two local charities to receive funding from the participants. We each pay money directly to the charity to confirm our spot on the event. The other local charity which is being supported is NOAH, the organization that supports AIDS orphans. Google them. Money, Time or Stuff. They need it. We’ve got it. An opportunity to equalize for a change.

So what do we get in return for supporting these charities? Not the travel to and from unfortunately, but…

Pimarily we get to cycle from Oslo down to Dusseldorf. There are two route choices – about 800km or about 1500km over 8 days. I have opted for the longer route and there are some scarily big days. One of 310km and a couple into the mid 200’s! Accommodation is included if a bit rudimentary – youth hostels, tent villages and a night on a ferry. Bring your own sleeping bag stuff. Then there is the “support village” along the route. But not on the longer one! Go figure. We just get a truck which apparently has no capacity to assist. Oh well, adventures are made of this.

3 of the 5 days leave are sponsored. This is really great!

And so here I am at Cape Town International departures wondering if I’ve remembered my toothbrush and cycling shoes and if I am prepared for the weather. Despite it being almost mid summer Oslo is pretty far north so max temperatures are around 6dC at the moment and there is quite a bit of rain about. Luckily it improves by the time we start riding – up to 15dC max and only drizzle all day. Wahoo.

Support Cyclist Abuse. No wait, they do it to themselves!