I must admit that this morning I was very nervous, assailed by thousands of pre-departure worries: from the fear of having left something fundamental behind (which of course happened: video camera completely flat and camera without memory card) to the need to leave early in order for Matteo to be able to do a good first stage.
Stuck in Lusaka morning traffic the mobile rings: the tyre of the truck which was carrying the bicycle and a group of Chikupians come to cheer Matteo on in this adventure bursted! It was quickly repaired and after a few km it got a puncture! These setbacks will not stop us and we continued towards Chongwe with Radio Phoenix on the background. Matteo’s and my interview was aired among the surprise of the children travelling with us who got excited to hear us speak on the radio.
At the palace of the Chieftness a crowd of her subjects and headmen had come to support Matteo, the Italian Ambassador who has given patronage to the ride had arrived already too, and the team from Zambikes, who made and gifted the bamboo bicycle, arrived shortly after. The ceremony started with welcome songs in Soli, women were singing and playing traditional instruments in honor of the departure, it is a really touching atmosphere. A few short but meaningful speeches follow: Serena introduces Sport2build and the importance of sport as a tool for development and peace, Vaughn from Zambikes highlights the fact that the bicycle has been built in Zambia with Zambian raw materials and it will become the symbol of Zambia in this ride, the Ambassador reminds of the relations between Zambia nad Italy applauding the effort of Italian organizations and associations working in Zambia like Sport2build, the Chieftness’ Advisor today is representing her as she had been called urgently by the Zambian President for a private meeting but he says that the Chieftness is proud to host the departure of this ride and she is grateful that the beneficiaries of Sport2build activities are and will be also thanks to the project of the school her people. Matteo the crowd still incredulous of the idea of a ride Lusaka-London by bicycle, with two proverbs: pangono pangono tilipano (in Nyanja, un pezzetto alla volta arriviabit by bit we are there) e hai voluto la bicicletta e adessi pedali (in Italian, you wanted the bicycle and now you have to cycle)! The message he wants to deliver is that with daily dedication and commitment you can go very far, even to London on a bamboo bike! The final prayers want to wish him a safe journey and the divine protection in this adventure.
The departure is exciting, the Ambassador, Serena, two Zambian cycling champions Obert Chembe and Andrew Simunga and seven headmen cycle next to Matteo for the first kilometer. Matteo then continued alone on 12 km of gravel road, first resistance test for the bicycle and the but everything held and arrived perfectly to the tar road. The last farewell, Obert and Andrew accompanied Matteo for some more kilometers. The bicycle goes off each push on the pedal closer to London.
Have a great journey Matteo!