It will be a journey to remember for Blairgowrie residents Warrick and Camilla Kernes come 30 July when they start their cycle to Mount Kilimanjaro. The inspiring couple has set out to do this grand adventure all for charity.
Warrick explained that he has been cycling since he was a little boy while Camilla has been cycling since 2011. Their desire for life that is far from the mundane, has lead them to this bold experience. The two planned to undertake this expedition for a charity they thought was worth cycling for. “We are cycling for a charity called Qhubeka which gives children, especially children in rural areas, bicycles to use to get to school and make their lives easier,” said Warrick.
To date the pair has raised R28 280 for the charity and plan to meet their target of R100 000. With hopes to ensure that more deserving people receive the aid they need.
The determined two explained that Qhubeka is a world bicycle relief programme based in South Africa. “Qhubeka is an Nguni word meaning to progress or move forward, we thought that this organisation was the perfect fit for what we plan to do,” said Camilla. They went on to explain that the organisation produces bicycles they call ‘Buffalo Bikes’ and are single speed. “We will be using the Qhubeka bicycles on our tour,” said Warrick. He explained that mountain bikes have close to 27 speeds and riding a bike with only one speed will be a challenge.
“Taking this journey had always been a dream of ours, now this dream has grown bigger than we ever imagined it would,” said Camilla. This 10-week journey will not be an easy one. Warrick has methodically planned every route and stop they will take while being followed by a sports vehicle. “We have had to make sure that we keep to regulations of all the countries we will ride through.” Their ride will see them cycle through Botswana, Zambia and Malawi leading into Tanzania.
The tour will take them about 4 630km away from home. The distance will seem all too worth it, not only because they will have done it for a good cause, but it will also it end on their fifth year wedding anniversary, which will be celebrated on the grand peak. “We are going to climb Mt Kilimanjaro on a full moon that falls perfectly on our anniversary date,” said Warrick.
Follow the Kernes journey on Joburg2Kili.
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