Charity cyclist heads beyond the Sahara
CYCLING adventurer Daniel Harman is now more than 5,000 miles into his charity trip from Steyning to South Africa.
Carpenter Daniel, of Maudlin Lane, Bramber, set off on his ride in May, in aid of FARM-Africa, a charity which helps small-scale farmers in the continent to bring themselves and their communities out of poverty.
Daniel has now reached Mauritania, on Africa's west coast, with his journey so far taking him through Morocco and Western Sahara.
In south-west Morocco, Daniel scaled Jbel Toubkal, the highest peak in the Atlas Mountains and in North Africa at almost 4,200 metres.
Writing on his website – www.bicycleadventure.co.uk – Daniel said: "Setting off early on the first day, the path moved up gradually through autumn-coloured forests, before it continued alongside an open valley to the trekkers hut, where I spent the night before my ascent.
"Not being the only one there, and with many tours being offered, I again set off early to beat the rush to the summit.
"By now, with the morning cold and a bitter wind it certainly wasn't T-shirt weather, as the path climbed over several boulder fields, until finally reaching the col from where the peak could be seen.
"Not being a big fan of heights myself, the last stage did test me mentally, and with ice covering rocks and mud, it did make for a slippery last few metres, from which I was somewhat glad to reach the summit.
"I sat there alone for about five minutes, enjoying the fine views of the high Atlas and its peaks, until a few more climbers arrived, which meant I could grab a few photos before descending."
Daniel then continued his ride into Western Sahara, heading for its border with Mauritania.
He said: "After another three days – which included crossing the Tropic of Cancer, meeting two Hungarian guys walking around the world – and 14 days in total, plus a lot of slightly salty drinking water, stale bread with pasteurised cheese, sand, sun and camels both alive and dead, I made it to the border of Mauritania.
"Next, it's 500km to Nouakchott, Mauritania's capital, and then on to Senegal and The Gambia, which will bring lush forests and probably a bit of off-road fun.
"Total distance: 8,088km; total punctures: two; grains of sand in my mouth: 1,000,000,234."
For more information on Daniel's trip, log on to his website www.bicycleadventure.co.uk
More information on FARM-Africa is also available online, at www.farmafrica.org.uk
Anyone wanting to sponsor Daniel can do so via the website
www.justgiving.com/bicycleadventure
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Weather for Chichester
Tuesday 29 May 2012
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