2013 in review: 29 July

I am continuing to post my "2103 in review" series. I need to explain why it's taking this long to complete this series. I live in Butiama where I do not have broadband access and I have to wait until I travel to Mwanza or Musoma to get that access where posting with images is faster.

I am making more frequent visits to Mwanza now and hope to conclude the 2013 postings and start with the 2014 in review series.

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The first day of the epic 877 kilometre bicycle ride with Ross Methven.

Barely 20 kilometres into the ride and after my second climb, I already knew I wasn't fit enough for this. But not bad enough not to be able to pause and take a photo.

Read about the entire journey here.

2013 in review: 26 July

This is the beginning of the story of how I got myself in trouble, and cycled 877 kilometres from Butiama to Dodoma with Ross Methven.

It began when Ross was taking a break in Butiama on his Edinburgh to Cape Town cycling trip and was looking at route options from Arusha, where he had left his bicycle, towards Dodoma and southern Tanzania. I told him if he brought his bicycle to Butiama to resume his onward trip to Cape Town, I would accompany him with my mountain bike through central Tanzania. He did.

In the photo, he arrives in Butiama and within the next few days we began one of the toughest physical challanges I had faced.

2013 in review: 16 July

I am continuing to post my "2103 in review" series. I need to explain why it's taking this long to complete this series. I live in Butiama where I do not have broadband access and I have to wait until I travel to Mwanza or Musoma to get that access where posting with images is faster.

I am making more frequent visits to Mwanza now and hope to conclude the 2013 postings and start with the 2014 in review series.

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Leaders and players of Dar es Salaam's Simba Sports Club visited Butiama and paid a courtesy call on Mama Maria Nyerere, widow of Tanzania's founding president, Mwalimu Julius Kambarage Nyerere.

In the photo (above), Team Manager Jamhuri "Julio" Kihwelo (now Mwadui FC Team Manager), gave some introductory remarks before some of the players lined up to take photos (below) with Mama Maria.