US-based globalbike, together with ROUVY, has announced the Race to Kilimanjaro virtual challenge. The challenge enables anyone, both competitive athletes and casual hobby riders, to ride in Tanzania virtually and at the same time, raises awareness and funds for globalbike-supported projects.
The charitable challenge will run through July and August 2021.
‘globalbike aims to transform the lives of women in rural Tanzanian communities for the better. Bicycle accessibility in Tanzania helps women to meet their basic needs, overcome their daily struggles and pursue better lives.’
The Race to Kilimanjaro will include three races. Two races are aimed at endurance athletes, a distance challenge, ‘Kili to the Coast’ at 239 miles, and an altitude challenge, ‘The Kili Climb’ at 16,082 feet.
A third race, at 59 miles, ‘The Bike Shop Tour’, is for all ability levels to ride, run or walk.
Upon registration, participants will receive a 28-day free trial for ROUVY’s indoor virtual cycling platform.
globalbike’s virtual event includes delivery of exclusive video content on cycling in Tanzania with commentary from the Tanzanian-based Origin Trail CEO and mountain bicyclist, Ema Motta. It will also contain new content on the need for bikes in Tanzania and globalbike’s role in the country.
The virtual challenge on ROUVY requires completion of the following four 20-30km new virtual routes: West Kili, Kondoa Route, Namanga to Arusha and Ruaha National Park.
A grand prize – a trip with TDA Global Cycling to the Masai Steppe section of the Tour D’Afrique – will be awarded to the fastest individual on the Kili to the Coast race.
ROUVY and CTS are each offering three-month memberships for the second and third place riders. Winners of the altitude challenge will compete for a Canyon swag bag as well as ROUVY and CTS subscriptions.
In a release, globalbike points out that… ‘In rural Africa, bicycles have the power to transform lives and create economic security as people are able to more efficiently, reach markets, water sources, schools and health care in contrast to walking by foot.
‘With 50% of the rural population unable to afford a bicycle, people [can] receive access to bikes through globalbike-supported bike rental cooperatives and its cost sharing measures help to increase their incomes by 25-57%.
‘Women and young girls cut transportation time in their unpaid household labour by up to 65% with a bike, thus saving precious time which can be reinvested in education or entrepreneurial pursuits.’
“We encourage participants to pay it forward,” said globalbike Executive Director, Erin Mahaffey. “By collaborating with globalbike, you can accelerate the hard work of women and poor communities abroad.”
www.globalbike.org
www.rouvy.com
