We were taking strain. The road from Tukuyu to Mbeya was tough. We were climbing into Tanzania’s southern highlands.
Every hill we climbed was dwarfed by the next. We were either in “granny gear” or pushing the bikes. After 40 kilometers of this you start mentally abusing yourself by checking the distance more frequently and start calculating arrival times according to your now painstakingly low average. The more you watch the clock, the more your legs feel the burn. In this situation you are your worst enemy.
Just when we thought we could take no more, the wind picked up and started blowing us all over the road. The thing we were both optimistically thankful for was the overcast weather that kept the heat away. Regardless of the conditions we were going to reach Mbeya.
The signpost read, “Mbeya 40km”, while grinding up yet another long hill. At the top we stopped for a well deserved un-chilled cooldrink and contemplated our options. It had taken almost four hours to fight up to the 40 kilometer mark, should we push on or should we call it a day after 50km.
We kept pushing thankfully. After another 10 kilometers we reached the top only to freewheel 20 kilometers into Mbeya.
Our Dar es Salaam contact, Dylan Lennox, had organised us free sim cards and airtime from Vodacom Tanzania, which we were to pick up in Mbeya. They sent Godwin Urassa to meet us at the Mbeya Carnival Restaurant and Nightclub. Marc and I stylishly managed to find the best pub in Mbeya without any help.
Godwin arrived and instantly invited us to stay at his home. He arranged a vehicle to transport our bikes on and after our very tasty meal and beers we were off to the Urassa household. We stopped on the way so the finance manager of Vodacom’s Mbeya branch could meet us. Kumbuko Mahenge was very intrigued and asked to hear all our stories when we pass through Mbeya again. Which we will to reach Zambia.
“Karibu Sana” was the first thing we heard when we arrived at Godwin’s home. It is Swahili for “you are very welcome” and has been repeated at every establishment we have entered since. Godwin told us to get cleaned up so he could take us for a beer before supper. His local is unique. A small shop front is the bar, while the roadside is littered with bar-stools and the pool table is a meter from the curb.
Small braai’s (bbq for the foreigners!) are blazing serving “nyama choma”, meat on a stick, funny enough on bicycle spokes!
We chatted to all the guys from the Vodacom office over cold Kili’s, Castles and lots of meat. The heavens opened, sending bar-stools, fireplaces and pool tables under a small awning. They all fitted along with 20 large men all with a beer in hand.
Back at Godwin’s we ate till we burst and the next morning there was a huge breakfast spread to give us the energy for the day.
We will be visiting Mr Dominic Urassa, Godwin’s father once we reach Moshi, Kilimanjaro. He is expecting us.
We are grateful to have met Godwin, a true gentleman and host. He has made Mbeya a highlight on our return journey. Godwin, Asanti Sana!
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