Cycle to the Summit

Ruth and fellow cyclist Owy in the Nubian Desert, Northern Sudan.

By Ruth Hollinger

13,177 kilometres, 253 days, 14 countries.

A journey by bicycle from London to the World Summit 2002.

People ask "What made you decide to spend nine months on a bicycle, cycling through some of the remotest parts of Africa to get to the Summit?" Well, madness had a lot to do with it, but I heard about preparations for the Summit and was determined to get involved and raise funds for WaterAid in the process.

Pedal-power is a great way to see places and meet people since the speed of travel allows you to interact with locals in an intimate way.

There is no denying that it was difficult. At times I questioned my decision to leave the security of my home environment, where at the twist of a tap I have cold, clean water to drink; where I can shower on a daily basis and not have to worry about running out of water.

As I rolled into Khartoum, weakened by illness and sipping on hot, iodine treated water, I longed for my first wash in three weeks.

I hadn't anticipated how emotionally challenging it would be; I watched a fire engine (a donkey pulling an old oil drum filled with water) arrive too late to save the Sudanese house that had caught fire; I contained my anger with the Ethiopian children who stole four litres of water from my bicycle as I cycled uphill in the blistering heat.

I had saved them a 5km walk, something they have to do on a daily basis. Soaked to the skin and cursing the rain during a thunderstorm in Mozambique, I was humbled by a group of women washing their clothes in the puddles at the side of the road.

So what kept me going? My three team-mates, emails and well wishes from those at home and along the way, and the opportunity to see some of the excellent work underway at WaterAid projects in Ethiopia, Tanzania and Malawi. They all made me determined to get to the Summit and stress the importance of clean water and sanitation for all.