In 2021 I saw an advert circulated by IPA Barcelona for an adventure charity cycle ride in Gambia for the following year. With the cloud of covid still in the air and looking for something worthwhile to do, I put in for a place on the trip and was pleasantly surprised to be selected.
I spoke to both my Regional IPA and Police Force Federation and I was fortunate to receive a substantial amount of funding from 9 Region, BTP Branch and BTP Police Federation to cover a significant cost for the trip. This was very welcome and enabled my attendance for the event.
Roll on 2022 and The Tour of Gambia Solidarity and Adventure Cycling went ahead, running from the 12th – 19th November 2022. I travelled via Barcelona and met up with some members of the trip which included a Spanish Police officer and 2 Doctors who were part of the support team for the cycle ride. We arrived at Yundum International Airport on the evening of the 11th November 2022 where transfer to the accommodation was kindly facilitated by IPA affiliates in The Gambia.
Gambia is a very warm, friendly country. The population are predominantly Muslim (about 95% of the citizens) with a mixture of languages spoken. The citizens are very easy going where no problems seemed too big to resolve, hence the phrase ‘No Problem’ was often heard from the Gambian team and locals. The cycling team consisted of 16 riders with 2 support vehicles accompany for the journey, 2 medical support staff and a bike support staff to rectify any problems with the bikes. The team consisted of participants from Spain, Germany, USA and myself from the UK.
The cycle tour commenced on Sunday 13th November from the South side in the Capital Banjul, with the Country’s National Assembly in the background and was completed on Thursday 17th November at Albadarr Jufureh. The trip over the next 5 days went through various towns and villages. Each day the rides started in the morning and was completed by late afternoon with each participant riding at their own pace. A safety vehicle went ahead of the pack with another in the rear to ensure no one was missed, and checkpoints planned along the route to regroup. No cycling was done at night and this gave participants the opportunity to engage with the local communities where we were often treated to cultural dances and events at some of the locations. This also gave the medical team the opportunity to run local surgeries where villagers came for medical attention. They worked tirelessly, often finishing late into the night, providing medical care and medicines. This was well appreciated by all the communities encountered as the tour moved through the country. During the tour 2 nights where spent camping overnight, which felt liberating sleeping out under the night stars. The cycle route went through Brikama- Soma- Jarra Sukuta- Janjanbureh (this was a significant slave trading port in colonial times)- crossing the river via ferry over to North side to Kerewan, carrying on to Kuntaya and finishing at Albadarr Jufureh.
Albadar Jufureh also had symbolic importance with reminders of the slave trading history that had occurred across Gambia in the past with monuments displayed to act as a reminder that such activities should never occur again. While here, a historic tour of Kunta Kinteh Island was arranged for the team. The island was named after a slave who made an impact on reversing slave trading and was dramatized in the book ‘Roots’ written by Author Alex Haley. Quite moving to see the condition of the Fort, with some of it getting submerged by the sea and imagining the events that had occurred here in the past.
The next day the team transferred back to Brikama Lower Basic School where several presentations were made including the donation of the bikes to the school to assist students to be able to travel to school. This was quite an emotional event seeing the joy on the faces of the children and teachers who appreciated the effort and gestures from the team to support their school and education. An award was also presented to the IPA by the school in recognition of the charity event.
The tour around the Gambia was a life enriching moment for me. The challenge of cycling long distances over 5 days was daunting, however knowing the reason for this was enough inspiration. Total distance cycled was about 180- 200 km with the longest ride in 1 day being about 60 km. 3 things struck me during the trip.
- How little some of the people of Gambia had, but they were still smiling and welcome strangers into their community. Friendly bunch.
- The impact the slave trade had on the culture and how the people recognised this impact and ensuring this practice never happens again.
- The empowerment of females within the Gambian culture. Women were running schools and businesses with a lot of emphasis on ensuring girls are educated. This was very impressive.
This was definitely an experience I would recommend and encourage more participation from IPA’s around the world. It was the 3rd Edition run by IPA Barcelona who actively support charity activities in Gambia. I am sure the 4th Edition in 2023 would attract even more participants and serve to enrich the culture and understanding of the Gambians and participating riders. The places the IPA can take you to are limitless with life impacting engagements.
Baba Adeyeye, 9 Region, BTP Branch
