Day Five - The Final leg to Ngorongoro Crater

SUCCESS - Challenge Completed!

Up and suitcases ready for breakfast at 6am!  Our 6.30 start ended up nearer 7 as there were some punctures even before we had started!  We only(!) had 38km to cycle today and most of it on Tarmac but the ups just seemed to get harder and the downs shorter but WE DID IT! 360 kilometres completed and the challenge conquered so chuffed with ourselves.

The scenery was even more stunning and green as we travelled right through the centre of the Rift Valley. The fruit trees, farms and Maasai towns all along the route gave us something to look at when we could take our eyes off the road! Again most of the locals had big smiles as we passed and the little children alternated between saying Jambo (hello) and asking for "dollar" as they ran down to the edge of the road to see us all pass.

Everyone got everyone else up each climb and the final climb to the first Ngorongoro gate was quite emotional  - watching everyone cross the line and complete the challenge for their particular charity.   The group range in age from 19 to 64 and all of us finished and most with a smile, some through a few tears!  

After everyone had taken all the photos, cried and congratulated each other we were all going on a safari into the Crater itself. We managed a quick change of clothes, got a picnic lunch box, found a truck and then headed up to the rim of the crater with amazing views down to the rain forest of the Rift Valley on one side and the Ngorongoro Crater on the other.  What an incredible sight!  50km across, a huge lake in the middle with salt water and the greener areas where the water has come down from the rim in rivers and the land is quite lush at the base of these.

We saw wildebeest, buffalo, gazelles, crane, warthogs and lions and hippos.  It was fantastic but sadly I did not get to see an elephant which was a shame although I did see a herd through a telescope from a viewing point on the rim so I shall make do with that.

We had a five hour journey back to Weru Weru hotel which was much longer than planned but amazing to drive over the roads we had cycled and we were even more impressed with ourselves!!  Dinner was rather late but it did not stop the party and celebrations.  Everyone really let their hair down and relaxed.  We all analysed the ride and reminisced over the bruises and had a few drinks to take any pain away!  It feels strange to think we are not getting on the bikes again tomorrow and that we won't all be together again for a water break!  We finally had to say goodnight at 1am but the others carried on I gather until about 5!!

What a great day and a great trip - bring on the next challenge!