Mission Accomplished!

 What a climb! The last two hours of the Bike Bengal cycle was by far the most challenging with a climb of over 4,000 feet in just 15 kms. It was far harder than anticipated and a huge challenge for all of us. Hearts were pumping, legs were pumping, lungs gasping and heads burning. Having cycled as a group for six and a half days  the climb had to be something that each of us did on our own. The climb seemed endless and was crushingly steep in places.

Celebrating after the climb

Happy, smiling faces cheered us along and children shouted ´Hi´, ´Namaste´ or even ´Faster!´ which helped and went some way to make up for being blasted by fumes from passing jeeps. It was such a relief to see the 3 ahead of me sitting by the road to welcome those that followed!  They insisted that they had just got there a few minutes before me which was decent of them as there had been a lot of banter about who would make it first.

We then had tea and biscuits waiting for the others. Local TV were on hand and interview a few of us. Once everyone had arrived we walked with our bikes along the main road through Kalimpong to meet up with the Dr Graham´s Homes school band. They then played us through the town which was an amazing experience with all eyes on us and people waving from open windows as well as along both sides of the street.

Ken being welcomed by the children

Dr Graham´s Homes is situated high above the town so there was still some climbing to be done. We walked a good way with our bikes as group and then mounted again with the gates to the school in sight. Riding through the gates we were greeted by cheers from the school children who were lining the driveway which went on and on. The children´s cheers kept us going as we climbed on and on. Every child was there and cheering and it was an extremely moving experience! Just as we thought our legs were going to give out completely we reached the main school campus. A reception followed with a few speeches.

It was fantastic to get a lift down to the Himalayan Hotel in Kalimpong and have a hot shower followed by a wee, pre-dinner dram with cousin Alan and a reflection on the day and what we had achieved! Celebrations continued long after dinner before we sank into comfortable beds with the prospect of Sunday service at the school in the morning followed by lunch with the principal and a chance to see how repairs to the earthquake damage are progressing.