Democratic Republic of the Congo Cycling Club

[cfcjim]

This is cool.

 

 

https://www.theguardian.com/world/2016/nov/15/i-only-dream-of-bicycles-the-drc-cycling-club-offering-hope-and-breakfast

 

 

[The Guy in Pink]

The DRC is not for Road cycling - the entire country has 2750km of paved roads (SA 179000km -& the DRC is twice as big as SA). I have not been to Goma but I travel Through Bukavu which is 100km away on the other side of the Lake, and the "paved" roads in Bukavu would make short work on a road bike.

 

I may be the only Hubber with a bike in the DRC, but its a mountain bike with 2.4" tyres.

 

How these lads manage to keep road bikes going is a mystery to me.

[cfcjim]

The DRC is not for Road cycling - the entire country has 2750km of paved roads (SA 179000km -& the DRC is twice as big as SA). I have not been to Goma but I travel Through Bukavu which is 100km away on the other side of the Lake, and the "paved" roads in Bukavu would make short work on a road bike.

 

I may be the only Hubber with a bike in the DRC, but its a mountain bike with 2.4" tyres.

 

How these lads manage to keep road bikes going is a mystery to me.

That's what's brilliant. They keep going in the face of massive adversity.

[Honkdonk]

I did a job up there a few years ago in Kinshasa at The Grand hotel and after it was over and we were leaving I noticed the local broadcaster had parked one of their outside broadcast vans outside the conference room. At the front of the hotel is where I realized what was going on. There in all their glory were these guys. All kitted out in lycra with their road bikes. So it was some sort of event and broadcast in honor of them.

The bikes were of the old steel down tube shifter variety, but they look well looked after and the guys looked fit and healthy.

Having driven around Kinshasa and checking out the state of the roads and traffic I had a great respect for these guys!

[lechatnoir]

The only way I'd ride anywhere in DRC would be on a trainer. Those roads... and those drivers... no way. My liability insurance doesn't cover death by misadventure!