Project Rwanda

We have been racing against the Project Rwanda pro cycling team all week but on Friday we got invited to a BBQ with them. It’s a group of six Rwanda natives who are lead by Tom Ritchey and Jock Boyer. Jock was the first ever American to compete in the Tour de France and Tom was one of the original mountain bikers. Their vision is to use the bicycle as a tool to bring Rwanda back into acceptance and legitimacy in the world’s eyes following the genocide of 1994.

The bicycle is the main mode of transportation and utility in Rwanda, but due to the country’s land-locked infrastructure, is very expensive. The current multi-purpose bikes designed in China and India have only one gear and are very heavy. The designing of a specialty load-bearing coffee-hauling bicycle could increase a coffee farmer’s earning potential by 30–40 percent annually. The farmer gets paid more of a premium if they deliver fresher coffee cherries to the washing station.

It was great talking to the team although they can speak almost no English. This is their first trip to America and have never taken a warm shower before. I asked Rifiti (the only rider who spoke some English) what he liked and disliked most in America. He said he liked everything, especially how nice the people are and getting three meals every day. At the BBQ someone handed him the tray of chicken to put on the table and be thought is was all for him. They also had no concept of waiting in line, it was pretty cool.

There is more information on Project Rwanda at www.projectrwanda.org