Tenkodogo to Beka - 116km

Tenkodogo to Beka - 116km

Scott Worthington

Today’s distance was one of the overall furthest on the tour thus far. We started the day with 17 riders, and even added an 18^th on route. We got going at 5:45am and continued with our usual schedule; trying to knock out a decent amount of mileage before breakfast, when the sun is low and energy is high.

47km later, we ended up in Bagre where most of us scarfed down omelet sandwiches, lots of water, and Burkina’s version of Gatorade, called Energie, basically sugar water in plastic bags. We then continued on for about the same distance before regrouping to take on the final 25km to Zabre, where we took a much deserved lunch break before the final 8km to the village of Beka.

The distance was draining, and not just because we went over 25km further than anticipated. We also had a reemergence of the sun (after two days of hiding behind rain clouds) and left the relatively smooth paved roads for getting back on the dirt.

However, the countryside in the south was quite beautiful, with gentle rolling hills (though there were a few killer uphill segments), some sophisticated rice irrigation systems (Bagre is the rice capital of Burkina), and vast numbers of millet, sorghum, and corn fields.

In Beka we received an amazing reception. The streets were lined with hundreds of people and music was planning as we rolled in.

We were then treating to music and dancing before introductions and speeches with the village chief and other officials.

Josh and Ashley, our hosts in Beka, then broke the crowd into groups of men and women before giving information sessions on malaria and child nutrition.

The entire crowd stuck around for the talks. It was pretty amazing to see these huge crowds of Burkinabe engulfing us Peace Corps Volunteers.

We then continued on to take a tour of the local health clinic where Josh and Ashley both work, before heading back to their house for an excellent dinner that included homemade tortilla chips and salsa, hummus, and more.

Tents and sleeping pads were put up almost immediately after dinner, and this writer was asleep well before 9pm. Up for tomorrow, an action packed ride to Po, with a stop in Tiebele.