30 June - 6th shipment of 2010 for S. Africa

We have just finished loading a container load of bicycles - this one is now on it's way to The Bicycle Empowerment Network (BEN), South Africa, based just outside of Capetown. This makes in total 6 shipments in the first 6 months of 2010 which is well up on last year when we did 7 shipments in 12 months.

The mission of BEN is poverty alleviation through the promotion of the use of the bicycle in all of its forms,in order to enhance low-cost non-motorised transport, and improve health through linking exercise and mobility. In collaboration with local and international partners, BEN facilitates the transportation of bicycles from Europe, the Americas and Asia to Southern Africa; the establishment of bicycle workshop projects; distribution of these bicycles to strategically selected groups of recipients; and the planning and introduction of bicycle user paths and integrated linking networks.

We know that once the bicycles arrive in 3 or 4 weeks time they will be put to good use. Many thanks to our brave volunteers who loaded the bikes without complaint on one of the hottest days of the year.

We are already now working towards the next shipment for Namibia which will be sent as soon as we have enough bikes to make up the next load - hopefully within the next few weeks.

3 June 5th shipment of 2010 sent to Ghana

Just over 2 weeks after sending a container load of bikes to Zambia we had enough bikes to make up another shipment for The Village Bicycle Project that were loaded here at Colchester. The container was then taken to the port at Felixstowe and is due to arrive in Tema, Ghana three weeks later on 27th June.

Once again we managed to load over 400 bicyles plus lots of valuable spare parts, wheel and tyres. Some of the bikes that were loaded came from the 600+ collected by Romsey Test Rotary Club that were left over from last months shipment to Zambia. Once again we are grateful for the hard work put in by our experienced team of hard working volunteer loaders and to all who had donated the bicycles.

15 May Bikes for Zambia collected by Romsey Rotary Club

On 15th May we finished loading the most recent container consignment of that is now on the long journey to Zambia.  A great example of cooperation and team work - the bikes were collected over several months by an enthusiastic team led by Graham Lee from Romsey Test Rotary Club, the shipping was organised by UK Charity The Kaloko Trust who also support the project in Zambia and the loading of the container which took place just outside Romsey, Hampshire, was led by a small team from Re~Cycle. 349 mountain bikes (less than usual as the shipper didn't send the requested "high cube" container) will arrive in six weeks time after a long overland journey from Dar es Salaam.

7 April - Loading first shipment to Ability Bikes, Ghana

Today we are loading a container load of bikes for Ability Bikes Cooperative in Ghana. They have previously received shipments from The USA but this will the first from Re~Cycle.

417 bikes (highest recent total) plus lots of spares, tools, wheels and tyres. A great effort from all of our loading volunteers - our thanks to them all. The container is due to arrive in Tema on the 24th April so by the end of the month, the bikes will start be be given new owners and a new lease of life.

Thank you to all who donated bicycles to us recently, and to the generous people paying for the shipping; Transport for London (with a full on Tour de France sponosred ride - HERE), McKinsey & Co and Infinity Foods.

See http://bikesnotbombs-eefsa.blogspot.com/ for more information about this great project that creates employment for people with disabilities.

VBP receives first shipment of 2010

Re~Cycle's first shipment for the new year has been successfully unloaded at the Village Bicycle Project in Accra, Ghana. More than 360 bicycles were loaded into Re~Cycle's final container of 2009, just two weeks before Christmas - which also included many spare parts, tools and accessories.

The shipment will be split between veteran recipient VBP and Re~Cycle's newest partner in Ghana - the Ezetela Bicycle Workshop, who will take a small number of bicycles and spares to kick-start their workshop before their own shipment arrives in February 2010.

The Village Bicycle Project will begin its outreach work for the new year by visiting a string of villages across the Western Region, where it will work with Peace Corp field staff to bring bicycles and maintenance classess to rural settlements.

Tri4Africa Update: Robs visits partners in Ghana

As Rob is nears the end of the West African section of his epic cycle he finds the time to drop in on two active recipient partners in Ghana. The first stop was the Village Bicycle Project in Accra who will receive Re~Cycle's first shipment for 2010. Unfortunately, as Rob arrived the bicycles were still to leave the port of Tema - otherwise he would have no doubt been employed in the unloading effort! The VBP specialises in getting bicycles into rural villages and townships - where they are in most demand - and supports their distribution with maintenance training workshops.
 

 
Next stop was the Ezetela Bicycle Workshop in Dodowa - a small township just east of Accra. Ezetela is new partner being developed on-the-ground by two Re~Cycle volunteers. Rob was able to see first hand the beginings of a new recipient and talk through their ambitious plans for the future. Rob was also invited to speak to the children at one of the local sunday schools - who were thrilled to learn all about his 'home-on-wheels', which included a tent demonstration!
 

 
Rob has now crossed the 'half way point' and is currently in Nigeria. Get the latest updates at www.tri4africa.co.uk and support his journey at www.justgiving.com/robforbes.

Xmas 2009 - Raffle and card-lite Xmas

Raffle

Many thanks to all of you who bought tickets.

The prize bike kindly donated by Madison is a 2010 Genesis Flyer singlespeed, worth £600 (winner chooses frame size), draw is 16th January.

Card-lite Xmas

We'd like to suggest you have a "card-lite Xmas" and get people to donate to Re~Cycle and post a message via JustGiving, rather than sending cards, especially if you're going to be away.

Merlin's set a page up HERE - http://www.justgiving.com/Merlin-Card-Lite-Xmas

Volunteer of the year has to go to "Brave Sir Rob" (Monty Python's Grail) for his epic triathlon from the UK to South Africa, scroll down for more info.

Wishing you an excellent festive season, from all at Re~Cycle.

Latest shipment to Ghana - 11 December 2009

Another shipment of 363 bikes has just left our warehouse and is now on its way to The Village Bicycle Project in Ghana.  There were slightly less bicycles loaded this time but an extra large quantity of spare parts and tyres, many donated by Recyke-yer-Bike in Newcastle and OWL Bikes in Cambridge, were sent.

50 of the bikes and a portion of the spare parts are being shared with a new project - Ezetela - which is being supported by our long standing supporter and volunteer, Jason Finch, who is spending 12 months in Ghana.

Jason is also visiting both existing and new potential partners whilst he is there and providing valuable feedback to and from Re~Cycle and is also encouraging our partners to share and exchange information and ideas.  Hopefully Rob Forbes will have time during his epic bike ride from Cirencester to Cape Town (see separate news story, below, for more information) to meet up with Jason and see at first hand, some of the great work that our partners do.

Rob's Tri4Africa 19,000km ride, swim and run from the UK to Africa - 1st October 2009

On the 1st October 2009, Rob started his massive sponsored bike ride, swim and run to South Africa, and has already raised a very impressive £13,442 for Re~Cycle!

We're amazed and impressed and thank and salute him.

As if cycling 19,000km across 21 countries through some of the most remote and rugged terrain in West Africa wasn't enough of a mission (phew!), he's planning to make it an "ultra triathlon" by braving sharks and ships in swimming the Strait of Gibraltar and running an "ultra-marathon" of 56 miles (89km) in South Africa. He plans to visit a number of Re~Cycle's partner projects on route and conclude this epic physical and mental challenge by donating his bike to a partner project in South Africa.

He may sound like a nutter (hell, he's got to be a nutter!), but Merlin and Derek have spent two days with him in Colchester, one planning the trip and organising support along the way (see photos - here), and one he helped loading a container of bikes.

If you wish to follow his progress, donate or get involved please visit his website - www.tri4africa.co.uk

He writes a brief and entertaining blog, when he's got signal.

Update - Rob has swum the straits of Gibraltar, 6.5 hours, 25km, details HERE