After 100 km, Katrien had to brake suddenly to avoid a little girl who unexpectedly crossed the road. She fell and scraped her left side. Additional damages included a swollen knee, a broken gear lever, and a cracked helmet. In the photo, you can see the quietest place we could find to examine the injuries and treat them as best as possible.

After the first 300 km, we decided to look for a place to rest for a few hours. We arrived at a small village that wasn't even on the map and asked a local if they knew a place to sleep. He took us to a noisy cafe, where we went through doors and hallways to arrive at a quiet courtyard with two guest rooms. It was also the only place where we could have a "hot shower." Fifteen minutes later, the same man returned with two large plates of rice, beans, grilled vegetables, and potatoes, as well as a few bottles of Fanta.

The warmth and friendliness of the people are what make a trip to Rwanda so unique. Throughout the day, happy children encourage us by running with us on the hills. Bicycle taxis pedal alongside us or challenge us to a race. When you kindly say "waramutse" (hello in the local language), you are always greeted with a big smile.

No race around Rwanda is identical. During the rainy season, a perfect gravel strip can turn into a road full of potholes, bumps, rocks, and crevices.

Tea plantations are characteristic of the Rwandan landscapes. This often means a lot of climbing, as many plantations are located in the highest parts of Rwanda, above 2000 meters.

Nothing is too hot or too heavy to be transported by bike. You see bikes loaded with maize, tea, bananas, or buckets of banana beer everywhere, and bicycle taxis are also very popular. Uphill often means pushing, but downhill Rwandans can run at 60 km/h, braking with their feet, coming down the mountain.