Telegraph Online Part 1

Telegraph Online: 12:01am BST 01/05/2008

Cycle of life: diary of a bike ride across Africa

A group of young people have begun a 5,000 mile bike ride through some of southern and east Africa's wildest terrain to discover the community conservation projects of the future and raise funds to help them. Jessica Hatcher reports as the journey gets underway

The seven-strong team who plan to spend four months cycling across Africa is led by Barty Pleydell-Bouverie, a young neuroscientist with a passion for conservation. Barty was inspired to plan this epic bike ride by the tragic death of his brother David, in a safari accident in Zimbabwe.

Jessica Hatcher: adjusting to the 6:1 male/female ratio

Barty is accompanied by three friends Chris, Craig and Jessica. For the first 1000 miles they will also be joined by two young people from the homeless charity Centrepoint Damian and Xavier, and social worker Zak.

The expedition will pass unsupported across seven countries and take four months, visiting around 25 Tusk-supported community conservation projects. Carrying up to 70 litres of water for survival and a satellite that enables them to keep in touch from a Bushman's doorstep in the Kalahari, the team must bicycle on average 100km per day to reach their far-flung conservation projects of choice. They plan to raise money for the Tusk Trust (www.tusk.org) along the way.

Jessica Hatcher, the only girl on the expedition who is also visiting Africa for the first time shares her story:

Monday, April 28

I think there comes a time when doing things because they are character-building becomes irrelevant. Even at the tender age of 25, I have a suspicion that my characteristic shortfalls are pretty much entrenched. So why the hell am I doing this? Eight hours a day grinding a bicycle saddle into my hitherto tender buttocks for four months, with nothing but African bush for a bathroom and a tent that comes with a 6'4" man who I don't even get to have sex with.

So far, emotions have run high (although I am learning that a good fart joke cures even the most severe male melancholy) and tempers have flared (you try putting an Oxford-educated Harrovian with a 19 year old homeless Geordie lad in these conditions 24/7).

We're getting to know Xavier and Damian, the two lads from Centrepoint, very well. Damian has quickly become team problem-solver, amazing with anything from break-pads to solar panels. Xavier, who left his family in France around four years ago to spend six months on the streets in London before finding shelter, is chief humanitarian. We stayed the other night in a village of San Bushmen and shared around a fire our tales from home.

Barty, as project leader, was keen to understand the tribe's position on the brink of modernity. I tend to distance myself with a safety mantra that these ancient communities are like ecosystems – interference is not often a good thing and best left to those with more knowledge than me. But Xavier, my God, he was all about solutions, something we've become so accustomed to dismissing: "Why not send them rice each week, it costs nothing! Why don't we collect old clothes in England and send them? Why not… why not… why not…" Yep, his simple passion to help was humbling… but short-lived. Philanthropism turned quickly to mild existential crisis: "F*ck development, these people are happy... who needs shoes?"

While Xavier is currently lost in developmental ethics, Damian is just plain homesick. He became a father a short time ago. His 'bairn' is nine weeks and four days old today and he hasn't heard any news. He's 19 years old himself and has not really left County Durham before other than to go on a mediterranean cruise. No wonder the guy's a bit overwhelmed – a month of serious physical endurance crossing uninhabited regions of southern Africa on bicycles with three posh guys and a girl who behaves, I suspect, like no girl he's ever met before? I don't blame him.

And how is that girl? I've got over my pride and now tell the boys when I'm struggling to keep up. Emotional adjustment to the 6:1 male/female ratio has taken place mostly on downhill stretches where the wind can wash away the tears; I'm having all sorts of personal revelations, invariably brought on by engaging with the vast African sky, and I'm getting more and more excited about what we are doing – project aims are crystallizing and already futures are opening up.

www.cycleoflife2008.com In association with Artemis Fund Management. Satellite BGAN unit from the SatCom Group.