Earlier this year I was in Lunsar, Sierra Leone undertaking my PhD research. While there, I worked and rode alongside the Lunsar Cycling Team – and I had a great time! What a team! They are an incredible group of highly motivated cyclists.
I have stayed in contact and support them where ever I can.
One way to support the LCT is by supplying them with reliable road bikes so they can compete.
Currently, LCT has a very worthy fundraiser on GoFundMe which is inviting supporters to help them get 8 bikes for the team to use for competitions.
What’s the situation?
The Lunsar Cycling Team is based in a town of 30,000 people where there is no electricity and limited resources. Bikes are a popular way to get around, but having your own bike is out of the reach for many locals. The team have a few donated bikes they rotate between riders to get some training in – but there are not enough reliable bikes to take them to the next level.
The riders are strong, keen and motivated and they need reliable, well-performing bikes to match.
The riders have already made a name for themselves in the local, regional and national races – and now they want to take on neighbouring countries in West Africa.
Two LCT riders have already represented Sierra Leone internationally, competing at the Tour de Guinee in 2019. All riders who ride for the national team must compete on their own bikes. LCT would like to change that, so they can achieve a greater consistency at national competitions and give the Sierra Leone Team riders a fighting chance when they next compete abroad.
To do this, the Lunsar Cycling Team need to buy eight carbon fibre road bicycles on which to compete. They have a road bike supplier in Holland who is willing to give them an incredibly generous discount – which means they can get each bike cost around £600 where they would retail at £2,000.
The team need support because although they can get these new bikes at a discounted rate, it is still considerably more than most people in Lunsar earn in six months.
Currently the team has raised £3, 557 of the total £5, 000 needed.
Please support the Lunsar Cycling Team by giving generously.
I can’t wait to see them kick arse internationally!