. on the eve of our start Botswana Council for the Disabled held a Gala Fundraising Dinner, with the cyclists and their handcycles (and tandem for our blind cyclist) as the guests of honor. Speakers from government, the NGO sector and the private sector all spoke movingly about what Bidii Yetu Botswana 2026 and including people with disabilities more in daily life, sport and recreaation meant to them. We even had a surprise appearance by 2023 Bidii Yetu Botswana crossing alumnus Mpho, who came as a traditionally dressed bard and regaled us with colorful stories and aphorisms. 
. All went away full, motivated and ready for a very, very early start of what’s going to be a series of very hot rides.