Old Legs Tour Angola 2024 – The Fuel Station

3 days before we conquer epic climbs and even more epic landscapes, let’s peek behind the curtain and witness the magic happening at the Fuel Station – aka the colossal effort to feed 10 hungry Old Legs and 6 tireless support crew members for a month, across a staggering 5,208 kilometers!

Imagine this: each rider gets 3 backpack snacks for on-the-go energy, 4 proper meals a day, and – to keep those legs pumping – 4 tea and snack stops scattered throughout the journey.

This symphony of sustenance starts with Linda, our culinary maestro, crafting menus months in advance. Then, Chef Morris and Goodson, seasoned veterans with 4 tours under their belts, orchestrate a kitchen ballet in Komani. Picture perfectly roasted meats, simmering stews, and meticulous portioning – a well-oiled machine preparing for the big send-off as each meal is labeled, tabled, and meticulously stored before being frozen, ready to be transferred to several deep freezers that travel in the support vehicles with the Old Legs.

Speaking of seasoned veterans, welcome Naison to the Old Legs Angola squad! His superpower? Fluent Portuguese, a crucial skill for this adventure. Naison will be experiencing the magic firsthand!

Now, here’s where the true logistical masterpiece unfolds.  Every morning by 6 am, the tantalising aroma from Alastair’s early morning coffee club and steam rising from a huge pot of fresh porridge (with a generous helping of honey and raisins, of course) fills the air. Breakfast prepped, the support crew frantically packs up camp as the cyclists disappear over the first hill of the day and then speed off to catch the riders, only to push ahead again to reset a feed station about 30 minutes before the next pitstop. This dance repeats for lunch and dinner, ensuring a constant flow of delicious fuel for our intrepid adventurers.

After a day of conquering miles, the cyclists arrive to a welcoming campsite, ready to pitch their tents, take part in the daily chores (everyone is allocated these in advance), and finally, eat, tell a few tales, and hopefully unwind, ready to start all over again the next day!

So, there you have it! A glimpse into the incredible behind-the-scenes effort that keeps our #OldLegs family fed, happy and ready to conquer anything the roads throw our way.

By the way – 90% of the food on Tour is donated, and The Fuel Station simply couldn’t happen without the generosity of so many sponsors. Or perhaps it could.  But we’d have to be renamed The Skinny Exhausted Crotchety Old Legs, and we’d probably only make it as far as Mount Hampden.

Stay tuned as we gear up to go #EvenMoreEpic.  And please don’t forget if you are in Harare, to join us this Saturday 20th July for the Big Send Off, 6 am at Isuzu Autoworld, Harare Drive, Pomona.

#HaveFun #DoGood #DoEpic #PedallingForPensioners #OLTAngola2024