Gabon. The country of “La Tropicale Amissa Bongo” and my first professional UCI experience. One thing I knew for certain was, it would be unlike anything I’ve ever seen or done before. For me it would become a perfect environment to spend the week learning and watching with googly eyes. Absorbing and watching in awe of their inspiration and charismatic characters.
This is part two of a three part series on La Tropicale Amissa Bongo, a UCI race in Gabon. Part One consisted of ‘The Arrival’; Part Two consists of the ‘Racing in Gabon’; Part Three includes some of my ‘Closing Thoughts’.
Gabon Part Three – Closing Thoughts
The Mini-Bus – Early Rising
Throughout the week we had many early rises getting up at, or just before sunrise. A few of these days were for an early bus ride where we would retrace the kilometres of the previous stages. Most others were for taking an early morning flight to the next hotel location which would have been more than a few hundred kilometres by mini bus.
Those bus rides during the early hours of the day are when you really get a true impression of any society. Along the whole journey you saw people already at it, taking on the day’s work or preparing for the day’s study. Fully constructing the day on the consistent daily rise and fall of the sun without any sign of twilight. Personally – despite the short time on the equator – that really connected with me. Within the first few days I felt an instant connection with my body clock and, within the week, I was falling asleep at hours I had only dreamed of.
Other times many people, after the first couple hours of daylight, could be seen just sitting outside calm and serene. Socialising. Chatting, in peace. It was as refreshing as the oxygen released by the surrounding nature. Characterising the peace and harmony I was perceiving from the local areas deep in the rainforest. You could see why, then, the leaders’ jersey was sponsored by Discover Gabon: The Last Eden. I’ll admit it took me a few days to catch onto this, but it felt like this is one of the last places on earth the to be in touch with their human nature.
On occasion, The Last Eden, appeared to turn into scenes from post-apocalyptic fiction. Trucks and cars laid to waste, which in no time were enveloped in vegetation. The way in which this appears to happen resonates with how apocalyptic fiction captures it. In random places, they were just broken down on the roadside, abandoned and disintegrating, first by society and then by nature. This could be a stark reminder as to how powerful the planet is. And that nature will, prevail long after our time on this Earth is finished. We are just a millisecond in its timeline.
One final thing stood out from these mini-bus journeys. That was the impeccably dressed women lining the streets. The colour palate that might have been considered for our trip would be a rusty orange trimmed with a deep green. However, the additional touches of colour that might confuse the photoshop algorithms, are the colours that appear on the vibrant and eye-catching clothing that the women wear. I’m running out of superlatives to say about this land, and the people that inhabit it. I loved it.
“The Final Stage”
To close off such a memorable time, the organisation threw a party at the local Beach Club in Libreville. Dancers, music, a few drinks and great food brought our time in Gabon to a close. We were welcomed to the beach club by drinks and dancers. I chose to have a relaxed shot of Baileys Liqueur. However, the bartender showed a lack of knowledge of the 17% alcohol that is in a drink of Baileys. They proceeded to pour me half a whisky glass of Baileys. A glass I drank far too quickly.
Alongside the few drinks – that were drunk as quickly as my Baileys – the tribal dressed dancers welcomed us with intensity and joy. One even chose Alex – my teammate who had won the stage that day – was eyed up and chosen to be the first to dance amongst the pounding music. The food was tasteful. I didn’t eat too much, but I tried little bits and pieces that I have never had the privilege of tasting before. A word of advice from my teammate Karl rings true, “try everything.” I tried what caught my eye from the lengthy buffet. The team atmosphere was chilled, yet joyous with the memories of some important stage wins, and the realisation of the race winnings too. Another new experience for me.
Closing Thoughts
I’ve said regularly now, in a few podcast appearances, and to closer friends and family, and basically anyone who has asked me how this race went; I say – no matter how clichéd – “I think I found myself.” For years and years, I would ask myself why I wasn’t able to dance or sing in front of others. Even going so far as to never want to go for a night out ‘with the lads’ in off season. In Gabon I found the answer that I was telling myself, and others doubted. It was down to the music. Club music isn’t for me. In my view the typical club only invited people to jump up and down without any rhythm or aesthetic. It only took an hour, a dip in the pool and a mere shot bailey to get moving and dancing with the locals
Dancing very much replaces the term partying, because I believe the absence of the drink would mean that this way of celebrating in this culture is one you can get up the next morning, look back on with joy and happiness. Rather than regret, and despair at how much you might have drunk the night before – partying.
I found myself and enhanced what I stand for. I questioned my existence, and I updated some of my values which include the rules that I believe are important for me to live by. This has been the goal of this series. To remember, analyse and collate all the inspiring memories and souvenirs I’ve taken on from this trip. I want to go back. I believe it’s a great example on how to start the racing season.
