Over the weekend, the 40 Gostar bikers met in Courtételle in the canton of Jura for an event to hand over the bikes and outdoor equipment and for an initial training ride through the Jura Mountains.

Starting on November 1, they will spend two weeks mountain biking 1,500 km across southwestern Ethiopia as part of a charity tour. Each of the participants has committed to raising CHF 20,000 in their local community and to undertaking this ambitious journey as ambassadors and witnesses of their time. One of the goals of the trip is to experience the immense beauty of the country and its friendly people, but also to witness the stark contrast of poverty and misery, which can often be explained by a poorly functioning healthcare system. The long and intense journey ends at the university hospital in Jimma. Here, at their destination, the Swiss group will visit the GOSTAR trauma surgery project, the only point of contact for accident victims in a catchment area of over 20 million inhabitants. The highlight will be the inauguration of the new orthopedic ward. This will also be a major media event for the Ethiopians, accompanied by a visit from the Minister of Health. The anticipation and excitement are great. The team is highly motivated and everyone is looking forward to tackling this sporting adventure together. It will be a unique and unforgettable experience, outside the comfort zone but for a great cause.

A big thank you to all the courageous and committed cyclists on the 2019 tour and to everyone who supports us.

Your OK team, Olivier and Pele