The Blue Cross Was Born from an Argument That Colin Anderson, the Founder Had in a Bar

HISTORY The Blue Cross was born from an argument that Colin Anderson, the founder had in a bar in 1990 about the location of the lowest point in Zimbabwe. This led Colin to search through maps & find that it is the Save-Runde confluence, Mahenya (150 meters above sea level), in the South East Lowveld. The dramatic contrast in scenery between the highest point, Mt. Nyangani (2,593 meters above sea level) & the lowest point & the rounded figure of 500km inspired Colin to establish an endurance event for walkers & cyclists. In 1996 the Blue Cross was born with the purpose of raising money for the SPCA in Zimbabwe, with 8 walkers & 16 cyclists setting off from the dusty lowveld along a challenge never previously attempted. INTRODUCTION This Blue Book has been compiled to give you, your seconders & organisers a comprehensive picture of the event. It contains a practical preview, clear-cut rules if necessary to be enforced firmly & fairly in a friendly way, detailed stage descriptions, records & tips on seconding. Your important Stage Guides list start times & narratives of each day’s route followed by profiles & maps showing checkpoints, landmarks & turns. The Blue Cross medal, most prized & deeply respected of all ‘ultra’ decorations, is attainable by almost anyone who can raise the minimum sponsorship & who has put in the proper training. Since inception entrants ages have ranged from 16 to 70. The backgrounds are similarly diverse: school goers, pensioners, surgeons, farmers, chefs, missionaries to radio presenters, soldiers, bag sergeants, husbands & wives, & whole families from nations spread from SA to New Zealand, UK to the United States. The un-marked route covers 500 kilometres & is done by both Cyclists & Walkers... Both the Traditional & MTB Cyclists start in the Save river bed. The Traditional ride follows tar roads but takes in 3 stretches of rough gravel totalling +/-135Km all done in 4 back-to-back daily stages differing greatly in terrain & distance. The MTB ride is all off-road, 5 days back to back & navigated by bike mounted GPS’s. Again Walkers either on the Traditional or MTB route start in the Save river bed. Both disciplines are done over 10 daily stages with 3 compulsory rest days, notably though the off-road route is navigated by GPS. All disciplines complete the event by climbing the 3km up to Mt. Nyangani beacon. The topography & sometimes the weather are extreme! Apart from the first flat sections, climbs & descents persist to the very end - many of them far more severe than the other - do not underestimate what lies ahead: back-to-back days of sustained effort are rare in endurance fixtures & require a careful approach if you are to not burn out before the Finish. Although Blue Cross is for everyone, interest is naturally drawn to the front-runners but however fast or slow anyone’s time might be this year, something special will happen to every one of you… a warm & rewarding sensation of deep companionship & goodwill spontaneously fostered by sharing in one of Southern Africa’s great endurance events. SPONSORSHIP LEVELS

Minimum Sponsorship Cut Off 27th July 2013 Minimum Sponsorship is Bronze Medal Level GOLD $600 SILVER $400 BRONZE $200 GENERAL INFORMATION You & your seconders need to equip yourselves for an unforgettable week long trip, guarding yourselves against malaria & bringing with you your accommodation & food requirements. Dependant on your booked accommodation this may include tent & bedding, basic cooking, eating & drinking utensils, chosen foodstuffs, cooler boxes, water containers, woollies & waterproofs, changes of clothing, laundry aids, toiletries, headgear, sunblock, cash & personal medications & dressings. Facilities vary from place to place - from simple outdoor too fancy indoor living. Remember that Zimbabwe is prone to sudden shortages… so lay in a store of essential foods & enough fuel to tide your vehicle from start to finish. Each day you will be moving gear forward in whatever transport you may have laid on, consistent with reasonable comfort, please keep your kit to a minimum & have it securely packed & clearly labelled at all times- any losses could force you out of the event. Bring enough cash for planned shopping & also for unforeseen expenses such as pleasant socialising in your leisure hours. This Blue Book, which you should take with you for reference at any time as it is an un-marked route, describes the ground in detail & gives useful advice on how best to cope with the conditions. Be sure to attend the pre- stage briefings & study our Stage Guides well in advance. If unsure about anything don't hesitate to consult the Organisers who will do everything they can to help. In what lies ahead we must remind you that, although the organisers will be responsible for arranging timekeepers & where necessary sweep vehicles & First Aid (ALL sponsor dependant), the route is un-marked so it is your responsibility to navigate the course. We cannot provide anyone with the goods & such we have advised you on what to bring along. Your safety is our paramount concern! Most of you will be familiar with the shocking driving on our roads. Watch all traffic closely & take avoiding action in good time. Whether you are cycling or walking wear conspicuous brightly coloured clothing when travelling & keep to the very edge of the road. Be vigilant for sharp rocks, loose stones, wash aways, fallen trees, eroded road shoulders, potholes, crumbling tar & jagged cattle grids. It is wise to arrange travel & accident insurance to cover the period of your trip. Also beware of thieves! All along the route there are locals every bit as cunning as their counterparts in the cities. But take pains to treat our always curious spectators with courtesy, tolerance & respect. PRE-RACE FORMALITIES Check in on arrival, hand in any outstanding Donors Books & money, complete final documentation & collect your Number if not already collected plus other goodies. After pre-event briefing relax with sundowners & enjoy supper. After securing your possessions have a good night's sleep until our wake-up call - the signal to get up, eat up, kit up, warm up & pack up for your start. ON THE TRAIL Participants will set out on each stage fully briefed… warned about tricky surfaces, traffic hazards, the weather & other uncertainties. Follow the directions contained within this book and/or your GPS but look out for evidence of grids & potholes as signs are no longer prevalent. The ZRP have been notified of the event & our movements but can give no guarantees. Although we will do our best to advice the movement forward of your personal kit & rations each day is up to you to arrange, ensuring that you have an outfit of warm clothes waiting for you at the end of each stage. Consider the often lengthy wait for your road mates at the Finish & guard against cold, thirst, sun or rain. All overnight lodgings are to be left spotlessly clean as the future of Blue Cross depends totally upon the cooperation & goodwill of local communities. All bikes have to be road worthy & should be thoroughly serviced & adjusted for maximum comfort including spares & tools handy for routine repairs & do your best to have your own seconder, relying as little as possible on others. Nights stops & re-supply en route present few problems as most stages end within reach of amenities adequate to satisfy your expected needs. The first night at Chilo by all accounts will be luxury & then facilities at Fiddlers Green Polo Crosse Club & then several hostelries in Chimanimani - will be more than enough for survival. The City of Mutare offers numerous hotels & then on to the Finish in the Nyanga area, where the base is at Rhodes Hotel. GETTING TO START First-timers to the area might become a little uncertain of their whereabouts. Just ask any of the locals for "Mahenye" or "Chilo" & they will set you right. Regardless of your discipline on arrival you must Check-In with the organisers & again in either discipline you may have booked accommodation, so please arrive as early as you can on the day before the Start, to get in some valuable rest after a long drive. MTB CYCLE DIVISION ROUTE SUMMARY Estimate +/- Altitude (M) Hillwork (M)

Stage Km Min Max Up Down

107 STAGE 1 94.9 170 650 700 0

147 STAGE 2 80.7 420 1600 1075 0

258 STAGE 3 96.4 510 1590 2000 0

171 STAGE 4 115.0 802 1810 2340 0

260 STAGE 5 110.0 1130 2140 1600 0

STAGE 6 3.2 2130 2585 450 16

988 TOTAL 500.00 7731 0

Mention must be made that there are a few route changes as the route is developed plus the route is navigable 100% by a bike handlebar-mounted ‘on-the-trail’ GPS, there are no route markers & such it is the rider’s responsibility to follow the daily stage GPS track in full! Seconder vehicles will also require ‘on-the-trail’ GPS not an ‘on-the-road’ GPS.

The ride is ‘Self Supported’ therefore Seconders are required to move vehicle & support the rider with all requirements.

Please remember you are passing through communal, private & National lands & your respect is paramount. In the unlikely event you are stopped ‘act innocent’ & firstly apologise then say ‘we are in a race & that you are trying to find your way to x, y or z’ let them explain how to, then continue on your way back on your GPS.

Not only are the days tough, the nights on the road will be spent in unfamiliar surroundings albeit we hope in comfortable conditions... so equip yourselves accordingly. The best transport to take along is a bakkie preferably open backed to accommodate your bikes plus more if you are doubling up, if the bakkie is canopied then a trailer may be required to transport the bikes. Make sure that your ride is in tip-top working order & that your toolkits & stocks of spares are adequate. Plan your seconding arrangements carefully, remembering that if the vehicle is supporting more than one competitor - & those riders get spread out - it is very difficult for the job to be done properly.

Beware of too much enthusiastic "hype" in the beginning - this leads to collisions & possible injuries, damaging your chances of riding through & beware of overextending in the heat, attend to your fluid intakes & don't push it too fiercely.

We appeal to ALL seconders to avoid unnecessary dust for ALL riders (if reported dust in excess, time penalties to your rider may apply) & be aware of your riders re-fuelling areas & common sense must prevail but experience has proved that any re-fuelling is best undertaken on flats or an uphill, NEVER a downhill-also ENSURE AT ALL TIMES YOU POSITION VEHICLE WELL OFF TRACK!. Be aware of local children who are renowned for hassling seconders, ensure vehicle is locked & goods are secure STAGE 1

Route Notes: Get up in the near-pitch darkness, eat & prepare for the long hard day. Your adventure starts at dawn with a ‘warm-up’ ride from Chilo to the start in the Save river bed. Thereon we suggest the first 24km is ridden as a group to enjoy the camaraderie! The next 27.5km's follows flattish district road going into 13km of scotchcart & single track through communal villages & lands. Followed by 8.5km of good district Border road then onto 4.5km of scotchcart track followed by 4.7km of rocky single track & back onto the Border road with the remaining 17km to the overnight ‘bushcamp’.

Seconder Notes: i. If you are Seconding your rider Activate Track DAY 1i on 'on-the-trail’ GPS is compulsory with the pre-loaded track which is simple to follow as not all sections are with the Rider so you need to know where to go & where to wait & re-meet riders. From Chilo Seconders go ahead of ALL riders go straight to Point B 52km - Wait at Point B for your Rider & second them as necessary. Riders have 31km to next point E, you have 36km - from Point B you leave your Rider & Stay Right Red Track to Point E to wait for your Rider to appear along the Cyan Track. Common sense must prevail, when coming up to riders & you want to pass PLEASE SLOW DOWN then pass & ONLY once a distance away speed up again in consideration of avoiding unnecessary dust for the riders. Point E wait for your Rider to appear along the Cyan Track & then continue to follow them to day's finish set camp on right of road. ii. Activate DAY 1ii & from Chilo ahead of ALL riders go straight to Point A & wait for your Rider, where they turn right & you then take Green Track to the Middle Sabi tar road & such won't see riders again till stage finish. At tar Turn Right travel 62.5km to Chibunje Business Centre (no sign) here Turn Right on to dirt road travel 11.7km cutting back on itself before going east through a valley arriving at Mwangazi BC. Turn Right & travel +-4.5km, see Chibhorani (hand water-pump) on right, set camp on left of road, & await the arrival of your weary riders!

STAGE 2

Route Notes: Although this stretch is the shortest on the trip it must by no means to be taken lightly, the uphill sections are punishing but don't forget to take in the beauty of MTB'ing, also your seconders are not following & will meet you at +-50km!

Seconders Notes: i. Ensure your rider is ‘stocked up’ they have +-50km before you see them - Activate Track DAY 2i & follow the Red Track firstly to Point F then go to Middle Sabi Road & Turn Right, travel 13.0km to Kondo Point G. Turn Right & follow onto dirt road-70m & Stay Left, go 2km Turn Right onto the Chitoro road, known as Barbara in the Traditional ride, if you happen to come across Traditional riders on this section please be considerate & travel slowly past to avoid unnecessary dust. Travel a further 14km to top of Barbara at T-Turn Left onto narrow tar travel a further 7.4km & see Nyaututu School sign on Right & dirt road Point H, here wait for riders approaching up dirt road on along the Cyan Track. Feed them & continue along narrow tar for a further 7km to the Chipinge- Mt. Selinda road, at T Turn Left towards Chipinge. Travel 7km cross grid & immediately after Turn Right, travel 3.2km then Turn Right, travel 600m then Stay Left taking track today’s finish at Fiddlers Green. STAGE 3

Route Notes: Really harsh hill work awaits you, the uphill sections are a punishing 27 meters per Km. But probably the most picturesque passing through Tanganda Tea estates, Junction Gate where they also manufacture Tingamira Water then descending following the Chipita river to Nyahode +- 40km from the start. This is the confluence of the Nyahode & the Rusitu rivers. The party is over' the remaining 50km is a grueling 1800m ascent but again a stunning ride going through plantations of Tilbury & through Lord Plunketts farm. T & Turn Left onto tar road going to Chimanimani Town & finish at T Junction below Hotel.

Seconders Notes: Ensure your rider is ‘stocked up’ they have +-43km before you see them. Activate Track DAY 3i & follow Red Track or Day 3ii Green Track both to the Chipinge-Mt. Selinda narrow tar, Turn Right to Chipinge, at first intersection in Chipinge Turn Left towards Skyline & Chimanimani, now there are 2 options... i. Meet your riders at Nyahode, therefore travel 13.2km & Turn Right going to Skyline, travel a further 4km & Turn Right to Nyahode. This road could be dusty so please be considerate to other Seconders, travel 6km here Stay Right. A further 9.2km Turn Left & after 6.4km you will arrive at Nyahode, Turn Left then almost immediately Right which will take you over the Nyahode river just after find a suitable place to await the arrival of your rider Point I, be aware & lock vehicle if you leave it unattended. Your rider has a further +-53km so ensure they are well fed & stocked up, after which go back to Nyahode & Turn Right & after 9.3km Turn Right, a further 10km Stay Straight, a further 9km feed Right onto the Chimanimani tar road at Charter Sawmill. Continue to Chimanimani Town & the finish at T Junction below Hotel, after which pack your rider & travel to your night stop. ii. Activate Track go back to the Chipinge-Mt. Selinda narrow tar, Turn Right to Chipinge. At first intersection in Chipinge Turn Left towards Skyline & Chimanimani. Travel 13.2km then Turn Right going to Skyline, after 35.3km arrive at Skyline Junction & T-Turn Right to Chims. Travel 19km into Chims & below hotel & T Junction await the arrival of your riders, after which pack your rider & travel to your night stop. STAGE 4

Route Notes: Take in the view of the Chimanimani mountains before attacking Tank Nek which sees riders negotiate hazardous, rough & rocky 60.7km dirt road to Cashel. No seconding is permitted over Tank Nek. But the result of your hard work on this day is seeing some of the loveliest scenery so take your time & enjoy! This is followed with a fast tar descent to Mutambara Mission then back onto dirt again taking through striking msasa wooded tracks. Back into communal land ‘teeing’ onto the Himalaya Road at Ranella hill finding seconders +- 30km from last seconding point. This followed by a fast descent & crossing the newly constructed Chitora bridge, then arriving at Shaya Uripo & Pzimunya stores. You will see the Mupudzi dam & one crosses the river below the dam wall, follow dirt road up to T onto Mutare/Birchenough tar see the Ben Love Butchery/Store & finish for the day.

Seconder Notes: i. There is no following or seconding on Tank's Nek, thereafter there 2 seconding points being Cashel Point K & Ranella Point M. At start ALL activate Track DAY 4i follow the Red Track & make your way to Cashel by following the tar road from Chimanimani back to Skyline junction, here Stay Straight going to Wengezi. 67.7km from Chims arrive a fork Point J here Turn Right to Cashel & travel 15.5km to Cashel Point K, travel time approximately 11/2hrs from Chims here await arrival of riders. Thereafter riders turn off at Mutambara Mission Point L 11km from Cashel DO NOT follow, instead continue to the Mutare/Birchenough T at Wengezi here Turn Right going to Mutare. Travel 22km see the 44.5km peg & if required for re-feeding you can Turn Right onto the Himalaya dirt road & travel 5km see Ranella Hill on left & Gutaurare School Sign on right Point M wait here for your riders, feed them & then go back to tar Turn Right. Travel 6.5km & on Right see the Ben Love Butchery/Store, this is the Finish. After which pack your Rider & make way to Mutare & your overnight accommodation. ii. Activate Track DAY 4i & follow the Red Track back to Skyline junction, here Stay Straight going to Wengezi. 67.7km from Chims, arrive a fork Point J Turn Left to the Mutare/Birchenough T at Wengezi here Turn Right going to Mutare. Travel 28.5km see the Ben Love Butchery/Store, this is the Finish. After which pack your Rider & make way to Mutare & your overnight accommodation.

STAGE 5

Route Notes: After a comfortable night prepare for the final day in the saddle which has the greatest ascent of the event & puts the riders endurance & powers of recovery to the test. After driving to the start on the Penhalonga road Seconders DO NOT follow you on the first 18km & they meet you at the Odzani falls. The first half of the ride is spent in communal land & also covers half of the ascent after which riders enter forests roads for 6km before crossing the Honde Valley tar road & onto the Pungwe Scenic road then onto Placefell road & at Pungwe Drift Stay Left up a torturous 5km climb, flattening out then an awesome downhill, stay vigilant to your GPS track as it Swings Right as you make your final 12.9km to the flags and finishing banner at the Mt. Nyangani car park, the final spurt heralds the end of a mammoth ride!

Seconder Notes: i. Activate Track DAY 5i go over Christmas Pass back towards Harare, at bottom of Pass see Redan Station here Turn Right onto the Penhalonga Road (sign says La Rochelle), travel 7.2km from the Mutare Road to the START. Say 'cheers' to your Rider & carry on the tar for 19.0km & see small dam & dirt road with sign Odzani Falls on left Point N, Turn Left & go to water works & follow road around left for 100m park & walk to falls. Riders will be coming up the Cyan Track, after which follow Riders back onto tar, Turn Left towards Odzani, at Odzani & end of tar Stay Straight towards Watsomba. Follow riders all the way to Watsomba & the Mutare/Juliasdale Tar. Leave your Rider & Turn Right onto the tar at Point O, ensure they are stocked up as they have +-24km before seeing you again. Travel towards Juliasdale, after 19.4km see the Honde Valley Turn, Turn Right & go 1.7km, on left see the Pungwe Scenic dirt road Point P Turn Left & here wait for your riders. From this point you can follow riders along the Pungwe Scenic Road, Right onto Placefell Road. At Point Q leave your rider & Turn Left, go passed the turning to Rhodes Hotel, after which Turn Right & report to the National Parks boom, pay necessary Park entry fees, go through boom-Turn Right past Rhodes cottages-next Y Stay Left avoiding unnecessary dust for any participants encountered. Stay Left at 'horse trails' & at next Y Point R (Nyamuziwa Falls Sign-1km before Mare Dam) leave your riders & TURN LEFT make your way to finish at Mt Nyangani car park to "cheer" in your riders!

National Park Entry Local International Nyanga 5.00 10.00

BLUE CROSS DAY Having finished the last timed stage of your journey you demobilise to your chosen camp, cottage, lodge or hotel for a well-earned rest before survivors of all Divisions re-unite on the following day in the car park beneath Mt. Nyangani +/- 08:30 hours on BLUE CROSS DAY. From here everyone will complete, at their leisure, the final 3Km climb to the summit of Mt. Nyangani to sign the Finishers Book (competitors only) & celebrate a great achievement. After your descent relax until you gather at a Rhodes Hotel for the Awards Ceremony +- 14:00 & be rewarded for your efforts.

IN THE VEHICLE MTB DIVISION (SOLO) MTBS1.The entire route must be Cycled under the Entrants own power without any leapfrogging or Relay take overs & the entire route is navigable by GPS & the GPS track must be followed in full, unless a section proves to be impassable MTBS2.Any type of two wheeled un-motorised Cycle may be used. MTBS3.A Cycle must be passed for roadworthiness by the Referee before competition. MTBS4.Contestants are to make their own watering & seconding plans. MTBS5.Hard shell helmets must be worn throughout. MTBS6.Tri-, Cinelli-, & aero-bars or equivalent accessories are not permitted. MTBS7.If dismounted for any reason, no one may run or walk without pushing their bike. MTBS8.All riders must summit Mt. Nyangani.

MTB DIVISION (TEAM) MTBT1.Teams to consist of a minimum of two, each of whom must comply with Rules MTBS1 to 8. MTBT2.All Team members must Start & cross the Finish line together each day. MTBT3.Teams during the stage are expected to stay together at all times. MTBT4.All Team members must summit Mt. Nyangani.

MTB DIVISION (RELAY) MTBR1.Relays to consist of a minimum of two, each of whom must comply with Rules MTBS1 to 8. MTBR2.Change over points are undesignated & to be made at the discretion of Relay members. Bar sections where Seconders are not allowed to follow, in such instances change over points are where Seconders re- meet the riders. MTBT3.Relay members cycling on any stage are expected to stay together at all times. MTBR4.Stage 4, Chimanimani, over Tank Nek to Cashel is compulsory for all Relay members. MTBR5.Stage 5, the final 12km to Mt. Nyangani Car Park (turn near Rhodes Hotel/Placefell road) is compulsory for all Relay members. MTBR6.All Relay members must cross the Finish line together on Day 5. MTBR7.All Relay members must summit Mt. Nyangani.