Julien Macdonald has embarked on a new challenge: a 450km, five-day cycle ride around Madagascar to raise funds for charity ENABLE Scotland. Here, he shares his picture diary, exclusively with ELLE.
Julien’s JustGiving page can be found at justgiving.com/julienmacdonaldobe. You can also sponsor him by texting ESMC60 £2/£5/£10 to 10070.
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Day 1 - Annanarivo to Lac Mantasoa – 87km
Day 1 of my five day cycle and I’m already in love with the landscape of Madagascar. After a 5am wake up call we left the city and weaved our way through lush green paddy fields before heading up to the highlands where the scenery changed and eucalyptus trees lined the roads contrasting with the copper red earth. Both my legs are aching and it’s been a roasting 33C all day. Tomorrow we take on an epic 104 km cycle. Here I am with fellow team members, Terry Hart and Simon Garner.
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Day 2 - Lac Mantosa to Andaside – 104km
Another 5am wake-up call and a quick bite to eat before we set off for a 104km cycle to Andaside. We retraced our off-road route 13km, through Ambatoloana and ascended to a height 1498m (the training paid off), the heat was baking down on us but we welcomed a downhill stretch that snaked 20km through noisy, lush forests, sheer drops and hairpin turns - it was exhilarating! At the foot of the mountain we came across some Malagsay ladies heading to market and stopped for a chat, here is Team Enable celebrating with the locals.
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Day 3 - Anaside to Manamabato - 89km
After a night of frogs and crickets singing in the local rainforest I woke up bleary eyed but ready for day 3. Today is all about the steep uphill climb of 1,000 metres and the breath-taking drop of 1, 900m through banana plantations, lychee trees and the beautiful fan-like Ravinala palms.
The heat is stifling and after lunch we head out towards Lake Rasoa and settle down for the night whilst enjoying Manamabato at dusk.
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Day 4 – Manamabato to Toamasina - 104 km
We cycle out to the eastern plains of this paradise and approach Toamasina, the second largest town in Madagascar. The road changed from dirt to tarmac and we hit the busy port town in the middle of rush hour. We stopped at a local school to learn about Malagasy education and the children welcomed us in by singing Ry Tanindrazanay Malala ol, the national anthem. After seven hours of pedalling I was mentally and physically exhausted. This country really pushes every sense to the limit.
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Day 5 - Toamasina to Foulpointe - 66km
We cycle along rural the northern suburban villages of Toamasina, along long, flat coastal roads, and finally reach the coast and the Indian Ocean – can’t wait for a dip in the sea! Even the oldest members of our group – some in their 70s - make it through on top form. What a fantastic achievement for team ENABLE. I’m so proud of us all. Here’s us coming in at the finish. Here’s to 60 years of ENABLE Scotland - keep up the amazing work!