Cycling through Tanzania side by side with giraffes and zebras: Unreal!

Mirjam Postma cycled more than 400 kilometers across Tanzania in June – thanks to the support of her employer – to raise money for AMREF Flying Doctors. Climbing Kilimanjaro, the wildlife along the way and a visit to AMREF projects; it all made a lasting impression. The special trip - but also the countless training kilometers - increased her love for the bicycle. “I want to make many more inspiring cycling trips.”

Cycling through Tanzania on unpaved trails for six days, sleeping on a mat in a tent. Heat, sand, rocks and a climb of Kilimanjaro. Mirjam was really looking forward to it, but was also nervous: “I didn't know what to expect.” In order to prepare, she trained hard for months in the countryside near Groningen. She biked up to four times a week, each ride consisting of 40 kilometers or more. Some weekends she took her mountainbike out for 200 kilometers. “When I flew to Africa in June, I was super fit and ready to go.”

And she was ready. Mirjam's uphill cycling went well beyond expectations, with the challenging Kilimanjaro as the ultimate proof. Now mountain biking is her new passion. “Off-roading gives you a great sense of freedom. I am now thinking about the next challenging cycling holiday. Preferably where it goes up and down. Maybe South America.”

She rode the challenging mountain bike tour in Tanzania for the charity: AMREF Flying Doctors. “To participate I had to bring in at least 5,000 euros in sponsorship money. It even became 8,000 euros thanks to my colleagues at Sogeti.” She collected the money through all kinds of challenges within the company, including 4,000 joint walking kilometers. Her mountain bike would have been a significant investment if she had to buy it all at once. Thanks to a financial contribution from her employer and the existence of the bike plan of Lease a Bike, it all cost her virtually nothing.

Mirjam calls her week in Africa 'unreal'. “Everything is beautiful and special. School children leaving their class to say hi when you pedal by, giraffes running alongside you, and the beauty of nature. During her rest day, she and the 43 other participants made a trip to Kenya to see the projects AMREF Flying Doctors are working on. “They drill wells there, provide information about female circumcisions and opened a shelter for young girls. It gives an amazing feeling to ride your bike for such a good cause.”

Cycling is good for your health and can get you to special places. Besides, it can spare you lots of money. Did you know that a bike plan is at least 25% cheaper than when you buy the bike yourself? The price of the bike is deducted from your gross salary. This way, you a gross-net benefit. Your exact benefit depends on any contribution from your employer. Are you curious how much you save if you would take a fat bike like Bas? Then calculate your advantage with our calculator. Need an extensive calculation with more text and explanation? Then go to our extensive calculator.