Aussie set for epic African charity ride

Being a ranger himself, Jeal felt a particular bond with African rangers who risk death from poachers and armed rebels, as well as the wildlife itself, throughout the continent. After committing to travel through West Africa, Jeal decided to make the trip a charity ride. The journey will start from Ghana, travel up into Burkina Faso and Mali, then back down through central and western Africa, finishing at Cape Town, South Africa.

Jeal's chosen mount is a 2008 Kawasaki KLR 650, which has been fitted out with a sump guard, barkbusters, crash bars, off road tyres and more heavy duty parts, with an inline fuel filter to be added in anticipation of the poor quality fuel to be found in certain regions of Africa. While he admits he doesn't have a lot of adventure riding experience, Jeal has spent enough time on two wheels in Africa to be confident he can handle the journey.

He is urging those who feel passionately about the preservation of African wildlife, and the people who defend them, to sponsor him for the trip, either by the kilometre, or with a one-off donation. Further details are on the Ride for Rangers facebook page. Jeal will donate 100 percent of all funds raised directly to rangers and the families of rangers killed in the field.

The trip had been expected to start a fortnight ago, but delays in sourcing spare parts for the Kawasaki, as well as security concerns in some areas have forced a modification of the original route (no longer taking in the Sahara and Sahel region) and a new start date of early January. Jeal estimates the trip will take until March, 2012, but given the nature of travel in Africa, has kept the itinerary flexible.

The Thin Green Line Foundation was originally set up by another Australian ranger, Sean Willmore in 2007, and was itself inspired by a documentary Willmore filmed on wildlife rangers around the world in 2004. To date, the foundation has raised over AU$150,000, which has supported more than 1,000 families. In order to spread the word within Africa, Jeal plans to show Willmore's Thin Green Line documentary at the various regions he will stop at throughout the ride.

Up to date information on the ride can be found at www.facebook.com/rideforrangers