Pedro Bento, a Portuguese adventurer, recently completed an incredible journey. He cycled all the way from Cape Agulhas in South Africa to the summit of Mount Kilimanjaro, the highest peak in Africa. He began this demanding charity ride on July 1st, finally reaching the Uhuru Peak summit last Thursday, as he told the news agency Lusa on Friday.
This wasn’t just another trip for Bento, a native of Almeirim. He had thought about a charity adventure in Africa for a long time. This year, he finally found the right conditions to make it happen. He explained that he always loves challenges that test his body and mind. So, the “BakonBike Kilimanjaro” idea came from wanting to connect two major African points: the continent’s southern tip to its highest point in Tanzania.
This epic ride marks Pedro’s fourth journey for a good cause. In 2023, for example, he pedaled about 10,500 kilometers. That trip took him from Ecuador to Ushuaia, Argentina, the southernmost point of Latin America. He called that project “1 Euro for 1 Kilometer.”
Pedro always travels by himself. For this African trek, he rode completely alone, without any outside help. He carried everything he needed: food, his tent, tools, clothes, and other gear. The only time he had company was during the actual climb up Kilimanjaro. For safety reasons and local rules, certified guides must go with climbers to the top. This detail, he noted, was a requirement he gladly followed.
Preparing for such a huge challenge took months. He focused on intense physical and mental training. This included building up his endurance, strength, and careful nutrition. On the planning side, there was a lot of work. He had to look into border crossings, get visas, assess risks, get necessary vaccinations, and prepare his equipment for all kinds of terrain.
This latest biking feat aimed to help two different causes. The first goal is to support Constança, a young girl with Rett Syndrome. She needs constant specialized therapies to keep and improve her life quality. The second goal is to help a school in Nepal buy essential school supplies.
Pedro made it clear that all the money raised will be split fairly between these two causes. He promised full transparency, ensuring everyone can see how each donation is used. He wants his efforts to go beyond just sports. He hopes his resilience and hard work will inspire others. He believes it can show people how personal effort can lead to real, positive changes in the world.
Those interested can follow Pedro Bento’s adventures on social media. He posts regular updates, videos, and photos there. He also shares how people can contribute to his chosen charities and shows exactly how the money collected gets spent.
Pedro’s own story of grit goes deep. He first learned about the “Dreams of Kathmandu” project in 2016, while taking part in a race in Nepal. On April 1, 2017, he suffered a serious motorcycle accident. He was scouting a mountain bike race course for the very next day. Doctors feared he would end up in a wheelchair. Yet, against all expectations, Pedro Bento not only avoided a wheelchair but also fully recovered. He even returned to sports that doctors said he would never be able to do again. His journey since then has been a powerful testament to the human spirit.