NEWS! 10/03/2010 HAVE COMPLETED THE CYCLE PART OF THE CHALLENGE! LOTS OF PHOTS OF ME LOOKING SWEATY AND TIRED TO FOLLOW :-)
UPDATE! 15/09/2009
Well it's been a bit a ride so far (no pun intended). I took up cycling to and from work until my bike was stolen three weeks ago which was really upsetting not to mention expensive... I have now managed to get a replacement though from the absolutley fantastic Harpenden Cycles who have always been so helpful and encouraging. I've also got into the habit of going for the occassional day cross country at the weekend over the summer. While this has been great fun it has really highlighted what a gruelling challenge this will be: It feels so satisfying to do over 40M in one go, but once you've done it your body won't let you forget to easily and there is always the knowledge that you don't have to get up again and do the same distance or more the next day... Have I bitten off more than I can chew?
One thing is for certain: I must be prepared to get wet. Not in Cambodia but in the UK. As the need to continue training and step up with the cycling builds up, sunny Hertfordshire heads steadily into the Autumn and Winter. This undeniably takes some of the 'fun' out of the excercise - I got absolutley soaked on the way home from work today - but it still needs to be done. It makes me think that by the time Simon and I have got through January and February the very different climate of South East Asia is going to come as something of a culture shock. Take care,
Dan.
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Hi,
So here the story begins... earlier this year I learnt about the work MAG are doing in countries like Cambodia and Vietnam to help train and provide equipment for ordinary people to clear landmines that threaten their communities. This is particularly important in a part of the world where local families are dependant on the land around them to grow food and survive. This means areas heavily mined and cluster bombed during wars in the 1950's 60's and 70's don't simply present the threat of indiscriminately maiming or killing the local population but starving Viet and Khmer farmers who are unable to safely use the land.
I hope you will agree with me that whatever MAG can do to help Vietnam and Cambodia eradicate this menace is a cause worth supporting.
At the time of learning about this my friend Simon told me he was planning to take part in a sponsored cycle ride 470km from Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon) in Vietnam to Siem Reap (Angkor) in Cambodia in order to raise money for MAG and landmine clearance in the area. At first I thought 'well I'm happy to sponsor an event like that, why not?' Why not indeed... Then I began to think, could I join Simon and take on the challenge too? It sounded worthwhile, exciting and despite never having done anything like this before, I liked the idea of a big challenge. So I said to myself, 'yeah, why not?'
Perhaps this is why not:
a) I have never attempted a challenge of this size before
b) I will need to raise a LOT of money.
c) It's a VERY long way in intense heat and humidity and I'm about as fit as Bernard Manning after a weeklong pie eating binge.
Nonchalantly, I dismissed these concerns from my mind and happily registered with MAG to take part. Now this is what I need to do...
1: Raise about £3000. I want to be very clear about this. Half of this is required for costs and I will be providing this myself. This is why I have set my fundraising target at £1500 so anyone kind enough to sponsor me or donate, knows that they are actually giving to the charity not to the costs of my taking part. Anything you feel able to give is gratefully received.
2: Get Training: Simon and I shall be riding up to 60 miles a day in intense heat. I will need build up my reserves of strength and get into much better shape if I am to complete the challenge. I will update this site and provide news/photos of my progress whenever possible.
I will update this page with more news, information on the challenge itself and hopefully plenty of photos as I go along. For the time being though I can hear my bike calling...
Thanks for taking the time to visit my JustGiving page.
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