My story

Challenge update  - After cycling 3567 miles through 9 states in 48 days I completed my solo bike ride across America on 28th June

 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vGhfW007dFE

 

I want to sincerely thanks everyone who supported my journey and donated to this great cause and pledge anyone to generously donate who has not yet done so on the completion of my challenge.

Thankyou!

 

 

As an avid cyclist for the past 20 years I have been fortunate enough to cycle alot of the U.K and Western Europe including the full length of the Alps and 7 European countries in one trip. 

 

In 2010, a great friend and I cycled from Lands End to John O’ Groats. This was a great trip and brilliant way to see the land. However, I could not help feeling a form of regret knowing that the big cycling trips I have done were not for charity as I planned them little in advance and that they had potential however big or small to raise funds and awareness for worthy causes.

 

So this time I’m hopping on my bike in the hope to try and make a difference!

 

THE CHALLENGE

 

Therefore, I have planned my biggest and most challenging journey on the bike to date. In May 2012, I hope to cycle the entire length of the world famous American Route 66 starting from Chicago and finishes in Los Angeles. This includes a huge detour to Monument Valley and Grand Canyon, with the significance being that it's one of the longest and most famous roads in the world. I then go further from Los Angeles to San Francisco.

 

Why America and why Route 66?

 

Well, I needed a worthwhile challenge and I have always been fascinated by the vast land of America. The thought of such a challenge occured when I saw Billy Connolly’s documentary of Route 66 which he did on a motor trike. At the very end he says “Route 66 is like life, complicated but well worth the effort, you should try it”. I thought maybe this is the challenge I have been looking for so I will try it, I'll get on my bike and cycle it for a great cause. I am planning on cycling the entire 2600 miles from Chicago to Los Angeles within 30 days and then go a further 600 miles to San Francisco from Los Angeles.

 

It will be a big challenge in every aspect as it will be a solo self supported journey on a bike carrying all my camping equipment and other necessary items. The journey will take me through subtle and drastic temperature and topographical changes through 9 states and 3 time zones. It will take me through states such as Illinois, Missouri, Kansas and Oklahoma where tornadoes are rife at that time of year (quite worrying) as well as contending with the flat, barren and desolate windswept plains of the Texas Panhandle, the scorching heat of Mojave desert and the mountainous terrain of New Mexico, Utah, Arizona and California, and because my direction is from east to west then chances are I will predominantly be confronted by headwinds as alot of the wind in America blows from the Pacific which will make the cycling harder!

 

The whole journey will be over 3200 miles in distance with a total of 26,700 meters of climbing which is an altitude equivalent of going up Mount Everest 3 times.

 

Follow my ride for an insight on the following link.

 

http://www.facebook.com/events/219812368116699/#!/events/219812368116699/

 

THE CHARITY

 

My first task was to select a worthwhile cause that I can do this for and spread awareness. My uncle suggested I do it for Imran Khan Cancer Appeal (IKCA) as he and his son had done the Leeds half marathon for the cause and as a doctor he has himself seen the signifcance and great work carried out within the establishment.

 

I started looking into the charity and it created awareness within myself.

Here in the UK, we are so lucky to have the best treatment and care and that patients do not have to pay for it, whereas in poorer countries it can still be extremely difficult to find good treatment as the National Health Service does not exist. Even if they manage to find a good doctor or treatment, in most cases they cannot afford to pay for the treatment as it is very expensive.

 

Imran Khan witnessed the pain and suffering of his own mother, Shaukat Khanum, going through cancer which she eventually passed away to in 1985. He also saw the pain and suffering of other patients and their families going through exactly the same and knew that much more needed to be done. After several years of intense efforts of fundraising and campaigning, the Shaukat Khanum Memorial Cancer Hospital & Research was established in 1994.

 

Prior to the establishment of the hospital in 1994, no comprehensive facility dedicated to the diagnosis and treatment of cancer existed in Pakistan. Over the last 13 years, the hospital has established itself as a centre of excellence providing comprehensive care, free of charge, to thousands of cancer patients. The amount spent on providing free treatment to patients during this period is well over $130 million.

 

I am amazed at the work IKCA does and it really brings the meaning of the word 'charity' to the forefront. If I can through my cycling challenge raise awareness and funds, with the help of any donations from the generosity of people, from all over, and have even the smallest of impact in making any difference for those who suffer from cancer, then this is a great achievement we can all be proud of.

 

Thanks alot  for reading this and I  know times right now are hard for many and all I am asking is to give from the heart, any generous donation will help those in need of our help, no amount is too small...Thankyou! 

 

 

 

 

 

My updates 3

many thanks for all your generous donations which has gone on to help many people in need of your help. I also want to thank the pupils and staff of Burnham Grammar School how managed to raise £430.33 on a fundraising TOG day.

28/09/12 15:31

After cycling 3567 miles through 9 states in 48 days I completed my solo ride across America through. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vGhfW007dFE I want to sincerely thanks everyone who supported my journey and donated to this great cause.

06/07/12 04:06

After 3567 miles and 9 states I completed my solo ride across America through. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vGhfW007dFE I want to sincerely thanks everyone who supported my journey and donated to this great cause.

06/07/12 04:04

My charity

Imran Khan Cancer Appeal

Imran Khan Cancer Appeal

Charity Registration No. 1000580

Imran Khan Cancer Appeal raises funds for the Shaukat Khanum Cancer Hospital founded by Imran Khan in Lahore, Pakistan. The National Health Service does not provide cancer treatment in Pakistan and as a result poor people die without proper diagnosis/treatment. Join us in the fight against cancer in Third World Countries.

Donations 128

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Well done Imran. God bless you and keep you safe.

Donation by Shahnaz Lashari on 30/05/12

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Imran, you are doing such an amazing thing! I wish you the best of luck and pray for your safe journey. God Bless You always!! :o)

Donation by Marilyn Jenkins on 29/05/12

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Well done brother, really proud of you x

Donation by Anonymous on 28/05/12

£25.00

+ £6.25 Gift Aid

Donation by Anonymous on 25/05/12

£20.00

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Dear Imran: Wishing you all the best for your journey and your cause. God Bless.

Donation by Kalpesh Desai on 21/05/12

£316.00

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An amazing cause and am sure this will be an amazing journey for you, best of luck Imran and InshAllah you are on the way to getting that £10,000!

Donation by Samina Yasmeen on 21/05/12

£50.00

+ £12.50 Gift Aid

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Well Done Mughal and keeping on going. My duas are with you.

Donation by Mohammed Khan on 20/05/12

£50.00

+ £12.50 Gift Aid

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What an amazing cause! Absolutely thrilled to hear what your doing dude. God speed :-)

Donation by Shocked and amazed on 19/05/12

£25.25

+ £6.31 Gift Aid

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Good luck

Donation by Ali Bokhari on 19/05/12

£20.00

+ £5.00 Gift Aid

Donation by Anonymous on 18/05/12

£50.00

+ £12.50 Gift Aid

Donation by Saima Khan on 18/05/12

£20.00

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An amazing challenge! I wish you every success in achieving your goal; enjoy the views along the way!

Donation by Ayshea Farooq on 18/05/12

£20.00

+ £5.00 Gift Aid

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Go Imran - I hope your journey is filled with plenty of Subways!

Donation by Mark Davies on 17/05/12

£20.00

+ £5.00 Gift Aid

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Well done Imran, enjoy your adventure

Donation by tariq on 17/05/12

£100.00

+ £25.00 Gift Aid

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Hi Imran We all think you are doing brilliantly!!! Hope you are having the most fabulous time.

Donation by Pamela Davies on 16/05/12

£20.00

+ £5.00 Gift Aid

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Best wishes...

Donation by Asif Rehman on 16/05/12

£20.00

+ £5.00 Gift Aid

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Best wishes. May Allah accept your efforts for a good cause and make it easy for you!

Donation by Wasim Tahir on 16/05/12

£50.00

+ £12.50 Gift Aid

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May Allah give you strength and blessings for doing a good cause

Donation by Asid Fazal on 16/05/12

£20.00

+ £5.00 Gift Aid

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This is a wonderful cause! We will be praying for your journey. Thanks for the updates!

Donation by Megan Hoffman on 15/05/12

£20.00

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Good luck.

Donation by Fawad Basheer on 14/05/12

£50.00

+ £12.50 Gift Aid

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Imran, God speed you on your way. Thank you for coming to Atlanta, IL on Route 66. God's love and our prayers go with you.

Donation by Larry Collins on 13/05/12

£20.00

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Good Luck Brother. May Allah give your strength to do more good and reward you!

Donation by taher Hussain on 12/05/12

£50.00

+ £12.50 Gift Aid

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Jeff your tennant gave me £40 that he collected from work from Uzma Nargas and Sumra Nargas...JazakAllah

Donation by shazad mughal on 11/05/12

£40.00

Donation by Noman Qayyum on 11/05/12

£20.00

+ £5.00 Gift Aid

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Good Luck! We're all routing for you and very very proud of you! Oh and bring me back a souvenir!! I mean it! ;-) xXx

Donation by Farah Moghal on 11/05/12

£50.00

+ £12.50 Gift Aid

Donation summary

  • * Online donations£4,423.75
  • Offline donations£430.33
  • Text donations£0.00
  • Total raised£4,854.08
  • Gift Aid£789.44

* Charities pay a small fee for our service. Find out how much it is and what we do for it.