For those of you who don't know, every year I try to cycle across a different country for an amazing charity called Norwood, who care for people with severe learning difficulties such as Downs Syndrome. Four years ago I hurt my back pretty badly and had to have surgery. It's taken 4 frustrating years to heal but in less than two weeks i'm getting back in the saddle once again to cycle across Rajasthan, India - from the Taj Mahal, all the way to Jaipur.
I'm riding tandem with a remarkable guy called Martin, who has severe Downs Syndrome. This will be our second international ride together having battled the hills between Sao Paulo to Rio, Brazil in 2005. We'll be cycling approximately 500km in 5 days, the bulk of which will be off road. Although it will be an awesome adventure for both of us, it will also be an incredibly grueling, personal endurance challenge, as Martin who is now over 40, does not have the ability to offer much in the way of strength. So, i'll be pulling him (and the weight of 3 normal bikes) up the hills of North India in order to raise money for an extremely worthy cause.
What I like about Norwood as a charity is that it allows people with severe mental and physical disabilities to have as normal a life possible. It builds self-contained villages where residents such as Martin live and work, whilst being cared for by the most phenomenal, self-less and soul-full carers. Every resident who is able to work, has a job, and between them all they run the village. Whether they're a milkman, a postman, run the cinema or sweep the pavements, Martin and his friends wake up everyday in their own house and go to work, just like you and me. The only difference is that their bosses are also their carers.
I will be joined on this ride by around 100 other fundraisers, however, I'll be one of only four tandem teams taking residents from the Ravenswood village, to not only give them a once in a lifetime experience, but also to show the other fundraisers where their money is going. Doing one of these challenges solo is brutal enough, but riding tandem for 10 hours a day (you can't stand up) is bordering sado-masochism! But it will be well worth the evil sore ass and burning leg cramps if together we can raise some money to help Martin and his buddies have a better life.
In true Joel fashion i've left my fundraising until the last minute, so if you would like to sponsor Martin and I, please do so as soon as possible (we're leaving next thursday!). I know that lots of people do these kinds of challenges and ask you to part with your hard earned cash, but I wouldn't ask you if 1) it wasn't going to be as tough as it is, and 2) if I didn't believe in the cause. Thanks guys. You're all legends!
JustGiving spiel....
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