Raised: 138%
Target: £3,500.00
Raised so far: £4,830.00
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My story

 
Bike Vietnam to Cambodia

It is a well know fact that the symptoms of a mid-life crisis can lead to bouts of rash decision making, economic irresponsibility on a par with the current Chancellor of the Exchequer, and delusions of one’s ability to still achieve feats of greatness (all the more odd given the lack of track record from when one was younger and more capable).

Thanks to school fees, a large mortgage, and a wife who is eminently more sensible than myself I have managed to avoid the purchase of a Porsche 911 resulting from my own struggles with this affliction. However, my impaired decision making has persuaded me that, despite nothing more than the odd bike ride with the kids around the park, I am in fact perfectly capable of cycling 450km in 5 days across Vietnam and Cambodia later this year.

A recent 40km ride around the New Forest (not renowned for its mountain stages) left me with few delusions of the challenge ahead, not to mention a sore backside. Quite how I am going to drag my overweight, under-fit body through the hot and humid South East Asian jungle I am not quite sure, although that may be the least of my worries given a recent news article noting that mosquitoes in Vietnam are becoming immune to anti-Malaria tablets and Dengue Fever is widespread in the region. An information pack from the ride organisers points out other cultural highlights such as the fact that Cambodia remains heavily affected by landmines and unexploded ordnance - needless to say that both from an ability and personal preservation perspective I shall not be leading the peloton! However, my expectation is that all these concerns will be dwarfed by the pain of sitting for 13 hours of return flight following 5 days in the saddle.

What attracted me to the event was the opportunity to travel through a fascinating part of the world (the ride starts in Ho Chi Minh city and ends at the Khmer temples of Angkor Wat) as well as the physical challenge. More importantly the ride is in aid of a very meaningful charity - REGAIN - which supports people who have been seriously injured playing sports, including rugby, riding, diving and cycling. Having played rugby for 25 years over an adventurous, if never quite illustrious, career that has take me to far flung places such as Canada, Japan, Hong Kong, Philippines, Singapore, Australia and New Zealand, I have managed to escape with little more than a broken nose, a few stitches and some painful hangovers.

However, there are many that have not been so lucky and have had to deal with the traumas of losing the use of their limbs due to serious sports injuries. REGAIN is the only charitable organisation dedicated solely to improving the independence of British men and women who have become tetraplegic as a result of sports injury. REGAIN provides support by purchasing equipment to help people paralysed in this way to lead more independent lives. The charity currently has requests for items such as computers and electric and sports wheelchairs totalling more than £250,000. It is hoped that Bike Vietnam and Cambodia will raise at least £50,000 towards this target.

Now that I am involved with coaching rugby to young children I am very conscious of the risks involved in contact sports. I am therefore looking to support REGAIN by personally raising £3,500. I would be extremely grateful if you can help me achieve this goal by contributing to this highly worthwhile cause.

The ride is not until the first week in December (giving me some time to get fit!) but I have to submit any money I have raised by September 18th, so grateful if you can bear this date in mind.

Thank you in advance for your support and encouragement.

Mike

 

Donation by Peter Goodman 21/10/09  

£50.00 + £14.10 Gift Aid

Donation by Brian Filanowski 20/10/09  

£100.00

You will absolutely love the scenery but not sure they sell vasolene......! Donation by Kim Gray 19/10/09  

£50.00 + £14.10 Gift Aid

Good Luck Mike - That's a serious mid-life crisis !!! Donation by Ludovic 06/10/09  

£25.00 + £7.05 Gift Aid

Sorry this is a bit late but still catching up on emails from the sabbatical! Have a great trip and watch out for the hot chillis Donation by Mark Lubbock 06/10/09  

£25.00 + £7.05 Gift Aid

Dear Mike, Good luck for the trip and we will be cheering for you from La Belle France. All the best! Donation by Caroline and Nathalie Hoareau 06/10/09  

£90.00 + £25.38 Gift Aid

Good luck Donation by Jas Singh 02/10/09  

£100.00 + £28.21 Gift Aid

Mike! What are you doing!?! Do you want the emergency number for Europe Assistance??? Good luck mate and try to be back for Xmas. Donation by Jacques Chirac 01/10/09  

£100.00

Hope this isn't too late. Look forward to seeing the lean "Ironman Mike" at the end of this challenge! Best of luck. D Donation by David Johnson 29/09/09  

£50.00 + £14.10 Gift Aid

Good luck! Donation by Z S 28/09/09  

£50.00 + £14.10 Gift Aid

Bold call - good luck! Donation by Mika-John Southworth 23/09/09  

£30.00 + £8.46 Gift Aid

Good luck Donation by Kevin Houston 22/09/09  

£40.00

Best of luck Mike. Make sure you avoid those burger restaurants in Siem Riep - the repercussions just are't worth it. Donation by Sam Jazrawi 22/09/09  

£20.00 + £5.64 Gift Aid

Best of luck Mike from the Lexalytics (Infonic) team...maybe Tim and I will join you next time! Donation by Mark Thompson 22/09/09  

£500.00

good luck and remember there's always the motorbike.... Donation by matt brosnan 22/09/09  

£50.00 + £14.10 Gift Aid

The further north you travel the hungrier the mosquitoes get. Pack plenty of cream ;o) Good luck. Donation by Harris John-Baptiste 22/09/09  

£25.00 + £7.05 Gift Aid

you should have just bought a porsche .... good luck!! Donation by James Chenery 22/09/09  

£25.00 + £7.05 Gift Aid

Mike, early bird... avoids the heat. good luck and enjoy the trip! Donation by Stefan 20/09/09  

£40.00

Good luck from Down Under Donation by Mike Briers 20/09/09  

£100.00 + £28.21 Gift Aid

Sorry, didn't quite make your 18th Sep cut off. But I would be even slower on a bike. Enjoy (or at least train a bit to reduce the pain)! Donation by Peter Moss 20/09/09  

£100.00 + £28.21 Gift Aid

Looking forward to hearing about it. Well done you Donation by Mike Jennings 20/09/09  

£25.00 + £7.05 Gift Aid

Great cause, have fun. Donation by Marc Myers 18/09/09  

£75.00

Suggest you research long distance cycling and saddle choices ;) Enjoy the experience Mike ! Donation by GW 18/09/09  

£50.00

Mick Your nuts! Remember them!! Donation by Chris Bryant 18/09/09  

£100.00 + £28.21 Gift Aid

Get the Porsche! Donation by Graeme Ramsey 17/09/09  

£50.00 + £14.10 Gift Aid

Great cause! Enjoy the experience. (I'd have bought the Porsche) Donation by William Ruvo 17/09/09  

£100.00

Good luck Mike! Riding a bike around Asia is very much like making love to the Queen - a great achievement but nobody really wants to do it!! Donation by Swiss Tony 17/09/09  

£20.00 + £5.64 Gift Aid

Don't forget to put a playing card through your spokes to make it sound as though you have an engine. Donation by Nigel Bell 17/09/09  

£20.00 + £5.64 Gift Aid

Down up pedals, down up down, all the best Mike Donation by adrian norman 16/09/09  

£50.00 + £14.10 Gift Aid

My advice: borrow one of those electric sports wheelchairs (the one with the beer fridge)!! Cheers Claus Donation by Claus Mansfeldt 15/09/09  

£50.00 + £14.10 Gift Aid
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* Total raised online: £4,830.00
  Offline donations: £0.00
  Gift Aid plus supplement: £827.82

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