BIKE THE BALTIC AUGUST-SEPTEMBER 2008

Hi everyone! Well, we did it. No thanks to the Russian military who made us change the route at the last minute, or the foul weather, or the fearsome manageress of Hotel Faultski Towers in Gatcina (around 50 km from St Petersburg).  To be fair, she probably thought we were hooligans wheeling our muddy bikes into the lobby of her little hotel. Nor was it her fault that it wasn't far above freezing, with a wind chill factor of God-knows-what and horizontal rain on several days. Her response: "Cold? Cold? This isn't cold. Minus thirty, that is cold. Then your eyelids freeze together."

But the morale in the group was high and the fundraising has been tremendous. Even before the first cyclists left the UK in mid-August, the entire group of 110 bikers had paid in £400,000, which even after costs are paid, will give the wonderful Marie Curie charity over a quarter of a million  to spend on their services. We expect the total to reach £500,000 paid in, a brilliant result. To everyone who has contributed, THANK YOU !!

Donating through this site is simple, fast and totally secure. It's also efficient: Marie Curie Cancer Care will receive your money faster and, if you're a UK taxpayer, an extra 25% in tax will be added to your gift at no cost to you.

So please sponsor me now! And many, many thanks for your support.

Edwina xx