We did it!!

The road was long, the challenge was difficult, and our day started out very wet but after a couple of hours of rain the weather cleared and we had a sunshine finish!  

The London Rail Charity Challenge 2009 was a bike ride from London to Canterbury - but it'd be too easy to go directly there, so we took the scenic route!!  The 125 mile route was via Dartford, Chatham, Maidstone, Tunbridge Wells, Ashford, everywhere else in Kent and then to Canterbury.  This was the first leg of the Tour de France in 2007 and includes 4 "significant" hills in Tour terms. There were some punctures and minor bike malfunctions along the way, but apart from some stiff limbs, everyone completed the challenge in good spirits and in good time.

We're raising money for Re~Cycle who collect bikes in this country, train up youth groups and volunteers to repair and renovate them and then provide recycled bikes to those who need them in Africa -  to enable children to get to school which is often a 20 mile round trip or more; to nurses to get drugs and treatment to those in remote areas; or to enable communities to collect water and supplies so they can survive. The addition of "Re-cycle" bike can have a hugely positive impact on the lives of those who are lucky enough to receive them but it takes time, effort and funding to get the bikes into a suitable state, and then get them to Africa, and this is why your donations are so critical.

Donating through Justgiving is quick, easy and totally secure. It’s also the most efficient way to sponsor me: Re~Cycle (Bicycle Aid for Africa) gets your money faster and, if you’re a UK taxpayer, Justgiving makes sure 25% in Gift Aid, plus a 3% supplement, are added to your donation.

Thank you so much to everyone who sponsored the team, we all really appreciated your support, and it kept us going!