Story
Well, I did it! I got round the distance in under 5 hours. The only caveat is that the distance was somewhat shorter than 81 miles. A protester took it upon themselves to spread carpet tacks on parts of the route, which caused many hundreds of punctures - only one for me, fortunately - a couple of hours of stoppage time and a reduction in the length of the route..
So, in the end it was 75 miles ridden in 4hrs 53mins. If data is your thing, you can crunch the numbers here. For the first 43 miles I was bowling along at 18mph, which was faster than I thought I would do and very enjoyable.
I've also updated my blog with thoughts on the day here.
My race number was 3264 - Sportcam.net covered the event and have put some photos up on their website here. Gurning for Britain. 8^)
If you still need proof before sponsoring me and supporting Five Talents - it's never too late to do so - I even have a medal I can show you. So, you see, there are plenty of reasons! Let's look again at why sponsoring me is worthwhile:
1. Microfinance is a scalable, sustainable method of helping the poorest people to help themselves out of poverty. The money I raise through sponsorship will be used to provide small loans to people who have business ideas. For example, a loan could be used to buy a cow, in order to sell the milk. The proceeds from the milk enable the owner to save money as well as repay the loan, empowering them and beginning their step up out of poverty. It's a simple strategy that can work in every part of the world for those who have nothing at all, apart from an idea.
Five Talents is an award-winning charity that works providing microfinance in Africa, Latin America and Asia. I have met some of the team and their passion shines through. They deserve support and encouragement in the goal to - as Muhammad Yunus, Nobel Peace Prize Winner 2006, puts it - "consign poverty to the museum".
2. Your money will help in the success of one of the projects that Five Talents is engaged in. Even better, you will know what your money did. With the help of Five Talents I plan to follow that money - finding out how it is spent, who benefits and what the results are. To me, microfinance is compelling because we can know not just that we helped, but how and who we helped. I'll be able to tell you about the journey the funds you donate have made and I hope that this will encourage more people to donate to Five Talents and to get involved in microfinance.
The best bit of all is that, because the money you donate becomes a loan, not a hand out, it is constantly recycled. Once repaid, the money can be loaned to someone else, and repaid, and loaned again. So your money will go on doing good forever! (I might just track it the first time though, if that's ok....!)
Donating through Justgiving is quick, easy and totally secure. It’s also the most efficient way to sponsor me: Five Talents UK 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.
So please sponsor me now!
So, in the end it was 75 miles ridden in 4hrs 53mins. If data is your thing, you can crunch the numbers here. For the first 43 miles I was bowling along at 18mph, which was faster than I thought I would do and very enjoyable.
I've also updated my blog with thoughts on the day here.
My race number was 3264 - Sportcam.net covered the event and have put some photos up on their website here. Gurning for Britain. 8^)
If you still need proof before sponsoring me and supporting Five Talents - it's never too late to do so - I even have a medal I can show you. So, you see, there are plenty of reasons! Let's look again at why sponsoring me is worthwhile:
1. Microfinance is a scalable, sustainable method of helping the poorest people to help themselves out of poverty. The money I raise through sponsorship will be used to provide small loans to people who have business ideas. For example, a loan could be used to buy a cow, in order to sell the milk. The proceeds from the milk enable the owner to save money as well as repay the loan, empowering them and beginning their step up out of poverty. It's a simple strategy that can work in every part of the world for those who have nothing at all, apart from an idea.
Five Talents is an award-winning charity that works providing microfinance in Africa, Latin America and Asia. I have met some of the team and their passion shines through. They deserve support and encouragement in the goal to - as Muhammad Yunus, Nobel Peace Prize Winner 2006, puts it - "consign poverty to the museum".
2. Your money will help in the success of one of the projects that Five Talents is engaged in. Even better, you will know what your money did. With the help of Five Talents I plan to follow that money - finding out how it is spent, who benefits and what the results are. To me, microfinance is compelling because we can know not just that we helped, but how and who we helped. I'll be able to tell you about the journey the funds you donate have made and I hope that this will encourage more people to donate to Five Talents and to get involved in microfinance.
The best bit of all is that, because the money you donate becomes a loan, not a hand out, it is constantly recycled. Once repaid, the money can be loaned to someone else, and repaid, and loaned again. So your money will go on doing good forever! (I might just track it the first time though, if that's ok....!)
Donating through Justgiving is quick, easy and totally secure. It’s also the most efficient way to sponsor me: Five Talents UK 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.
So please sponsor me now!