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!
Raised so far: £520.00
Donate now
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Good luck with the fundraising Ian - a very, very worthy cause and I'm happy to support you in whatever way I can Donation by Emma James on 08/07/09 |
£20.00 + £5.64 Gift Aid |
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Hooray for me! 8^) Bringing the offline donations online and to add gift-aid Donation by ibl on 01/07/09 |
£163.00 + £45.97 Gift Aid |
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Well done Ian, from David and Peter Donation by Peter Hicks on 06/06/09 |
£7.00 + £1.97 Gift Aid |
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Well done. I'm sorry I could not join you. Cycling for pleasure is one of my other dreams like ringing a touch of Grandsire! Donation by Paul W on 03/06/09 |
£20.00 + £5.64 Gift Aid |
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Well done, Captain! Donation by John CB on 02/06/09 |
£10.00 + £2.82 Gift Aid |
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I thought 'tacking' was for sailors...not cyclists. Well done. Donation by PNF on 02/06/09 |
£10.00 + £2.82 Gift Aid |
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I didn't appreciate that this invovled tactics (or is that tin-tacs?) Donation by Chris Snellock on 27/05/09 |
£10.00 + £2.82 Gift Aid |
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well done! Donation by Ian Mountford on 21/05/09 |
£10.00 + £2.82 Gift Aid |
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Just read about the tacks, what a bunch of pinheads. Should make it all the more satisfying that you did it. Well done Donation by Steve Colegate on 20/05/09 |
£20.00 + £5.64 Gift Aid |
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Donation by Wendy Kiener on 19/05/09 |
£60.00 |
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Go IBL - I'll be behind you all the way! Donation by Charles Cockburn on 14/05/09 |
£50.00 + £14.10 Gift Aid |
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I hope that the sun shines on your face and that the wind is behind you! Very best wishes I shall be thinking of you. Donation by Roz Scourfield on 14/05/09 |
£20.00 + £5.64 Gift Aid |
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The very best of luck & lots of love Donation by Aunty Mary on 06/05/09 |
£20.00 + £5.64 Gift Aid |
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Good luck with the race. Donation by Guy Boden on 28/04/09 |
£20.00 + £5.64 Gift Aid |
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A great cause! Will be thinking of you ;-) Good luck! Donation by Sue Searle on 13/04/09 |
£20.00 + £5.64 Gift Aid |
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Good luck, you'll at least burn off the StarBucks calories now! Wx Donation by Wendy Makepeace-Browne on 06/04/09 |
£20.00 + £5.64 Gift Aid |
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Your training pain is definitely for a cause I can believe in. Best wishes! Donation by Trevor Rotzien on 30/03/09 |
£5.00 |
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Keep up the great work!! Donation by Bhalchander on 30/03/09 |
£5.00 |
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Thanks for biking for Five Talents as it does great work in eliminating poverty through their clients' own hard work in their enterprises. A hand up! Donation by Dr Phyllis SantaMaria on 27/02/09 |
£30.00 + £8.46 Gift Aid |
| * Total raised online: | £520.00 |
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| Offline donations: | £0.00 |
| Mobile donations: | £0.00 |
| Total Raised: | £520.00 |
| Gift Aid plus supplement: | £126.92 |
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