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The ACT Trio (aka Alex Pavitt, Charles Flanders and Tom Priestner) all aged 16 years are doing a charity cycle from Manchester to Paris. The trip is estimated to be about 800km (if they don’t get too lost) and should take about 6-7 days but I guess that does depend how many punctures they accumulate! On their first trial run to Castleton they managed 1 blown tyre and 2 punctures. Since then they have invested in some better tyres and puncture repair training.
They set off on Thursday August 4th in a heay downpour from Agecroft Rowing Club each laden with about 15kg of supplies, inner tubes and camping gear and they hope to reach the Arc de Triomphe by the 10th August. Their aim is to raise money for the charity When You Wish upon a Star, that makes children with life threatening illness aged 2-16 years have a special wish come true - from a trip to Lapland to meet Father Christmas, swimming with the dolphins in Florida, to a day out at Centre Parks, or opening a Manchester United Football Match. Whatever the children want as their special wish the Charity When You Wish upon a Star do all they can to make it happen.
If you are able to support the ACT Trio raise funds for the Charity there are two easy options:
1. Donating through this ‘Just Giving’ web site is simple, fast and totally secure. It is also the most efficient way to sponsor the lads and support the When you Wish Upon a Star Charity who will receive your money faster and, if you are a UK taxpayer, an extra 28% in tax will be added to your gift at no cost to you.
2. Or if you prefer you can send a cheque payable to: ‘When you Wish Upon a Star’ c/o Dr Sue Pavitt, 8 Ley Hey Road, Marple, Stockport SK6 6PQ.
If you’re impressed with the lads and think your friends may want to support these teenagers raising money to help those less fortunate please spread the news and get your friends to sponsor the lads.
Donating through JustGiving is simple, fast and totally secure. Your details are safe with JustGiving – they’ll never sell them on or send unwanted emails. Once you donate, they’ll send your money directly to the charity and make sure Gift Aid is reclaimed on every eligible donation by a UK taxpayer. So it’s the most efficient way to donate - I raise more, whilst saving time and cutting costs for the charity.
So please dig deep and donate now.
DAILY UPDATE:
DAY 1 August 4th: The lads cycled 78 miles in horrendous heavy rain. It was largely up hill out of Manchester up the A6, through the High Peaks, Buxton and into Derbyshire. Charles has lost wallet and his Euros but that's all fixable and main thing is they are still all in one piece. They have put up their tent somewhere in the National Forest in a nice friendly campsite. All tired and ready for food and sleep. Burnt 6603 cal and 190.2g fat!
DAY 2 AUGUST 5th: Boys have travelled more than 70 miles today - a little flatter and no heavy driving rain. They are overnighting in Bedford at Tom's cousin's. Alex seems to have a niggling sore knee - here's hoping it doesn't get too bad. Another long day tomorrow through London and onto Kent with a planned 6.30am start.
DAY 3 AUGUST 6th: Boys have successfully gone through London and out the otherside covering 81 miles and burning 6906 calories / 208.2g fat. Needless to say they are none stop eating when not cycling. They have reached a campsite near Maidstone in Kent. Alex knee much better today after some tweakes to positioning of seat and cleats.Today Charles lost his sunglasses but managed to remember where he left them this time and succesffuly retrieved them although got lost on his way back to Alex and Tom. Apparently Bedford roads have loads of potholes and Charles and Tom have both fallen off their bikes but all doing well no injuries! They are tucking into dinner on the campsite now and reported it was a good day cycyling and they were relaxed.
Day 4 August 7th: Boys reached Dover and tucked into Fish and chips to take on some needed calories. It was sunny but very windy; this resulted in Tom almost going overboard whilst joining the P&O Ferry and a bent wheel. Apparently the wheel is not too bad and did not impede their arrival in Calais - they celebrated by abandoning the canvas for a warm shower and a night in 'a clean and basic' B&B. Charles managed a day without further losses! They have successfully remembered they need to cycle on the otherside of the road and have "done a few roundabouts" without incident. The lads were elated at arriving in France. They are thinking of making the end venue the Eiffel Tower as traffic can be a bit horrific at the Arc de Triomphe. They are very spurred on by all the generous donations and said to say "THANK YOU".
DAY 5 AUGUST 8th: Boys had a bit of a dissastrous start today with Tom's pannier rack breaking - they have done a Heath Robinson repair and hoping it lasts till Paris. Charles having gone 24hours without loosing anything thought he had left his phone on the ferry but managed to find it - he's getting a reputation! Then Charles got a puncture, followed by his newly replaced inner tube exploding. Undaunted they have managed a 100km today (they've gone continental on distance) and are about 20km shy of Abbeville in a nice campsite with hot showers. They report that the French roads are great - surprising I thought there was bound to be a mention about the food given how much they are needing to eat - maybe tomorrow!
DAY 6 9th AUGUST: (Sorry about the delay in posting had an eventful journey home from London getting caught up in the riots in Manchester). The lads in contrast had an uneventful day cycling through France oblivious to the problems back home. They said roads and drivers have been great and lorry drivers very courteous - pulling out very wide often into the other lane and tooting supportively. This seems to be in dramatic contrast to their experience on the London-Dover stretch where they were almost grazed by closeness of the lorries.They coverd120km but failed to find a campsite but did find a cheap hotel. They are now seemingly having a gastronomique tour eating their way to Paris - very much enjoying the morning Patisserie visits for their carb load.They are now about 65km outside Paris (feeling a little apprehensive of the traffic that awaits them but looking forward to arriving and visiting the George Pompidou Centre).
DAY 7 AUGUST 10th: Jubiliant arrival in Paris! Lads absoultely elated to have arrived and found their way to their hostel next to the Moulin Rouge - yes the red light district! They have left their panniers behind and are leisurely cycling aound the sights and can't believe how good their bikes feel without the weight.They are planning to have a cultural art gallery day tomorrow. They can't believe how generous you have all been THANK YOU!
After word: What an achievement and given all the riots in the UK it's good to think that some teenagers are thinking about others - the words of very proud mum even if I have sprouted a few white hairs this week!
