In early October, I will be mountain biking unsupported across the Alps in order to raise money for Self Help Africa--an Irish-based charity that funds and implements long-term rural development projects throughout sub-Saharan Africa.

The charity currently employs close to 300 staff across nine countries--Ethiopia, Eritrea, Malawi, Kenya, Uganda, Zambia, Ghana, Togo, and Burkina Faso--and ultimately aims to help rural Africa achieve economic independence through sustainable solutions to the causes of famine and poverty.

I will be covering approximately 500km in five days, with at least 1km of altitude gain per day. The majority of this will be off road.

The route starts in Chur, Switzerland's oldest town; taking me south into Italy via the Chaschauna Pass (2,694m above sea-level); looping round from Livigno through the Alpisella, Rifugio and Costainas passes; before heading back to Chur.

For those of you that haven't used JustGiving before, it's really simple, fast and totally secure. The money is passed directly to the charity, and the site will automatically claim Gift Aid for donations made by eligible U.K. taxpayers.

U.K. residents can even donate by phone: just text KWEI77 (that's an 'i', not a '1'), followed by the amount you would like to donate, to 70070. 'KWEI77 £10', for example. This SMS service is free to both you and the charity.

It's a great cause, so please dig deep and donate now.

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UPDATE

My trip is now complete. See below for my daily post-ride reports.

Day 1: http://amlawdaily.typepad.com/amlawdaily/2011/10/alm-trans-alp-day-1.html

Day 2: http://amlawdaily.typepad.com/amlawdaily/2011/10/alm-trans-alp-day-2.html

Day 3: http://amlawdaily.typepad.com/amlawdaily/2011/10/alm-trans-alp-day-3.html

Day 4: http://amlawdaily.typepad.com/amlawdaily/2011/10/alm-trans-alp-day-4.html

Day 5: http://amlawdaily.typepad.com/amlawdaily/2011/10/alm-charity-trans-alp-day-5.html

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Offline donations:

Herbert Smith - £50

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I'd like to thank Kevin, Kyle and all the guys at Transition Bike Company in Ferndale, WA; Geoff and the team at the Richmond branch of Bike Lab, and Richie at Silverfish--without your kind help, the trip wouldn't be possible. Thanks also to Clif Bar and SealSkinz.