The Last Bike Ride
Emma Hotchkin is raising money for Cancer Research UK
In memory of Alan Asher
Story
Indiana Emma and the Last Bike Ride.
Now Updated Daily !! - (See the Diary Below)
My Granddad would have appreciated the humour.! Life is too short to be so serious. So the name of this treck is to remind me and you the kind donator of that.
Firstly, Thank you. Thank you for taking the time to visit my fundraising page.
About Alan Asher.
I never thought of my Granddad as old. He never acted in that way. Our time with him was rarely quiet and hum drum, it was full of bike rides and walks, of discussions and fun. He was wonderful and supportive and never short of ideas. He was always there for others, for advice and love. He was amazingly talented and crative - we still have so many of his paintings the "Asher gallery". He was so much to so many people.
But to me he was (and is) Granddad. He inspired me (and still does) in so many ways. He encouraged my artistic streak and helped me with my ideas.
He died of prostate Cancer December 2008
I don’t feel like he's too far away most times but I miss him very much. My wonderful Granddad.
And now...
About the Adventure.
The adventure just started out as a bike trip to with a friend of mine. He was doing this as an adventure, and that adventure called to me as something I needed to do. Granddad had always wanted to do a "Tour de Spain" as he called it and would often imagine it. He loved to ride and was often seen on his bike round Saxilby.
My plan was to take his bike on one last adventure, a sort of pilgrimage for me. But I had a suggestion made, why not do this for charity? And so I made up my mind, I would do this for Cancer Research.
The Adventure takes Place 19th May until 2nd June 2009. I will start from Malaga on the south coast biking for 2 weeks, with camping stops, to get to Madrid at the centre of - That’s roughly 344 miles over 2 mountain ranges!
I start training next week, 2nd March 2009. It will be hard work, exhausting and totally worth all the time invested. So on to...
DONATIONS PLEASE!
Donating through Justgiving is quick, easy and totally secure. It’s also the most efficient way to sponsor me: Cancer Research gets your money faster and, if you’re a taxpayer, Justgiving makes sure 25% in Gift Aid, plus a 3% supplement, are added to your donation.
I will keep all of you as updated as I can so watch this space!
I am aiming high! So dig as deep! Any amount will help and remember to tick the gift aid box , adding 25% to the donation at no cost to you!
Thank you for your support!
Updates to follow!
Diary of a Brave Bike Explorer
6days?! I better get my fundraising on! There’s been a slow down in donations that I must fix! More lunch time training…PLEASE put in a donation people, its not the amount thats important! I figure if everyone I know were to donate just ONE pound - that would be £100! Come on get your Charity on!
It’s officially a week to go! 7 days people! I’m a little nervous and excited now. It’s a Tuesday so its pub night, so I’ve been plying my friends with posters to put up. (will be putting up here tomorrow night) Made a list of everything I need and almost got everything – will be doing some shopping on my dinner Thursday to get all this sorted out.
Monday and I'm down to 8 days! I'm now even riding on my lunches. Posters and reminders have been put up round work and I will pester people more to donate OH YES! I ordered the bike bags so the bikes can be put on the plane safely. Thank you St John Cycles for being a great on line cycle shop! Done my poster and have been putting it up. I will put up a copy here for you all to enjoy. It is rather fabulous!!
It’s a Sunday and I’m taking a much deserved break...so what did I do? Walked round Tall Trees Garden Centre for a few hours! One day I will understand what "Rest Day" means... Oh and I started my poster…
10 more days! The training goes well. is a good place to train, having to take it easy on the off roading as my wrist is playing up. Oh well, the support bandage helps! Went to see Family today! They wanted to meet Jonathan and to make sure we have everything planned and so Mum could do her parenting bit "are you sure you thought of..." (love you Mummy! - no you cant follow me in an abulance!) Got some great gear from Mum a lovely Peter Storm fleece, some trousers that turn into shorts and UV protective t shirts. Oh and 10 MORE DAYS! Training as usual!
9th May 2009
10 more days! The training goes well. Colwick Park is a good place to train, having to take it easy on the off roading as my wrist is playing up. Oh well, the support bandage helps! Done my poster and have been putting it up. Will put up a copy here for you all to enjoy. It is rather fabulous!! Ordered the bike bags so the bikes can be put on the plane safely. Thank you St John Cycles for being a great on line cycle shop!
8th May 2009
11 more days to go! I am creating my flyer/ poster today to make sure I can get it put up round Saxilby when I visit home this weekend. I have am enjoying the off road training! Seems in keeping with the spirit of Grandads bike rides, you always had to lift your bike over something... Still needing more assistance to get to that target of £1000!! I will do door to door if I have to, but I prefer the Just Giving site as it gives that lovely Gift Aid bonus.
I had a wonderful dream about My Grandad yesterday that I wanted to share: I was texting my Grandpa for his birthday and thought it was best to ring and I heard " hello Alan Asher" I said " oh I think I got the wrong number" and he laughed - we talked for a while and I couldnt shake the feeling this was odd (at the time it felt real) As soon as I thought it he was next to me and we kept talking. He smiled at me and said " You better go your alarms about to go off" - and it did.
I guess hes on my mind alot right now. Should have asked him where the other picture to match the one here is! Wish me training luck!
7th May 2009
Well I have been not good on the updates but I have been training hard! - A BIG BIG thankyou to everyone who has donated so far! If you havent yet PLEASE do soon! I only have 12 more days!
Also dont be shy to spread the word I would LOVE the help and really want to get to the point of being at £1000.
I have ridden my bike for about 5- 10 miles a day on average - not near target but Its about what I will be doing in one sitting - between that I have to eat and sleep. Almost have all my kit together I just have to sort out insurance realted things. I plan to flyer my area this weekend and if you want any just let me know and I will send some your way. Thanks again folks for all the support!
31st March 2009
Training is underway! My bike now has brakes that dont lock up and I am biking to work every day. Got to get used to those hills! Also I have a rack meaning that I can practive with panniers on the bike. Its actually very exciting! I will be doing more advertising in the form of posters later this week so keep an eye out for them!
11th March 2009
The training side of things were put on hold due to a lovely chest infection, but never fear it begins this week in earnest! I have calculated that I will be doing on average 27 miles per day to make sure I get to Madrid for the 2nd! Fingers crossed that the training goes to plan… my friend and I Jonathan will be training on Saturday hopefully managing at last half that 27 mile distance! Wish us luck!