STOP PRESS - Due to a leg injury I am instructed not to get on a bike. This will mean I will have to cancel the Cuba trip but watch this space as I will do another challenge instead when I get my leg/back sorted.  To those that have sponsored me I am truly sorry but promise to make it up.
The Challenge
In March 2009 I will be cycling over 400 k in six days in Cuba!  (details of the trip further down on the page). This is an enormous challenge (especially as it will also be camping accomodation!!).  It is a life challenge which I am determined to complete - to this end I have literally got on my bike after over thirty years and started a fairly hard training schedule.  The weather has not been helpful but I will be brave and strive on!!!

The Charity
I really need your help with some sponsorship.  The charity I have chosen is the Roy Castle Lung Cancer Foundation which is the only charity in the UK wholly dedicated to defeating lung cancer, the biggest cancer killer in the world. The foundation
- works towards defeating lung cancer through research, campaigning and education
- provides practical and emotional support for patients and all those affected by lung cancer and smoking
- enables children and young people to make informed decisions about smoking and the tobacco industry

The Reason
This is the final challenge in the life changing journey I have been on over the past few years.  I also do this for my cousin Carmen who is currently battling with Leukemia  and others in the same position. This trip is also a tribute to those love ones who lost the cancer battle and are not here to see their families grow up.

I hope that  my hard work and your generous contribution will help find a way of eradicating this deadly desease. 
From the bottom of my heart I thank you for your contribution
Mary xx

More about the trip
The following gives you a brief outline of the schedule.... 
DAY 1:
We fly from London to Havana. Transfer to our hotel arriving night time.
DAY 2: Havana
Explore the beautiful historical city of Havana, one of Earnest Hemmingway's favourite cities.
DAY 3: Havana Las Terrazas - 85 km
Leaving the bustling capital and heading west along the coast for our first taste of this beautiful countryside. Up and down some hills to finish at the camp iat the Biospere Reserve  of Sierra del Rosario
DAY 4: Las Terrazas San Diego de Los Banos - 70 km
A steep climb takes us out of the reserve and then continuing on out of the mountains down to the south west and camping just before San Diego deLos Banos where we will bw camping on a farm.
DAY 5: San Diego de Los Banos - Mogotes Lake camp - 60 km
We have a tough day a head climbing from the camp site through the jungle on a rough pot holed road. Then riding north west along rough roads with afew short climbs towards Vinales where we will set camp.
DAY 6: Mogotes Lakes- La Guabina - 70 km
Cycle through the town of Vinales, then climb out of the valley heading towards Pinar Del Rio finishing onto our campsite, La Guabina - a horse farm on the edge of the lake.
DAY 7: La Guabina - Vinales - 60 km
Our penultimate day's ride takes us up some challenging climbs towards Cabezas.  Then through some villages and heading towards Pons. 
DAY 8: Vinales- Cayo Jutias- 65 km
Last day of cycling and the coast is beckoning! We head west along the coast through bush, forest and tobacco plantations up and down some hills heading to the remote beach of Cayo Jutias, our finishing point.
Day 9 Today is free to explore the beautiful Vinales valley.
DAY 10 Head back to Havana.
Day 11 Fly home