Rob Butchart
Rob's Big Cycle Challenge for Transaid
Fundraising for Transaid
Story
Covid may have changed the dates but it hasn’t shortened the course!!
I’ll be attempting three distinct (plus a cheeky little one) cycle challenges all for a great cause, Transaid. After taking 2019 off this will be, by far, the hardest thing I’ve attempted.
The Challenges
Audax - Coast 2 Coast. 4th September 2020- 1 Day. Whitehaven to Sunderland 219km/136miles, 2713m of climbing. I’ve not ridden this far before in one day, not even close, and there are plenty of hills to get over in the Lake District. There is no guarantee of good weather in April either! ***UPDATE - RIDE COMPLETE***
Grand Tour - Lands End to John o’Groats / LEJOG. Tuesday 8th June 2021 - 7 Days. 1564km/971miles, 9826m of climbing. 7 (hopefully) crazy days in the saddle. No gaps, no rest days but plenty of hills especially getting over the Peak District! I have to find 29 additional miles to make it an even 1000 too. ***UPDATE - RIDE COMPLETE***
Cafe Ride - Way of the Roses - 24th September 2021 - 2 days. 277km/172miles, 2650m of climbing. ***UPDATE - RIDE COMPLETE***
MTB - Malawi. October 2022 - 5 days. 519km/323miles, 4,643m of climbing. Senga to Mulanje. Truth be told, I’m not a fan of mountain bikes especially when ridden on hot, sandy and difficult terrain including up the Zomba Plateau, hence the elevation gain!
All told - 15 days of cycling covering 2579km/1602miles with 19,832m of climbing.
Transaid
Transaid runs a variety of life-saving projects, many of which focus on improving access to healthcare in rural sub-Saharan Africa. Over the last few years Transaid has been making a real difference through its ETS (Emergency Transport System) programmes.
Through the support of volunteer riders, children with severe malaria symptoms and expectant mothers are taken, often distances up to and sometimes more than 30km, to the closest treatment centre by bicycle ambulance.
Transaid currently has a fleet of close to 100 bicycle ambulances in Zambia, all of which have life-saving potential. So many lives can be saved with a relatively small investment, as each bicycle ambulance is made for around £500.
Check out some more information about Transaid and the work they do here...
IMPORTANT: All monies raised will go to Transaid and their good causes. The cost of trip, flights, bike rental etc has already been paid for separately.
Many many thanks for your help!