Thanks for coming to the page for my Macmillan cycling endeavours (as well as rowing around the UK in '07 and '08).  

Last year it was all about ~1,000miles and ~£10k on Land's End John O'Groats - www.lejogcycle2008.co.uk.

First up this year is Mexico in March - http://www.macmillan.org.uk/Microsites/mexico/Mexico_cycling_challenge.aspx

Second up Central America in November (thanks innocent) - http://www.macmillan.org.uk/Get_Involved/Biking_events/CentralAmerica/Central_America.aspx

Please sponsor me - effectively you're just giving money to Macmillan.

IN CASE YOU'D LIKE TO KNOW THE DETAIL...

7th March -  Day 1: Depart UK
Leave London Heathrow bound for Mexico City.

Sun 8th March - Day 2: Mexico City - Alvarado
After a full briefing we leave the frenetic streets of Mexico City and head for Alvarado. Our seven hour transfer sees us pass below the smoky volcano of Popocatepetl and the highpeak of Pico de Orizaba. We arrive at the coast and camp overnight at our starting point just south of Alvarado.

Mon 9th March - Day 3: Alvarado - San Isidro - [92km]
Our first day of cycling takes us away from the Gulf of Mexico, through swamp and sugar cane fields, we travel through small towns and tropical farmlands. After a fairly flat, but hot and humid day in the saddle we make camp near the small village of San Isidro.

Tues 10th March - Day 4: San Isidro - San Mateo Yetla [85km, cum 177km]
Leaving camp early, we head off on mainly flat roads for the foot of the mountains. After a lunchtime swim we reach the small town of Valle Nacional from where the road begins to climb gently through the dense jungle of the foothills. We set up camp alongside the river at San Mateo Yetla.

Weds 11th Mar - Day 5: San Mateo Yetla – The Forest Camp [69km, cum 246km]
The toughest day of the challenge* sees us climb from 250m altitude to 3000m, over just 57km. For most of the day we are alone, but for a few small villages, as we climb through jungle and pine forests to bare mountain slopes. We camp 9km downhill from the summit at 2,500m. *although naff all hard work compared to the sterling work of Macmillan nurses, for example

Thurs 12th Mar - Day 6: The Forest Camp - Hill Camp [57km, cum 303km]
We set off from camp with a downhill section, before climbing for a few kilometres through coniferous forest. Welcome relief comes in an exhilarating 20km descent to our lunch stop near the town of Guelataeo. We have a further 6km descent to the Rio Grande before climbing again up to our beautiful hillside camp.

Fri 13th Mar - Day 7: Hill Camp - Zimatlan [75km, 378km]
Hopefully lucky for some... Setting off early to attempt the remainder of the climb up to the spectacular views at La Cumbra. From here we have a fantastic descent to the outskirts of the city of Oaxaca. The rest of the day is fairly flat as we head for our evening's camp in an official campsite on the edge of Zimaltan.

Sat 14th Mar - Day 8: Zimatlan - Santa Ana [95km, cum 473km]
After heading out over rolling plains we have lunch at the top of a gradual climb. The afternoon sees a long descent, followed by a 17km climb through mountain slopes terraced with farmland, before a fun downhill to our mountainside campsite.

Sun 15th Mar - Day 9: Santa Ana – Rio Colotapec [88km, cum 561km]
Setting out from camp we have a 25km descent to San Pedro* from where we can see distant views of the mountain that stands between us and our first glimpse of the Pacific Ocean. After reaching today's summit we are rewarded with spectacular ocean views, from where we descend through the jungle to our wonderful riverside camp. *which I probably dreamt of last night

Mon 16th Mar - Day 10: Rio Colotapec – Puerto Escondido [57km, cum 617km]
Our final ride is a mixture of good fast descents and several climbs with wonderful views of the ocean ahead. With our destination almost upon us we regroup to cycle together right down to the Pacific Ocean where we revel in what we have achieved. We then have a free afternoon to prepare for our celebration meal.

Tues 17th March - celebrate St Patrick's day in the traditional Irish/Macmillan colours!                                             ... Mon 23rd March, back to work in the afternoon.

IF THAT'S INSPIRED YOU....

Fundraising events for your diary later in the year...

Speed dating - Sports Day - Spinathon - Cake Bake Off - plus many more...

Lovely

Siobhan

PS This is for a ride with associated costs - I will be covering these personally

email me if you want to get involved in any way - siobhanlinard@hotmail.com

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