FINAL NOTE

Just a short note to thank everyone once again for their interest and support. We have raised the £7,000 that we pledged and we couldn't have done it without you!

Rich & Mandy

 

UPDATE - 23rd February 2010

We have returned, having successfully completed the challenge and are delighted to be back in civilization. I have to say that this was the toughest physical thing that I have ever done. It was made tougher for Mandy by not having gears 1 & 2 for the first 4 days!

For anyone thinking that they were subsidising a jolly I can reassure you that our trip resulted in significant personal sacrifice and discomfort. Seven hours in the saddle each day has some very obvious outcomes but when coupled with a general lack of sanitation and only 2 'showers' in eight days you can imagine that the only reason we got close to each other was because we had to share the same tent!

Having heard about the weather here over the past couple of weeks, I don't suppose anyone will feel too much sympathy because of the heat that we had to endure - but it did require a great effort to cycle the 400+ miles. Many a time we said 'why on earth did we agree to this?'.  And we were definitely very keen to burn all of our newly bought camping equipment as soon as we got home, however it is apparently a bit like childbirth - whilst you're in the thick of it you say never ever again but once it's all over all you can think about are the positives. 

We both agree that is is the most rewarding thing we have ever done and we never moaned once because our main inspiration Liz who has lived with cancer for the past 8 years never moans either.  At the last night's celebration dinner, Ellie our Macmillan Trip Leader updated us that the group had so far raised just under £170,000 which is enough to fund 4 Macmillan nurses for a year or 1 paliative suite at a hospital  - we were all so proud. In the next breath she said that in the 12 days that we had been away 6,000 more people in the UK had been diagnosed with cancer and then you realise how much more there is to do, so if you've not yet sponsored us please don't be shy as they need every penny.

Despite all the trials and tribulations we had an amazing time, met some brilliant people, laughed more than we ever had, slept and washed less than we ever thought possible, ate more rice and beans than is natural......yet we would do it again and we would thoroughly recommend it to anyone.

Thank you all so much for all your support - we really appreciate it.

Richard & Amanda

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M: 'How do you fancy cycling from Panama to Nicaragua?'

R: 'Why not?'

That was pretty much how the conversation went (minus the swearing). Of course I didn't realise that Mandy was being serious and now we are committed to the Central America Cycling Challenge in February 2010 in aid of Macmillan Cancer Support.

8 consecutive days of cycling between 50 and 65 miles each day across 3 countries and a variety of terrain (including a couple of volcanoes!). With a total distance of over 400 miles this is going to be a bit more demanding than our usual Sunday morning jaunts in Windsor Great Park.

However, this is a fantastic cause and given the choice of cycling 400 miles or having to deal with cancer, the bike looks really appealing.

Any support you can offer is greatly appreciated.

 

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