what's it all about then?

Long promised, and finally here...the itinerary for the charity bike ride (have you donated yet? If not stop reading at once and do so!)

Day 1 - Friday
London to Johannesburg (overnight flight...shouldn't be too tough to deal with!)

Day 2 - Saturday (funnily enough)
Johannesburg to George to Prince Albert
We catch a late morning flight to George, the largest town of the Garden Route, and then a 2-3 hour transfer to Prince Albert. It lies on the edge of the Karoo at the foot of the astounding Swartberg Pass. There will be bike fitting and time to gear up for the next day. Overnight in guesthouses in Prince Albert.

Day 3 (you know what day it is)
Prince Albert to Oudtshoorn (74 km - 31km on tarmac, 43km dirt)
We head up to and over the Swartberg Pass which is 1583 metres high on a good dirt road, zig-zagging our way to lunch 2km shy of Die Top and then downhill to the capital of the Karoo and home of the ostrich, Oudtshoorn.

Day 4
Oudtshoorn to De Rust (77km - 7km tarmac, 70km dirt)
Today's biking takes us through the heart of the Little Karoo region bordered in the south by the Outeniqua and Langeberg Ranges and in the north by the Swartberg Range. We set off through hills and valleys and pass through quiet farmland dotted with farmworker's houses. The highlight of today will be a visit to one of the many township schools. There is a 3km stretch on tough dirt roads. Overnight at Oliver's Rust in De Rust.

Day 5
De Rust to De Hoop (near Uniondale) 100km (91km tarmac, 9km dirt)
Today is a long rolling day's riding on tarmac with some steep uphills and downhills (no problem with the steep downhill part). Overnight at Mountain Pastures near Uniondale on a small private game reserve.

Day 6
De Hoop to Knysna (73km - 8km tarmac, 65km dirt)
Starting from the top of the Prince Alfred Pass there is a thrilling (probably dangerously steep!) and beautiful descent from the top on rough dirt track paths. We then enter a gorge criss-crossed by small bridges carrying the road over waterfalls and rock pools - a triumph of 19th century civil engineering. Continuing with climbs and descents towards the coast we may catch a glimpse of the three remaining Knysna elephants. Overnight at the Ashmead Resort on the edge of Knysna's beautiful lagoon.

Day 7
Knysna to Wilderness (57km - 37km tarmac, 20km dirt)
We cycle 2km to the train station before catching the "Outeniqua Choo Tjoe" steam train (who thinks up these names?). Disembarking at the isolated halt of Rugtevlei we climb up into the forests, and along the Seven Passes Road which traverses the river valleys and opened the area to the European settlers. We continue through forests and farmlands before a steep downhill to the finishing line at the tranquil resort of Wilderness. Overnight at the Ebb and Flo Chalets.

Day 8
Wilderness to Cape Town
A five and a half hour transfer to Cape Town and the chance to shower and relax before an official meeting with Nelson Mandela. After that there is the chance to visit Robben Island where Mr Mandela was imprisoned for decades, visit the townships or take the cable car to the summit of Table Mountain. Celebration meal in the evening. Just joking about the Nelson meeting, although I'll make time if he will.

Day 9
Cape Town to London
Evening flight back to Blighty.

Still think it's a holiday, eh?

it just got bigger!

If you were impressed with the total in the previous blog you're going to need to sit down for this one! I gratefully received a further £65 tonight at church from several people who couldn't attend the coffee morning. So the total thus far for the coffee morning is £1088.06. Wow.

A big thank you

I'm very pleased to announce that together we raised £1023.06 (no that is not a typo!) during the four hours of the coffee morning on Saturday (14th April). They were four hectic hours and I've no idea how many people attended, but clearly the generosity of everyone who did come has shone through.
Many people deserve a special mention. Top of the list is my aunt Sylvia whose idea it was in the first place to hold the coffee morning. Promoted early on as chief co-ordinator and planner she guided the planning process through to the successful day we all enjoyed.
Thanks as well to my dad for helping transport the chairs, and to Sandy Wilson and team for allowing us to use the chairs from the Community Centre. Thanks to mum, my relations and those who helped make tea, coffee and keep folks supplied with food. And of course thanks to those of you who supplied scones, buns, cakes, coffee machine, coffee, and tea.
Perhaps the biggest thanks is to those of you who so generously donated to the invaluable work of Action Cancer in such a spectacular way. Give yourselves a big pat on the back.
And of course we thank God for such a glorious day.
I may well have exceeded my personal goal of £4000 overall, but the work of Action Cancer is ongoing, and so I will press on fundraising to ensure that this challenging bike ride is well worth the effort. Let's raise the roof on the fundraising!

victory is mine!

The Knowehead Road is mine! Having heard scarey biking stories of it's steepness I thought tonight was as good as any to tackle it head on. First day back at work after the Easter Break seemed a good enough excuse to get out of the house for a short run up the Knowehead Road and back in home.

Yes, it was tight going, but I made it to the top of the hill without getting off, or going backwards! Always a bonus going forwards. The effort is richly rewarded with a stunning view of the Braid Valley and Slemish. And I even made a furry friend (or is that woolly?). Enjoy the pic.

Even with the tough incline I made 11.93 km in 35.12 minutes. Avg speed 20.3 kph.

the coffee morning...it's a coming!

Yes the excitement is building. I've tidied out my garage. I'm tidying the house. I'm not baking any buns! But come Saturday it's coffee morning time.

I do hope you can make it. Relations and friends are supplying the eats so you're safe enough. Your support would be much appreciated.

quick trip around the block

This cycling lark has certainly caught hold of me. Deciding to call round for a quick chat with my aunt Sylvia in Ahoghill tonight, I actually forewent (is that a real word?) the car in favour of ye olde bicycle. Knowing that it wasn't going to be a 35 mile epic I pushed on harder than usual.

And so it came to pass, that a cup of tea and very fine lemon cake later, that I made it back to 9 Woodlands in 1 hour 13 minutes. Distance? 28.56 km (17.85 miles). And to top it all off...an average speed of 21 kph in a headwind. Total km on the odometer - 429.9 km (269 miles).