Links to the ride

http://www.thisisstaffordshire.co.uk/news/College-technician-rides-Aids-orphans/article-584792-detail/article.html

http://www.justgiving.com/funzimbabweride600
http://www.justgiving.com/funzimride
http://www.funzimride.co.uk/
http://www.justgiving.com/richardpantlin
http://www.helpinternational.co.uk/

Our local press in Oxford and Stoke on Trent have both supported us well. We are very grateful to them.

Can you support us? Can you join us?

Plans for the ride are advancing fast. I started practicing two weeks ago and found I still know how to ride a push bike. This was a relief because I had not cycled for about two years. There is a ready route for first timers round here. The Canals, of which there are many in the UK, have paths running along them for walkers and cyclists. I have access to a six mile stretch with no real air pollution or traffic, just like it is in Zimbabwe, except its flat all the way. It will do for a start.
The general plan is to fabricate a small trailer and load a few bricks on it, and tow it round to simulate what we would be doing during the ride. I shall have to work out how to load pictures on this blog.

Meantime I here Richard did over 40 miles the other day. He must be fitter than me, but I cannot allow that. I am going to have a weekly schedule of about two hours per day daily and 4 hours on Sundays. There are groups of cycling fanatics round here. I think I will joining maybe two or more of them and see how fit the members are.

For gelled saddles, Tesco is you place. They are half the price at Halfords. In fact everything there is half the price at Halfords, which is a shame because I like Halfords. Also at Tesco are tents and sleeping bags of the size we need. Two and Three-man tents from 9Pounds each. That is better than buying from Ebay. Because we are fundraising for a charity, we always have to think of costs before comforts.

Please support us at
http://www.justgiving.com/funzimbabweride600

Fun Zim Ride Prep progress

I am going to chart the preparation progress and invite advice and comments from those interested. I think we need maybe another rider. Its not critical but if you want to join us please do apply before 15/10/2008.

I think I am getting a bit excited by the prospect. Its fours years since I was on an African venture with some unsuspecting people. I have travelled the Bulawayo Masvingo Road, and the Masvingo Harare road many times, but never on a bicycle with all my provisions with me, in the Automn heat. I don't want to imagine it any more, I want to experience it.

Progress will be posted on (not yet there) http://ride.thruhere.net/progress.asp from maybe monday.

The ride is definitely is on.

Its all systems go at present. We are preparing for the ride. We are riding our bikes as often as possible. At first I thought I was made of concrete, then my legs accepted punishment and now my whole body demands punishment.

If you would like to sponsor me, please visit the sponsorship page at http://www.justgiving.com/funzimbabweride600

I have used Just Giving so we can see if we meet the goal of 9000GBP. The rest is on Richard's shoulders. Thus Richard Pantlin my co-conspirator in fun rides and fund raising.

The collection of the items we call "REQUIREMENTS" as started. Not meaning to lose my comfort and a chance of a good night sleep, the first item to arrive was the tent. A large two man ten just for me. I don't even have the bike I will use yet. Maybe I will get a fridge next.

The ride is in March 2009

Zimbabwe charity ride is on

We are continuing with plans for the Zimbabwe Charity ride planned for around March 2009. This will be ten days of travelling by bicycle in and around Zimbabwe to raise money for local charities.

If you would like to be involved in any way, Planning, sponsorships, filming, documenting, supporting riders, etc, please feel free to contact me on acmupasi@yahoo.co.uk.
The project is the brainchild of Richard Pantlin who can be contacted directly at Richard@FunZimRide.co.uk He also has his own website at http://www.funzimride.co.uk/.

One of the charities for which the funds will be raised is H.E.L.P. Zimbabwe whose details can be read at http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/H.E.L.P._Zimbabwe.

Further reading:
http://www.heraldseries.net/display.var.2395543.0.clowning_about_in_zimbabwe.php
http://www.funzimride.co.uk/
http://www.helpinternational.co.uk/docs/specials.htm
http://www.oxfordmail.net/news/comment/display.var.2395083.0.bravery.php

The fund raising will be through http://www.helpinternational.co.uk/ or just giving (registration applied for)

All enquiries, please Email me at the above address.

Banjul drive update

On the day I was due to register for the Banjul ride, I called someone and was made aware that I would need visas for every country the drive goes through, because I would be travelling on a non-British passport. That little detail I had completely overlooked. This means I cannot go and I will spend another Christmas in the UK. Christmas in the UK is the most boring time you can imagine. I had hoped to be doing something exciting and productive. Have to wait till next year now. By then I will have thought of ways round the visa problem.

I have not been for a while.

I didn't know whether to come here or not. I was very busy mentally counting votes for the Zimbabwe elections. We are nearly finished now so they gave me many hours off today. That is why I am here.

Nobody won. Even the best man did not win. Their trainers are expected to resign.

I wish To participate.

I spent a few hours today helping to outline the Fun Zimbabwe Ride. 600 miles plus of fund raising fun on push bikes acroos Zimbabwe. I am really keen to take part in this ride if I can get time off work to do it. I have only ever been to Matopos Hills (the place where Cecil John Rhodes, the guy who let the first official group of colonialists in what he later called Rhodesia, is burried. His grave is almost an intrusion into this very tranquil but vast place. If you cannot be moved by your own presence at such a place, then you are either already dead or you are very close. The fact that this ride starts at Matopos is great news for the participants.

In Bulawayo they visit the first orphanage, with 13 children some of whom need special medical attention. It’s a chance to see why they are fun raising. Then through Bulawayo and onto the famous Selbourne avenue out towards Masvingo over 300 km away. Selbourne is as straight as straight can be for 15 km. Its as if they use laser technology to line it up. Bulawayo has the widest streets and avenues on earth. They are lined by the sweet smelling jacaranda trees which flower in the spring.

A variety of topologies bring you to Zvishavane. I have an affinity for this little town. It is the first real life place you see on this otherwise natural landscape from Bulawayo. Stop and have a good look.

From here its downhill to Masvingo, a city built among the best province of Zimbabwe, Masvingo. Zimbabwe gets its name from a monument a few kilometres south east of the city. The monument is unique and anyone passing within 14000 km of it ought to take a detour to go and look and perhaps take some photographs. The riders will visit the place. There is a dame or mane made lake not too far and it would be good to see it because it is built at a very interesting location.

From Masvingo the rders head north along the Harare Road.. 70 km on, they take a 10 km detour to Chatsworth, the best town in the whole world. (my birth place) to go and visit the second orphanage. This, when complete, will take up to 20 orphans from any age to 14 initially. Over thirty of these are currently supported in placement in the community, supported by H.E.L.P. International. Again the rriders will se in person why fund raising is needed, in this community where the average income is less than GBP 5 per month, yet the number of orphans is increasing year on year.

Back on the road the riders head for Harare 290km away. It is uphill on a bike but it is interesting terrain all the way there. Stop at Spider Web for a drink, at Fairfield for a dance to high pitched local music, at Mvuma to look at the artwork by locals, at Chivhu to watch the country buses come in or leave with everything except live cattle on their roof racks. Check the tread on their tyres and ask yourself whether it is not a lot safer on your nice bike.

Next port of call is Beatrice (pronounced Beetrice) Every time I pass by this place, I go to the local police station and ask the whatever silly question I can think of. It just breaks the jouney a little bit. I suggest the riders do the same. It will make someone’s day. They will want to know how Liverpool FC is doing.

You can smell Harare from Beatrice. You know you are close when you see an endless cemetry on your right. Each time I have passed there, there are countless groups of people, each adding another grave to the place, as if it does not have enough already. If the riders stop here for more than ten seconds in silence, they will fully understant the meaning of the word ORPHAN in Zimbabwe. Just after that, there is a turning on the left, which goes to a large children’s home about a quarter of a mile away. The rider will visit this place, and may be well advised to put up there for the night. It is not a good idea to ask the chap in charge of the place to tell you any stories about any of the children present. I have seen grown men reduced to a tear or two from listening to this guy., and all he does is tell you the true children stories. Americans are supporting this place whole heartedly.

Next port of call, Harare International Airport and before long London, UK. Breathe good air before you leave Africa. The African bug bites many. The Zimbabwean bug bites even more. One you have been, you will always want to go. Maybe next time without your bike.

This was Richard Pantlin’s idea. If you have lost a bit of weight from your ten days with him, go back to your friends and workmates, and enjoy the compliments. Tell them its not all good news.

There is a constant amount of weight on this earth, so that each time someone loses weight, someone else gains the same amount. Hopefully the guys in Zim have gained some. They need it.
600 miles of Fun Ride is my idea of participation in fund raising. It happens just after I get back from Banjul. Question is Can I do both? What do you think? Should we take Charity bets on it?

Need a Team Mate for the Plymouth to Banjul Challenge.

Plymouth to Banjul is 4000 miles over the Sahara.
The challenge is to cross the Sahara in a GBP 100 car in less than 20 days

Two people are allowed per car.
I need a suitable team mate. If you think you are that person, then please Email me a description of yourself on acmupasi@yhoo.co.uk as soon as possible. It would be helpful if you are in the Midlands or the north west. There will be a page on http://www.helpinternational.co.uk listing the requirements.

People go crazy in small doses at a time.

Today I subscribed to the Plymouth to Banjul (Gambia) Rally, which is an alternative to the Dakar Rally. Is starts in December 2008, and runs for three weeks over 4000 miles. I have had long on road trips before so I should be a little bit more crazy on this one.

1 The Durban to Harare trip (1996) was 2000 km and I drove it with my then 9 year old son Ben in nearly 30 hours, which included a 16 hour stop over in Johannesburg. The road is surfaced but has bas bad potholes in parts. Car jacking then was common between Johannesburg and Beit Bridge.

2 The Harare to Walvis Bay return trip in 2004 was in the same car driven from Durban, only this time is was well spent. It took two and half days (including a day's stop over in Palapye and many hours of repairs along the way.) to and 20 hours on the return trip.

I was going to do the Victoria Falls to Cape Town drive for a holiday, but as soon as I saw the Plymouth to Banjul rally, I fell in love with it. and I will be asking for sponsorship towards the charity
H.E.L.P. international.
http://www.helpinternational.com/
When I announced that I needed a team mate, Ben, now 22 volunteered. However he soon found that he has un iversity exams at that time. So I need both the car and a team mate. Just now we need a car worth less than GBP 100 accrding to the rules of the rally.
Luckily, the pumpkin growing season will be over by then, else there would be a serious conflict of interest.
Watch this space.

A lot to say?

Well I thought I would have a lot to say, but winter sort of confines people inside so there is not much to do really. Spring is not too far and when it arrives, there will be a report almost daily. This year I plan to grow giant pumpkins. Its been five years since I grow some.

Back to work today.

Well, even holidays have to come to an end, so its back to work and I find work as solid as always. Still no use going to work and not actually working. So will talk later.