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.