25000spins

Over the past couple of months I’ve been looking back at my visit to Haiti and Dominican Republic with Compassion Australia in April 2008. That visit is the main reason I’m passionate about taking park in the 25000 Spins Great Ocean Road Challenge. Next month I’ll be riding 290 kilometres in three days and I need your support. By sponsoring my efforts on the challenge you’ll be releasing children from poverty. You’ll be giving children a real chance at life.

Please visit my fundraising page and make a contribution. Maybe you can afford to sponsor me for a dollar a kilometre, maybe 50 cents a kilometre, or perhaps you’d just like to donate $10, $20, $50 or any other amount. Check out his blog.

 

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I just had to share the below email from a friend of mine who was set to do the Swiss trip but missed out due to border control people. His route was slightly different from the "Official" Swiss trip and incorporated a few extra mountains. He also didn't have the luxury of food, water on tap and a support vehicle catering to your every need and carrying all your bags. His email had me in stitches.

 

 

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Hey Craig,

 

My update on the Swiss cycle trip,

 

So I arrive in Geneva around lunchtime on Saturday and the bike hire guy gives me the bike, I take one look at it and I say "where are the panniers?, I'm sure I booked panniers" and he goes "panniers are €25 per day extra" - my heart sinks as I realise I'm going to have to carry all my stuff on my back! (Didn't really have a choice as it just wasn't possible in the budget) But I took your advice and emptied just about everything that wasn't essential for survival - but still half way up the mountain it feels like you're carrying a lead fridge.

 

Day one was actually ok, made good time into Vevay, bit sore but feeling somewhat capable and pleased with myself, relatively drama free.

 

Day Two aka Day from Hell! The local hostel owner gives me pathologically understated descriptions of the intensity of the hills..... I only found out after I got back that asking the locals perhaps isn't always the best thing.

 

I took the Chair lift thing from Vevay to Chatel St Denis - about 10 mins and 5 Euros. A few Day 2 highlights;

Switzerland is one of those places that photos fail to capture. The dramatic scenery is awesome.

 

 

 

Day 4 is not for the faint hearted. Mountain biking in St Moritz is wow.com.

 

 

“I've always wanted to go to Switzerland to see what the army does with those wee red knives.” Billy Connolly

The final day begins with perhaps abit more stiffness but alot more excitement then the first day. Paris is less than 110 km away.

 

 

4 days and approx 360 km and we crest the final hill with a stunning view of the Eiffel tower. Arriving into Paris is a sweet feeling.

 

The 2011 group at the finish line. An excellent team of people raising over 13,000 pounds for ADRA and UNICEF.

 

Watching the end of the Tour de France on the following day is an excellent way to wrap up our cycle to Paris. Being an Australian and having Cadel Evans win the Tour de France an even better ending. Ozzie ozzie.

The promise of amazing pizza and the stunning town of Rouen kept the cyclists motivated in the mixed weather conditions of day 2. I love the French countryside. France is made for cycling.

I am on my way now to the start point of the London to Paris ride. Its a little cool today which should be good. :) Bring it on.

I arrived into London Friday afternoon after an excellent flight from Australia. I was super fortunate to have four seats to myself. Yesterday I took the bike I will ride to Paris out for a spin in Richmond park. It was so light it almost seemed abit unfair to the other cyclist.

Inspecting the bike with Tito

Today and tomorrow I am busy doing the last minute things before we leave from London to Newhaven on our first day to Paris. Looking fwd to the start.

The weigh in.

“Nobody can go back and start a new beginning, but anyone can start today and make a new ending.” 2.5 weeks to go before the 2011 London to Paris trip starts. If you have ever been to Paris you know what a magical city it is. If you ever want to arrive into Paris in style then I can recommend a bike. I have flown into Paris. I have arrived via Eurostar and I have arrived by car. Hands down. Not even a race. The bike is the way. People cheer you on. When was the last time you were cheered on for arriving somewhere? Well join us next yr. Arrive in Style. Make a difference to people less fortunate. "Only as high as I reach can I grow, only as far as I seek can I go, only as deep as I look can I see, only as much as I dream can I be." Go on dream.....