I need help!

Discussion in 'The Lounge - Off Topic' started by Arroryn, Jul 12, 2007.

  1. Arroryn

    Arroryn we're all dooooooomed Moderator

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    And not just because I'm mentally misadjusted.

    For those of you that care to know, I like to do things for charity. When I do these things, I also like them to be challenging, so that they have a positive impact on my life.

    My chosen charity is, was, and always will be the WNAA - Warwickshire and Northamptonshire Air Ambulance. Why? In brief, these guys need at least £1.4million per year to run, and they get no lottery funding and no government aid.

    Last year, I jumped out of a plane. That was great.

    Next year, I will be cycling from Lands End to John O'Groats; a little jaunt in the region of 1,000 miles.

    I'm telling you guys now, as I'm getting in training now.

    Oh, and I'd like to raise at least £3,000 this time; so I'm getting in there early :)

    So, I need your help!

    I have designed a website, to keep people posted (and hopefully interested) on how my training is going, to do this 'thing'. My site is here: LEJoG 2008

    If you want more info on the WNAA, check out their website

    Any questions, fire away!

    Thanks for reading :)
     
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  2. Leehaa

    Leehaa Gigabyte Poster

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    Wow - cycling!!! I know a few people who've (motor) biked it, but cycling - good on ya girl!!

    Please can you remind me in a couple of months time (money is really low at the mo due to wedding) and i'll gladly sponsor you - really good cause!!

    L x
     
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  3. Colin1

    Colin1 Byte Poster

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    Hy Arroryn, yep thats fantastic I really admire your dedication and commitment, most comendable. I will defintley sponsor you no problem m8. Just more nearer the time as I am on me ass at the moment saving up 4 a car, but yeah thats great good for you. the world needs more people like you and less people like paris hilton :D

    Spot on

    C :D
     
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  4. Raffaz

    Raffaz Kebab Lover Gold Member

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    I done a charity ride through Rift Valley in Kenya a while back. Il definately sponsor you. Are you setting up a paypal account or something for it?
     
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  5. Arroryn

    Arroryn we're all dooooooomed Moderator

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    Already done, seeing as I don't use my Paypal account for anything else! :)

    I had a chat with the WNAA, and they're fine for me to do it; just put 'LEJoG Sponsorship' in the payment subject thinger, so that I can print out a statement to put with the sponsorship forms.

    What kind of distance was your ride? How did you find it? Can you give me any hints on kit?
     
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  6. Raffaz

    Raffaz Kebab Lover Gold Member

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    My ride was 700km in 5 days. I found it fine apart from the heat over there, but i used to cycle loads anyway. What type of kit are you meaning?
     
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  7. Arroryn

    Arroryn we're all dooooooomed Moderator

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    More tools/accessories to take, for if anything goes 'up the swanny'.

    I'm pretty much sorted on the bike/clothing/safety side of things, and I do know how to use a puncture repair kit... but that's about it!

    I've seen a few forums, and joined one or two, but hearing how you went with things (and if you encountered any probs!) would be a great hand.
     
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  8. Raffaz

    Raffaz Kebab Lover Gold Member

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    I always just take the basics like spare tubes, glueless patches (park), a good quality mini pump (topeak). Topeak Alien II is an excellent multitool to have, and park do a nice little pocket kit. I use this company to buy my stuff, so maybe have a look there for ideas about what else you might need. www.chainreactioncycles.com Get some good cycling shorts to stop the old ring sting aswell lol:)

    I still do the C2C aswell and thats all i take, apart from my tent and stuff. Biggest problems ive ever had is punctures, so ive been lucky.
     
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  9. Raffaz

    Raffaz Kebab Lover Gold Member

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  10. Arroryn

    Arroryn we're all dooooooomed Moderator

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    Thanks for that, Raff - I'll start checking it out :)
     
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  11. Arroryn

    Arroryn we're all dooooooomed Moderator

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    *bump*

    I have now posted a prospective route on my site.

    Part of the planning 10 months ahead, is I'm going to need somewhere to stay.

    As this is a charity, I want/need to pay as little as possible. Are there any non serial killers on the route I have posted, that would seriously consider putting 3 people up for the night (myself, and probably my father and my other half).
     
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  12. shambles

    shambles Guest

    I've cycled this route twice. We did youth hostels - that worked quite well, and was cheap. But it made the first day a killer (98 miles), Lands End to Boscastle. This was about 15 years ago - it was possible to book some of the hostels in advance...

    Personally, I'd go John O'Groats to Lands End because it's all downhill...

    Just looked at your route - You've definately gone for the punishment...
     
  13. Arroryn

    Arroryn we're all dooooooomed Moderator

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    Punishment... no. Gratifying at the end? Yes.

    Punishment was jumping out of a plane when scared of heights. This is just a meander across two countries :)

    I think most people go for LEJoG instead of JoGLE because of the 'prevailing south westerly' myth. Stick a mast and sails on the back of your bike, and get blown all the way to John O'Groats :D

    How long did your journeys take you?
     
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  14. shambles

    shambles Guest

    Are you sure you don't want to pop through Wales for a few hours, just so you can get the full set? The cycle over the old severn bridge is worth it...

    Both my rides were over 14 days, and almost entirely on B, C and unclassified roads. I really enjoyed it, but I'm not a real cyclist and was a smoker, so both occasions almost killed me.
     
  15. Arroryn

    Arroryn we're all dooooooomed Moderator

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    It depends how much it 'pads out' my route. I think I have it well planned for 8 days - a lot of hard graft, but not overdoing it. I'll certainly try to stick it in and see how much more cycling I need to do! lol.

    EDIT - isn't the Severn Bridge classified as motorway? Or am I being dense?
     
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  16. shambles

    shambles Guest

    You can get to the Severn Bridge via Bristol and Avonmouth without going on the motorway. Then there's a cycle path goes from Heston Services, over the motorway, and to the South edge of the Bridge and over. Then North through Wales up to Hereford. If you only ever do this once, I think it would be a shame to miss the opportunity to hit Wales as well as England and Scotland - but I can see it may well add some miles...
     
  17. Mitzs
    Honorary Member

    Mitzs Ducktape Goddess

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    Arryon, I think this is a great thing you are doing. We support our local one. The ones in fl saved my youngest brother life after his bull riding accident, and we had to use the ones here a couple of time for the motocross track we have here. The people that do this are just great and I can't say enough good stuff about them or the service that they provide.

    Arr, I was wondering if you have thought about actually contacting the bike clubs in the area that you will be going though, plus the areas that ambulance flys to look for sponsor? See if your local papers will run a free ad for it. You might also check into the hospital that they fly in and out of and where they are staffed. Maybe the staff at these hospitals can sponsor you to. Maybe some of the people from the bike club can make the ride with you and raise their own sponsors for it if you want some company on your route? I would also hit some of the local bussiness in the area that know you. Your fav pub and stuff?
     
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  18. VantageIsle

    VantageIsle Kilobyte Poster

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    This is a really cool thing your doing. I’ll definitely sponsor you. Good luck with your cycle training, how my I ask is that going?

    [Slightly off topic] a really good book to read to get you fired up is Discovery Road by Andy Brown and Tim Garratt it’s the account of two normal guys who decided to mountain bike across Australia, Africa and south America, well worth a read.

    Best of luck to ya.
     
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  19. UCHEEKYMONKEY
    Honorary Member

    UCHEEKYMONKEY R.I.P - gone but never forgotten. Gold Member

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    Wow your truly are an amazing person Arroryn,
    with a lot of courage and determination, go for it girl!!:biggrin 8)

    I have just been reading your website and must concur with Mitzs and that is something with this magnitude needs more people involved have you talked to local business, hospitals, councils, local radio, newspapers?

    The more people who know about the better also what about doing a video diary or uploading to youtube?

    Not just the bike journey but getting ready for the challenge

    Also check out cycling magazines and books from Amazon.

    [​IMG]


    See if the local hospital will let you put up posters in the hospital and flyers in the waiting rooms.

    It's an amazing feeling doing these events for charity not only do you get fit, but meet people and raise money for charity.

    I have only done 25 mile bike ride for BHF and 7 Swimathons for various charities in the sea & swimming pool.

    I must admit the swimming in the sea against the tide was tough, even with a wet suit on it was bloodly cold!!!

    I hope you keep everyone posted here on CF and your website of your experience and yes I would sponsor you!

    Have you got the sponsor forms through?
     
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  20. Arroryn

    Arroryn we're all dooooooomed Moderator

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    Thanks for your kind words and advice, guys.

    I'll definitely check out Amazon for the books; there's a couple of Cycle Surgeries round by me, and a Forbes not so far away that I promised Zeb I'd visit, so I'll see what they're like.

    I have drafted a letter to send to local companies for 'corporate sponsorship'. I'm just holding fire to send them off - will do so within the next week.

    I've got some piccies of me and my bike, and the info on my first training runs, so I'll be putting those on the blog soon. In about a month, I'm tackling the papers and local radio; I want to get the fitness and training in motion first.

    I'll be sure to keep you guys updated. Best bet is to check out the website though :biggrin
     
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