Do It Again

Hello,

By now you are almost certainly used to the virtual charity tin being pointed in your direction and shaken, albeit very gently and very politely- no chugging here! Well, here we go again...this year's challenge/lunacy is to cycle solo and unsupported from Seattle to San Diego, starting on Sunday 10th September. The plan is to cycle the 1700 lumpy miles in 16 days.

Will be expecting a bit of this, regrettably. Puncture resistant tyres...yeah right!

This is only about 400 miles less than the distance of the Tour de France and the big difference is that unlike the lightweights wot does that cakewalk, I'll be carrying all my own belongings: this adds an extra 15kg. You're probably thinking to yourselves, "Oh just man-up and get on with it": and you're probably right too, hah-hah!

Mudslides, bridge collapses and road closures = detours = bonus miles!

'Pound-for-pound', this route is way more lumpy than last year's trek across The States: then there was about 3800' of climbing for every 100 miles but this year's route means 5800' of vertical per every 100 miles. As that's about the same amount as one climb up Mont Ventoux I can assure you that it is no gimme.

So *how* much vertical every century? Expletive deleted...

Er yeah, might be a bit grippy in parts.

So why bother? Well, apart from passing through some hopefully pleasant places, it would be ace to raise some money for two brilliant causes...ones that we have supported before: The Royal British Legion and Bloodwise (formerly known as The Leukaemia & Lymphoma Society).

I know that they're all good causes...

...but this pair are as good as any others.

The only thing that has changed is that to keep things simple, if you do decide to donate then your super sponsorship will automatically be split 50/50 between the two charities. I hope that that is okay with you all?

Don't let anyone tell you that Bloodwises's work doesn't make a difference.

It's the very least that we can do, right?

If you would like to donate and help both great causes, then please CLICK ON THIS LINK!

Wasn't kidding about the chaos south of Big Sur: only found about this recently: sorry for the folks there.

Nobody likes a pot-hole, do they?

That's your starter for ten, then...just got to lose about 25lbs in 50 days or so. Right then, best get out there and do a bit/find my nearest liposuction clinic...

In the meantime here's Les Garcons de La Plage with an absolute gem. Warning: Mike Love looks about 900 years old here, hah-hah!

As ever, if you're not sold on the idea of online donation then no problem: just e-mail me HERE and we'll sort something out. No escape, folks...

Expecting another puncture shortly, hah-hah!

Please share this around if you can and do check back especially once the ride is happening: the blog usually reads like a 'How Not To...', but may give you a chuckle!