London to Paris by bike...

Au Revoir, Bonne chance à tous les cyclistes…

This coming Thursday we will say Au Revoir and Bonne Chance to our 120 cyclists taking on their very own Tour De France. With support from the Dream Challenges team the challenge will take them through the rolling English countryside and the vast agricultural landscapes of Northern France to the finish line at the Eiffel Tower, in the heart of the spectacular city of Paris. 

The challenge is to cycle 237 miles in just three days. The ride has cyclists of all abilities taking part, some participating for the love of cycling, some for a new challenge and others for a great fundraising cause. We even have four cyclists coming over from Belgium and five from America. We can promise you one thing they will all have in common by the end of the ride - and no not a sore derriere - it will be the sheer exhilaration they will all feel when cycling through the Champs-Elysee and their first spot of the Eiffel Tower in front of them. 

To celebrate the ride here is a little insight into what to expect.

The tour itself…

On day one we will all travel from London to Caen. This is approximately 77 miles cycling. Starting early to avoid the London traffic it won’t be long before we are cycling through stunning English countryside in the hilly North Downs. We will have lunch near the town of Haslemere before tackling the hills of the South Downs. On reaching Portsmouth we will enjoy dinner and a refresh at a local hotel before boarding the overnight sleeper ferry to Caen.

Friday will see the cyclists tackle 85 miles from Caen to Evreux approximately. Following a hearty breakfast on the ferry and docking in Caen it is then back in the saddle for a stunning day of cycling – remembering of course to cycle on the right! Leaving Caen behind us we cycle towards Rouen where we encounter rolling French hills. We soon reach our lunch stop just north of Liseux. After lunch we have a fairly flat ride all the way into the town of Evreux where we stop overnight.

The final day will arrive before we know it, taking the cyclists from Evreux to Paris approximately 75 miles cycling. Leaving Evreux we cycle through charming, yet sleepy, traditional French towns until we reach our lunch stop near Septeuil. From there it is one last push towards the finish line. On reaching Paris we will re-group and cycle up the Champs-Elysee, around the Arc de Triomphe towards our finish line at the Eiffel Tower. In the evening we will enjoy a celebration dinner together.

Participant stories…

As we said earlier we have a whole array of cyclists taking part. Some from overseas, some keen cyclists who are self-funding and others who are doing it to raise money for a charitable cause. Leading up to the event the closed Facebook group has been full of banter. They have been sharing training stories, kit updates but mainly the running theme has been about post cycling or mid cycling cake stops. However, underneath the fun for some people lies a serious reason as to why they are taking part. Here are a couple of these stories.

One of our participants Chris Read runs a small UK charity called A Smile for a Child. The charity helps disabled children and young people to progress in sport. This is done by buying sports equipment for them to use. It could be something small and simple to something large like a sports wheelchair. Whatever it is the charity wants to make a difference to that child’s life.

We spoke to Chris and here is what he said:

“My three colleagues and I are taking part in the London to Paris bike ride with Dream Challenges to fundraise for children like Esmie.  Esmie was born prematurely and has damage to both kidneys, she was resuscitated three times but amazingly she survived.

Now two years old and all things considering Esmie is doing really well, however, to help with her mobility Esmie needs special equipment. In and out of hospital, Esmie needs more help to do the things other children take for granted. Our aim is fundraise to get Esmie the specialist equipment required to help her enjoy her life to the full and participate in activities with the other children around her.” 

We also have a team of six from KLH Architects, based in Copdock taking on the ride. Ben Moore, Tom Bryce, Andy Garnham, Bryan Wybrow and company directors, Martyn Goodwin and Robert Keeble are hoping to raise £2000 for The Ipswich Hospital Charity, which was set up to raise funds to improve the level of care to patients.

Project architect, Bryan Wybrow, who has undertaken a demanding training programme involving cycling to and from his home in Felixstowe to work, said: “We’ve been in training for six months now, it’s a great team to be part of; really supportive of one another, the cause and the company.”

Director Martyn Goodwin, admitted they were all “pretty nervous” about the challenge ahead of them. “The three days are definitely going to be a struggle but I’m confident that it will also be a fantastic and memorable experience for the team,” he said.

“The cause is a very personal one to KLH Architects; we’ve done a lot of work for Ipswich Hospital in past years and currently we’re designing the hospitals new Oncology Department. We hope that our three days of suffering will go a long way to providing much needed care.”

There are many more amazing stories from our participants and we look forward to sharing them with you in the coming weeks through the blog.

The most Amazing Experience…

We love looking through our past testimonials of the event and we just know that all of you taking part will truly love the challenge. Here are a couple of testimonials from past cyclists which we love:

“I did the London to Paris Bike Ride in 2011 and it really was the most amazing experience. The cycling is tough but the feeling you get when you cross the finish line at the Eiffel Tower is second to none! The celebration night in Paris was great fun too! Two years on and I am still boring all my friends and family with London to Paris stories!” Alan Davis London to Paris Participant 2011

“Everyone should experience the London to Paris Bike Ride! Over 200 miles of amazing cycling in beautiful English and French countryside! The organisation was first class and the support along the way was brilliant”. Sarah Thorne London to Paris Participant 2011

 Bon Voyage…

The Dream Challenges team want to wish our cake loving cyclist’s good luck and Bon Voyage. We look forward to greeting them at the Eifel Tower and celebrating their success. Keep an eye out on Facebook and Twitter as we update you of their progress during the three days they are away.   

For those of you who feel inspired to take on a challenge there are still spaces available on our London to Paris 2016  ride. To find out more please visit:

http://www.actionforcharity.co.uk/eventdetailsnew2.php/urlsearch/London-to-Paris-Bike-Ride-2015

Meet Ironwoman...

This weeks post is from our very own Ironwoman Jos Morgan who has taken on many Dream Challenges and just took on her very own epic challenge Ironman UK. Here is an insight into Jos ups and downs along the way. 

I see the tiniest advert in our gym...

Imagine the scene, I've just moved on from a very intensive job which had taken up pretty much six or seven days per week of my life for the last six years and been at times almost more stressful than I could bear. I take a new role where I'm only expected to work Monday to Friday and on top of that, ‘normal’ working hours too. After years in a pressure cooker, I suddenly have a life back and wonder how to fill it with something more rewarding. I see the tiniest advert in our gym for a charity cycle ride around the Great Wall of China, a little bubble of anticipation surfaces inside me….

I have to go out and buy a bike, I've not ridden since University days, I have to get buy in from my husband, my friends think I'm nuts, but heck I'm doing this and what’s more it’s all about me and rising to a challenge. I almost feel guilty it’s for charity as that’s not what’s at the heart of it.

All that changes when I finally arrive, nervous and alone on the event. The first night someone has a guitar and we’re off and bonded from night one. My room mate is lovely, many of the people on the event have done them before and know each other, but rather than being cliquey, they welcome all us newbies with open arms. I had a blast. The cycling was amazing, seeing things and staying places I could never have dreamed of. But what astounded me were the tetraplegic cyclists alongside us, suddenly I forgot I was doing this for altruistic reasons and became awestruck by what the charity could do for people who faced life changing injuries. I'm hooked, I loved it, it’s kind of strange when it’s all over and I go back to ‘normal’.

Now I am an advocate...

Now, I am an advocate! I persuade a friend of mine to join another one, Vietnam to Cambodia. It’s just as incredible, the camaraderie, the places, the experience, the heat, the team, the ups, the downs. If you think you see real countries on holiday, I realise you have no idea. Once again, the tetraplegic cyclists remind me what incredible work this charity achieve.

Next I persuade another friend to join me on London toParis, and she’s hooked too! We have a hysterical few days, non stop laughter but the support from the organisers, the camaraderie and sense of achievement is undimmed.

Shortly after this ride, my mobility is brought to an unfortunate halt as I slip on some ice and shatter my ankle. I lie disconsolate in hospital, am informed I'm unlikely to ever be a runner but that cycling is the one thing that will be fine. I'm also told it will be a year before I'm anything like back to full fitness and even then….in the throes of misery I actually receive an e-mail from Action for Charity telling us of the next challenge, in South Africa, a place on my bucket list. I have got 18 months to get there and I suddenly feel that determination take hold again. 

The next five months are the tough physically but I am sure I can get there and I slowly progress from, literally, three steps, to thirty steps, to half a mile. I engage a personal trainer at the gym and over the course of the next twelve months he gets me fit again.

South Africa was fantastic, another brilliant, funny, crazy group of people from all walks of life. Everyone there for different reasons, but all in the same boat, supporting each other, making lifelong friendships, being equally astounded by the capabilities and determination of our tetra riders. Once again, the routes we took each day were amazing, scenic, challenging, out of the ordinary. Having been now on four rides, I see many familiar faces and its incredible how you just pick up where you left off. The group trials, tribulations, triumphs and experience bond you in a way that it is difficult to explain unless you have done it and there is invariably a rather strange down period on the return…..but always the knowledge that there will be another one to sign up for.

After South Africa I continued with my training and last year completed a significant one day cycling event in the Lakes, alongside another mad person who I met on the ride in South Africa. Many thanks to Alistair for putting his hand up and sharing the literal ups and downs of all six Lake District Passes in the 112 mile Fred Whitton Ride, it would not have been the same on my own.

Inspired to do one last challenge...

And so, inspired to do ‘one last challenge’ I sit here with three weeks to go to Ironman UK. To prove the doctor wrong, I have taken up running, and so far so good. To really do my head in, I had to learn to crawl from scratch. It was, and still is, horrible, but I now know I can get round those 2.4 miles of horror before jumping on my bike for 112 miles. I can’t imagine how I will finish that off with a marathon but somehow I will and if the Gods are smiling and nothing goes wrong I will hopefully be an Ironman in three weeks time.

And none of this would have happened if I hadn't seen that tiny advert and gone out to buy a bike.

My top tip is simply this. If you don’t challenge yourself you will never know what you can achieve. You will never share in what others achieve. Although you’re never too old (49 is a bit ancient to try an Ironman for the first time!) equally, just don’t put it off. As a result of every challenge I have signed up for I feel a little bit more confident, a little bit more epic, a little bit more ‘can do’. And that manifests itself every day in so many situations. 

It’s a no brainer, so just do it, now! 

Feel Inspired? To find out more about Dream Challenges events please visit the website or contact us directly: 

W: www.actionforcharity.co.uk . E: events@dreamchallenges.co.uk T: 01590 646410

Meet the Team...

Over the coming weeks we will be posting two minute interviews with the people behind the scenes that make all our challenges happen. So here is round one of an insight into the wonderful team challenge. 

First up is Chrissy...

 I have worked for Action for Charity since January this year as the operations assistant, so I do a lot of booking and organisation for our UK Challenges. Such as Ride the Night which is our epic women only night bike ride through London.

This photo was taken at our Race the Sun Brecon Beacons, which is a team challenge event. It is a long day but we make it fun and seeing the teams complete the challenge makes the hard work worth it. 

What did you do before joining the team?

I did sports at college and went on to do a summer season in the south of France teaching windsurfing, sailing, kayaking and mountain biking. My return to the UK was perfect timing as I saw this job advertised so I went for it and here I am.

 

Tell us what your favourite event is that you have been on? 

So far my favourite event has been Ride the Night 2015, the atmosphere is incredible. Everyone is on such a high and proud of their fundraising efforts for cancer charities. It is lots of fun.

In October this year I am going on my first overseas event Women V Cancer Cycle Africa. We will cycle with a group of women across rural Tanzania. The route looks stunning.

Do you have any favourite moments from events?

My favourite moments so far have been the awards ceremonies at the end of the UK events, it is always so nice to see so many people come back to see the results and the awards. Even if some people know they have not won an award they love to come to celebrate with everyone the achievement of completing the challenge.

What would be your dream challenge?

I would love to do the 3 volcano challenge that Action for charity and dream challenges did a few years ago.

Tell us something random about you…

My favourite colour is Pink, pizza topping is Salami and chilli. Something I am scared of is…Ladybirds.

To find out more about Dream Challenges events please visit the website or contact us directly: 

W: www.actionforcharity.co.uk . E: events@dreamchallenges.co.uk T: 01590 646410

A sneaky peak into The Big Heart Bike Ride Tanzania...

Since 2007 we have run seven Big Heart Bike Rides. The first ever ride was in Cuba, since then the BHBR has travelled to India twice, Sinai in Egypt, Tanzania and Jordan. The events have raised thousands of pounds for a number of heart charities.

The ride sees all types of challengers take part. Some already have the cycling bug, others have previously completed a Big Heart Bike Ride, plus people who at the point of registration worry they are too old or too unfit. The great thing is that they all work together and finish together. We know that following the event many long standing friendships are formed. 

In 2016 we will be taking the ride back to Tanzania, Africa. This week we wanted to give you a sneaky peak into the ride with the use of photos taken when our crew did a recce of the route.

Starting in the shadow of Mount Kilimanjaro…

The Big Heart Bike Ride in Africa will entail five consecutive days of cycling for a distance of 360km across stunning Tanzania. The starting point for the cycle is Moshi which lies in the shadow of Mount Kilimanjaro, the highest free-standing mountain in the world at 5,895 meters.

From Moshi the ride heads to its first overnight camp at Olpopongi Maasai Village. Cycling through the bustling Maasai town of Sanyu Juu and on through lush landscapes. 

We will be greeted by the ever-friendly local children as we cycle from village to village. Once at Olpopongi Maasai Village take the opportunity to explore and we will be given an insight into the authentic Maasai way of life. In the evening whilst we relax around the campfire we will be enchanted by the Maasai dancing and singing.

From Olpopongi Massai Village to Arusha…

The following morning we leave the Olpopongi Maasai Village and head to Arusha which is 76kms away. We will start the day by cycling through an area sandwiched between Mount Kilimanjaro and Mount Meru (4565m), still considered by experts to be an active volcano.

The volcanic landscape offers a striking difference to the lush surroundings of Kilimanjaro. 
There is the potential to see lots of wildlife along the route today including giraffe, impala, baboon, monkey and a variety of birdlife. 

 We will finish the day by cycling into the bustling town of Arusha, the main town in northern Tanzania where we stay in comfort in a hotel for the night.  

From hustle and bustle to tranquil grasslands…

The next morning we will head from Arusha to Zion Campsite near Tarangire National Park a 94km cycle.  After a few kilometres we leave the hustle and bustle of Arusha behind to cycle through beautiful rolling and seemingly endless grasslands. 

Our lunch stop will give us the opportunity to visit the nearby Mtimmoja Primary School where approximately 380 Maasai children are educated.

After a long but beautiful day of cycling we descend into the warm basin of the east African Rift Valley where we camp close to the Tarangire National Park.

Cycle Tarangire National Park to Manyara National Park…

From Tarangire National Park to Lake Manyara National Park. The first half of today’s ride is a speedy and flat 35kms on a wide and comfortable asphalt road. Cycling through the Rift Valley it becomes an area of stark contrasts, great natural beauty and fantastic off-road cycling. If we are lucky we may see troops of monkey and baboon crossing the bumpy dirt trail which cuts through various cultivated areas. As we approach Lake Manyara a hillier section merges with a swampy area. Arriving and staying in Lake Manyara National Park overnight.

Cycle to the finish line in the Garden of Eden…

We cycle today to our finish line at the gates of the Ngorongoro Crater National Park, often referred to as ‘The Garden of Eden’. Ngorongoro is famous for its profusion of wildlife found within the extinct crater which was formed when a large volcano exploded three million years ago. It is 610 meters deep and has a floor area of 260 square kilometres. Upon reaching the gates of the Ngorongoro Crater there will be the opportunity for celebrations as we cross the official finish line.

After completing the challenge of a lifetime the following day we have the opportunity to take an optional jeep safari into the Ngorongoro Crater which affords the best chance to see lots of game at various locations around the crater before having a picnic lunch at the hippo pool. An incredible way to end an incredible adventure.

A challenge of a lifetime completed…

Feel inspired? To find out more about Dream Challenges events please visit the website or contact us directly: 

W: www.actionforcharity.co.uk . E: events@dreamchallenges.co.uk T: 01590 646410

I have walked 500 miles and I would walk 500 more…

We are not quite sure if our feature guest has covered quite as many miles as The Proclaimers did in their famous 1980’s hit. However, we are pretty sure they are not far off. This week we asked Dream Challenges repeat challenger Joanne Chapman to tell us why, in the past seven years, she has completed no less than nine challenges with Dream Challenges. 

It started with a love of walking…

I have always had a love of walking, having grown up in the Pennines with the Pennine Way on my doorstep. I walked that one with a friend and her father at the tender age of 16 and followed it the next year with the Coast to Coast. Long distance walking was then curtailed to weekend walks as I headed off to university and then started my career as a Chartered Accountant.

However, I never lost the bug and in 2008, after seeing a poster for the JordanianDesert Walk, I took the plunge, signed up and have never looked back.

I did not know a soul on that walk, but within minutes of meeting everyone at the airport I had made new friends, many of whom I remain in touch with. I followed Jordan with the Inca Trail in Peru in 2009, which remains one of my favourites. Seeing Machu Pichu for the first time, through the Sun Gate in the early morning light, is something I will not easily forget.

I took a break from the Dream Challenges treks in 2010 and headed off to Yosemite with a group of friends to walk part of the John Muir Trail through the Sierra Nevada (more on that below). The break didn’t last long as 2011 saw me back with Dream Challenges for my first visit to Nepal and the Annapurna trek.

I then upped the ante in 2012, heading back to Yosemite with an old university friend to complete the 210 mile John Muir Trail passing through Yosemite, Kings Canyon and Sequoia National Parks. We carried full kit and camped out for most of the trail. There were a couple of nights when we stayed in ranches along the way and enjoyed a hot shower rather than a freezing cold dip in the mountain tarns. A fabulous walk with stunning views, but not one for the faint hearted.

How do you beat the John Muir Trail…..well, I guess by signing up for the Everest Base Camp trek. That was 2013 sorted and in 2014, my fiftieth birthday year, I climbed Kilimanjaro, completed the Snowdonia Challenge and for my actual birthday, flew out to Uganda on the Gorilla Trek – fabulous. To track and then sit with the mountain gorillas is one of the highlights of my life.

So what does the future hold? 

Well, September 2015 is the Great Wall of China trek with a tour extension to take in the Terracotta Warriors. 2016 is another private venture with some friends when we head out to Nepal to trek in the Upper Mustang Region with the Sherpa who led us to Everest Base Camp and for 2017.

I plan to walk from John O’Groats to Lands End with a couple of friends. I have no idea what I will do after that, but I have no intention of hanging up my walking boots whilst I can still put one foot in front of the other. The challenge is now on for Dream Challenges to come up with something new for me to do as I have just about exhausted their trekking list!!

Those who are tempted…I can only say DO IT.

For those who are tempted to sign up for their first trek, I can only say DO IT. You won’t regret it and you’ll meet some amazing people and make some friends for life. Just make sure you are fit enough, your boots fit properly and are well walked in (blisters can make for a miserable trek) and you are capable of carrying your day pack. For the John Muir Trail when I had a full pack and camping equipment I trained by putting three large granite rocks inside my rucksack and endlessly walked the cliff paths by my home. I also cycle a great deal and make sure not to cheat on the steep hills. When the going gets tough, put your head down, grit your teeth, think of the charity you’re fund raising for and get on with it. You’ll be amazed at how far you can push yourself and the sense of achievement when you reach the top is phenomenal.

Feel inspired? To find out more about Dream Challenges events please contact us: 

W: www.actionforcharity.co.uk/index.php E: events@dreamchallenges.co.uk P: 01590 646410