For some reason my numbering is having a bit of a glitch I've contacted steemit hopefully they will get it sorted.
Well here goes with my first proper blog post and I guess the real beginning to my Lands End to John o’Groats fundraiser. I have to start by saying I’ve always loved riding my bike since a young age and I spent most of my childhood outside. This will be the first time doing a challenge such as this, but we all have to start somewhere, I’m under no illusion that this will be a walk in the park.
By my current rough calculations I'm looking at 2000+km off road beasting with an estimated 40-50,000m elevation gain over 35-40days I'm no pro athlete but the lure of far flung, uninhabited and unspoilt landscapes reaching into the horizon and the opportunity to try and smash my own fund raising goals to help the hospitals is a massive incentive and will be sufficient for those days when true grit is required to push on.
Slowly over the years I’ve built up most of the kit necessary to take on such an adventure however there are still voids to fill. Over the last few days I’ve sent numerous emails to equipment suppliers and developers in the hope of their support (I’ll publish this in the not so distant future).
I’ve spent many of my years traveling the world to some pretty cool destinations but slightly neglecting my own home, this journey will allow me to bind the years of travel experience abroad to really give my own fair shores the gratification they must surely deserve.
So, many things have been running through my mind to do with this trip:
Primarily what forms of fundraising I would use to achieve my goal of raising as much money as possible for Salisbury and Southampton Hospitals. This has been resolved and put into action hence me blogging on Steemit. Using the standard hospital sponsorship forms and contacting as many product manufacturers for items to auction as I can.
How am I going to create enough publicity to help raise the money.
• Contacting the big mountain bike magazines.
• Online groups and forums.
- Training and conditioning.
• This started back in September with morning visits to the local pool to build up my core strength, and cardio
• Morning rides pre-work.
• Weekend mini adventures yet to be planned but have a few ideas, I’ll be covering these in upcoming posts as they are developed and take place.
• Crossfit has been considered but knee problems are holding me back at the minute, no bother when I’m riding my bike thankfully.
• Yoga is definitely on the list to try to build core strength, balance and flexibility, mind.
- What kit will I need?
• The kit list will be fairly extensive but with a real focus on durability, weight and size. A lot more research needs to be done.
• Bike kit
• Camping gear etc.
- How will I navigate along my route?
• GPS has to be the easiest and most efficient way however not 100% reliable
• Maps of course are reliable, but carrying a whole country’s worth is not going to happen. My thinking presently for this is to send maps for the less inhabited regions to pick up at points along my route as a backup to the GPS. Snowdon, Peak and Lake district and most definitely Scotland will be on the OS map list.
• Local rider knowledge, I'll be contacting local bike clubs along this basic route to see if they will be willing to help guide me through legs of the journey, this intern should also generate extra support for the fundraising.
- How will I carry enough food refuel stops.
• This will be one of my major issues carrying enough food to supply my daily energy consumption especially on the longer uninhabited legs. Burning roughly 3000-5000 calories per day depending on inclines and general terrain tackled.
• Carrying enough fuel to heat food for consumption & the essential cup of tea.
- Mechanical & Service stop off points.
• Contacting a few major bike shops in regions just to touch base for the unwanted but the inevitable odd mechanical, I’m competent enough to get myself to the shop but sometimes specific tools are required for certain components, this will also have a major effect on my component selection. I like to ride pretty hard but I know how to preserve my kit when the going gets rough. Also, this is a major consideration for overall bike selection full sus or hard tail?
- Medical emergencies
• This is something that I hope I won’t encounter but has to be considered, First Aid kit, an additional long life back up phone (Nokia you’ll have a place in my life again)
• Some other methods of creating a distress signal, my bag is fitted with a whistle and I’ll be carrying a high intensity head light to double up for this eventuality.
• GPS automated fall alert.
- Electric devices
• Smart phone, for use as camera and backup GPS, general communication.
• How can I keep my phone, GPS and Lights charged?
- Bike selection.
• Components
• Hardtail vs full suss
I’ll be going through all of these numbered topics over the next few months as I research them, I’ll be updating with concise info as I go.
If anyone can help me regarding any of these basic topics covered I’d be most grateful.
All steem generated by my posts over the next few months shall be donated to the hospitals and this account will always donate any future generated steem post ride to the same two hospitals as long generates an income.
After reading this if you cant fight that uncontrolable urge to be extra generous, please follow the link bellow to my sponsorship page.