Charity cycling

[downfader]

I commend anyone doing anything for charity. Giving up their own free time, even doing something as glorious and amazing as being physically and mentally challenged along the way.

Two things always strike me though... one is that cycling is seen as a challenge in itself (personally I think its a peice of p*** to ride a bike, lol)... second is how many people take up LEJOG. Not a month goes by between april to october when someone in the local paper isnt taking part in one. In itself its an amazing challenge for the distance involved.. however the thing that strikes me is how uninspired it is?

Cant we think of something more novel? Especially as the bike is so versatile.



Oh and it was this article and the first comment on there that spurred me into this:
http://www.dailyecho.co.uk/news/8304665.Young_cyclists_take_on_big_challenge/

 

[Arch]

I came across a thing in the local paper the other day, a grandad and 14 year old grandson did a coast to coast as their charity ride. It was described in the paper as 'epic'. It was 140 miles, in 4 days. The grandad was a keen cyclist, apparently.

Not quite 'epic' then. OK, it was the lad's first long distance ride, but 'epic'?

And yes, it's something a lot of people don't like, that cycling is made to seem like something hard and unpleasant in order to get sponsorship. When I said I was going to do the next LEL, a woman at work said I should get sponsored. "but", I said, "I'm doing it anyway. What am I being sponsored for? Would I get sponsored to go on my summer holiday?"

I feel that if you're going to be sponsored, it has to be something you struggle to do. Running, for me, perhaps. For some, it would be cycling, of course, because they don't do it normally.

As for LEJOG, well, it's something everyone's heard of and has an idea of the scale of. If you're drumming up support, it's easier to say LEJOG, than explain what you're doing in detail.

 

[downfader]

As for LEJOG, well, it's something everyone's heard of and has an idea of the scale of. If you're drumming up support, it's easier to say LEJOG, than explain what you're doing in detail.

Yeah I can see that point. I said to some friends at work I'd like to do a "400w" challenge.. eg you ride for a hard, set level for as long as you can and try and set a record. Or a speed record.

I'd love to do something for charity but the LEJOG just doesnt appeal to me.

 

[longers]

I'm sure a lot of people here have been asked if they're doing "it" for charity when out and about .

End to end is a very definite achievement that is very identifiable to island dwellers and is something that a lot of people actually want to do. I'm not knocking you for knocking them though as I do see your point.

From here to Holmfirth and back twelve times is just over the height of Everest for climbing, same for descending and also a very round 400k. I've been dreading suggesting this for a couple of years but do have a good cause.

 

[MGBLemonrider]

A timely thread, for on page three of my local rag ... epic challenge in loved ones memory
in brief 1360 miles around the country's 21 steam railways to raise sponsorship for a recliner chair for the gynaecology ward.

But what raised my attention was the photo - shes on a trike! no mention of that in the article.

So a different "challenge" it seams the trains were her mother's passion not hers.

 

[Arch]

A timely thread, for on page three of my local rag ... epic challenge in loved ones memory
in brief 1360 miles around the country's 21 steam railways to raise sponsorship for a recliner chair for the gynaecology ward.

But what raised my attention was the photo - shes on a trike! no mention of that in the article.

So a different "challenge" it seams the trains were her mother's passion not hers.

Looking at the comment, it seems the journalist cocked up a fair bit writing the piece anyway - and it's been edited since....

 

[Mad Doug Biker]

Yes I must admit, I'd want to do a Dunnet Head to Lizard Point run, via Ardnamurchan point and Lowestoft instead.

Heck, in fact, start it from Muckle Flugga and go right down to the Channel Islands!!

But guess what, people would probably STILL refer to it as LEJOG


(Actually, I'm thinking about taking the bike to Norfolk in September, so I could tick off the Lowestoft bit there and then!! ).

 

[Davidc]

You could always try LEJOGLE or JOGLEJOG

Another would be a 3 peaks, Snowdon, Scafell Pike and Ben Nevis, on a mountain bike

 

[Brains]

I said the 'er indoors after Christmas "we must do one of those 60 milers next summer"
So, mid february I duly signed up for London/Southend, paid my £50 for two places (with t-shirt) and thought no more about it
About a week before the off, 'er indoors said "we should try and get sponsorship"
So she punted around an e-mail to friends and family, and I sent a similar message to work colleagues
Blow me down, we raised over 500 quid in a single day for the British Heart Foundation !
(I was not even intending on telling anyone ....!)

 

[downfader]

I said the 'er indoors after Christmas "we must do one of those 60 milers next summer"
So, mid february I duly signed up for London/Southend, paid my £50 for two places (with t-shirt) and thought no more about it
About a week before the off, 'er indoors said "we should try and get sponsorship"
So she punted around an e-mail to friends and family, and I sent a similar message to work colleagues
Blow me down, we raised over 500 quid in a single day for the British Heart Foundation !
(I was not even intending on telling anyone ....!)

Thats pretty awesome an amount of money. I suppose raising the money is the main acheivement


Interestingly I just found this: http://www.dailyecho...r_firefighters/

20 miles for crying out loud. I've been doing that 3 times a week before I go to work for 3 months. Its not a challenge. Or am I being too harsh..? Wheres the feeling of being Superman?

 

[longers]

I thought Lejog was a french ride for a while on C+ before I twigged.

 

[mcshroom]

The reason I started cycling was because I'd agreed to do C2C as a charity ride and realised I needed to train. This time last year I would have regarded intending to ride 50 miles a day on a bike as completely bonkers.

For another route, we hijacked one of Scotmitchy's threads with a route around bridges. It basically started in Inverkiething and included: -

• Forth Bridge
• Menai Bridge
• Ironbridge
• Severn Bridge
• Clifton Suspension Bridge
• Tamar Devonport Bridge
• Tower Bridge
• Humber Bridge
• and the Tyne Bridge (with a few others)

Anyone fancies it it's only 2100km . I'd count that as mad

 

[downfader]

The reason I started cycling was because I'd agreed to do C2C as a charity ride and realised I needed to train. This time last year I would have regarded intending to ride 50 miles a day on a bike as completely bonkers.

For another route, we hijacked one of Scotmitchy's threads with a route around bridges. It basically started in Inverkiething and included: -

• Forth Bridge
• Menai Bridge
• Ironbridge
• Severn Bridge
• Clifton Suspension Bridge
• Tamar Devonport Bridge
• Tower Bridge
• Humber Bridge
• and the Tyne Bridge (with a few others)

Anyone fancies it it's only 2100km . I'd count that as mad

Thats Superman!

 

[Aperitif]

I think that anyone who makes 'their' distance is doing well. Those that raise money for a short hop (in the eyes of regular bike commuters perhaps) have just as much to offer as those who become desperate to climb Ditchling Beacon - en route to Brighton for example. Everything points to 'cycling is great' - and it is often up to the others on the road to ensure that the 'vibe' carries on, and is well supported.

Good luck to all who want to do something - however 'ordinary' it may seem.

 

[potsy]

I thought Lejog was a french ride for a while on C+ before I twigged.

I don't feel quite so thick now longers,took me ages to work that out when I came on here,also the fnrttc took some working out