Just over a year ago my Dad passed away from a rather sudden illness. On Monday, I went to visit the offices of the charity (Shooting Star Childrens Hospice) who he worked for, who were unveiling a little 'feature' for the kids there which was built in his honour using money collected during his funeral. I had a chat to the people who run the charity during the time I was there and talked to them about an idea I'd had for doing a sponsored ride to raise money for them.
My Dad was a keen long distance walker and there were a couple of walks he'd always planned on doing but never managed - one was walking the South Coast. Although he had managed to do it in stages, i.e. walking a section then going home, and doing another stretch some months later and so on, he never managed to do the whole lot in one go. I thought it would be a good idea now I've become a keen cyclist to have a go at doing the route myself on a bike, in his honour, for the charity he used to work for.
So I've just started serious looking into the logistics involved in doing this, and wondered if anyone might be able to answer the following:
1. First of all, looking at some of the journeys spoken about here, do you think the south coast would be considered 'impressive' enough to warrant sponsorship? With people talking about riding through south america and africa I fear my journey might be considered a little wussy!
2. I plan to follow the Sustrans National Route 2 South Coast route, but starting at Lands End and possibly going further to Margate.
3. Anyone have any experience of organising sponsorship for such things? As well as getting the donations in, I could really do with seeing if I can get anyone to loan me a more suitable touring bike as my current hybrid can't take mudguards and panniers.
4. As someone who is reasonably fit, and who rides approx 80-100 miles a week, how long should I factor in for doing such a journey? Would 60-80 miles a day be doable?
5. Would March be a reasonable time of year for attempting something like this, or might it be too cold still?
Thanks!
My Dad was a keen long distance walker and there were a couple of walks he'd always planned on doing but never managed - one was walking the South Coast. Although he had managed to do it in stages, i.e. walking a section then going home, and doing another stretch some months later and so on, he never managed to do the whole lot in one go. I thought it would be a good idea now I've become a keen cyclist to have a go at doing the route myself on a bike, in his honour, for the charity he used to work for.
So I've just started serious looking into the logistics involved in doing this, and wondered if anyone might be able to answer the following:
1. First of all, looking at some of the journeys spoken about here, do you think the south coast would be considered 'impressive' enough to warrant sponsorship? With people talking about riding through south america and africa I fear my journey might be considered a little wussy!
2. I plan to follow the Sustrans National Route 2 South Coast route, but starting at Lands End and possibly going further to Margate.
3. Anyone have any experience of organising sponsorship for such things? As well as getting the donations in, I could really do with seeing if I can get anyone to loan me a more suitable touring bike as my current hybrid can't take mudguards and panniers.
4. As someone who is reasonably fit, and who rides approx 80-100 miles a week, how long should I factor in for doing such a journey? Would 60-80 miles a day be doable?
5. Would March be a reasonable time of year for attempting something like this, or might it be too cold still?
Thanks!
