This weekend (July 29th - 31st), I completed a 165 mile solo offroad bike ride from my home in Buckingham to the famous Clifton Suspension Bridge in Bristol. The ride was in aid of Practical Action, a charity that develops sustainable innovation projects to combat third world poverty.
Their website provides a good description of their work and objectives:
Practical answers to povertyUsing our expertise in simple and appropriate technology, we make technology work for people living in poverty through innovative thinking.
Sustainable solutions
Sustainable development is crucial if poor people are to improve the ongoing quality of their lives. Our technologies are easily replicable, affordable and sustainable.
People focused
We help people to create their own solutions, apply and share ideas and skills that make their lives better and their communities stronger.
The ride
Despite getting lost a couple of times and suffering from blisters on my hands, I managed to complete the ride on schedule on Sunday, finishing to a terrific welcome from my wife and children, complete with homemade "Well Done Daddy" banner! It took me a good 45 minutes to do the last couple of miles - all those hours spent with the laptop taking their toll!
Below I have added some pictures I took whilst on the ride (evidence!). Nothing spectacular and a few embarrassing self-portraits but hey, what are digital cameras for?
Thank you
Of course, thank you very much to all of you who sponsored me to do the ride. If you haven't done so and would like to add a donation to help Practical Action, you can still do so using the excellent Just Giving service. The donation page for my event can be found at:
Thanks! Now, what was I doing last Thursday?
Pictures
Before setting off, Buckingham, Friday 11am
Reaching the outskirts of Oxford, Friday 2pm
Somewhere on the Thames Path near Wallingford, Friday 4pm
Saturday on the Ridgeway, Didcot Power Station in the distance
Half-way down the Ridgeway, Sat lunchtime
Trail stretching ahead, Ridgeway
Rainclouds looming, The Ridgeway
Calne Locks, outskirts of Devises, Sunday 9am
Reaching Bath, Sunday 1pm
The Finish, Ashton Court Estate Bristol, Sunday 3.30
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