It just gets tougher, better and more exciting!!
For those who've donated and keeping an eye on how things are progressing... there was the first official get together of the riders/fund raisers for the 2008 challenge, in London last night [05 April]
Unfortuntately, as I'd just stepped off a plane from Florida less than 20 hours previous, I couldn't make the meeting, but a mate doing the trip emailed me this report - makes intersting reading.......
If anyone would like to donate
clickee here
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Firstly, Simon and Justin from Enduro Africa [E/A] gave us the low down on the 2008 run. In short it's the toughest
yet because its more technical than before. Feedback from 2006 and 2007 events have
meant we will benefit from having a route which is focused on the "wild coast" which was
the highlight of those previous events. So if you were excited about the run then get even
more excited! Its all very do-able and more of a mental challenge than a physical one so
dont fret if like me you have no offroad experience worth the name.
We also heard from representatives from UNICEF, NMFC and Sentebale. Believe me when I
say when these guys talk about the work they do and their gratitude for what we are doing.
I dont exagerate but I had tears in my eyes particularly when hearing about the number of households in South Africa and Lesotho that are headed by an 11 year old.
Also worthy of note was Lauren from NMCF who told us about her particular passion - the
projects they run for disabled children. I bet you didn't know that Nelson Mandela (or Mr
Mandela to Lauren - very touching) donated 1/3 of his presidential salary to estabish the
Nelson Mandela Fund for Children back in 1994.
Anyway, dont doubt for a minute that what we are doing is going to have an impact.
Turning now to some of the practical stuff that I picked up last night.
Firstly, in the next coule of weeks things are going to start happening thick and fast.
EA are putting on training courses. Doncaster and Basingstoke initially are the venues and
possibly also Wales (good news for Fatbert and the daftwayround gang). The wild coast is
going to be so challenging EA are recommending we get some training before we go and
they have drafted in Mick Extance to provide it for us - this guy has done the Dakar 7
times. So watch out for the email and get booked in. We will be using the same bikes as we
will on the tour. Read on...........
Bikes- the EA team have been riding to destruction 3 test bikes - a CRF230 Honda, a
Yamaha TTR250 and a CCM. The pointers all look as if it will be the Honda (for a start Mick
is a Honda rider so can't cock his leg over the others) that we will be riding but
confirmation is due within the next week or so. All three bikes are proper Enduro machines
and not the farm bikes the other guys have ridden in the 06 and 07 adventures. Again this
reflects the fact that 2008 is going to be the best yet and they needed a machine capable
of handling it.
Other information I picked up during the evening that you also might find useful: -
KIT - full monty enduro/motox gear is strongly recommended. Justin swears by a tight
base layer long sleeve shirt followed by armour, elbow pads, buffy wotsit for the neck and
a motox helmut and two pairs of goggles (clear and tinted). The goggles seal around the
eyes and protect from the dust unlike the Arai long way down type helmets with the flip up
visors. Although we will be given a motox jersey Justins says it worth bringing one with
you. Dont forget gloves - motox style not leather as they'll get wet. On the lower body,
kidney belt, cycling shorts (padded), motox pants (they dry quicker) and knee armour and
proper motox boots.
ACCOMMODATION - it is unlikely we will need sleeping bags. We should be spending each
night in a hotel or lodge and will have clean sheets, hot water etc etc every night (schucks I
was hoping for nights under the stars!). There will be electricity too to charge phones etc.
Dont forget your plug adapter.
MONEY - you'll need Rand (pretty obvious that one). Allow about ?20 per day which should
be enough for petrol (we'll be spending about 8 hours in the saddle covering 80-100 miles
per day). But I hearby lodge a disclaimer! This is what was said but if you run out of dosh
dont blame me. The only thing we need to buy apart from fuel is lunch and a beer or two
in the evening (apparently we will be too tired to drink more than that).
TRAVEL - flight details will be coming out soon and if you want to extend your stay etc
you'll be put in touch with the travel agent who is arranging our flights. If you are on the
first group it looks like we will be flying Jo'burg then to Port Elisabeth and then riding to
Durban. Group two will fly to Jo'burg then to Durban and ride to Port Elisabeth.
MEDICAL - check with your doctor re: jabs but apart from Tetanus and Heptitus thats
probaly it. It is a maleria free zone so no kidney destroying malaria tabs to worry about.
Justin said he takes some rehydration tablets with him (Diaryte) and pops one of them in
his camelback every 2-3 days just to make sure he's not de-hydrating. Also take strong
factor sun screen too.
That's it fellow Enduros. That is about all I can recall as I had to leave early. Looking
forward to catching up with one or two of you on the training days.
Mark
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