12,000km for the Heart Foundation

silva^ · 15th November 2012, 20:11

Hi all,

I won't lie, this is basically a blatant plea to help out with my fundraising efforts but I'm trying to exhaust all avenues I can, hopefully you can take the time to read

Next year I'm taking 5 months off work and taking part in the Tour d'Afrique (http://www.tourdafrique.com). This has been a dream/goal I've been working toward for the last 4 years. The trip is from Cairo Egypt all the way south through 10 countries to Cape Town in South Africa and is regarded as one of the most challenging cycling events out there.

One of the reasons I am doing this is to raise money for the Heart Foundation who have helped me and my family in the past. My goal is to raise $12,000 - one for each kilometre I will cycle. So far I am 1/3 of the way to my goal.

If you would like to help by donating any amount to the cause, please check out the website I have setup for the ride at http://www.weetbicksgonewild.com. I will also be posting updates as I can through-out the trip.

I would also be hugely appreciative if you can try to spread the word and tell as many folks about it as possible, the more people who are aware of it and can help support then the closer I get to my goal.

cheers!

wazza · 15th November 2012, 20:25

GL mate, that's awesome.

silva^ · 16th November 2012, 15:54

cheers

xor · 16th November 2012, 17:23

I'll donate. GL and hope you don't get stabbed/raped/mugged etc.

silva^ · 16th November 2012, 18:03

Cheers xor, I'm keeping a close eye on 'African affairs' leading up to it

There have been some incidents over the last couple of years which have me a little worried, but I know that the tour company keeps a close eye on all of this and if certain areas look too dangerous they will bus through them instead of cycling.

Golden Teapot · 16th November 2012, 20:09

$50 from the Teapot family.

silva^ · 16th November 2012, 20:24

Cheers GT (and family) you guys are legends! Appreciate it made

doppelgänger of someone · 16th November 2012, 21:46

Donated, and you will know which one is me *wink*wink*.

silva^ · 16th November 2012, 22:03

Got it mate, sent you an e-mail cheers!

silva^ · 24th November 2012, 21:34

Very generous donation from Zeek, I am assuming an NZG person as the name had 'nzg' after it, appreciate it! Still plenty of time to donate if you want to

Nothing · 25th November 2012, 23:58

I am a poor student with fuck all dollars to donate, but I've shared it on my fb in case any of my peeps want to donate.

silva^ · 31st December 2012, 14:34

Fly out in 3 days and ride starts in 11, thanks again to all those who kindly donated

madmaxii · 31st December 2012, 14:54

Good Luck

silva^ · 18th January 2013, 04:34

Hey all,

quick update, am in Luxor after 6 days riding from Cario, we have covered about 750km in that time. Started with a full police convoy through the streets of Giza, bound for the pyramids where we started the ride. After that was a 40km convoy out of Cairo which was a real experience! A total of 134km for the first day.

Then bound for the Red Sea. Day 2 spent riding along the Red Sea which was a 170km epic. Fortunately we have had roaring tailwinds which has made riding easy, though still pretty bloody sore after long distances!

Day 3 was more riding in the desert as we headed further south, around 100km. Day 4 we rode to Safaga and camped on the beach of the Red Sea... and had showers! Day 5 was riding back into the desert as we are heading to Luxor, a 50km climb through the mountains before dropping down.

Day 6 was a 106km ride to Luxor, first half in desert and second half along the canals lined with screaming children waving their sugar cane - and whipping a few of the unlucky riders

So am here safely in Luxor. Next 2 days will be spent following the Nile south to Aswan where we will have another rest day, and then will catch the Ferry to Wadi Halfa and Sudan.

doppelgänger of someone · 19th January 2013, 12:44

POIDH

silva^ · 20th January 2013, 22:47

ok some pics, don't expect many more after Egypt on here, if you want to see pics add me on FB - username weetbicks

downtown Giza

Pyramids

The kiwi riders, 3 from Christchurch, one North Canterbury and one outside of Wellington

Awaiting the start of the ride which began at the Pyramids. We convoyed with Police escort there.

Sphinx

Out in the middle of nowhere

typical lunch

Donkey photo op, I prefer the bike.

coffee and tea in Idfu

Nile near Aswan

Riders in the group into Aswan, some Egyptian national riders joined us for Egypt section.

Sightseeing, valley of the Queens

doppelgänger of someone · 21st January 2013, 00:32

Added. Good luck and stay safe.

silva^ · 9th February 2013, 22:57

Am now in Gonder Ethiopia after 8 brutal days riding. Blog up soon and photos on fb which I have made public so hopefully you can see

silva^ · 6th March 2013, 02:54

Hi all, update from the road. The tour is now in Nanyuki in Kenya. We have cycled through Ethiopia over the last 3 weeks and it has been some tough riding. Ethiopia is an unforgiving country with hilly terrain, brutal temperatures, and illness. I was struck down with Giardia in the first part of Ethiopia which put me out of riding for about a week. 75% of people on the tour were sick with vomiting or diarrhea. Ethiopia is a beautiful country of amazing scenery and friendly people (mostly). There is a real problem here however of children and rock throwing. Every rider was attacked by children with stones at some point, and a few were hit resulting in cuts and bruises. Children see it as some kind of game but don't realise the damage it does. Other children beat riders with sticks or cracked whips - its crazy!

Safely through Ethiopia we crossed the border into Kenya a few days back. Because of the current elections here, and the threat of violence after what happened in 2007, the tour decided the safest thing is to bus part of Kenya so we took a 2 day bus ride from near Marsabit down to Nanyuki where we are now for 5 days rest while the schedule catches up. Hopefully things remain peaceful here post election and we can get back on the bikes and cycle to Nairobi then Tanzania, if not we will be on the bus again. Kenya is a great place and the people are great, here in Nanyuki it is a very peaceful atmosphere.

Climbing Blue Nile Gorge with baboons

Tent life

An Odinga rally in Kenya

Team kiwi for the team time trial.

Blue Nile Falls

Sandstorm!

Relentless!

Getting some speed up

silva^ · 1st April 2013, 19:46

Am now in Lilongwe Malawi. Gone thru Kenya, Tanzania and Malawi in the last few weeks. Only 6 more weeks left til Cape Town.

Lightspeed · 13th April 2013, 16:59

Great pics, thanks!

silva^ · 22nd April 2013, 01:37

Am in Ghanzi Botswana a few days from Windhoek. Averaging 150km a day in this 10 day stretch. Cape Town about 2 and a half weeks away

silva^ · 13th May 2013, 01:49

Achievement unlocked

crocos · 13th May 2013, 09:25

Fuck yeah! Nice!

madmaxii · 13th May 2013, 09:48

Congrats

IoriDyson · 13th May 2013, 12:11

Wow, epic. Well done man

Deff · 13th May 2013, 12:59

Grats bro! True southern man

silva^ · 19th November 2013, 23:07

I think it's about time this can be unstickied. Overall ended up raising about $7,500 for heart foundation so pretty stoked with that, and the trip itself was just magic. Thank you to all who donated.

/thread

13th May 2013, 12:59	#27
Deff I felt shocked	Grats bro! True southern man __________________ *Death...* The number one killer in our country.

15th November 2012, 20:11	#1
silva^	12,000km for the Heart Foundation Hi all, I won't lie, this is basically a blatant plea to help out with my fundraising efforts but I'm trying to exhaust all avenues I can, hopefully you can take the time to read Next year I'm taking 5 months off work and taking part in the Tour d'Afrique (http://www.tourdafrique.com). This has been a dream/goal I've been working toward for the last 4 years. The trip is from Cairo Egypt all the way south through 10 countries to Cape Town in South Africa and is regarded as one of the most challenging cycling events out there. One of the reasons I am doing this is to raise money for the Heart Foundation who have helped me and my family in the past. My goal is to raise $12,000 - one for each kilometre I will cycle. So far I am 1/3 of the way to my goal. If you would like to help by donating any amount to the cause, please check out the website I have setup for the ride at http://www.weetbicksgonewild.com. I will also be posting updates as I can through-out the trip. I would also be hugely appreciative if you can try to spread the word and tell as many folks about it as possible, the more people who are aware of it and can help support then the closer I get to my goal. cheers! __________________ Lumber - crushing people is its reward.

15th November 2012, 20:25	#2
wazza flex	GL mate, that's awesome.

16th November 2012, 15:54	#3
silva^	cheers __________________ Lumber - crushing people is its reward.

16th November 2012, 17:23	#4
xor	I'll donate. GL and hope you don't get stabbed/raped/mugged etc.

16th November 2012, 18:03	#5
silva^	Cheers xor, I'm keeping a close eye on 'African affairs' leading up to it There have been some incidents over the last couple of years which have me a little worried, but I know that the tour company keeps a close eye on all of this and if certain areas look too dangerous they will bus through them instead of cycling. __________________ Lumber - crushing people is its reward.

16th November 2012, 20:09	#6
Golden Teapot Love, Actuary	$50 from the Teapot family.

16th November 2012, 20:24	#7
silva^	Cheers GT (and family) you guys are legends! Appreciate it made __________________ Lumber - crushing people is its reward.

16th November 2012, 21:46	#8
doppelgänger of someone	Donated, and you will know which one is me winkwink*.

16th November 2012, 22:03	#9
silva^	Got it mate, sent you an e-mail cheers! __________________ Lumber - crushing people is its reward.

24th November 2012, 21:34	#10
silva^	Very generous donation from Zeek, I am assuming an NZG person as the name had 'nzg' after it, appreciate it! Still plenty of time to donate if you want to __________________ Lumber - crushing people is its reward.

31st December 2012, 14:54	#13
madmaxii	Good Luck __________________ Carpe Diem

19th January 2013, 12:44	#15
doppelgänger of someone	POIDH

25th November 2012, 23:58	#11
Nothing	I am a poor student with fuck all dollars to donate, but I've shared it on my fb in case any of my peeps want to donate.

31st December 2012, 14:34	#12
silva^	Fly out in 3 days and ride starts in 11, thanks again to all those who kindly donated __________________ Lumber - crushing people is its reward.

18th January 2013, 04:34	#14
silva^	Hey all, quick update, am in Luxor after 6 days riding from Cario, we have covered about 750km in that time. Started with a full police convoy through the streets of Giza, bound for the pyramids where we started the ride. After that was a 40km convoy out of Cairo which was a real experience! A total of 134km for the first day. Then bound for the Red Sea. Day 2 spent riding along the Red Sea which was a 170km epic. Fortunately we have had roaring tailwinds which has made riding easy, though still pretty bloody sore after long distances! Day 3 was more riding in the desert as we headed further south, around 100km. Day 4 we rode to Safaga and camped on the beach of the Red Sea... and had showers! Day 5 was riding back into the desert as we are heading to Luxor, a 50km climb through the mountains before dropping down. Day 6 was a 106km ride to Luxor, first half in desert and second half along the canals lined with screaming children waving their sugar cane - and whipping a few of the unlucky riders So am here safely in Luxor. Next 2 days will be spent following the Nile south to Aswan where we will have another rest day, and then will catch the Ferry to Wadi Halfa and Sudan. __________________ Lumber - crushing people is its reward.

20th January 2013, 22:47	#16
silva^	ok some pics, don't expect many more after Egypt on here, if you want to see pics add me on FB - username weetbicks downtown Giza Pyramids The kiwi riders, 3 from Christchurch, one North Canterbury and one outside of Wellington Awaiting the start of the ride which began at the Pyramids. We convoyed with Police escort there. Sphinx Out in the middle of nowhere typical lunch Donkey photo op, I prefer the bike. coffee and tea in Idfu Nile near Aswan Riders in the group into Aswan, some Egyptian national riders joined us for Egypt section. Sightseeing, valley of the Queens __________________ Lumber - crushing people is its reward.

21st January 2013, 00:32	#17
doppelgänger of someone	Added. Good luck and stay safe.

9th February 2013, 22:57	#18
silva^	Am now in Gonder Ethiopia after 8 brutal days riding. Blog up soon and photos on fb which I have made public so hopefully you can see __________________ Lumber - crushing people is its reward.

6th March 2013, 02:54	#19
silva^	Hi all, update from the road. The tour is now in Nanyuki in Kenya. We have cycled through Ethiopia over the last 3 weeks and it has been some tough riding. Ethiopia is an unforgiving country with hilly terrain, brutal temperatures, and illness. I was struck down with Giardia in the first part of Ethiopia which put me out of riding for about a week. 75% of people on the tour were sick with vomiting or diarrhea. Ethiopia is a beautiful country of amazing scenery and friendly people (mostly). There is a real problem here however of children and rock throwing. Every rider was attacked by children with stones at some point, and a few were hit resulting in cuts and bruises. Children see it as some kind of game but don't realise the damage it does. Other children beat riders with sticks or cracked whips - its crazy! Safely through Ethiopia we crossed the border into Kenya a few days back. Because of the current elections here, and the threat of violence after what happened in 2007, the tour decided the safest thing is to bus part of Kenya so we took a 2 day bus ride from near Marsabit down to Nanyuki where we are now for 5 days rest while the schedule catches up. Hopefully things remain peaceful here post election and we can get back on the bikes and cycle to Nairobi then Tanzania, if not we will be on the bus again. Kenya is a great place and the people are great, here in Nanyuki it is a very peaceful atmosphere. Climbing Blue Nile Gorge with baboons Tent life An Odinga rally in Kenya Team kiwi for the team time trial. Blue Nile Falls Sandstorm! Relentless! Getting some speed up __________________ Lumber - crushing people is its reward.

1st April 2013, 19:46	#20
silva^	Am now in Lilongwe Malawi. Gone thru Kenya, Tanzania and Malawi in the last few weeks. Only 6 more weeks left til Cape Town. __________________ Lumber - crushing people is its reward.

13th April 2013, 16:59	#21
Lightspeed	Great pics, thanks! __________________ Stay shook. No sook.

22nd April 2013, 01:37	#22
silva^	Am in Ghanzi Botswana a few days from Windhoek. Averaging 150km a day in this 10 day stretch. Cape Town about 2 and a half weeks away __________________ Lumber - crushing people is its reward.

13th May 2013, 01:49	#23
silva^	Achievement unlocked __________________ Lumber - crushing people is its reward.

13th May 2013, 09:25	#24
crocos	Fuck yeah! Nice! __________________ Ξ √ Ω L U T ↑ ☼ N وكل يوم كنت تعيش في العبودية

13th May 2013, 09:48	#25
madmaxii	Congrats __________________ Carpe Diem

13th May 2013, 12:11	#26
IoriDyson	Wow, epic. Well done man __________________

19th November 2013, 23:07	#28
silva^	I think it's about time this can be unstickied. Overall ended up raising about $7,500 for heart foundation so pretty stoked with that, and the trip itself was just magic. Thank you to all who donated. /thread __________________ Lumber - crushing people is its reward.