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Yes we made it - tough work though - mentally and physically

The hardest part I suspect was the start of day 4 - we'd endured a 13 hour ride the previous day across some fairly tough terrain - but Day 4 started at 5.30am and we had 12 hours in front of us to cover just 47 miles - now thats tough terrain

Add into that Salmonella Poisoning and Dysentery - just to spice things up a bit - then sleep outdoors with just one lavatory for 80 blokes - not easy!!

The rate of attrition was quiet high approx 20% of riders suffered some injury but despite broken collar bones and wrists and riders who kept going, 77 of the 80 that started made it across the finish line

Then to cap it all - the flights and transfers back from Port Elizabeth to Tenby took a mere 30 hours - walk in the park!!

Whilst I was over there, on one of the long dusty and bumpy gravel dirt roads, I began to thinking about home, the family, my 3 nippers who got out of bed very early on that first day to wave us off from Tenby, the beach walks with my Springer Spaniel, Reverend James and other like-minded foaming ales - and thought about how to convey the challenge that we were facing and sum up the images that we had witnessed - so I wrote this little piece - I apologise in advance for some of the language - without it, the sentiment wouldn't have been the same - at the end is the link to over 1100 photo's taken by lots of the riders including some taken of the 2 x HRH's - enjoy ;-)

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A Trip of Surprises ~~~~

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Life is full of surprises and none more so than the Enduro Africa 2008 Rally

Surprised - at just how physically demanding riding a lightweight 200cc bike off road can be when you do it over 8 days with hardly a break

Surprised - at how mentally fit you need to be to cope with the constant demands of 12 hours in the saddle/standing on the pegs with hardly a break all day apart from refuelling and meeting the water-van to top up the hydropack twice a day - miss it and you're knackered

Surprised - at how impoverished and dirty a country and it's people can be

Surprised - at how dehydration, and salmonella can make you feel like death

Surprised - at how many times you can shit "brown water" in an an hour

Surprised - at how lazy Black South Africans really are

Surprised - at how so little can make little children so happy

Surprised - at almost zero evidence of charity projects successfully setup over in South Africa - what has happened to the money?

Surprised - at how angry SA adults can be towards the "white man" visitor

Surprised - at how many rocks and sticks got thrown at us

Surprised - at how frightening it can be when you get separated from your group of fellow riders

Surprised - how few young adults there are - presumably they've mostly died from HIV

Surprised - at how a young girl [typically under 10 years old] can take the responsibility for rearing her brother/sister [typically under 2 years old] knowing that within 18 months the younger child will die from AIDS leaving the older child a lonely orphan

Surprised - at how easy it is to take your own children for granted

Surprised - at how quickly your tears can wash away the dust from your face

Surprised - at how deep you have to dig to appreciate what can easily be taken for granted back at home

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Surprised - at how many times you can fall off a bike without breaking any bones!!

Surprised - at how fooking painful torn ligaments in your throttle/braking thumb can be

Surprised - at how fooking wet you get when you fall in 11 out of 13 rivers you have to cross!!

Surprised - at how you can't help but laugh when your other 8 fellow line the opposite side of the river bank riders laughing at your demise - you bastards

Surprised - at how tight you can grip the handlebars when you're trying to ride THROUGH that thorn bush whilst pirouetting on the back wheel 12 feet off the ground - yet blissfully unaware

Surprised - at how little sleep you actually need to sober up!!

Surprised - at how competant a 33bhp Honda can handle absolutely anything you throw at it - and still start first time - every time

Surprised - at how easy it is to start the bike when it's been ridden into a swimming pool at midnight by 2 doctors in their y fronts!!

Surprised - at how much Southern Comfort 2 Royals can drink in one night !

Surprised - at how easy Kenny our group leader could get lost

Surprised - at how difficult it was to operate a GPS system - Kenny - with respect I would suggest "RTFM" ...........[Read The Fooking Manual] next time

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Pictures can be found here

Click here for the photo collection

 

 

09 October 2008

Well it looks like we will have a little extra company on our ride next week

Click here to view the mystery guests

 

07 October 2008

WE DID IT!!  Yes the £10K target has been reached and it was moi who donated that last single penny to get over the target!!  But please if you are considering making a donation - DON'T STOP - the more we raise the greater the benefit where it really counts - in the bush in South Africa  You can donate NOW using PayPal securely online with your credit/debit card -  click the yellow button on the left.

 

Now the really hard work starts as we get final preparations ready for leaving for Heathrow.  This will for sure [Rossi speak mode on] will be the biggest physical and mental challenge in my life

Already I've had to make a concerted personal effort to get fitter [you can see me on the beach morning and afternoon every day with the Springer Spaniel - POWER WALKING!!] I've also stopped the ciggies [after 35 a day for 35 years] - couple that with the exercise regime and it makes the lungs really burn! and get focussed on the challenge ahead.

 

Thanks to everyone who has supported us financially and morally - without your help we could never have achieved what we have - to those who shunned us I would also like to thank them as this merely stiffened our resolve to "get the job done" - and get the job done we did!  Don't forget Wednesday 15 March - Tenby Sailing Club - Our Leaving Party - all welcome

 

01 October 2008

Nearly there folks -  only £85.50 to raise now and that's the target reached - remember though that any monies raised OVER the minimum target will go entirely to the 3 selected charities so please, if you are thinking of making a donation or pledge, PLEASE don't stop as it's even MORE important now than ever

 

Well, all my off-road riding gear has been bought, travel tickets paid for, Jabs for ricketts, berriberi, rabies, dysentry and god knows what else have been injected, exercise regime continues in earnest and I've had the big "thumbs up" from the medics so it's all system go for 16 October departure

For those locally, we'll be having a "Leaving Bash" down at Tenby Sailing Club on the previous evening [Wednesday 15th October] to coincide with the monthly musical jam-session so all in all it should be a great night - all are welcome - not sure that leaving at 07.30 the following morning on a non-aircon Coach is such a good idea with a hangover - but hey - what the hell - we'll have 6 hours to sleep it off

 

20 September 2008

Well - I think I've just about recovered from a weekend in the welsh mountains as a first-time experience on an off-road bike  -  What a blast
First time ever off-road and I get personal tuition from Mick Extance!!
Learnt a hell of a lot over the weekend - such as...........
a] How many parts of my body could ache simultaneoulsy?
b] How many parts of my body I never knew I had before - I do now cos they fooking ache as well?
c] Why is it that you only realise you've left ya goggles on top of ya helmet when reaching 25 mph in a 3 foot deep rut full of stagnant old water?
d] Why is it that when you get sideways off road it's called "grip" yet when you do it on the black tarmac stuff it's called "sheeeeet" ?
e] Why is it that its not until you're 50% up that hill before your brain tells you that you were correct in thinking it was too bloody steep in the first place?
f] Why do manufacturers make Motox Boots look so clean when you first wear them?
g] Why don't Off Road bikes have indicators and mirrors? At least then you can see when the faster boys are coming past you
h] Why do virgin off-roaders ride with their mouths open yet the more experienced guys ride with their mouths shut? - see g] above
i] Why does wet mud taste like sh*t? - see g] above
j] Why isn't Cricket Box included in the Essential Kit List?
k] Why do you get seriously funny looks when riding an 06 FireBlade in muddy Motox gear? Ask the Power Rangers on the ZX10 when I flew past him on the way home on Sunday
 

10 September 2008

Do have to say a big "Thank You" to a mate of mine from Gosport called Lumpy [don't ask!] From the original launch of The Daft Way Round he's supported us financially and morally - through the ups and the downs.  Despite being a professional internet-pillock he's been there to help, poke fun, stir things up and generally provide some much-needed motivation - so - thanks Lumpy for being a much needed pain in the arse! We got there in the end :-)

 

05 September 2008

With less than 6 weeks to go, we've just had £1000 donated by a benefactor who wishes to remain anonymous.  This means that we are within striking distance our reaching our goal.  We can now concentrate on the final preparations - off road training has been booked and paid for [next weekend in Glyn Saer Forest. Mid Wales] and although let down on the off-road clothing front, some new gear should be delivered to us next week

 

25 August 2008

Unfortunately we have had to cancel the Blues Gig due to unexpected circumstances.  However you can still make a voluntary donation securely online using the button below

 

15 August 2008

Whoo Hoo - We've just managed to break through the £7K barrier on our fundraising plus we have £1104 to pay into our charity bank account from the street collections so in total we've broken through £8000.  That leave us, now, with less than £2000 to raise before the deadline in a few weeks time.  If you can help us through a financial pledge or donation please do so now online HERE or use the link at the left

 

08 August 2008

Well it looks like we've managed to get our act together and sorted this Blues Gig out down at Tenby Sailing Club.  Brian and the guys from CottonMouth kick things off at 21.30 with an excellent selection of Blues across all meanings of the genre.  Headline Band I'm delighted to announce will be Ted Crook and The Blues Highway.  If you haven't heard Ted "blow" you're in for a real treat - the man plays brilliantly on a range of Harmonica's playing a range of Blues styles from Little Walter and Sonny Boy Williamson to T-Bone Walker, Kim Wilson and the Hollywood Fats Band"

Entrance to the Gig costs a mere £5 min donation to the DaftWayRound charity or if you get there really early, admission is free. There's a late bar and the gig is only 4 weeks away from our departure for Port Elizabeth - so it will be the last opportunity to bid us both "bon voyage".... and buy a us a beer!

 

Date:  Friday 12 September 2008

Venue:  Tenby Sailing Club

Doors Open 20.00

 

Further details here

 

 

 

04 August 2008

We've been trying to pull together another musical extravaganza behind the scenes and it looks as though the plans may be starting to come together .......... !!

Our plan is to hold a Charity Blues Night as detailed below

Venue; Tenby Sailing Club

Date; Friday 12 September

Music; Ted Crook and the Blues Highway PLUS CottonMouth

Both bands are well known on the local circuit and play their own style of Blues so this has the makings of a memorable evening of musical fundraising - so please support Graham and myself

For further details contact David [details left] by email or phone

 

30 July 2008

Summer season has arrived with vengeance and Tenby Town is bustling with holidays tourists

Graham and myself have benefited from the Official Street Collectors licenses and have been so busy most weekends dressed as the now infamous clowns and collecting as much loose change as we can - it's at times like this when you really would appreciate a nice sizeable cheque donation because, believe me, trying to raise several £x000 via people's loose change is very trying and time consuming so if anyone out there would like help us, any donation large or small would be very much appreciated - use the donation button to the left to donate electronically [and safely] or a cheque posted to us at Lundy Villa, Warren Street, Tenby SA70 7JU

 

28 May 2008

Bit of a surprise here as we've had a magnificent donation of £1000 made by a friend who wishes to remain anonymous - many thanks - appreciate it! Has certainly bolstered the funds somewhat

 

 

13 April 2008

Well guess who got the Champion Town Crier slightly "tipsy" last night in Tenby Town?

The following morning we were scheduled to do the first of our Street Collection in Tenby

We had an idea to dress up as clowns and encourage people to have a go skipping and hula-hooping

It's a great cure for a hangover - even our own Town Crier had a go!!

Tenby wasn't that busy but we managed to collect £106 and freeze our nuts off!!

The things we do for charity - roll on the summer

And contrary to rumour - that wasn't me trying to hijack donations direct from the Lloyds Cashpoint Machine!! [last photo]

 

 

12 April 2008

Tenby hosted the Town Crier Conference - one of the Criers stayed at Grahams Guest House - so naturally we supported him.  He "gave a shout" for our Charity Concert in Tudow Square to promote the event and to loosen up his vocal chords - by christ - can he shout!!

Anyway - he only went and won the competition - bloody well done

 

And no!!  He's NOT sponsored by Woolies!!

 

10 April 2008

Howdi Folks - not posted for a while as I've been away on holiday in Florida!!  Swapped 90F heat for snow overnight - how much of a shock is that?

Found a few photo opportunities whilst over there - and as I try never to miss an opportunity to promote theDaftWayRound.com - I took a couple of Wendy's T shirts over there!!

 

Africa? Well Disney Animal Kingdom actually!!	This was an African dude NOT to be messed with - told him about theDaftWayRound.com challenge - you can tell he's suitably impressed
Given my wonderful sense of direction [I got lost getting out of the parking lot], this photo just HAD to be taken	Highlight of the vacation was Swimming with the Dolphins And before anyone asks -yes - Greenpeace were informed about the whale with the dolphin!!

Just had a £100.00 donation in from a customer of mine who lives in Orkney - Shetland Isles

Many thanks Shona - much appreciated

 

18 March 2008

 

12 March 2008

 

11 March 2008

Wow !!  Some of our ladies baked a shed load of cakes and we managed to sell them within DVLA at Swansea - Thanks to Kelly for her help - the cake sale and a raffle managed to raise £400.39 so thats bolstered the total a bit.  Thanks to all at Team 6 Vehicle Licensing

 

10 March 2008

Apologies for not blogging sooner but it's all been a bit busy recently!

For starters Becky from the Western Telegraph came down to Tenby harbour to see and interview us - Thanks Becky

Then we've been organising the tickets and posters for the Rock and Blues Concert see here

We've also setup a Grand Easter Egg Raffle at Tenby Junior School - most of the eggs were kindly donated by MIL.  MIL = Mother In Law! so thank you Christine

We've had the bikes out for the first time this year - my had completely flat battery so Graham had to help me bump start it - that entails me sitting on the bike and Graham pushing like a fool - my FireBlade is quiet a light bike but when you plonk 15 stone extra blubber on top - it's quiet a feat of endurance - well he needs the training!!!

After half a dozen attempts, the Blade eventually burst into life - only for me to stall it - so back to the beginning and start all over again - it might not seem so warm but when you've got a full set of leathers on, Graham was soon breaking into a sweat

Fundraising money is starting to come in .......

Thanks got to MPH Motorcycles of Haverfordwest for a healthy donation of cash and some off-road gear that'll we'll need in South Africa

Thanks also go to Niffy of ND Toy, Tenby and Lowless and Lowess solicitors for their financial contributions

We are still a little behind our target-to-date so any contributions would be very gratefully accepted - click here to donate securely online

 

25 February 2008

Got to say a massive Thank You to Wendy and Graham of www.smart-tess.co.uk who have very kindly offered to provide us with wicked design t shirts. We popped over to see them last Friday [sorry we we're late Wendy!!] The T shirts should be ready for our interview and photoshoot with Western Telegraph next week [makes us sound like pop stars - suppose it's all for charity pop pickers - not arf] - the quality of these microfibre t shirts is amazing and should be for sale on the website as quickly as we can get it organised

 

www.smart-tees.co.uk

 

15 February 2008

Gallery updated with some pictures from the 2007 rally - the terrain looks scary!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

A Few Facts

Of the 151 riders on 2007 rally, 10 were female

Of the 151 riders only 1 rode off a cliff

Only 1 bike was written off - testament to the suitability of the bike for this type of terrain

The Youngest rider was 23 - the eldest 63

1 x Toyota LandCruiser cos the same as 15 x AG200 Agricultural bikes

Out of the 151 riders on the rally, 12 riders were injured, 9 of them seriously enough to cut short their rally

4 with broken ribs

1 with punctured lung

1 with broken right arm

1 with fractured schapoid

1 with spiral fracture of tibula and fibula

1 with broken right tibula and fibula

1 with broken collar bone

2 with torn leg tendons

1 with torn knee ligaments

1 with broken ankle

and 2 of them were medics!!

 

14 February 2008

Could we have company?

According to the Daily Mail Prices Harry and William are keen to face the same challenge as Graham and myself!

The idea is understood to be Harry's brainchild to raise money for his charity Sentebale, which was set up by the prince to help orphans and HIV/Aids victims in Lesotho.

 

William has long had a love of powerful motorbikes - owning a 175mph Honda Blackbird - which has previously raised concerns among police officers detailed to protect him. The same motorbike that Graham rides and until Autumn last year, the bike I used to ride as well!

Click here to read the full story

 

10 February 2008

Just had a very healthy donation from a mate of mine who emigrated to Australia only a few weeks ago - so thanks to Lord Pinder of Perth WA - no doubt he had a whip round from the servants on the estate!!  Trouble I now have is to work out whether this was £Sterling or Australian Dollars!!  If it was Sterling Bob then that very generous of you - if it was Aus Dollars - then you're a cheapskate

 

08 February 2008

Working with the local Tenby Observer Newspaper, we've just had a major article written about the challenge - hopefully that will encourage local sponsorship - thanks to Ceris atthe Observer

 

07 February 2008

 

01 February 2008

Right - that's got January out of the way - wet, windy, dark mornings and dammed Tax Returns all done.  Here's looking towards a bright and positive February - spring is just around the corner which cues bringing the bikes out of winter storage - whoo hoo !!

After the 2nd bottle of red, Graham and I agreed on the format of a circular "begging" letter that we are both happy about [including the commas!!] that we can get out to people by hand delivery and electronically.  Despite Cold Artic winds and wearing a daft hat, Graham has posted 30+ letters through local business doors whilst I sit here emailing everyone and their respective dogs. I get zero result but we have phone calls from Charles Birt Estate Agents and TP Hughes Department Store, both here in Tenby saying "Got the letter - cheque waiting for you" - so thanks guys - a nice bump start to our February fundraising activities

 

We have to make a "stage payment" contribution to the organisers Enduro Africa by the end of February and we are currently running approx £1000 behind our target-to-date

 

The Charity Rock and Blues Concert scheduled for 26 April 2008 will [hopefully] be a major fundraiser for us and give us the cash buffer for further "stage payments" later in the summer but we have this month to worry about first

 

So if anyone would like to sponsor and/or contribute, now would a great time to dig deep!

Click the Donate Navigation button at the top of each page to donate securely online or email us if you would prefer to donate by cheque

 

15-16 January 2008

Wow!!  We contacted the de Valence Pavilion here in Tenby to see if we could afford to hire a bigger venue for our Rock Gig.  Spoke to a cracking lady called Claire Porter - just to see if it would be viable for us.  The original idea was to use the facilities that the Tenby Sailing Club had kindly offered - our concern was that as the Gig will be our major fundraiser, space and therefore the number of tickets we could sell would be limited. Graham and myself met up with Claire and her colleagues the following morning at the de Valance and were completely over-whelmed at the massive enthusiasm they all showed towards our ideas and efforts.  It would be remiss to go into the "financial arrangements" but the bottom line is that it now looks as though our concert will be in the main hall at the de Valence and that can hold up to 700 people and a mega challenge and opportunity for us to sell more tickets and raise more money towards our target

 

All being well, date is Saturday 26 April - tickets will be priced at £10.00 and will be available to buy online at this website or direct from the online booking office at the de Valence - very soon

We have 3 bands now lined up and are working on surprise guests - one of whom "could be" similar to a drummer seen over Xmas on the TV playing the drums in a gorilla suit !!! And it won't be me as they don't make gorilla suits that BIG!!! Click here for a sneak preview

 

14 January 2008

Blimey - things have picked up a pace.... we've contacted the Western Telegraph with a view to publishing a blog on their newspaper website - within minutes of our application we had a reply from Becky Hotchkin asking for more details.  With a little luck and some serious persuasion we hope that at the end of Feb [when our own bikes are out of winter storage] we'll have a great photo opportunity and feature...me + Graham + The Bird and The Blade bikes + Tenby Harbour in the Spring sunshine as a photo backdrop.  If you're reading this Becky... we can be VERY persuasive so lets get the date set and the feature printed?  Please?

 

08 January 2008

Happy New Year to everyone

2008 heralds the major push towards our target figure for fundraising

January always seems to be a slow month - perhaps people are feeling the financial pinch after Xmas with those dreaded credit card bills popping through the letterbox? 

 

01 December 2007

Much to our surprise The Times Newspaper has taken up the cause as it's preferred Xmas Charity - load of coverage on The Times website [see links below] and a mighty write-up in the Times Magazine this weekend - WOW!

Seems that the concept of getting the African Health Workers mobile using the humble motorbike is catching some attention as James Toseland [World SuperBike Champion] and Valentino Rossi [one of the greatest bike racers of recent years] has both pledged support to the cause.  Read the details from The Times newspaper here and watch the short streaming video here

 

15 December 2007 - Pembroke Toy Run

Whilst not strictly fund-raising fro Enduro Africa, we donned the leathers and took part in the Toy Run bringing over 5 tonnes of toys to the local Childrens Hospitals for the festive period

Around 350 bikers took to the tarmac in the annual Three Amigos toy run. Now in its sixth year, the run raises money and collects toys for Withybush's ward nine and the NCH children's charity.

Bikers gather gifts of money and toys in the eight weeks before the run. Relying on donations from local businesses and individuals, this year they collected over £4,000 in cash and delivered five, one tonne building bags full of toys.

This year's run saw bikers from as far as Queensferry in North Wales, Bristol and Cardiff join the locals to brave the biting cold and join in run. Attired in santa suits, reindeer antlers and as super heroes, some with toys as pillion passengers the cavalcade of bikes great and small made its way from Pembroke to Haverfordwest via Pembroke Dock, Neyland and Milford Haven.

They then gathered in Withybush Hospital to hand over their haul to representatives from the hospital and NCH.

 

26 December 2007 - Tenby Boxing Day Swim - Fundraising

Complete madness as Graham and myself joined 500 other maniacs in freezing cold seawater.

Lots of different charities were supported but we both did our bit for EnduroAfrica and UNICEF

We raised over £400 on the day and had another £100 pledged by a benefactor who couldn't stop laughing at us shivering afterwards whilst we waited for photo's to be taken!

Pictures can be found here Video here

 

21 Nov 2007

Seems we have the Welsh National Rugby Team here in Tenby - training for Saturday's game [!!] against the World Champions.  Jane [wifey] has bought a rugby ball - met with the team and got them to sign the ball so we can raffle off sometime in the Spring - any offers?

 

16 Nov 2007

Blimey - a week since the website was launched and already averaging 50 visitors a day and over 3600 hits in just 4 days!  The donation that really brought a lump to the throat was via PayPal together with an emailed message................

"£10  on its way. Sorry it's not lots but unemployed at the moment" Very humbling - thank you Wendy :-)

 

12 Nov 2007

Wow - you have mail

And the first of the electronic pledges comes through - £20.00 - thanks - you know who you are and that's the first time you've ever come first mate!!

 

09 Nov 2007

Phone call from the EnduroAfrica chaps

"Errr.... David.... when we asked about whether you had off-roading experience"

"What exactly does "Not intentionally" mean?"

 

07 Nov 2007

Phone call from EnduroAfrica - we're both in - sheeeeeeet !!

 

06 Nov 2007

We've spoken to the EnduroAfrica team - there are still some places remaining on the 2008 Adventure - get your application letters in fast - so we do

 

02 Nov 2007

So where the hell do you start?

 

Well it all started when this reprobate from next door wobbled round one morning for a coffee with a silly grin on his face.

"Oi Slack Jowels...."

"You seen this?  EnduroAfrica advert on the back page of Two Wheels Only magazine"

Yet another of these lets raise money for Mugabe charity pleas

"No...No... this is different.....  we buy a motorbike each.... ride the beast off road in South Africa for 9 days over 2000kms...then donate the bike to the UNICEF health workers who will use it in Zimbabwe"

"We could be Tenby's answer to Ewen McGregor and Charley Boorman"

It's all gone daft ever since!!

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