Fellow Enduros

I know some of you were unable to get to the gathering last night in the Cittie
of Yoke pub
(nice pub by the way - Sammy Smiths - pity I am off the beer at the mo as I am
running in
the Marathon on Sunday) so I thought I'd post a short report so you know what
you
missed.

Firstly, Simon and Justin 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 doable 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
any doubts you may have had about EA severing their link with Riders for Health
will
disappear. 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