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by NickScull Thu Oct 12, 2006 3:36 pm
The Race Against Time

www.TheRaceAgainstTime.com

Land’s End to John O’Groats
in support of families and children affected by HIV/AIDS in South Africa

5 Days of Cycling. 17 – 21 June 2007.

The Race Against Time is a fully supported Land's End to John O'Groats ride taking place over 5 days next June. The ride is a fantastic opportunity for keen cyclists to do Land’s End to John O’Groats at a fast pace, and raise funds for essential HIV/AIDS work in South Africa. Accomodation, food, transport and back-up are provided. All you have to do is raise funds, and pedal! The Race Against Time took place in 2003, 2005 & 2006. Here's how one of the 2006 team described the ride:

"What a challenge, achievement and life experience! Do it - you'll amaze yourself!" - Luke Joy-Smith, 2006 veteran

Please read on to find out more about the event, and pass this information on to any members of your club who might be interested in taking part.

Many thanks

Emily Fyson

Race Organiser (0845 430 1214 / 07980 309 467)



The Race Against Time 2007

Background Information

What is The Race Against Time?

The Race Against Timeis a Land’s End to John O’Groats cycling challenge. The route is the most famous in the UK and is the ride of a lifetime, taking in the rolling hills of Devon, the highs and lows of the Lake District and the stunning scenery along the East Coast of Scotland. But blink and you may miss it – The Race Against Time completes this 874 mile route in just 5 days!

The team rides as a peleton through towns and cities, to create a buzz, spending a total of 70+ hours in the saddle. The longest stage of the Tour de France is still shorter than the shortest day on The Race Against Time (though our team admittedly travel more slowly!). With climbs of more than 41 thousand feet altogether, the Race Against Time Riders climb higher than Mount Everest!

The Race Against Time provides you with all the back-up you need to complete the route, so you won’t need to do any of the planning yourself. You will have a guided route, comfortable places to stay overnight, transport for your kit, expertise on hand should anything go wrong with your bike, and 3 full meals a day.

Because The Race Against Time is a serious endurance challenge, places are competitive and only cyclists reaching the required fitness level are permitted to participate. Training rides will be organised in advance of the event to ensure riders are able to work with each other and understand their team-mates. You must be willing to attend at least 2 group training rides before the event itself.

How did it all begin?

The first Race Against Time took place in 2003 when Ciaran Doran – a supporter of the Bishop Simeon Trust - challenged himself to ride the 874-mile length of mainland Britain in 5 days as a solo cyclist. Riding alone with the aid of only a support car to carry overnight luggage, food and support bikes, this challenge raised over £14,000. The ride was repeated in June 2005 with a team of 10, and in 2006 with a team of 7. So far nearly £60,000 has been raised for HIV/AIDS work in South Africa, and we have a growing number of Race Against Time ‘veterans’ whose thoughts can be read below.

What do past participants think?

“The Race Against Time provided me with a unique opportunity to ride End to End fully supported, plus the chance to make a HUGE positive difference to the lives of many people in South Africa.” – Clare Ella, team member 2005.

“What a challenge, achievement and life experience. Do it – you’ll amaze yourself!” – Luke Joy-Smith, team member 2006.



How does The Race help people affected by HIV/AIDS?

Each rider is expected to raise a minimum of £2,000 in sponsorship money. The whole amount you raise goes directly to fund HIV/AIDS work carried out by The Bishop Simeon Trust in South Africa, because corporate sponsorship is obtained by BST to cover the cost of the event itself.

So why is it worth supporting anti-HIV/AIDS work? In South Africa there over a million orphans and vulnerable children, who may be taking care of younger siblings or unwell parents. Many of these children lack the essential basics in life - school, food and care. The money you raise through the cycle ride will go a long way towards helping these children. For example…



· It costs £2,200 (about what you as an individual would raise through the ride) to keep a pre-school open for a year – each month £75 feeds 45 children in one such pre-school who are affected by or infected with HIV.



· To train and support over 1,000 community workers who are responding themselves to the impact of HIV-AIDS in their villages and informal settlement areas, costs £300 per month.



· Just £23 helps one child stay in school for a month.

· To support one volunteer providing care for up to 10 families affected by HIV costs £45 a month.

· An average educational bursary for a disadvantaged child costs £250. This ensures they are clothed, transported, fed and able to attend school, even when their parents have died.



· Theatre is proven to be one of the most effective means of reaching young people with HIV prevention messages. A performance reaching 120 school children costs £325.



The Bishop Simeon Trust funds all these projects and more, and the best thing about The Race Against Time is that thanks to sponsorship of the event by SportingBet every single penny you raise will go to fund this vitally important work. More information will be provided about the Trust and the projects it supports if you decide to take part in The Race Against Time 2007. In the meantime, please see our website (www.bstrust.org) for further details.

How do I sign up?

Please contact the Race Organiser, Emily Fyson on 0845 430 1214 or 07980 309 467, email Emily@TheRaceAgainstTime.com for more information on the ride and how to take part. You can also visit our website to see stories and pictures: www.TheRaceAgainstTime.com



Your Questions Answered





Who can take part?



People from all walks of life and of all ages have completed The Race Against Time. Anyone over 18 years of age is welcome to take part as long as you are fit and healthy enough to take the challenge. Our cyclists tend to be older, as the event requires so much mental stamina. Last year the average age of the cyclists was 46, and the oldest was 52. In 2007 there will be 10 to 15 riders taking part.





Am I fit enough?



The Race Against Timeis a tough endurance challenge, and you will need to train and prepare thoroughly. We can give you support in this. Having said this, it should be possible to reach the required level of fitness with 4 to 5 months of training.





How will I be able to raise the sponsorship money?



Raising money can be a daunting task but all our veterans have reached the minimum sponsorship, and many have raised even more. Once you put your mind to it, it is surprising what you can achieve. When you register we will send you a fundraising pack full of information and ideas. Here are a few ideas that past cyclists have used: a non stop 30-hour ‘spin’ on a Turbo-trainer in the foyer of their gym/local supermarket, collecting at a village fete, pound for pound matching by employers, a quiz at the local pub. The possibilities are endless and once you start you will be surprised at how generous people are.





What kind of support is there on the ride?



There will be at least two vehicles accompanying the ride – a van and a minibus, and five support team members. The Race Director and one other drive the van, which gives continuous support to riders during the day. The Race Organiser and two others drive the minibus, which goes ahead and sorts out cooking / night stops etc.





Will I have to carry my kit?



No. The two vehicles carry this for you. The van carries spare bikes, kit, water, energy drinks, snacks and your day bag. It stays with you all day. The minibus carries your overnight luggage.





Where will we stay?



The accomodation on The Race Against Time is basic to save on costs – but comfortable. We stay in hostels, bunk houses and retreat centres. Full details can be found on the website under ‘ news’: www.TheRaceAgainstTime.com





What food will be provided?

The Race includes 3 full meals a day during the event itself. Water and snacks will be on hand in the van throughout the day. Most riders like to bring their own supplies of energy/recovery drinks, bars/gels, depending on their personal preference. If you have special dietary requirements (eg allergies, vegetarianism) we can provide for this. There is a space on the medical form for these details. On the journey to and from the start, you will be expected to buy your own food.





Do I need insurance?



No. Individual accident and third party insurance will be provided. We do not cover loss of or damage to bicycles however, so you will need to arrange this yourself.





How will I get down to Land’s End and back from John O’Groats?



We stay overnight near Land’s End the night before the event begins. The vehicles drive from the South East down to Land’s End on the Saturday. If you are on this route, we can pick you up. Alternatively you can travel to the overnight stop at Land’s End directly the day before or join the vehicles in the South East. We can make limited stop-offs en route on the way back, but not long detours so it is best to arrange for family or friends to meet you somewhere on the route. If you wish, you may stay on in Scotland after the event; so long as you let us know what your requirements are. We stay near Carlisle on our return journey and will need to know numbers for accommodation.


What do I do now?

1. Please contact the Race Organiser to obtain a sign-up pack. Emily@TheRaceAgainstTime.com 0845 430 1214 / 07980 309 467.Complete and sign the application form, agreement and medical form, and return to the Bishop Simeon Trust along with the registration fee of £250.

2. The Race Director will contact you to decide whether you are suited to The Race Against Time.

3. We will then confirm your place, and send you fundraising and training information. If you are unsuccessful your deposit will be refunded.

4. You can begin training and fundraising in earnest!

If you have any questions about The Race Against Time that are not answered here, please call Race Organiser,

Emily Fysonon 0845 430 1214.

Bishop Simeon Trust
Wren House
19-23 Exchange Road
Watford
WD18 0JG

Tel. 0845 430 1214
Fax 0845 430 0211

[UK country code is 44. If dialling from overseas, you should omit the '0' at the beginning of our number.
In the event of difficulty, please use our alternative telephone number: 01923 215388.]

Website: www.bstrust.org

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