Biking Mad for Madagascar - John O'Groats to Land's End by bicycle.
Seamus Bennett
My Story
27 Years ago, when I was 27, my friend Steven and I spent 3 months exploring the unique island of Madagascar by bike. It was an incredible experience, undertaken with gusto by two adventerous young men. We went with no bookings, no fixed route and of course, no phones. It was an expedition into the unknown, made possible by the unforgettable hospitality, gentleness and warmth of the Malagasy people, who we have never forgotten.
Our lives subsequently took very different paths but, sharing the bond of all we experienced in Madagascar, we have remained close friends, from a distance. Now we're getting together again to do another big bike ride, this time closer to home, but still quite adventurous, as we set out to challenge ourselves one more time and give something back to the people of Madagascar.
SEED is an award-winning UK charity (no. 1079121) improving the lives of the people of this isolated island nation (Human Development Index rank 158th / 188). The Malagasy sometimes refer to their country as 'the forgotten island' but we remember how special and important it is, for all of us. Any donation you can make will be used directly in Sustainable Environmental, Education and Development (SEED) projects in Madagascar - building schools and protecting endangered species for example. It will also be a very warmly appreciated by two now middle-aged men getting back into the saddle together just one more time! Thank you!!!
Well, we did it. We cycled Scotland together, then, due to time constraints and cycling speed, Steve went ahead and cycled from Gretna to Lands End in just 4 days. I went on at my own speed and had the most amazing experience to reach Lands End on Thursday 23rd August - a total of 14 cycling days (6 in Scotland, 8 in England). My/our route: together John o’Groats, Tongue, Inverness, Pitlochry, Callander, Glasgow, Gretna; then on my own to Kendal, Newton-le-Willows, Ludlow, Gloucester, Langport, Chagford, Truro, Lands End. Total 1016 miles, average 73 miles per day.
I had horrendous knee (IT band) pain for much of the ride, starting on Day 2 into Inverness, and not fullly easing until 10 days later in Devon! This slowed me down, tested me to the limit and very nearly stopped the ride at the Scotland/England border. But so many people were supporting me, and donating during the ride and this really helped push through the pain and find a way through England, visiting great friends and family en route, as well as my dad's childhood village of Chagford on Dartmoor. It became the most amazing, emotional journey - far more of a challenge and life-enhancing experience than I ever expected.
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Target
£1,000
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Raised so far
£853
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Number of donors
27
My Story
27 Years ago, when I was 27, my friend Steven and I spent 3 months exploring the unique island of Madagascar by bike. It was an incredible experience, undertaken with gusto by two adventerous young men. We went with no bookings, no fixed route and of course, no phones. It was an expedition into the unknown, made possible by the unforgettable hospitality, gentleness and warmth of the Malagasy people, who we have never forgotten.
Our lives subsequently took very different paths but, sharing the bond of all we experienced in Madagascar, we have remained close friends, from a distance. Now we're getting together again to do another big bike ride, this time closer to home, but still quite adventurous, as we set out to challenge ourselves one more time and give something back to the people of Madagascar.
SEED is an award-winning UK charity (no. 1079121) improving the lives of the people of this isolated island nation (Human Development Index rank 158th / 188). The Malagasy sometimes refer to their country as 'the forgotten island' but we remember how special and important it is, for all of us. Any donation you can make will be used directly in Sustainable Environmental, Education and Development (SEED) projects in Madagascar - building schools and protecting endangered species for example. It will also be a very warmly appreciated by two now middle-aged men getting back into the saddle together just one more time! Thank you!!!
Well, we did it. We cycled Scotland together, then, due to time constraints and cycling speed, Steve went ahead and cycled from Gretna to Lands End in just 4 days. I went on at my own speed and had the most amazing experience to reach Lands End on Thursday 23rd August - a total of 14 cycling days (6 in Scotland, 8 in England). My/our route: together John o’Groats, Tongue, Inverness, Pitlochry, Callander, Glasgow, Gretna; then on my own to Kendal, Newton-le-Willows, Ludlow, Gloucester, Langport, Chagford, Truro, Lands End. Total 1016 miles, average 73 miles per day.
I had horrendous knee (IT band) pain for much of the ride, starting on Day 2 into Inverness, and not fullly easing until 10 days later in Devon! This slowed me down, tested me to the limit and very nearly stopped the ride at the Scotland/England border. But so many people were supporting me, and donating during the ride and this really helped push through the pain and find a way through England, visiting great friends and family en route, as well as my dad's childhood village of Chagford on Dartmoor. It became the most amazing, emotional journey - far more of a challenge and life-enhancing experience than I ever expected.
