Starting Sat 7 July 2018 I will be riding every day of the Tour de France in my Cow Onesie including the rest days i.e. 23 days, this will be my 5th attempt to complete this challenge (flu got the better of me in 2015).
(Image from the start of Liverpool to Scarborough ride I did in May)
This will also be my third year doing it in the cow suit, thankfully it's winter and cool but since many of the rides will be indoors (I have to work) there will be plenty of perspiring going on and the suit will spinning in the wash/dry cycle pretty often, never mind me. The 'rules' are at least an hour a day, and trust me this isn't always easy to fit in, I have other responsibilities even outside of work that require my attention so there are bound to be late night and early morning rides along the way.
(Yup It's scary sometimes.. photo from last years effort)
So why? The truth as is often said by us cows 'There are no soft needles', treatment of cancer is tough (understatement), and the kids have no choice, a little bit of pain and a little bit of sweat is nothing in comparison.
So please help the kids and their families going through this a little by donating, every little helps so even if it's just a few rand, that's great, it all adds up.
For the record Givengain only shows donations made through the platform, the real total so far is R5,000, I'm aiming for at least R20,000 this year again, but I've gone way past target last year so let's smash it again.
Eight days left to still qualify for a tax deduction of up to 10% of your taxable income, donations need to be made
prior to the tax period conclusion, the 28th of February 2017. All cash
donations made to CHOC qualify as Social Economic Development
assistance.
You can view our BEE affidavit SED verification on request. Donations
will qualify for a tax deduction under Section 18A of the Income Tax
Act.
Here is an ideal opportunity to help CHOC and the Cows (and me) help the children who benefit from the services offered.
Skip to the end for the movie version if you are too busy/lazy to read, but I rode it and wrote it so I hope you will get unbusy/unlazy and read it later if you can.
It was the beginning of December again and I'm looking at my distance for the year and the target which I had left the same as 2016, and I know I'm working between Christmas and New Year so putting in hours on the was going to be difficult but after the 2016 #Festive500, which was pretty much rain every day, I've realised that the only real hurdle I had to overcome was the one in my mind, each time I accomplish this challenge that hurdle seems to get lower and lower.
This was my fifth #Festive500 I've done every one since 2013 when I first heard about it. It's never easy as I always try to fit in maintenance at work that can't be done when staff are around, then there are the 'obligatory' family days, and being a leader in my church also means I must work around the various services too. Never mind bikes breaking, tummy bugs and other illnesses and unexpected spanners thrown in the works.
I had really been scratching my head where to go this year, and a few days before the challenge I had an idea so I skipped over to google maps, did some quick route plans, copy paste, and scribbling and posted this.
The three loops all have the long back stretch (RH sides on map) being the whole extent of a road (although they don't keep the same name all the way through) the intention was to ride each one end to end.
The Outer Purple route estimated 151Km, Inner Green at 100Km and the Orange 50Km, it sounded half like a plan, I knew I could make up the remaining rides in commutes, and other shorter rides. The problem in my head was both the purple and green loops contained a fair amount of climbing up the back stretches and I'm not the best climber (actually I'm just not all that fast full stop) but weighing in at 105Kg climbing is never easy on me, even in the lowest gear anything above 4% becomes a long slow grind.
However I did have a new weapon in my arsenal and was fairly certain the new Diverge would help me up those climbs easier, if not faster.
Oh one other little thing needed to happen... 7000Km for the year target was looming and at the end of November I had been at 5762Km so needed 1238Km to get there, so there was going to be no slacking and 'tapering' for the festive challenge.
So much for the background.... here the ride summaries, if you want to see routes etc, see it on #Strava (dates are links):
Day #1 Dec 24: It's Sunday which means Church in the AM, I wanted to get up early but noisy neighbours and hot evening meant I didn't get much sleep, so pushed the ride into the afternoon. 13h30 I climb on and head west, it's not long before I realise this one is going to be tough with high temp and strong North Easter blowing, downhill straight into the wind where I'm normally hitting the 40-50Km/h mark I struggled to find 25Km/h, Then when I turned out of the wind I needed to find trees for shade. 71Km later, 2 liquid refuelling stops totalling 5L drunk (quite a bit more than the usual 750ml needed), I get home wondering why I do this to myself, but it's done. Day #2 Dec 25: Christmas Service early in the morning and lunch with family and friends, became a no pedaling rest day. Day #3 Dec 26:I woke up at 03h30, I hadn't decided which ride I was going to do, I still felt a bit raw from Sunday's ride, but it would be one of the three loops so I head off down the hill in the dark, I feel OK at the Sterkfontein Caves rd so I carry straight on, up the Kromdraai hill where I decide to do a little hike to get some photos of the sunrise that had been slowly starting to light the way. (whilst I'm thinking of it, there are photos in the below video slideshow) At Haartebeespoort I decide to take a bit of a detour to the dam wall, knowing that from that point on it's going to be pretty much uphill all the way back. A quick M&B breakfast and coffee at 75Km in and then the trek up the mountain(s?), I had thought, having never cycled this way, that some of the sections were flat/downhill but nope it just kept going up, sometimes less steep than others but up I went. 52Km later found the T junction of Senior and Cedar in Northcliff, it doesn't make sense to me that it's only 465m of climbing but since nobody has ever attempted this before (AFAICS) I guess I earned the KOM :-p I know a lot of friends who will easily steal that away from me, if they feel like the trip.
I took another little detour towards Randfontein near the end, there was no way I was going to do 150Km and not turn it into an Imperial Century so finished with 163Km. The only rain that caught me this year started plonking 2Km from home and turned to hail a Km later, but I managed to get home with a few small stings and mostly dry. Day #4 Dec 27: Well I needed to work so trundled off to work on the bike, and trundled back home again (via the 'scenic' route) 9 hours later to accumulate another 50Km. Day #5 Dec 28: I had planned to work but the rides needed to get done so I decided that since I'm the only one at work flexi time will do and swopped the day with the Jan 1 so I could do the next longer ride of my loops, joined by Bruce who suffered a fall at beginning of year and hadn't really done any long rides off we went to do a route I had sort of done a couple of times before, from the T junction in the Cradle of Humankind down (and up) Beyers Naude till we reached Cul de Sac in Brixton, then a short sharp climb to the top of the hill and back home. Nearly home I had done 90Km so again a short detour to make it a century. I've gotten used to riding these things solo over the years, the other cyclists I know that attempt the challenge are a fair bit faster than me or live a bit far away to make joint rides feasible, so it was good to have company. Day #6 Dec 29: I had to work again but since no physical access was required I could remote in, and do what was required from home, so I snuck in a quick early 45Km frightening the Ostriches and Springboks, and climbing past the smelliest place in the dorp (sewerage works). Day #7 Dec 30: I needed 69Km for #Festive500 and 86Km for the 7000Km, plus there was a chance of a planned club ride of ~50Km, I hadn't done the third (and easiest) planned loop, so I woke early enough to do the loop and meet the other guys for the club ride as continuation, somehow on the days I finish the challenge I have managed to get a crowd a few times. So the ride ended up being 102Km achieving the 2 goals a day early.
Thanks to Velo for the lovely tool to summarise these rides here is a little graphic for the #Festive500 rides.
Having reached the targets and also having put off the other annual event (Star Wars Movie) in order to find the +1200Km in Dec, decided to go do dinner and the show. Sunday 31'st became a rest day with no pedaling, I did toy with the idea of going out and doing a ride to push past some of the others in Strava Clubs/following and get a first position somewhere, but the temperature and the wind where too closely reminiscent of the previous Sunday so in the end I just chilled. Monday would be a fresh year and though I'm not one for resolutions, I have set myself a few tentative goals for the year, I'll see how it goes but if I can shed a few Kg and get my sleeping patterns right that elusive 10K goal I tried a few years go may go down. (It will help if I can avoid the April-July flu/cold season too)
It's almost the end of the year, and perhaps not quite the end of my fundraising campaign. (Sorry for long post but I've been busy)
If you have been following I want to emphasise that whilst I so often focus on what I'm doing, that it is merely a vehicle which I hope draws a connection to the absolutely amazing work that CHOC does for the children with cancer and their families and even the wider community through awareness campaigns. If you want to know more please visit their site www.choc.org.za .
I also must thank all those that have aided me in raising well over R20,000 this year (I don't know exact amount yet) I'm never sure if people want me to laud their giving, but you know who you are and without you, this journey I've had of the last 5 years with The Cows would not have been possible. If I add up what I know has been donated over this period it is over R80,000, well done to you, together we have made a huge difference in the lives of children and their families suffering from cancer.
It has been a busy week of Telkom 947 activities (actually longer with some planning I had to do).
We had 21 Cows helping the marshals at the Kiddies rides this year 12 of us on bikes leading them out, and sweeping, and those on foot cheering and looking after the children at various points round the track.
Thanks to all the volunteers that helped, and to those who helped publicise too. It is such a privilege to be part of this, the joy of the children to be part of an event like this, and the determination, sometimes with tears, to not give up is a true inspiration to me and I trust to others also.
Also an awesome time was had at the Cowzebo with balloons, foam and other general cowfolly. Thanks also to Makro and Raleigh for the awesome cow bikes and helmets they had on show as part of The Cows fundraising efforts this year.
The following day was another 55Km MTB race down for me, was really happy to see some personal bests on the slightly changed route that had slightly less climbing than previous years. Also slightly more enthusiasm than skill saw me having a little tumble and finishing with a bandage, thankfully just scratches. Thanks Darryl Mulley for coming to see us off even though you couldn't ride yourself. I know you really wanted to do it in memory of your daughters who succumbed to this terrible disease.
Three days of shaking cans and asking people to donate for children with cancer, we make a noise and for some exhibitors bring atmosphere to an otherwise same old same old marketing expo (if we were allowed we'd spread the atmosphere wider), many support us by giving us samples and vouchers to give away to donatees, and so many passing by thank us for the work we are doing and relate their stories of surviving or losing loved ones to cancer, occasionally people want photo shoots with us and some even chip in to help.
The main event? After a week of busyness the final day arrives, starting really early to miss traffic and try and see off our Apocalypse Cows, this year suited up as Storm Troopers, Darth Vader, Luke, Obi Wan, Han Solo, Yoda, Princess Leia, Chewbacca, we even had Darth Va-dress, Queen Amidala and some other Wookie join us at the start and finish.
It's sometimes hard to believe that some of these guys actually have serious jobs; lawyers, CA's, CEO's, business owners and I don't know what else.
As for me I came in my cow suit with pink tutu in memory of special friends passed on, attached myself to an ice cream bike and towed and pushed till I was broken, there was help, Vickus was absolutely awesome from early on until the AC's caught up with us on their second lap, Vince and Hendrik pushed a long way down the M1 on their first 947, but there were many others who pushed us to 'just the top of the hill'. If it wasn't for the help of these wonderful volunteers sacrificing their own times to help us we couldn't have done it.
As for the AC's; whether rebel or empire you guys are definitely troopers, coming round on lap 2 and getting us home, when you are yourselves beat, is witness to the fact that we are never really alone, if we just know where to look there is help, you epitomise what CHOC does for children with cancer and their families.
And so a long post ends, but the story doesn't, I will update after the Cow Awards where we get to hear some of the stories behind the stories and hear what our final figure is.
In the end despite all the show offishness it's about the kids battling cancer, if you are or know of someone needing help click here for the CHOC contact details.
I've been doing this Dimension DataQhubeka CharityZwiftTeam Dimension Data for Qhubeka Academy thing for the last 6 weeks which for every 10 riders that complete will donate a Qhubeka bike to charity, currently there are 692 who have completed with another 538 who are at 87% or higher (2 rides left to do by Fri 13 23:59 UCT) to make 1240 potential riders who could complete, that's 124 bikes if we can all get there .... WOW!!!!
Tomorrow night I'll be doing a 21Km Zwift Academy race, I'm not fast enough to win (or even win my category) but I'll be getting on my bike and doing my best....
For the record I shall be riding like in the photos...
If you feel sorry for me or just think I'm a little touched remember I suffer a little for those who suffer a lot, children with cancer, and though it's a completely other charity, if you have some MOOla to spare I'd appreciate if you can donate to CHOC Childhood Cancer Foundation with CHOC Cows
In my Cans: If you want to pass me some cash to stick in my cans I will happily do so we take any change big or small from 5c to R200 bits of change ;-) It will all go through the slot.
It's been a week or two since #TDF2017 ended as did my 23 Days pedaling in the Cow Suit, I was taking it relatively easy (most of the time) some of the rides whilst short were fairly high intensity, with me trying to finish with the riders whilst watching footage and 'trying to keep up with them. Of course being on the trainer for those rides meant I wasn't really carrying my weight, or suffering from the same amount of slope or rolling resistance, but I was turning the resistance up more than usual on the trainer.
So this chart represents the Tour de Vache (Vache is Cow for the non french) 640Km in total for me (the empty circles are because the distance text doesn't fit), the ascent is pretty much irrelevant. I will just add that the 53Km I did on the final day I started as the riders started their laps of Champs Elysees, when they finished I was almost a full lap behind, the cow suit soaked through and fairly large puddle on the floor, both bandanas had been used up and the towel also pretty damp.
Someone asked me what it was about... I've been doing this personal challenge of riding every day of TDF for a few years, surprised myself as I just went to check and this was my 5th attempt, although in 2013 and 2015 I didn't succeed due to flu. Last year and this year I did it wearing the Cow Suit.
Apart from the personal challenge of getting on the bike every day, whether that be indoors or outdoors, road or MTB, the cow suit adds the element of raising awareness for CHOC, the little bit of suffering I do in that suit is NOTHING compared to what the children with Cancer go through during their treatment.
So PLEEEEEASE help us reach the 'audacious' target The Cows have set for ourselves in the 10th year of existence to raise R10,000,000.00 yes TEN MILLION for the work CHOC does supporting Children (and their families) through their Cancer treatment (click the links for more info).
In my Cans: If you want to pass me some cash to stick in my cans I will happily do so we take any change big or small from 5c to R200 bits of change ;-) It will all go through the slot.
I shall close off with a picture I shamefully gimped (look it up) of the COWPODIUM of Tour de Vache 2017 (Sorry TDF, Warren and ladies, I hope you don't mind it's for a good cause).
Well I can hardly believe I've made it to June without doing a post, so please excuse me for this being on the long side. Unfortunately the season has brought with it the usual bugs so I've been off the bike for a little while.
If you've had your head in a hole (or maybe you are just new to my list) by now you know that for the last 4 years I've been raising funds for CHOC by riding events in cow kit and the last 2 years in a cow suit. And so this being my 5th year and the 10th Anniversary of The Cows I hope to be doing the same again and have yet again set my target at R20,000. So far the fund is sitting at R2k and some odds in my cans. Thanks again to those who help me achieve the goal every year.
Without wanting to bore you too much but also give info (and I know many are well aware of what CHOC does) I thought I'd just briefly list some of the things CHOC does for children with cancer.
CHOC houses:
Provide housing for children and family coming from far away to the treatment centers.
There are 13 houses around the country each costing approximately 500,000 per year and providing just over 66,000 bed nights per year.
Transport Fund:
A transport fund ensures that no child need go without treatment due to transport costs.
Ward comforts:
CHOC assists in maintaining the treatment centers as child friendly environments, decorating the wards and providing toys.
It is also important that parents be on hand to support their children through treatment and so kitchen and laundry facilities are provided as well as comfortable areas where they can relax and meet with other parents.
Medical facilities improvement:
Provision and improvements to wards in Chris Hani Baragwanath, Dora Nginza (Port Elizabeth) and Charlotte Maxeke Hospital (Johannesburg) have been supported by funds raised through CHOC
Medical Staff support:
On occasion where the need has arisen CHOC has provided funding for staff provision.
In order to reduce the load on medical staff CHOC provides volunteers for administrative and logistical support.
CHOC also provides funding for training and conferences for the staff which enables growth of knowledge and networking oppurtunities.
Awareness and early detection:
Parts of the healthcare system have a lack of awareness of early warning signs and CHOC initiated an awareness program to provide information to workers to primary health clinics and secondary hospitals and also to parents and teachers especially those in rural areas.
The Cows provide some of the funding for these projects by participating at athletic events, and various other projects. This is the tenth year anniversary of The Cows and we have set a monumental target of 10 Million Rand to raise for 2017.
I recently rode in a 6hr endurance race to assist raising funds for Delta Park school which caters for children from Grade R to 12 that have barriers to learning in mainstream schools, and was awarded the principals prize for riding the day in the Cow suit. Riding in a team of 3, I managed to complete 5 of the 6.2Km laps the last of which ended up being in a single gear that was a bit on the tough side. Team total of 13 laps.
So...... hopefully I will be back to pedaling in a few days and will again be spending most of July "Riding every day of Tour de France in a Cow Suit" this will include the "Rest days". I won't be riding the same distances as the racers or doing anywhere near as much climbing, but one way or another I will don the cow suit every day and do a ride, some will be indoors and some outdoors. If you fancy giving me a little extra incentive by donating for the number of Km's rode or the number of meters climbed I would welcome it, just let me know.
For those in the West Rand watch out for me on the road and give me a wave, yell or hoot but more importantly please give.
In my Cans: If you want to pass me some cash to stick in my cans I will happily do so we take any change big or small from 5c to R200 bits of change ;-) It will all go through the slot.
For those that would like to claim their tax deduction for charitable giving, you can request the required Section 18A certificate by emailing daisy@thecows.co.za for the form to complete.
4 years, 4 x #festive500 . This year was bigger not because of the challenge itself but because I revised my annual goal to 7000Km earlier this month and needed just under 700Km to reach that goal (some of it was done before the #festive500 started).
I have pushed myself this last 8 days to get there and right now every part of my body is feeling it. 2x100 Milers formed the bulk of the distance, another 100Km and a couple of sub 100 rides and on top of that much of it was done in pouring rain, at least 2 heavy thunderstorms that soaked to the skin. The blessing of the rain being that the temperatures were lower.
As a summary here are the distances for each day:
Day #1 : 161Km
Day #2 : 35Km
Day #3 : 109Km
Day #4 : 26Km
Day #5 : 162Km
Day #6 : 15Km
Day #7 : 62Km
Day #8 : 55Km
You can see a bit more in the video I made of the journey.
This year has definitely not been the greatest for me in the few years I've been riding (actually the last 2 years have been a bit of a battle) but at least I think I have gotten to the bottom of the physical issue dragging me down, basically boils down to doing too much without a proper plan, resulting in overtraining and depletion of iron reserves. (yes I know one or two birdies have been telling me this for a while). Anyhow iron supplements in hand, a better training plan and a rather ridiculous target to achieve (not distance), hopefully, I can improve in the coming year.
Through all this, there are two lessons that can be taken which at first seem paradoxical but nevertheless true. (I'm sure there are more lessons but 2 will do)
1. We are capable of more than we think
2. We have limits
In other words, don't talk yourself into doing too little but watch for the signs that you are doing too much, don't just take your own thinking and feelings into consideration, seek advice and listen to those around you, they might be wrong but at least worth considering.
Set yourself goals that seem somewhat (but not too much) more than achievable, and then set smaller targets along the way to achieve said goal, if things happen along the way that make the goal completely unachievable, don't be afraid to reconsider, recalculate, and revise if necessary but don't let your heart be broken and don't give up.
Thanks to all those that support this nutcase, and to those whose achievements provide inspiration.
Finally have yourselves a blessed and prosperous 2017 (in one way or another, money and things aren't everything). God Bless.
Huh... 2017 we still in 2016 you might ask, and in my last post I said 'till next year' ???
Well that was my intention but then this......
happened!!!!
Yes you saw right (well if you watched the video through), being the 10th year of the cows doing crazy things to raise funds for CHOC, we did another crazy thing, we couldn't get the 10 figure out of our heads so in an incredibly COW fashion we set our target for next year to 10 MILLION Rand.
In case you're wondering in the 9 years of existence the cows have managed to raise over 27m in 2016 we have managed to hit the 3m mark, so given that information you will realize what a challenge we have set for ourselves.
To achieve this we will need your help, think about it this is only about 20c per person in South Africa, somehow we will be able to do this, spread the word get together with some friends and collect a few rand, put a can in your shop or business foyer if you have one, it isn't an impossible dream it CAN be done.
If you have any questions or suggestions speak to a cow you know, or ask daisy at thecows.co.za.
Whatever you do I ask that if you haven't helped before you consider helping next year. These funds go to a great cause, if you want to know more just go read on what CHOC ( www.choc.org.za ) does for children and their families as they suffer through this terrible family of diseases and the horrible treatment they have to endure.
Another year has gone by and I've recovered enough to write the Post 947 Challenge(s) update.
I took off a week from work but it wasn't a rest by any means.
Saturday 12th 947 Kiddies Races, It might have been that I was less fit, although we also realized afterwards that we also swept the kiddies races this year when last year we just did lead out, at any rate it was a few sprints punctuated by a brief rest and off again.
The positioning of our Cowzebo was also much better this year and the 'snow' machine (soap bubbles) was a huge hit with the kids.
Here is some of the team that assisted (2 were missing Hendri was riding around with a tin and Cliff was just on time for the start):
Thanks guys and gals next year we need to rope in some more volunteers.
Sunday 13th 947 MTB Challenge
After last years swimsuit competition (well the cowsuit was pretty wet) I decided to skip the suit this year, if I have to be honest I struggled most of the ride the legs just didn't want to cooperate, but I had fun and passing the poor strugglers walking up the hills through Steyn City let me know I'm not dead yet.
Thur-Sat 947 Expo
Ok so The Cows got squished into a smaller area this year and some of our antics were disallowed, 2 and a half days of standing and shaking cans drains one, but the rewards are in knowing we did something to help raise awareness and some funds to help CHOC.
Sunday 947 Cycle Challenge
Suit on, Bike Straddled, off we go, I hadn't been tethered to an ICB but hung back at the start and then attached to the ICB that Richard Laskey was Piloting, did some pushing and briefly switched to Mark Kordas' ICB and towed for a few minutes down M1 but switched back. Since I wasn't doing much towing this year I got to race ahead trying to clear the way for most of the ride and could have a little fun teasing some of the tired people making their way up Cedar, I didn't have the heart to let them know they still had a tough climb in Steyn city as well but I sprinted up a bit of the hill telling them it was easy.... HAH, then turned around to go back down to ICB and come back up again.
Surprising even myself I actually got on the stage in Steyn City, got called HOT?? (yes I was still wearing the Cow Suit) The shock in the eyes and voice when the MC felt the material of the suit was something else too, I think an appreciation of some of the self inflicted punishment we put ourselves through sank in.
We get asked so often why we do this, why not make a lighter Ice Cream Bike, or a cow suit that would be cooler, or why do two laps, and help tow and push that monster to the finish line, why why why.
The truth for most of us is that this little bit of suffering we put ourselves through is NOTHING compared to what children suffering cancer and the pain of the treatment they go through is, if we can look a little foolish and sweat a little more to bring a little more comfort and if we are really lucky a smile to their faces, we will continue to do it over and over and over again.
Image Courtesy CHOC
Thanks for all the support and donations in the year please keep it up, my GivenGain Project is open until the end of December so please do go and donate.
Also if you want a reminder of where the money goes take a look at the CHOC website.
A fellow cow just reminded me we have 39 days to 94.7, as most of you know by now we are raising funds for CHOC through The Cows by riding 94.7 (and other events) in cow coloured livery of various sorts, some will ride in normal cow print cycling kit, some will don cow suit onesies, and some will be wearing other suits of an as yet unpublicised nature and doing 2 laps of 94.7 the first under 3 hours.
I'll be in one of the first 2 groups, probably additionally assisting an ice cream bike again (I'm afraid I can't manage a sub 3hr 94.7) and it depends on YOU which it will be. If as per last year you would like to see me in a Cow Onesie sweating out in the heat of the day and gritting in the wind, suffering a bit more than in just the kit and providing more support for the children with cancer I need you to scratch the bottom of your piggy banks and scrape out the insides of your mattresses, go beg your boss or better half, or parents, take a second (or third) mortgage, sell some of your less useful earthly goods, whatever just find some pennies and PUSH/click this button.
VS
For what it's worth I really would prefer the attire on the right hand side as it means more of the children with cancer will be assisted. If you don't know what CHOC are about please go to http://www.choc.org.za and find out about the work they do. These needy children really do need your help, every little helps to alleviate just a little of the suffering they go through in many cases every day.
If you can't or don't want to donate through GivenGain please feel free to donate directly to CHOC, just let Daisy Cow ( daisy@thecows.co.za ) know about the deposit and that you did it on my behalf so that allocation can take place. Banking details are: CHOC Childhood Cancer Foundation Bank: Standard Bank Killarney Branch Current Account Number: 20 027 806 1 Branch sort code: 00 72 05 You will be hearing from me again soon, next time I hope to let you know we've exceeded the R20,000 target and that I'll be suffering a little again for those that suffer much.
Last you heard from me (officially posting on the topic) I was planning to ride every day of Tour de France in the cow suit, well that was successfully completed; some days riding on the trainer in the kitchen, some days testing the drag coefficient (really bad btw) of the cow suit in strong winds, through bush or on the road, leaving and getting home in the dark commuting to work and back, not a single day was skipped even on the 'rest' days. Some drivers hooted as they passed one or two wound down their windows asking what it was about, many pointed and laughed (especially the kids). See more in the regular updates I posted on the GiveNGain page for my fund raising project... whilst there why not drop a small donation into the pot, even small ones are appreciated (For the record my total current stands at R3067 as there was a donation paid directly to CHOC). Thanks to all the donors, I'm never sure how much publicity to give to you all but it is greatly appreciated.
On Mon 18 July near the end of the challenge I rode on the trainer for 67 minutes with an avg heart rate of 67% of my max, an avg cadence of 67rpm, and if you look carefully you might see another 67 in the image of my Garmin below (some basic math skills will help)
CHOC Cow activities have been ongoing, we have swept quite a number of races this year being involved with Nissan Trailseeker, Dual X,and the Ashburton series we have assisted with a few crash victims, and a lot of broken bikes and punctures, often able to get people back on the go and complete what otherwise may have been a disappointing day out for them.
This week I have been helping with the funeral arrangements of a friend and mentor who has succumbed to this dreadful disease, and whilst it's hard to see anyone go through this it is especially hard for children and their families, which is why I do what I do, we suffer a little to help those who suffer a lot through the treatment of cancer.
Please help me support CHOC in the wonderful work they do in supporting those in need by clicking here to go do my donation page and make a contribution, big or small every bit helps. I'm aiming to raise R20,000 again and we still have quite a way to go.
73 days to go for the 94.7 MTB Challenge and 80 for the 94.7 Cycle Challenge, with quite a few races in the meantime I'm sure I will do another update or two, thanks for your time.
In case you haven't noticed my posts this year have been thinner and slower, not because I'm not busy but I've chosen not to bore you too much with all the details. This, after all, is not about me but about the Children of CHOC for whom we do all these crazy things in Cow Suits and kit, on and off our bikes.
Since I missed out completing a bit of a personal challenge last year due to illness and it's that time of the year when Tour de France is on again, I'm even more determined to try and complete it again this year BUT with the Cow Suit on, the challenge is to ride every day of the Tour de France, not the same distance they do, nor the same amount of climbing; just to get on and ride.
Yes, you read right every day of TDF on my bike in a Cow Suit for the Kids
Some of the rides will be on the MTB like today I'm off to Northern Farms to ride with my club, some of the rides will be on the road, I might even commute to and from work in the suit, and some rides will be on the indoor trainer.
So if you spot this crazy cow somewhere give me a wave but more importantly we would really appreciate your help in raising much needed funds to help the programs of CHOC service the needs of Children with cancer and their families. Please click the red button and donate to this really worthy cause.
Hi everyone,
It has been a while since my last post and for those who have been following and receiving my emails, perhaps a rest from me was welcome but I do hope at least some of you missed the updates.
I never gave feedback after 94.7 last year; one of the reasons was that I was trying to find out what my final tally was, I haven't found out which isn't a train smash but I do know it was well over the R20,000 I had as a target.
From the small donors to the ones who gave very large amounts, funds came in through Give 'n Gain, direct payments to CHOC, donations given to me anonymously, donations given through race entries, not to mention all the people at 94.7 expo who tried to quiet a couple of annoying cows shaking tins, I thank you all, you made a difference that continues on in the projects the Cows fund through CHOC.
All in all the Cows raised R3.16 million in 2015's effort bringing the total raised over the years to R24.2 million to help CHOC with their services to children with cancer and helping their families.
During 2015 I/we have been blessed to be thanked on a number of occasions for the work we do as cows for CHOC, I wish I could explain the thankfulness one hears in the voices and sees in the eyes of those who have been helped by CHOC, I'd love to pass it on because it is the donors who make it all possible, I'm just a conduit.
On to 2016......
The year has started and even before my first (this) post the fundraising has started with a bang with R2000 donation to CHOC to kick off my campaign. The Cows have found a different funding provider called ummm errr Different yep different.org my new fundraising profile is set up so you are welcome to start helping me raise the funds for this year CLICK HERE to reach my profile, different.org has a few different payment options and they do not take a cut of the funds received, tax certificates can be obtained right from the site, and you can remain anonymous if you wish.
So far this year I have already ridden 2 races in Cow Gear, the Berge en Dale and the Cape Town Cycle Tour (Argus for most of us). This year the finish was bittersweet, one of the ladies I finished last years race with, Delene Mulley was no longer with us in body, having beaten cancer once and for all. I had only known her for a little over a year but for those that knew her she has left a big gaping hole, challenging us to continue the fight against the disease.
Preview of finish photo (me in the middle at the back)
That's all from me for now, just some info on the projects the Cows will be supporting this year:
Accommodation – The CHOC Lodge, Inkosi Albert Luthuli Central Hospital, Durban
The CHOC Lodge, situated on the grounds of the Albert Luthuli Hospital, has 26 beds that provide daily accommodation for children and their caregiver whilst undergoing treatment for childhood cancer. The Cows shall assist with the costs of running the Lodge by sponsoring two rooms.
Accommodation – CHOC House, Saxonwold and Diepkloof
CHOC House Saxonwold provides accommodation for children receiving out-patient treatment at Charlotte Maxeke Johannesburg Academic Hospital and CHOC house Diepkloof is used for patients from the Baragwanath paediatric oncology wards. Without these homes away from home many patients opt to abandon treatment because of the great distances they need to travel. The houses are an essential part of the CHOC programme and The Cows shall fund running costs for both these houses in Gauteng.
Psychosocial Support – Gauteng, Eastern Cape and Free State
Psychosocial support is imperative to the families and children affected by childhood cancer. CHOC currently employs five Social workers and two Social Auxillary workers, situated in the Paediatric Oncology treatment centers, who assist with all aspects of the illness from diagnoses onwards including palliative and bereavement support. Once again, The Cows will provide funding for the salaries of these professionals.
Programme Coordinator – Western Cape and Namakwa Region
Due to the vast geographical area of the region, the increase in the number of beneficiaries, and the small amount of staff members employed by CHOC in the Western Cape there is a requirement for an additional staff member to service the entire area. The Cows will provide funding for the salary and costs of a new Programme Coordinator for the region.
Programme vehicle – CHOC Kalahari
At the beginning of 2015, the position for a new programme office opened in the Kalahari covering the raising of awareness for Early Warning Signs of childhood cancer in the area and will ensure practical support such as the provision of food parcels for families travelling through Upington to Bloemfontein and Cape Town etc. The office requires a programme vehicle which The Cows will fund.
Essential maintenance to CHOC House – CHOC Pietermaritzburg
The CHOC House programme is an essential programme within CHOC and a tool that is used during the treatment journey for a family with a child fighting cancer or a life threatening blood disorder. The Cows will cover the costs of maintenance to the PMB House that includes: repairs to roof; painting of the house; repairs to driveway, fence and gate, and renovating bathrooms.
Essential maintenance and running costs to CHOC House – CHOC Pretoria
Situated in Gezina, Pretoria, the house is more than 60 years old and is in need of routine maintenance such as wiring and roof repairs. The Cows will fund the maintenance as well as the costs involved with running the house in 2016.
Essential maintenance to CHOC House – CHOC Port Elizabeth
The Cows will fund the costs involved in getting the roof repaired in Port Elizabeth.
