How hard can it be?
Riding a bicycle across a country seems like a good idea the first time you talk about it! The second time, after just a small amount of research, nothing but pure fear dominates!
But we’re committed to a cause – and there’s no turning back.
After hours pouring over maps, and debating if the long and winding road is a better option than the quick steep mountain path, we have a plan! Our 1,000 mile route we hope will suit our mixed ability team. Some of us are regularly seen in our lycra; we’re as happy on two wheels as on two feet. Then, there are those of us who can barely remember how to cycle in the first place, and are wondering if stabilisers should be fixed to the shiny new bike bought especially for this epic adventure!
The harsh reality of cycling from Lands End to John O’Groates is 8 or 9 hours a day, on a barely bearable saddle, for 2 weeks.
So… why?
Why would anyone choose to ride through rain and wind, on bumpy roads, in sweaty clothes with aching legs and burning lungs?
Purpose.
Our Purpose Is One: A Child To Save
What unites a bunch of seemingly random team mates is a purpose. We know the money we raise will help to change lives. That is our single focus. Our motivation.
Watoto is the incredible charity we’re raising money for. It’s an organisation in Uganda, working with little kids who've been rescued from being child soldiers in the rebel armies of the Ugandan underground. The Watoto project in Gulu builds homes and rehab centres for these kids and adoptive parents, and provides schooling and close relational counselling, starting with unconditional acceptance and love.
So why not just ride to Africa ourselves to lay bricks?
Over the years organisations like Watoto have carefully invested time in infrastructure and in people on the ground who’ve grown up in the culture of the area. They understand how to make the best use of the hard earned money we donate.
Support Surrounds Us :
Friends and family rally around, encourage us, wait and watch. Will our talk be just that – talk? Or will we see though the 2 weeks of physical torture and reach the finish line?
Knowing we have your support will help us push on though. We can do this! Every donation, no matter how small, will make a bigger difference than you can ever imagine. The strength of any fund raising event doesn't come from the people participating, but from the vast number of people who are willing to give their generous support. The influence of a large group of people, moving as a crowd is hard to ignore.
Crowds of You :
Our event is not alone in its motivation. We're coming alongside other groups, who have been raising funds in other interesting ways to make an even bigger donation to Watoto. You can be a part of this too. We hope you will. We need you!
Thanks for trusting us, our research, our commitment… and our legs!
Strangely we’re looking forward to the gruelling schedule, the weeks away sleeping in tents and the hot meals.
After all…. How hard can it be!!
All our love & thanks
The ACTS team
