Final Push

After being given a lie in, we were up and cleaning our bikes for the short hop to the local nominated school to handover our bikes. Really tired legs now but the last few kilometers went very fast and we all arrived to music and what seemed like the entire population of the school and parents. This was a big deal to them and they made a huge effort to show their appreciation. After a few presentations, speeches and bike race (!) The music was cranked up and the partying began. Those of you who have seen the end of Slumdog Millionaire will know what I'm talking about. All very good fun. The representatives from Free the Children showed us just where you're money will be going (including Luke's quid). New building work has already started for an extra classroom which will help make class numbers more manageable. Current classes regularly flood during the monsoon and I counted over 40 satchels in one tiny room, badly lit and with no desks or seats (for anyone). For everyone involved it was a day no one will forget. The parents, staff and children were genuinely grateful and the money and bikes donated will make a huge difference to their lives. Since we left the village we have spent our own evening partying in Udaipur, before arriving in Delhi this morning having caught the overnight train (12 hours). We fly back to London later this evening and we hope to update you on how much money was raised amongst the group. Including gift aid, we've collectively brought in over six hundred pounds, so many thanks again for your donations (even Luke). To summarise, I don't think either myself or Silas have done anything quite so arduous and tiring. It's been an amazing experience and one we will never forget, made all the more satisfying that it's all been in a good cause. Would we do it again? Most probably, yes! Although could do with giving the legs a rest for a week or two. Certainly looking forward to riding a bike that fits and having something other than curry for lunch and dinner!

Thanks again.

Callum and Silas

Ranakpur Ramblings

A few nervous faces this morning after yesterday's epic. Just how would our backsides feel once we've taken our seats? Answer: not too bad. We decided to be a lot less competitive today, (unheard of between Si and myself) and stuck to the rear section of the group. Today's riding was around 60km, so still a fair old distance. Once again tho, we were blessed by a decent amount of cloud cover which makes a huge difference when riding. Heading towards the mountains, the views became considerably greener and much more like what I was expecting. Every village we have ridden through (lost count now) all the villagers wave and say hello. We must stick out like sore thumbs as people shout and wave from field's way back from the roadside and people almost line the streets cheering and being incredibly friendly. Could never see this happening in the UK! Having ridden the greater distance the day before; today seemed much easier and we arrived in to Ranakpur under a welcome rain shower just before 2pm local time. Tonight's stay is the only hotel that isn't a Heritage type accommodation, but it's still very nice. The afternoon has been spent sorting kit out and putting our feet up after what has been a very busy and tiring few days since leaving Delhi. Tomorrow is pretty much our last day of riding. A mountain stage from Ranakpur to Kumbalargh, around 55km, followed by celebratory drinks and preparing for the handover of our bikes to the local village near Udaipur where our journey ends.

Jojarwar Pain

100 km done. One heck of a day's cycling. Set off at 6am and throughout most of the day had luck on our side as it's been quite a cloudy day. This meant the first 60km were relatively straightforward. The crew did a good job of arranging stops every 10km or so, which helped break the day up into manageable chunks. Mid-morning saw us visiting a chai tea 'shack'. Fantastic. Then after lunch the sun came out and the temperature shot up to yesterday's levels. 40+. Silas headed the pack for most of the day, whereas I struggled once again with the heat and was further delayed by a puncture after lunch and my seat gave way with around 8km to go! Si, spurred on by getting in ahead of everyone else to book his massage raced to the front and got his booking sorted. After another short evening of great food and the odd beer we retired dead early for tomorrow's 60km epic. Very sore and even more tired.

Kumbalgarh my Lord

Arguably the toughest day today.

After cycling 100km yesterday, today's 55km seemed like a breeze but overnight'ing in the foothills of the mountains meant it wasn't long before we were all off our bikes and pushing them uphill. A few of the group were determined to do the day without pushing, but with bikes weighing almost 20kg and hills getting increasingly steeper, it was an impossible task for even the fittest of the group. After an extended break around mid-morning, we set off on more undulating terrain up until lunchtime. This was spent next to a local hospital where we could use the toilet and it was here you got a true idea as to just how different things are. Genuinely upsetting seeing how run down and poor these places are. I was shocked to see that what actually looked like an abandoned and derelict old building, was in reality, a working hospital. It was a struggle to take in and made us even more determined to last the rest of the day which didn't get any easier. Steeper hills combined with the fatigue of the previous days saw more people dropping bikes, crashing or losing their rag. I think everyone had underestimated how tough this was advertised as! The final stretch was predominantly downhill, and as luck would have it, the heavens opened as we flew down towards Kumbalgarh. After a few near misses (the bikes' brakes are useless in the wet) we came in to cross the finish line to applause from those ahead of us and a cheeky glass of champagne. Once everyone was in and changed we headed to a local school where they had put on a puppet show just for us. Very (unintentionally) funny and again, another eye opener into how things differ between what we're expecting and how things are in the Third World. Another long day, we all retired early before the final day of riding, only 9km back up the hill to our nominated school that Free the Children are working with to formally hand over the bikes to and see where you're kindly donated money is going towards.

Arrived in Rohet

Heck of a day yesterday. After the craziness of Delhi Train station and an 11 hour train journey (with no sleep), we then set off on the 60km bike ride. Mad hour or two escaping Jodhpur centre including a send off from local dignitaries, we eventually made it out of town and onto relatively more quieter roads. Searing heat in the afternoon, there were a few drop outs, injuries and wasp attacks. Arrived in Rohet after a very tiring 24 hours. Couldn't even manage a beer. Fantastic food and hotel more than made up for it, followed by an early-ish night and we're now up at 0500 for today's 60-miler. This is the longest ride of the week and expecting a few more fallers! The bikes are more suited to the shorter chaps, so anyone over 6' struggles a bit with knees clashing with handlebars! We're managing fine so far but I'm sure I'll have some interesting tales after 100km of riding today!

Jodhpur Bound

Morning all. Busy day yesterday after showing jet lag who's boss. Wandered up to the Lotus Temple which is about a 20 minute walk from our hotel here in Nehru Place. After that we took a Took-Took (!) up to India gate where the prices to take the same mode of transport back increased by up to seven times! We ended up taking the train back (16 pence) after finding the right gender of cabin. (Thought we were in luck after finding a carriage full of women!)  After a bit of a late night getting to know everyone else in the group, we had a bit of a lie in this morning and are now preparing to take the overnight train to Jodhpur......could be interesting! Limited WiFi now until we arrive in tomorrow's accommodation, so may be off air for a bit! Thanks for reading!

Touchdown Delhi

Hi all.

We've arrived in Delhi and the hotel very kindly let us check in at 7am.....would never happen in the UK! We're up and about now and just off in to town shortly and meeting the other 50 later this evening where will be heading to the Kasbah...... Will post some more pics later.