A muddy ride!

Set off from Helsingborg for Ängelholm this morning in the mist. Temperature was about 9 degrees so borderline in shorts and mitts (I only have summer kit). By tucking my thumbs behind the brake housings I avoided the worst of the windchill.

The roads were wet after light rain yesterday and the mist but the worst of it was the amount of mud left by tractors in the height of the ploughing season! Gears started slipping and chain came off too.

Enjoyed the 65kms round trip regardless but look at the state of me when I got back. By the way I am not wearing tights under my shorts - that is mud!!
Bike needed a thorough cleaning.

http://www.justgiving.com/Mark-M-Henderson

Why Bike Bengal?

Why have I signed up to cycle 670 km on dubious and at times congested roads in a country where last time I was there I had diarrhoea every day? Mmmm yes why indeed?

It's the challenge, the fact that I took up road biking in the spring and because we are raising money for Dr Graham's Homes. I think another strong motivation is the possibility of a glimpse of some of the high peaks of the Himalaya at the end of the trip once we get to Kalimpong.

It was my cousin, Alan Muir, who mentioned the trip to me over a year ago but it was only recently when discussing it with my father that he mentioned that our great uncle was a friend of Dr Graham while he was serving in the RAF in India. Once back in Scotland Uncle Garry helped to raise awareness of the school and raise funds. 

I am looking forward to it but with slight trepidation about the prospect of Dehli belly or Kalimpong quickstep!

Again, I would be so grateful for your support which will help keep me going during the long hours of training through the winter and then through the hard miles of the cycle itself! I have set up a page on JustGiving where it is very simple and fast to donate. Here's a link: http://www.justgiving.com/Mark-M-Henderson

Bike Bengal Explained

Bike Bengal is all about a small group cycling 670km in 7 days from Kolkata at sea level up into the foothills of the Himalayas and Kalimpong which sits at 4500 feet in northern India to raise much needed funds for Dr Graham's Homes, a school founded in 1900. Bike Bengal takes place from Sunday the 19th February to Saturday the 25th February 2012.


On 18th September 2011, an earthquake measuring 6.8 on the richter scale hit the NE region of India, Nepal & Bhutan. The epicentre was less than 100 miles from Dr Graham's Homes. There were some 90+ fatalities in the stricken area and substantial structural damage to the school buildings which threatens the education of many of the 1,460 pupils.






The funds raised by the cycle will go towards the earthquake appeal, paying for essential structural repairs to the school buildings so that the childrens' education can continue. The junior school had to be evacuated to Kolkata following the earthquake and many older pupils are sleeping in classrooms and tents. The anticipated cost of the repairs runs to hundreds of thousands of pounds! 
 

Dr Graham established the school for disadvantaged and impoverished children from Kolkata (Calcutta in those days), to give them an education and a chance in life that they would not otherwise have. Since the beginning over 100 years ago, the school has grown to over 1300 pupils of which 230 are sponsored by the Scottish charity, Dr Graham's Homes. As it is a small and very focused charity I am happy to say that all monies go straight to the earthquake appeal.

I am paying for all travel and subsistance on the expedition so all funds raised go straight to the school.
A percentage of pupils come from the streets of Kolkata thanks to funds raised and sponsorship. Please be part of this vital support.


I would be so grateful for your support which will help keep me going during the long hours of training through the winter and then through the hard miles of the cycle itself! I have set up a page on JustGiving where it is very simple and fast to donate. Here's a link: http://www.justgiving.com/Mark-M-Henderson

So please dig deep and donate now. Thank you!