On 1st August 2024 I am climbing on a plane to set off on an Epic Cycling Trip.

Im going to be Riding a Bike (pedal bike) across the USA from NEW YORK to SAN FRANSISCO (Mill Valley CA to be precise). The ride will be solo and totally un-supported, and rather than take the 'easy' (?) West to East Road route of about 3500 miles - I decided to go EAST TO WEST .... and mainly OFF ROAD / TRAILS / GRAVEL and decided that I want to top 5000 miles in total !

As ever, I see an epic journey like this as a golden opportunity to use my efforts to raise some serious funds for Charity and with that in mind it is important for you to know that I am paying for all of this journey myself, and 100% of your donation (125% if you add Gift Aid) goes DIRECT to my chosen Charities.

I do want to let you know that this adventure has not come at a huge personal cost with equipment, preparation, food, accommodation, flights, insurance etc my own personal input will be approx £10,000.

Ive set the initial target at £5000 to match and reflect the 5000 miles I will cover..... but to be honest, I feel that raising just £1 per mile for the total donations, doesnt seem like lot of money in relation to the difficulty and the lenght of the challenge.

I know that this is going to be guelling and difficult for me, but I also understand any donation is a cost that most people would rather keep in their bank account in these difficult times, so I hope you can just help me with whatever amount you can afford to try and reach or even beat my realistic target.

Another way of helping would be to SHARE what i am doing on your Social Media and this may just inspire a few more people to do things on their bike and also may encourage a few more to donate !

My equipment supporters are behind me all the way and are also promoting my journey, so with their exposure, I am actually hoping that my £5000 target is not just beaten .... but SMASHED .... and I know its a cliche, but believe me, every penny counts and every penny goes towards this total and will directly benefit these Charities.

.... oh, and if you are a UK Tax Payer ... please, please , please ADD GIFT AID to add 25% extra from the Government. That really will make a huge difference ... and it costs you nothing.

So if you are reading this, I'm not actually asking directly for your money and calling this a Charity Ride, but rather suggesting that if you like what I'm doing, if you enjoy my posts and updates (or those of LITTLE RAPID) and if you feel that me giving myself a huge Challenge like this is a bit crackers ... then by all means feel free to click on the buttons below to let me know that I've got your support and encouragement, which will then be put to great use with the Charities I have chosen.

CHARITIES:

I have chosen 2 different Charities with the automatic split of 90% and 10% respectively as each Charity is very different and has different financial needs and targets.

THE CHILDRENS HOSPITAL CHARITY - 90%

ST JAMES' CHURCH, BUXWORTH - 10% (Chinley and Buxworth PCC)

Please visit my website for full descriptions on these Charities, what they do.

WHY AM I DOING THIS ?

Well, its actually a daft reason. Im supported by WTB - Wilderness Trail Bikes who supply me with Tyres, Saddles and Equipment and I suddenly had an idea to 'NIP IN' to their Head Office to say 'THANK YOU' and have a 'BREW' (cup of Tea for those reading from abroad) for supplying me with Tyres ..... but little did I realise until AFTER I decided to do this that their Head Office is in Mill Valley, CA ..... just up the road from SAN FRANSISCO !!

Initially I wobbled, thought it was too much, too far ... but then I thought ... no, sod it ... Im running out of years that I will be physically able to do this, I love adventure and I love challenges and if I can do this then I can also maybe make some decent money for Charity too.

So, as normal, one Ive made my mind up, Im doing it !

I fly out on the 1st August and should start pedalling on 3rd August. !

You will be able to follow my progress on FOLLOW MY CHALLENGE (details on my website) and I will be doing regular updates, news, photos and videos probably daily on Instagram and Facebook.

I said above that Ive spent a fortune on equipment and preparation, but I have a number of incredible supporters who have supplied me with incredible equipment, and this has allowed me to use high quality equipment that I would otherwise not be able to afford and I would appreciate you supporting these companies if and when you are even needing their products or services. This is really important to me and if you could mention my name I would be most grateful, as these companies are amazing and I can't thank them enough.

I owe huge thank yous to TAILFIN, GOREWEAR and WTB for being amazing. These 3 companies have just been brilliant, generous and most importantly, supportive. THANK YOU.

I would also appreciate you to look up: Blue Strawberry Elephant, Truesapien, Exposure Lights, Water to Go, Quadlock and Durston Gear. Thanks also go to Giant Sheffield, Beespoke Wheels NZero Organic Formulas / Vanguard Cycles.

Additionally, anyone wishing to support me personally with my costs for accomodation / food over the 3 months can do so via the BUY ME A COFFEE page advertised on my website / instagram etc.

Regardless of your financial support or not, I would just like to thank you for your interest in my Challenge, and would appreciate a SHARE.

Thank you

Rapid Rich.