The India Trip Itinerary

Well I hope you have all had a fantastic Christmas and are gearing up to some spectacular New Year celebrations. I have had a lovely time with my family and this New Year we will be at my sister-in-laws with the kids, just having a good time and playing games. We will no doubt then watch the fireworks in London on the TV and then, dependant on children, either go home or celebrate some more.
One thing I would urge you all to do though is set at least one goal that you want to achieve in 2010 and then go out and make it happen. How do you think I ended up here? Without goals and then Action, you're dreams will always remain just that....dreams. So make 2010 the year that at least one of your dreams comes true! :-) To learn how to set your goals in such away that you have no choice but for them to happen see my blog www.richvincent.me where in the next couple of days I will be posting how I set mine and what they are for the coming year.

So on to the up coming trip and the final part of my Tri-Dangerthon. 2500km across India on a Royal Enfield Bullet motorcycle. Here is the itinerary for each day -


Day 1
Arrive in India and chill out for the rest of the day, meet the team in the evening.Day 2
Warm up day, this day enables us to get used to the Indian traffic and the idiosyncrasies of the Royal Enfield. Day 3
Today is designed to break us all in gently, this rally stage sees us tackle a beautiful and demanding stretch of the western Ghat mountain range on our way to Palolem, our first nights destination. Palolem is one of Indias most beautiful beach resorts; During the riding day we will encounter mountains every bit as spectacular as the Himalayas, just with lots and lots of forest and no snow peaks, due to the reduced altitude. Today is short in length to give us a chance to build confidence. It is a stunning and remote ride. Very rough accomodation and a breathtaking location tonight - the rally has begun. Day 4
The second day is longer and more demanding but feels no harder due to the fact we are becoming more confident on our bikes and the forest trails and mountain passes are becoming less daunting. Today’s ride is quite simply mind-blowing as we wind our way on and off road all the way over the mountains and back to our nights stop point at a truly secret cove, looking out to the Arabian sea. Day 5
Today we start off with a short stretch of highway, which by Indian standards is very quiet, we then take some beautiful winding roads up the mountains stopping for lunch at Indias highest waterfall; Jog Falls. Once we’re refreshed we’ll crack on towards our final nights stop, a bustling Indian city of Shimoga. Shimoga sees no tourists whatsoever, and therein lies it’s fascination for us – it is one of the rare places on earth you can see a city totally unaffected by tourism. It is eye opening and extremely friendly, it is probably one of the only places on earth where the owner of a petrol station asks you in for a coffee!Day 6
If there was an awards programme for the worlds best rides this day would be up right up there. It’s so good it’s almost too much for the mind to take in. We will bike up and down roads that haven’t been used by traffic for decades – at some stages we may have to send a chainsaw gang in before we tackle it, as nature has taken it’s hold so firmly. Cautious and progressive are the terms appropriate on these stages, as the scenery is awesome but the road conditions changeable. We finish this tough day with the sun setting behind us as we chase shadows all the way to the incredible mountain resort of Kalasa nestled in the vast Elephant area of Kudremukh National Park.

So that's the first 6 days of the trip, it sounds absolutely amazing doesn't it. I really can't wait but I'm also getting quite nervous and apprehensive, which is great, as I can now feel the adrenaline really starting to well up inside :-)

Please check back shortly for days 7 to 12 and details of how you can follow me on the whole journey!

All the best

Rich

PS Please scroll down to a DONATE button and show you're support by giving whatever you can. Thank You

Testing 1 2 3 Testing.....

Just playing with my new laptop and the connection to the net using my mobile phone. Getting ready for the trip and ensuring that I can connect using this method and type a blog. While I'm typing this I have disconnected so as not to use up too much time which will cost a fortune out in India! So I am now about to connect again and see if this post will then be uploaded.
Hopefully you will be reading this and it will have been successful :-)

I Hope you all had a fantastic Christmas and a very Happy New Year to you all.

All the best,

Rich

The Route Across India...

In Aid of
Hi All,

Well here is the first of details that I will be posting over the next few weeks about the trip that I will be taking across India In January 2010. This is the 3rd and final part of my Tri-Dangerthon and I can't believe what I year I have had with this and the fact that India is now only 1 month away!
Below is a map of the route that we will be taking over the 12 days of riding. We will be covering 2,500km on varied terrain. Some days we could be riding for up to 10 hours + and I just hope and pray that the little Royal Enfield's that we will be riding, hold out. The reason that these bikes have been chosen for the trip is that they are still built brand new in India today to the same design that they were when they were originally built in England back in the early 1900's. In fact, Royal Enfield built there first motorcyle in Redditch, Worcestershire in 1901 and they have been built continously until this day. This makes Royal Enfield the oldest motorcycle company in the world and the Royal Enfield Bullet (the bike that we will be riding) the longest production run model.
Of course and as always we don't want to forget the reasons why I'm doing this, so here are the links for you to check out the charities that I'm raising for -

Downs Syndrome Association / Unicef / Rainbow Childrens Charity / WCS

Please, please check out those links they are well worth looking at and then scroll down to any of the donate buttons throughout this blog to make your contribution. Thank You, it is very much appreciated.

click on image to enlarge

So that's the route and I'll be posting further details in the run up to the trip. I also hope to post at the end of each day while I'm out there, so that you can see how we're getting on and hear all about our challenges as they happen.

That's it for this time. I will be back between Christmas and New Year so all that leaves me to say is .....

Have a very Merry Christmas, eat, drink and be merry!!

Best wishes

Rich

It's Me...On The Radio!! :-)

In Aid of

Hi,

This is the interview of Moi on The Morning Show on BBC Radio Lincs, talking about my Tri-Dangerthon. While you're listening, why not take a look around the rest of this blog.

You can Donate by clicking on any of the donate buttons throughout this blog. Thank You.

All the best,

Rich

Invited Back to Talk on Radio Lincs :-)

In Aid of

Hi All,

Just a quick update for now to let you know that Judy Theobald from The Morning Show on BBC Radio Lincs has invited me back on to discuss my India trip. This is fantastic news and I feel very honoured to be asked back. It is also a great opportunity to let more people know about the fundraising I've been doing and will help me to push towards achieving my target of £10,000 for these 4 amazing charities.

If you're in the Lincs region then you will be able to listen at around 10.30am this coming Monday morning 7th December on 94.9FM or 104.7FM.

You can also listen to the show on BBC iplayer. The Morning Show.

As I said just a quick one this time but in the next week I shall be posting a more detailed blog about what the trip across India will have in store for me. So please check back regularly and if you can donate any amount it would be very much appreciated.

I have raised £6211 so far and have just £3789 to go to hit my target, Please, Please, Please help me to achieve that.

THANK YOU

All the best,

Rich

Only 3 Months Until India !!

In Aid of

Hi All,

Please take a look at the latest video update -

Please Donate By Clicking The Link Below

THANK YOU

Or if you have a notebook computer that you would like to donate for me to be able to report back to Jamie's school, please get in touch by clicking here.

All the best until next time,

Rich

What The Papers Say....

Click on the clippings to enlarge -

Interview On BBC Radio Lincs

In Aid of


Hi Everyone,

Here is the interview on the Judy Theobald Morning Show.

The Wheelie Day...

In Aid ofHi All,

Here's the video of the Wheelie Day at Jimmy Fireblades Wheelie School. We had a fantastic day, the weather was fine and warm and I achieved the 25 metre target I was aiming for. So for all of you that sponsored me per metre, times the amount by 25 and thank you for your sponsorship.

For anyone that still would like to sponsor me you can do so by clicking the link below.

Thank you to those that came along to watch me and also to the professional photographer, John from Track Side Photography, who spent most of the day with us taking shots of us all attempting to wheelie and of Jimmy 'showing off' :-)

So, please take a look at the days events and unfortunately the battery on the camera ran out before the end of the day, which was when I managed to cover the 25 metres! Yea, I know, some of you are now going to be saying 'yea, yea' and all that but you'll just have to believe me ;-)

Please Donate Here

Thanks again and until next time,

All the best,

Rich

Wheelie Sponsorship Per Meter....

In Aid of


Hi Everyone,

Just back from my 2nd day of training on how to pull a wheelie, at the Jimmy Fireblade Wheelie School. First off this is taking longer to type than normal as my arms and particularly my left wrist are hurting very muchly :-( This isn't due to the front wheel coming down to hard, although that did happen on occassions but more due to the constant use of the clutch for 6 hours. Pulling it in, flicking it out, pull in, flick it out, in, out, doing that for any considerable amount of time, certainly takes it's toll on the tendons in the wrists and arms. Ouch!

Other than that the day went really well and I can now consistantly lift the front end pretty much at will. The other guys that were there were great and we all got on and encouraged each other. The weather stayed fine all day but it did get hot out on the airfield in our leathers, as we were only moving along at 50mph tops all day.

I have certainly improved from day one and my confidence is a lot higher and I feel more comfortable on the bike with the front wheel in the air. I now need to concentrate on being able to change the gear while the front wheel is up!

It is only 2 weeks until I attempt to travel as far as I can on the back wheel and I would like to do 25 meters or more. I am going back to see Jimmy next week for a little further tuition on my own bike and will be getting in as much practice as I can, between now and the 7th September.

To Sponsor Me Per Meter

Click Here
State the amount you would like to sponsor (per meter) and I will then contact you after the event to let you know how well I did and give you the link to make your payment. Thank You.

That's it for now as I really can't type much more. Look forward to hearing from you and I will post another video shortly.

All the best,

Rich

The Skydive Video

In Aid of

Skydive @ UK Parachuting
7th August 2009
The Video Evidence!

Filmed by: Logic Video and PID Adventure Sports @ UK Parachuting, Old Buckenham Airfield, Norfolk.

Now That Deserves A Donation...Doesn't It?

Thankyou

SkyDive Day Friday 7th August

In Aid of
Hi Everyone,

Well, We Did It!!! :-) Take a look below to find out how the day went and what it feels like to Jump out of a plane!

Photo by Mark Wells of Logic Video

On Friday 7th August, 16 anxious looking, first-time skydivers arrived at Old Buckenham Airfield near Attleborough in Norfolk. The Briefing was scheduled for 9am and with the sky very overcast, there were rumours that the dive may not go ahead. This brought a short lived look of relief to some of the faces. Following the brief, we were then told to be back at the 'take off' point in an hour. This gave us chance to descend on the cafeteria for a calming cup of tea. At 10.30am and with the sky clearing, we were divided into 4 loads. The loads consisted of the divers, their instructors and the cameramen. The first load boarded the aircraft and as the rest of us looked on in anticipation, it took off up into the sky. The climb to 10000ft takes approximately 20 minutes, at which point we heard the first parachutes opening above the clouds. There was a cheer and some light release of anxiousness, as the first divers came gliding through the blanket of cloud, landing safely back on the ground. As they walked from the 'drop zone' towards their family and friends , the smile on their faces said it all. There were words like 'amazing', 'woohoo', and 'I want to do it again'. This certainly eased the nerves of those still waiting to jump.

Then I heard my name called. I got myself into a jump suit and was then strapped very tightly into a harness. 14 people then squeezed themselves into the light aircraft ready for the ascent. My instructor gave me another briefing on the way up and I could now feel my heart pumping. The view between the clearing white clouds over the Norfolk countryside was fantastic and helped take my mind off the inevitable for a short while. The door of the plane was opened and my camerman was now hanging out of it ready to film. My instructor and I now moved toward the door. Oh no, this was it, I was about to jump out of a perfectly working aeroplane. 1 2 3 GO.... 'Waahoo', I had now left a perfectly working plane and was falling though the sky at around 140mph. The sound and the feeling of the wind rushing past was phenomenal. The cameraman was in front of me , so I gave him the thumbs up and a wave. And then, wooosh, he disappeared beneath us and all went still and silent, as the parachute opened above us. It was at this point I remembered I was frightened of heights and there I was hanging around at 5000ft, with everything below looking so small and insignificant. It was so peaceful and calm gliding back towards earth. As we got closer I waved to my family who looked ecstatic to see me land safely in the drop zone, just as I was. Skydiving is the most craziest, extreme experience ever, going from the noise and rush of falling at such speed to the calmness and serenity of floating along with the clouds.

The staff, instructors and cameramen at UK Parachuting were very friendly and helpful, although slightly mad. I suppose in this sport that helps. The whole day was a huge success with photos being regularly broadcast on twitter. Everyone enjoyed it and not forgetting it was all for 4 great causes. I would like to give a massive thank you to all the skydivers -

Jas Sandhu, Jon Wells, Daz Shaw, Ricky Aspinal, Rob Daubney, Annie Gates, Dave Orrey, Jordan Kingsley, Bob Robinson, Rebecca Robertson, Howard Edwards, Maggie MacDonald, Prash Patel, Andy Kitching and Paul Garrigan.

as without them we wouldn't have raised over £3500 for the charities. Also a big thank you to all those that sponsored them and everyone else that has donated so far.

THANK YOU

This was the first of the 3 dangerous events I am attempting to pull off, to raise a total of £10,000. 1 down 2 to go and over a 3rd of the way there to raising the the full amount.

You can make a donation Right Now by clicking on the button below

Thankyou

There was one slight hitch on the day and that was the twitter updates. For some reason the pictures were broadcast but the twitter comments were not. This was a shame as those following on twitter would have had more information as to what was happening had these gone live as well.

There will be a video of the day available to watch later in the week, as long as the editing goes to plan. I would like to also thank Mark Wells of Logic Video for filming the happenings on the ground.

So that's that out the way, Phew! Check back at the end of the week and the video should be live.

All the best,

Rich

JUMP Day Broadcasting on Twitter!

We Will Be Broadcasting The JUMP Day On Twitter

We'll have pictures and comment updates throughout the day.
See the skydivers as they land back on earth and find out how they're feeling!
Are their heads still in the clouds?

Click Here To Check In With What's Happening...

If you haven't got a twitter account you can sign up for FREE by clicking on the logo. Once you're signed up, just click to follow me.

See you there.


Rich

The FINAL Video Before We JUMP!

In Aid of
Hi Again,

Here is the FINAL video before we all take the leap into the unknown on Friday!! Excited - Yes, Scared - Yes, Clean Underpants - so far, Yes!
Find out more about the 4th Charity the WCS and get to know who the final team of skydivers are...

Thankyou

Please tune in again soon as I will be posting the video of the Skydive and you'll see the reactions of the skydivers as they land back on earth.

Warm Regards,

Rich