Amazing Cycle Ride

2012-01-11T09:41:00.000+02:00

Ultimate Events, in partnership with Body Culture, are organising a 48 HOUR Spinathon with the main aim of raising funds for Living Waters, as well as raising awareness of the services offered to the the community at large.

The Spinathon will be taking place on the 27th - 29th January 2010, at Hemingways’ Casino/Mall. Brett Armstrong, World Champion Jetskier, of Ultimate Events will be taking on the daunting challenge of spinning for the full 48 hours - an incredibly demanding task, both physically and mentally. He will be joined by, at this stage, two teams - one representing Reeve’s Insurance Brokers, and a Living Waters’ team - for the duration of the 48 hours. The second day of the Spinathon will include the broader community/public. Corporate, school and individual challenges will be taking place during this time - with time on the bicycles being sold at R50 per hour.

This Spinathon is about raising awareness and funds - but its’ also about having fun - participants will be eligible for a variety of draws (done throughout the 2nd 24 hour period, and members of the public may enter a raffle and stand in line to win an awesome prize (R50 per ticket)

Corporate’s,school’s, and individuals may get involved either by sponsoring time on a bike, putting a team together, challenging others to buy the same amount of time or better it, or supplying product/corporate gifts for one of the draws.

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An article published in the Queenstown newspaper "The Representative"

A new driver

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King of the Mountain.....

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A precious moment..........

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The gorgeous driver............

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Zooting along the straights............

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And the winner is...........

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Robert Metcalfe

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Working together.....

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The Visionary for the trip

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The Amazing Cycle Ride from Bloemfontein to East London, is all in aid of supporting the work thatLiving Waters is doing in our community. This team (12 cyclists and 2 support crew) have volunteered, and sacrificeda large amount of resources to raise awareness and funds for Living Waters.

We’re challenging you to become part of this team by showingyour support:
Pledge any amount by sms’ing “LW” followedby the amount to 33102 (South Africa only, sms’s cost R1.50).

C’mon lets support not just the efforts by the cyclists, butthe reason why they are doing this

If you live outside of South Africa, you can still be part of this amazing endevour, pleasecontact Living Waters via email, admin@livingwaters.org.zato find out how you can get involved. (if you would like to assist in some other manner, please also use the above email address)

For more info and more contact details please visit www.livingwaters.org.za

Day 4 ~ Destination bottom of Penhoek Pass

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Day 4: destination - bottom of Penhoek Pass

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Way to go TEAM!

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Day 4 - more photo's, and the humour!

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Day 4 Cycle Bloem to East London

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Day 4 – Aliwal North to the bottom of Penhoek Pass. Oh myword! The undulations of the Eastern Cape and its beauty were certainly seenand felt by the team today. BUT, let me say, right off the bat, they ROCKED! J The challengingintensity of the mountains would set apart the men from the boys, and weascertained and confirmed that each member of THIS cycle team is made from thehighest calibre! J Bevangot close to the bus today, but didn’t manage to pass me… maybe next time,boet. J

The day started off with an early wake up call, once again,after an incredible evening. We had been hosted by the amazing De Wet families,who welcomed us SO warmly into their homes. Brothers Pieter and Wouter, andtheir wives welcomed us with open arms, allowing us to stay in their beautifulhomes. They also showed us a hidden ‘treasure’ on their farm, a private hotsprings, which was thoroughly enjoyed by the cyclists for hours, allowing theirbodies to recuperate after THOSE three hills……. We enjoyed a delicious braaiaround the ‘spa’ with Wouter and Pierre, whilst enjoying an interesting 4 X 4ride back to the farm house, with jokes and tales of long past being regaled.Poor Brett had to keep jumping off the bakkie and closing the gates – norespect for elders anymore! J

Day 4 started off at Aliwal North with an immediate littleuphill….. way to go! And it didn’t get any better, let me tell you, until thelast 7 km’s…… It felt like the whole 110 km’s was just about uphill. J And I was driving abus!!!! With regular ‘pit stops’ along the way, we slowly wound our way alongthe scenic route. It certainly was majestic, with green Weeping Willows dippingtheir heavy boughs toward the overflowing banks of the dams we passed along theway. I have a dear friend who has a soft spot for Weeping Willows, so havecaptured a few for her on camera. I will post the best one to share with you.

In a day that did NOT reach the mid 30’s degrees Celsius, asin the past, we were extremely grateful, as it was tough going to reach thepinnacle of those mountains. A lot of liquid refreshment was enjoyed H20, andregular breaks and stops were had, to ensure that we remained together as agroup.

Gordon Graham finally got to join this motley crew, and itwas GREAT to finally have our FULL HOUSE all together. Here we were…. Aftermonths of talking about it, months of planning…. The team, doing it, together.It felt good! It felt right! This was all Sally’s idea, but then these otheramazing and generous people seemed to think that this was a GREAT idea, andjoined her, to make a difference, to share the story – to let others know thepositive work that Living Waters is doing amongst vulnerable people within theBuffalo City region particularly, but having served people who have come fromall over South Africa, especially abused women and children. The message: tospeak on behalf of those who cannot speak for themselves, to give them HOPE, tolet them know that there IS light at the end of the tunnel.

If you would like to be a part of this exciting initiative,you CAN be! You can donate towards Living Waters, in honour of the AmazingCycle Ride. South African visitors can sms 33102 and “LW”, followed by yourpledge (sms’s charged at R1.50). YOU canchallenge others to do the same. Others can contact us to make a directdeposit, if you would like to. Follow us on our Facebook page: “Riding Bumsfrom Bloem to Slums”. You can visit our webpage on www.livingwaters.org.za or www.ordinarypeople.org.za . Emailus on admin@livingwaters.org.za

Ordinary people – together making an extra-ordinary difference,together changing OUR world!

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A random selection of photos taken over the last few days...

2011-11-09T16:07:00.002+02:00

Day 3 - The hills have begun! So, yes, there were 3 VERY serious hills today, and Bevan proved he was King of the mountains, as he, without breaking a sweat, passed the bus..... UP THE HILL! Seriaas! He will have to redo the exploit, as I was SO aghast, that I did NOT capture the moment on camera. So, Bev, ol boy, you will have to do it again.... lol!
The team was in GREAT spirits, as we set off, after a wonderful evening, spent at the Sarie Marais Hotel. If you EVER need to spend the night in Bloemfontien, do consider stopping over in Reddersburg rather, and considering Phillip's great hospitality, as they went out of their way to look after our motley crew. :-) The rooms were spacious and the beds were comfortable........ I never did tell you about our first night's experience in Bloemfontein.... I have a photo to prove it..... but I need to be a few more hundred kilo's away before I do...... just for safety. :-) But, that story on another day. Back to today. After a great night's rest, we awoke at 5am, to set off at 5:30am. Phillip woke up especially to see us off, with a packed breakfast and a fond farewell.
It was already the mid twenty's celcius at 8am. So, we hit Aliwal North mid-morning, and enjoyed a cup of Wimpy coffee........... Eish! Dit was lekker! :-) And then we still cycled another 36 km's to our final destination.... between which were those three hills.... which were renamed........ They do have geographic South African names.... but, in honour of the severity of the heat, and the incline, they have been renamed for this cycle trip, and forever after....... And perhaps, that will be for another story too.
We have a wonderful team spirit, and I am overwhelmed that we have SUCH a star-studded cast, and yet, they are AMAZING men and women who have so freely given of their time and effort, and actually PAID their money, to be on this 'road' trip with us. This was Sally Reeves' grand idea, and when she pitched it to me, I couldn't believe anyone would be SO crazy to actually go along with it.... but here we are..... at the end of Day 3...... and we have a double Springbok, South African representatives.....people that fly all over the world, are celebrities, are on television, are AWESOME men and women, sharing this experience with us.... and then we have businessmen/women/ professionals, who have taken their holiday time/leave to do this. It has cost them time/effort, and money, and yet they do it, putting their bodies on the line. I am humbled..... because they realise the cause is greater than themselves.
Thank you for sharing this moment with us. It is indeed a privilege and pleasure.
I am truly humbled because little 'ol me, is a part of this AMAZING cycle ride...... and I am overwhelmed.

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Day 1 of riding is complete, and what a day it was. We had 5 punctures..... and a broken bike, and some interesting stories along the way.....
But at the end of the day, we can look back, and be so pleased with the results.
After an EARLY wake up call, before 5am in Bloemfontein, we started off, just on the outskirst of Bloem. Punctures, and some problems with a bike saw some delays along the way, BUT it was a STUNNING morning of cycling, and with the wind pushing us from behind, it was an AWESOME day's ride.
With Melonie in the front car, and Marcelle bringing up the rear, the cyclists did a SUPERB job! They look relaxed and GREAT for their first day!
After arriving in Reddersburg, and putting their 'stuff' in the Sarie Marais Hotel, they got back on their bicycles, and ventured a further 30 kms, in a now 38 degree heat. That certainly took it's toll on all all bodies. We FELT the heat! It was the middle of the day, and it was COOKING!
After arriving back at the hotel, some opted for a cool-off in a local swimming pool, a BIG thanks to the management! And the others enjoyed a tasty lunch before having a well-deserved rest.
Some even had enough energy that they enjoyed a little walk later.
News is coming in of donations that are being deposited, towards the non profit organisation, Living Waters. Please note, you can continue doing so! It will give GREAT impetus to the riders, to know that YOU are supporting them in this way.
Also, a note to our sponsors and supporters, the vehicles that we are driving are AMAZING, I REALLY like the one I am driving! And the water has been a TREMENDOUS blessing, along with the Rehydrat from Johnson & Johnson, and the supplements from Nutrilite. Thank you! After a day like today, TRUST ME, we desperately needed them!
Bodies doing well, after day 1. We're still having 'fun'.
Looking forward to seeing, or hearing from YOU soon! Do stay in touch! And, we are trying to load pics of today's ride, but the line is REALLY bad here in Reddersburg. We will do so ASAP.
Thanks, once again for your support!
Till tomorrow!
Over and out!

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Some of the courageous team taking part in this weeks amazing cycle ride.

Less than 7 days to go.....

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In less than 7 days,11 intrepid cyclists and 2 support people will set off on a 594 km journey……..Leaving from Bloemfontein on Tuesday morning, and slowly making their way downtowards East London, arriving in time for the Border 1000 on Sunday, it will bea journey that will ultimately change them as people. They will never be thesame again, between the sore bodies, and the emotional challenge of being inthe ‘saddle’ for so many hours…. And the knowledge that after one hard day onthe road, you still have so many more days to go. The adventure is about tobegin…… the final touches are coming together. The team is getting all gearedup. We had the final team meeting last night, and everything seems to be ontrack. We have had GREAT support from Body Culture, who held a spinning classthis last Sunday, and not only was the class overflowing, but they raised atidy sum for Living Waters. THANKS GUYS! :) The sponsored clothing has arrived, (look out for the photo’s soon on ourFacebook page!). Thanks to Time Clothing and Compendium for the clothing, andTerry Embroidery for the WONDERFUL job that you have done in branding ourshirts! We have already received generous donations from a number of people/business.Paramount Mills, Mugg & Bean, Motobake, Avis, Reeves Insurance, SLContractors, Komga Distributors, Stephenson Insurance Brokers, Gerrie Hattinghand Rick Minty. A BIG ‘shout out’ to each and every person that has given adonation, large or small. A reminder: funds raised are for the work that LivingWaters is doing within the community. We would value and appreciate yourpartnership, a financial contribution large or small would be great: Depositscan be made into the following a/c:

Squire Smith & Laurie Inc.

FNB

TrustAccount

AccountNumber:5264 5703987

BranchCode: 210519

REF:Mat Living Waters

NB: please always quote the abovereference when making deposits and please forward proof of deposit to fax toemail, 086 628 9031 or alternatively email it to vbrittain@squires.co.za

Or, you can contact the Living Waters office: 0437212915. Visit our website www.livingwaters.org.za or contact us on ourFacebook group: “Riding Bums from Bloem toSlums”.

The start of an epic journey...

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On Tuesday the 8th November 2011, eleven courageous cyclists will leave Bloemfontein, undertaking an epic journey of 584 Km, back to East London, with the last leg of the ride ending off with the Border 1000, a well-supported local cycle race.

The intention of this cycle ride is to raise funds for Living Waters & create an awareness of the incredible work Living Waters is doing in the Eastern Cape region, serving the local communities and vulnerable people from around the nation.

Living Waters is offering business a unique opportunity to get their branding spread throughout the Free State and the Eastern Cape, should you be interested in taking advantage of this amazing marketing opportunity, please contact Andy on 082 570 3488 or email Vicky on vbrittain@squires.co.za.

For more information on Living Waters and the work that is being done, please visit www.livingwaters.org.za or phone on 043 721 2915