Which charity am I cycling for?

I’ve heard it a lot. In fact it’s one of the questions I’m asked the most, perhaps only after ‘why,’ and ‘Y’know there’s sea between there? How are you getting across that?’ With so many fundraising expeditions and trips nowadays, ‘which charity are you raising money for’ is a pretty valid question.

But the answer, which may shock some is simply… that I’m not.

Woah, before you click that ‘x’ and close the page, allow me to explain why.

The main reason is that I don’t want to present myself as a saint, selflessly ‘enduring’ the highs and lows, the trials and the hardships of the experience entirely for the benefit of charity. That is not why I’m cycling and I don’t want to pretend it is. The bike tour is something I feel I need to do for my own personal reasons. I need to answer the call of distant lands, and satisfy the chronic travel bug I feel afflicted with. I need to challenge myself physically and mentally in ways like never before. I need to pursue adventure and wild experiences… and life.

I also don’t understand why the fact some chap is cycling a long way and chasing his own dream should induce someone to donate to charity. If you feel you should donate to charity, you should!

But..

Charity is a great thing, and the work of charities across the world is awesome to see. I’m sure while I travel I will encounter much that is very alien to me: from war-torn areas to extreme and unthinkable poverty to deforestation, and much more. As these confront me, and I see the work of charities in these areas, I’d like to comment on this through my blog, and if you feel inspired to support them, such posts will hopefully offer some direction, and I’d be delighted if you did!

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