Endurance challenge 2013

[kirstyskids]

Hi everyone I would like to introduce myself and ask that you have a wee look at www.kirstyskids.org this has photos of the bike and information about me including my 2013 challenge.

I will be leaving on 4th July 2013 and begining the mamoth trip via Norway, Sweden, Finland, Russia, Moscow, Estonia, lathuania, Latvia,Poland, Germany,France,back to Uk and heading home to the West Highlands.

There is a lot of planning to be done.

We have a lot of things we will be needing that is (Eeyore) and myself Any advice guidance or sourcing of parts will be most welcome.
At the moment I would like to find a sponsor to help out with a power plant with transmission for the 2006 CG 125 the front forks are still bent which doesn't help the ride I will be going even if I dont find a new motor for the bike.
As per the 2011 challenge I will be sleeping at the road side unless someone wishes to help out. I went through 3 sets of chains and sprockets last time. during the 8053miles.
The bike is an ex riding school bike and un touched since the 2011 challenge so looking for as much help as possible. Thanks for your time. it would be fantastic if you could pass the details onto fellow bikers and visit our fb page. even if its just to tick the like box this will help promote kirstyskids and help us to keep helping the kids. many thanks. John

[Rogerborg]

Normally I'd fire in with the usual BCF response, but this is actually quite a touching story, and bike related. I'd give it a read before you break out the torches and pitchforks.
____________________
Biking is 1/20th as dangerous as horse riding.
GONE: HN125-8, LF-250B, GPz 305, GPZ 500S, Burgman 400 // RIDING: F650GS (800 twin), Royal Enfield Bullet Electra 500 AVL, Ninja 250R because racebike

[kirstyskids]

Hi Roger thank you very much for your reply it would be wonderful to have some company on the way to Hull. Anyone wishing to look out for me or to ride some of the way towards Hull would be very welcome.

The bike will look the same as per the photos of 2011. I don't intend to use the motorways! so will look to head down via Stirling and Edinburgh towards Hull on the 4th July 2013.

I wonder how many miles the old bike will be capable of doing? It seems as long as the oil gets changed really often it just keeps trundling along.

Cheers John
Trust chairman

[G]

[kirstyskids]

This trip is an endurance challenge, no cash raised will ever be taken for expenses. accomodation will be found at the roadside and there is no back up team or breakdown crew. The challenge is to complete in 4 weeks.

We hope that a big fat bloke on a wee tiny bike going across Europe will help to provide more needed equipment for the kids and that in 2013 we will be able to improve on the succes of last year.
In period 2011/2012 we were able to raise nearly £30,000s for UK kids who are suffering from short life expectancy, or have life limiting illnesses. The good thing is that all the cash raised went to the kids with nothing ever being used for admin, travel expenses, or overheads.


Thanks

[G]

How many miles have you got planned?
It doesn't sound very challenging to me to do it in 4 weeks.

But yes, also good the money is going straight to charity - so many try and get the people donating to pay for their holiday, which I particularly disagree with.

[kirstyskids]

Hi
Thank you for replying it is wonderful to find people interested in the trip. The last trip took 4 weeks exactly with 5 dry days to be had. I suspect the chain sprocket issue was due to the challenge. as it has to include every tiny coastal road in UK including Northern Ireland. As a big bloke with all the kit often riding through farm tracks to keep on the shore mean't snatching the bike constantly in first to second gear and riding on stone and dirt tracks.

I estimate that as I get across the Northern extremity of Norway the most Northerly tip of Europe (mandatory requirement of the challenge)and across the Northern terriroties into Russia dropping down to Moscow then back up to Estonia it will end up being in excess of the 8 thousand miles again.

The old bike is not quick and carries a lot of fat bloke weight. I needed to ride through the night sometimes to make the 2011 challenge on time I finished on the last day with hours to spare.

Regards John

[G]

300 miles a day, even on a 125 doesn't seem too bad - and yes, including some off-roading etc.

I still don't think your chains should have deteriorated that quickly properly maintained, even with off-road elements and accepting sand can be pretty nasty to chains.

Have you done any off-roading apart from what was required for the trip?
That I've ridden in enduros and the like means I'm reasonably confident on most bikes off-road (ie, took my zx9 down a green lane for the sake of it!)

[kirstyskids]

300 miles a day on the wee 125 was tough its an old bike in terms of having had a hard life it is an ex riding school bike.

Cornwall, cliffs, incredibily steep hills and mind numbing pain in the seat. Worn selectors in the transmission hitting neutral constantly on incredibily steep assents was very hard on the transmission and made it very interesting.

I ride trials with my son in the Scottish Highlands sometimes so had experience on a trials bike it didn't make riding the CG like a trials much easier not when I had to carry all my provisions from food, spares spare fuel etc and a huge cuddly toy which was all part of the challenge.

300 miles per day on a 125 using hill tracks coastal roads was very challenging. sometimes the wind was so strong and rain battering as I drove into the wind it was at times Just a case of hanging on and trundling in 1st or second gear. I spent a long time in the remote Highland coast areas going for miles to the end of a track just to turn round and come back on myself so that I had achieved the goals of the challenge.

On paper and in theory it is a piece of cake but in reality it is quite character building. The wind and rain becomes a real issue trying to get some sleep at the roadside wet, not getting the chance to dry off sometimes for days with wet feet and soggy gloves you need a sense of humour.

In 2006 I was with 6 fantastic guys we travelled across 12 countries in 14 days to raise awareness of child cruelty in some East European orphanages and to fund a campaign to stop it happening. It was easy to crunch the miles at that time as I had the use of an old ZZR1100.

The Endurance challenge is just that. When considering the distance in 2011 I didn't take into consideration having to stop because of mechanical, failure chain and sproket oil changes or wearing out the front tyre. (front wheel was slightly buckled it wore out fast.) To source a replacement wheel and take the time to travel to a dealer would have scuppered the 4 week challenge finishing on the last day with hours to spare was really tight. I have now replaced the front wheel.

My memories of the lone endurane challenge are lack of sleep being wet and cold for 25 days being saddle sore. Developing very painful knees and wrists due to the time spent constantly sitting on the bike.
It has to be challenging in order to raise the cash for the kids. The trust operates by Kirstys personal values.

Kirsty was very determined during her short life. When she travelled across the UK to nurse the children she always used her own hard earned cash for her own fuel and expenses.

When she travelled to Mozambique she slept with and ate with the 130 orphans that she was nursing. To get there she worked double shifts washing dishes anything she could to buy her flights. She never used any cash she raised from her fund raising for expenses.

When she died she had 1 small box of personal effects trousers trainers T shirts she didn't have any modern trapping.
She left behind 5 boxes of thank you letters from the doctors nurses, parents and the children she cared for. The trust aims to continue to inspire children to achieve things without needing to be wealthy to be able to get out and raise cash for good causes. Kirsty hated seeing folk raising cash to go on fundraising trips abroad where the cash raised would pay for flights or accomodation. We continue to raise the cash using kirstys method.

I don't forsee the Moscow Challenge being any less challenging than the UK 2011 challenge. If the bike breaks down just like last time I will push it till I get it fixed.

The space on the bike is very limiting in respect of the amount of kit which can be carried. Many miles will be on very remote locations.

Cheers John

[G]

I would take a tent personally. May not be much space on a CG, but I sleep ok in a tent, I don't without - probably sleep better in a tent than in a random hotel and certainly better in a tent 'wild camping' than at a camp site with kids running around etc. (Looking at the pic above, seems to be a pop up tent in there actually, if so - exactly the tactic I'd take).
Also, get (make or buy) some bar muffs - you immediately solve most of your 'wet gloves' problem.
A sheepskin pad may well help the seat; not much to buy. Hell, if I can dig it out, might even have an old one you can have .

I've done a bit of trials, but I'd suggest it's more enduro/greenlaning you want to get the practice in.
Riding a circa 150kg KTM690 with a road rear tyre and no front brake in extremely muddy conditions with other riders that have enduro bikes with enduro tyres on greenlanes is good for coping with slippery conditions! Similarly; my first proper off-roading experience was riding my DR600 supermoto which didn't even have road legal tread on a slightly sandy wet farm motocross track.

Having to stop for oil changes?
Shouldn't you have already planned that? If you have to actually stop because of an urgent need to change the oil, something is wrong. Similarly; you should be keeping an eye on the chain when you lube it, so will have an idea how long it's got left.
Every few days on a bike like a CG on this sort of trip I'd be giving it a quick check over - as we'd be talking the equivalent of a month or two's commuting.

It sounds mostly like your trip was a 'challenge' thanks to lack of preparation and preventative maintenance to me - rather than it's self being challenging.

Also, judging by the pics, you could consider losing some weight - a lot more important on something like a CG when compared to a ZZR1100!

And yes, I did read your website - it's a touching story you've got.
So far you're certainly up there with the-least bad of people asking others to donate money for doing something I'd consider a fun holiday.

[kirstyskids]

Hi thanks for your advice regarding the trip.

I absolutely get were you are coming from with respect when it comes to fundraising and looking for donations to go on holiday.

We considered many ways of helping to raise the cash that we so desperatley need to keep the childrens hospice going.

The bike challenge in 2011 was such a sucess that we decided it was the right thing to do in keeping the bike challenge going.

The bike was Kirstys she was given it as a way to help her unwind after dealing with the children she loved to help. The first thing she did when she got the bike was to dream up her challenge to ride it round the UK to raise cash. It is owned by the Trust and will continue to be used and has inspired so many kids during our fun days at children's special needs schools, the hospice and family gala days.

The bike is sometimes used to help young adults with life limiting illnesses realise their dreams by being able to learn to ride it.

During 2011 while travelling around the UK we were able to talk to so many people about the charity and in this way inspire children and adults to get involved in fun fundraising and helping them to learn how to become volunteers.

Kids who had been previously been getting involved in drugs criminality and street gangs have been able to get involved helping as volunteers to make improvements and helping raise cash rather than commit crime.

I really appreciate the thing about funding a holiday and get why people think that.

For me a holiday was what we did this week working at the Childrens hospice and having great fun with the staff and volunteers.

The bike riding camping thing is a challenge for me theres no doubt about that and I have some personal challenges not least my weight but I get how some folk like yourself would see it as a holiday.
A bit like a mountineer climbing would love to climb a cliff for charity.

For the trust and myself this is really about telling Kirsty's story and inspiring other kids and young adults to help those less able and inspire them to become volunteers rather than getting invloved in crime, drink or drugs.

One of the most memorable things from the 2011 challenge was an alcoholic who sat beside me while I was resting in a coastal town.

He talked to me about the trust about Kirsty and asked about her life. He turned his pockets out as a jesture to prove he had nothing else on him and them handed me £15.00s he said this is my drink money and I didn't think I could live without it. But after seeing you on the bike it made me curious to come and talk to you. That has given me the strength to put this £15.00s in your collecting tin rather than in the off licence.

So for me the bike is a way of communicating to people about Kirsty and the children she nursed during her short life. It helps us raise awareness of the childrens hospice and help kids have some fun in their lives.

I value your help and thank you for your time I have a big piece of sheep skin which I got from a farm near Devon. It was a bit late by the time i picked it up but does help and will definately be top priority when I leave on 4 July Cheers John https://uk.virginmoneygiving.com/Eeyore

[kirstyskids]

Hi

We wanted to give an update on what has been happening.

We have a website volunteer who has done a fantastic job on the site getting it updated.

After attending the Ingleston bike show as guests we have made lots of new friends and secured other bike clubs who are helping us.

Scotoiler will be assisting following advice, we have Stoddarts motorcycles who have MOTd the bike and changed brake pads.

Honda Motorcycles will be giving the bike a final service before we set off.

We have 2 bike clubs organised to have fun fundraising BBQs. and will be going to as many events as possible to continue fundraising to get the cash to make a summer camp possible for the kids.

We have a link to Just giving on the website which is updated and loads of pictures on the facebook page link from the website.

I have been loosing weight and shed over 1st,9lbs since last looking in. Hope this attachement works I have been trying to upload a picture from yesterday when we attended Dumbarton Police HQ family open day and let the youngsters meet Eeyore who will be travelling on the bike all the way. Cheers John www.kirstyskids.org

[Musketeer]

I wouldn't mind such holiday for myself, but it cost more that I can probably afford and I never get 4 week holidays. I won't be donating any money but good luck with your trip.

I don't support charities in general because the bosses of all charities seem to be fat rich bastards all thanks to the money of people who pay to them

It's just my view on the matter, you may disagree and quite frankly I don't care if you do.
____________________
Current Bike: Yamaha XSR900 Previous bikes: Honda CBR1000RR Fireblade, Kawasaki ZX-6R Ninja, Aprilia RS125 2-stroke

[kirstyskids]

Thanks to everyone who has provided us with so much help. It is great to get such positive feed back especially from wee Kirstys mum during out recent visit to Scotlands childrens hospice. Remembering kirstyskids.org has absolutely no overheads at all. 100% of everyrthing we raise goes to the kids.
Attached photo is from our facebook page taken by wee kirstys mum at the Hospice.


Her mums comments are on the fb page

Cheers John

[mumbles]

room for one more?
____________________
Warming the world 2 strokes at a time.

2008 rs50 (SOLD) - 2006 gz125 - (Winter Bike) - 1981 CB250N (In Restoration)

[Cheerfulgrin]

good luck with the challenge and with the fund raising, I've shared this and will continue to do so if you keep us updated during the trip.

____________________
--Current Bike: '98 Hornet CB600F
--Previous Bikes 2012 Hyo GT250R - 2010 YBR125 - Back in '91:Suzuki 50cc moped & Honda CB125T Superdream
--CBT -Feb '11, Theory -Nov '11, Mod 1 -Jan '12, Mod 2 Feb '12

[tatters]

I did the same route on my own back in 2008 on a Honda XR650R though went to st.Petersburg instead of Moscow, Just over 6,000 miles in all over 4-5 weeks.

Its a easy route to do really even on 125's, the only offroading l came across was the gravel roads in Finland and then l was trying to get of beaten track, all other roads including in western Russia with be 99% tarmac unless they are being resurfaced in russia were they rip up the road while traffic is still using it. I would recommend making sure you carry enough fuel in Finland for at lest a 250 mile range as the fuel stations in more remote areas are far between.

Also make sure you purchase motor insurance from the AXA hut at the Finish/Russian border as the Russian Miltya will check for it at checkpoints and fine you if you don't have it. The Miltya will also offend stop and hassle you trying to extort cash bribes for made up offences do not give in even if they threaten you its all a bluff so stand your ground if forced to payout when you have comited a offence make sure you haggle, Be aware that they normally wait at either end of villages/towns hidden behind the first or last building.

What ever you do stay off the motorways in Russia that includes the "M10" which runs from Finland straight to Moscow as Russian driving standards there are some of the worst in the world with the motorways being death traps for motorbikes that cant keep up with the fast traffic which offend overtakes into oncoming traffic and sometimes even up on to the grass verge at 80mph+!!, stick to minor roads.
____________________
Past:NRG50,AF1125(x2),NSR125RR,ZZR250,CX500,VFR400,KR1S,ZZR600(x2),CB400N,YZF1000(x2),KH125,Z200,FX400R,CBR954RR(x2)GPZ500S,GT550,VFR750F(x2),RD350N,XR650R,CBR600F,CB250,KDX250,YZF750R,CRM250,400EXC,KLR650,TTR600RE,DR350S,R100GSPD,RGV250,VMAX1200,DL650,KZ750 Present:G650XC,C12,CRF450X,1190ADV

[kirstyskids]

[G]

[kirstyskids]

Hi thanks for your reply

The challenge is always to raise the cash. Helping the kids is the toughest challenge we always face. Eeyores endurance challenge ans similar events get the message out and help to inspire others.

So to prove a point that this is what it is all about I have decided that if we dont get at least £5,000 pounds before 15th may I will get the bike to the top of Ben Nevis by carrying it.

Support is always going to be welcome it will involve carrying the bike to the top and carrying it back down again. in 2011 I carried Eeyore and a banner to the summit which raised £500s.

We can provide details. and a sponsor form. Please email any interest to john@kirstyskids.org we will have spare room in our home for anyone wishing to travel to take part. contact details are on www.kirstyskids.org

I hope to get some of our youth agencies involved too.

Cheers John

[G]

To clarify; I was looking for you to explain exactly how you plan to carry cg125 to the top of Ben Nevis and back?

I can 'squat' a CG's weight and walk around with that weight a little, but even across a room is likely to be very problematic.
Ok, I'm not exactly a power lifter and there's plenty that would find that no problem - but the basics still sound pretty unfeasable.

Appreciated you're looking to raise money, not do the 'forfeit', but I'm interested in hearing how you were planning to do it as without disassembly and seperate trips, it seems rather a big job.

Hell, might even dig in to my pockets (well, technically borrow some more money off the bank, as money in my pockets should be paying off debts) and donate if you do actually a carry a CG up Ben Nevis .

[kirstyskids]

Hi I don't intend stripping it down. But will have removed the fuel and battery so it will not be able to be started.

Inspiring youngsters to get involved in fun fundraising is the key

I know that when I travelled the UK it was only by others getting invloved in helping that made it possible to raise the cash.

Where there is a will there is a way.

[G]

Would you be carrying (nothing on the ground) or pushing it on it's wheels?

Would you have any outside help?

[kirstyskids]

Hi when climbing the mountain it wouldn't be possible to push it all the way.

Cheers

[kirstyskids]

Hi Folks we have had the plesure of updating www.kirstyskids.org facebook page with details of the Bike trip to the top of Ben Nevis brilliant day out even got a wee mention on the MCN and wonderful to get so many folk involved especially the youngsters. We raised just over the thousand pounds and took 7 hours to carry the bike to the top. I have also taken on board the weight loss plan facebook page has the updates.

Cheers any support greatfully received. Bikes being loaded according to google maps 10,000 miles for the route to be completed in 4 weeks fun fundraising no donations are ever spent on the events every penny goes to the kids.