Friday, July 18, 2008

Table Quiz on Wednesday 16th June, Dublin

Quiz Night a Great Success! Thanks to All.

On Wednesday the 16th July 2008, I hosted a fund-raising Table Quiz for the 2 Andes Trail charities. Although lots of friends and family were away on holidays, there was a fantastic turnout with 17 tables entering the Quiz. The MC for the night Mick Synnott kept us all entertained and did an xcellent job on running the quiz on the night. On the night, with the entry fees and raffle, we collected the princely sum of E1,310. That's US$2,078 which will go along way when added to the funds raised by the organisers (Bike Dreams) and the other participants. I would like to thank each and every person who attended. I sincerely appreciate your support. The group will be visiting an SOS village in Chile during the trip to see how the funds raised are used on the ground to help orphaned and dis-advantaged children.




I would like to particularly thank Mick Synnott, Ed Hurrell, my sister Rach and James Creasey. Without their help, the event would not have happened. Finally, thanks to management and staff of the Russellcourt Hotel who provided the room free of charge which will ensure that all funds raised will go directly to the charities.

Thursday, July 17, 2008

The Andes Trail Overview


“The Andes Trail” starts on August 9th 2008 at the Mitad del Mundo monument on the equator just North of Quito, Ecuador. This cycling expedition is organized by Bike-Dreams and covers a distance of 11,000 kilometers in more than 4 months.
We hope to arrive safe and sound after 128 days of cycling thru five countries in Ushuaia, the most southern point of South-America at the plaque which marks the 'Fin del Mundo'.

The distance of the daily stages vary between 60 and 160 kilometer. As the race is off-road, we expect conditions to be rough. We will climb high through the mountains getting up to 5,000 Meters and spending 3 straight weeks above 3,500 Meters. Temperatures may vary from +40C to -20C.
The riders will be accompanied by 2 support vehicles and we will camp most nights with the a couple of nights a week in small local hotels/guesthouses. It will be quite and adventure!