Dick, you've just confirmed everything I ever thought about journalists *wink*.

In the past I've just strolled round WHSmiths, looking up the editors' names, contact details etc and then I've either e-mailed or snailmailed some bumph and followed it up a couple of days later with a phone call.

Seemed to work then, and got us a decent 4 page spread in one of the specialist mags.

I've now started to update the blog with what we're doing. It's by no means a war and piece epic but I'm assured that blogs aren't supposed to be.

If anyone has any tips on writing the blog it would be useful.

Thanks

I'm a snapper actually, I can't do wurds.

Best not to print what photographers really think about scribes though, especially those that turn up with you on a job and ask to borrow a pen !!

Dick

Wonkydonkey,
You have got my vote.:thumbup1:
I don't think many people do something they don't like to raise money for charity, I ran three marathons and raised money but I ran them because I wanted to, raising money for charity was an afterthought.
I am from Lancashire ( Bolton ) survived a cancer operation in 1992 and ride a V-Strom 650 which I will ride from Saudi to Bolton.
Good Luck.
Ian:mchappy:

Thanks for the encouragement Ian. It's something that we want to do and as we enjoy riding the bikes as well we couldn't think of a better way to do the 2 things together.

Have sent you an email but if you don't get it then drop me a PM on here.

May see you at the Barn sometime :-)

Support Vehicle
 

We've had a friend say that he might be able to run a support vehicle for us but he's not sure what's involved.

We've said that we'd probably just want him to meet up with us at a half way point on a day and then meet us at the final day destination with the tents up and a brew on ready unless we need him for any emergencies.

Does this sound about right ?

Having never done this before we're not sure what's involved.

Thanks

Why not ask if any biker-friendly pubs and cafes will help you? Maybe they could put a collection tin on the bar, 2-3 weeks before you get there. You could maybe sell raffle tickets to customers when you arrive, depending on whether a sponsor can provide a prize worth buying a ticket for.

Every venue that agrees to help gets their name and location in print and the ones who raise the most for your cause get their picture with yourselves, in any publicity too.

When you planning to do this anyway? I'll have a ride out with you if I'm not on my own travels.

I liked the format of the Italian Job charity run. I'm not sure what the current method of raising money is but basically, the original idea was that a load of Mini owners would drive to Trento in Northern Italy, fill up their Mini's with local plonk which would then be auctioned off for charity when they got back to the UK. Of course, the charity aspect is just an excuse to have a blast down to Italy but the publicity was quite clearly on fund raising, unlike the Cannonball or Gumball which is just an excuse for a load of irritating wankers in Porsche's to get their faces on TV.

Hi Craig

We're looking at late July, early August. We're hopefully going to be stopping at some biker friendly places (Ace Cafe, Shires, Rivington Barn etc etc) to collect but also we'll be contacting them in the run up and asking them to advertise the fact that we'll be calling. When we get to places we'll be taking pics etc and (again, hopefully) raffling off some kit.

Not sure of your location but please feel free to join us.

Once we've got the full itinery we'll publish it on our site and anyone wishing to ride with us will be welcome. :thumbup1:

I'm in Sunderland, about half way between Newcastle and Durham.

I'll be at the Cock o' the North races at Oliver's Mount, Scarborough in Mid-July and again for the hillclimb championship late July. Usually a decent size crowd there and you may get permission to set up a table among the trade stalls. Not 100% sure of the details yet but we'll probably be camping there.

A typical sunday ride out for biker's up here would include Whitby on the northeast coast and Stahope, Alston and Hartside Pass, heading west towards the lake district. I'll keep an eye on your website. Good luck.

Hi Everyone

The dates are now set for 3rd August start until we're done.

Just to say that the sponsors that have helped us have been really astonishing. As usual the smaller companies have been the ones to lead.

We approached a couple of multi-national companies who fired us off. The companies that have sponsored us have been REALLY good - we now have pannier sets, camping stuff, fuel, tyres, clothing and boots.

I know it sounds a little mercenary but now we have the basics in place we can concentrate on the trip as a whole.

The route is planned and we can now work on where we can stay, eat etc etc. Thanks to everyone on the site because your encouragement has been overwhelming. I can only hope we can get a BLOODY BIG ride-out on the day.

Am going to approach the local media (Radio, tv, papers etc) so if you're on the ride-out make sure you wear your sunday best and that your bike is taxed http://www.visordown.com/forum/smilies/smile_smiley.gif

More updates will be going on our website now that we have the basics in place.

Thanks once again.

WonkyDonkey