One of our event team who you may have seen over the last few years, Adam Glover, is setting off on an epic cycle ride starting this Saturday the 2nd April 2011, leaving London and heading all the way to New Zealand!! MAD! Maybe just a bit! But why not! It will be an experience filled with adventure and stories, challenges, wrong turns, and soo much more.

Here’s a bit of the story and we plan on keeping track of where he is over the course of the next 12 – 14 months! For full details check out his website. Or Follow him on Facebook. Good luck Adam!

‘I thought I was the crazy one in the family but Adam you take the mustard!’ said my sister. After 12 years abroad.Living mainly in London. I’ve decided to under take the biggest adventure of my life. Cycling to New Zealand.

The Adventure begins Saturday 2nd April 2011

Countries to visit

France, Belgium, Germany, Austria, Slovakia, Hungary, Serbia, Montenegro, Bulgaria, Turkey,
Iran, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan, China, Laos, Thailand, Malaysia Singapore, Indonesia,
Timor, Australia and New Zealand

I’m not out to beat any speed records cycling the 18000 KM. I actually want to see and do things along the way. I may be raising money for Asthma UK………But firstly it is a challenge I’m doing for my self.

The easiest thing about this trip is reading off the countries I’m cycling through. After that it just gets harder and harder. Preparation has been intense I need to plan for every eventually. I have been suffering from information overload. Which will be the least of my worries once the bike is loaded. Because of some of the places and countries I intend to go I need to be totally self sufficient for the duration of the trip. This means having to carry everything from Tent cooking gear, water, food and spares for the bike. Once on the road I know thing are going to be far from easy. Cycling long days, day in and day out…….In the wind the rain, the cold, the heat, the mountains Camping wild along the way. trying to get visas and then trying to cross the border fixing broken parts on the bike. Been lonely, missing my family and friends, missing a real bed or even a real house and all the comforts that go with it.

This is going to be a hugely mentally and physical challenge.
I’m excited just thinking about it.
The key to my success will be.
Small steps one country at a time or realistically one day at a time.
I wont be cycling to Dover thinking only another 17890km to go.
more likely Cheers that’s another mile in the bank. Good bye spare tyre.
Making sure there are more positives then negatives.
Eating healthy
Pacing myself……………I’m not in a hurry. If after 12 months I am only as far as Singapore……..I have no problem getting on a plane. In fact I may need to use public transport at some other stage just to get my self out of a country before the visa expires to avoid been arrested.
But most importantly your support will get me there..

I have a rough idea for a route. it was hard because I wanted to go everywhere. I have tried to make it as direct as possible. The route I have chosen appeals to me because it takes me through countries not so traveled and that will add to the challenge. I’m realistic that things may have to change due to things out of my control. such as natural disasters, unstable political climate or even loss of bike.

One thing I know is I am going to truly have the adventure of my life and I look forward to sharing it with you! Follow me on Facebook.

To run a marathon every weekend for 30 weeks!!

He hopes to raise cash through sponsorship for The Elizabeth Foundation charity, which supports infants and pre-school aged children with hearing loss and their families

He begins his challenge on Sunday March 6, at the 26-mile Steyning Stinger Marathon, in West Sussex, and each week he will be taking up a further 15-miles of training.

Last year Rik ran five marathons in five weeks. This year he hopes to raise £5,000 for the charity’s 30th birthday, hence the idea for his 30 marathons!

He said: “One of the difficulties is the big commitment of giving up every weekend to focus on the marathons but I think I’ll be able to do this. The main stumbling block will come if I pick up an injury.”

After this challenge Rik, who has revised his diet to eat more carbohydrates, has also set himself a personal target of completing a further 10 marathons to mark his 40th year.

He added: “I’ve been training hard over the winter months and actually completed 19 marathons in 2010 in preparation for this year. I ran some pretty harsh events over the winter in cold and wet conditions. I recently ran the 30-mile Winter Tanners, in Leatherhead, to start warming me up.”

On Sunday, January 23, Rik, who has been sponsored by Addlestone company Krome Technologies, ran in the Gloucester marathon. He all ready has 24 of the 30 events booked and while taking part in his 12th – The Edinburgh Marathon – he has been allocated racing number 12.

His wife, Louise, has remained supportive throughout.

Mr Vercoe added: “I am so lucky Louise is so supportive. For this challenge I have tried to keep the events local so I don’t have to give up my entire weekend. I love running because it’s something anyone can do without needing equipment. You also feel close to nature.”

To find out more and to sponsor Rik log onto www.justgiving.com/30marathons. Any support is hugely appreciated!

But no, this man (his name is Karl) has set about running races backwards!! Yes that’s right. Why you may ask? Have a little read of Karl’s message below and please support his amazing challenge in fundraising for Cancer.

A message from Karl

Please support Cancer Research UK by sponsoring me running the London 2011 marathon backwards…yes you heard right…BACKWARDS!!! (physically as oppose to running from finish to start!). I hope this novel approach will help me in raising a sizeable sum for what is a really worthwhile charity. I’m dedicating my run to my dad who after fighting the disease for a number of years unfortunately passed away late last year. You can follow my progress on www.backwards4cancer.com from where you will find the link to my donations page. All donations, no matter how big or small will be gratefully received. Thanks, Karl.

She was the last remaining female competitor on Unbreakable.. an adventure challenge TV show which involved competing against men and training with some of the toughest military organisations around the world including the SAS and the Navy Seals.

She is now a regular competitor on the racing scene and has taken part in the OMM, several half marathons, adventure races and triathlons. It is her passion to encourage others to step outside their comfort zones and to believe that anything is possible.

Check out her website www.carlaterry.com

If you are undertaking a challenge, whatever it is, we would like to hear from you. Just email us at info@thefixuk.com We look forward to hearing more…

This April, Rik Vercoe from The Listening Company will compete in the North Pole Marathon – the only certified marathon run entirely ‘on’ water – that of the frozen variety in the Arctic Ocean  in temperatures  as low as -40 degrees.

This is all in aid of raising as much money as possible for The Elizabeth Foundation, a charity for deaf children and also for Children with Leukaemia. Please dig deep and visit his Just Giving page to donate. Alternatively, please post any donations to the following address:

The Listening Company

FAO: Rik Vercoe, North Pole

Enterprise House,

Isambard Brunel Road

Portsmouth

PO1 2RX

www.justgiving.com/worldscoolestmarathon