1st day of the New Year, time to pull out the sponsor's clothing.

For the 1st day of 2011, Ash and I went for a ride along the coast checking out all the scenery.  Most of it was laying on towels on the beach.  I thought I'd bring out one of my major sponsor's clothing for the day and at least look the part. Dave and his team of professionals from Spearman Cycles, Figtree are the Illawarra cycle company that support Cairo to Capetown 2011. I've known Dave and his staff for many years, and I urge all Illawarra cyclists to visit Dave and his team next time you're looking for a top bike, parts or service. You will not go away disappointed.

Happy birthday Scott Chipperfield.

After a nice ride with Josh and Ash, it was time to head off to the Towradgi Bowling Club for a birthday lunch with Scott and his family. What a beautiful day sitting in the sun looking out over the ocean.   Luckily I'm in this part of the world doing my training, I hear some of the riders from the northern hemisphere have to dig away the snow to get out their front doors.

Scott returns back to FC Basel 2nd January 2011 to commence training to win another title.

I'm the old bloke on the left. 

This is my home.

Today we rode up the Illawarra coast to Bald Hill.  The trip follows the spectacular coast for some 30kms then back into Wollongong for a coffee. Wollongong is about 40kms from this point.  A magic day of cycling with my mate.  Notice his cycling shoes.  The shoes of true champions.  In the afternoon I went back out with Josh and Ashley for another 30kms.

Training update: 2 weeks till lift off.

Another week of long kms on both the road bike and mountain bike. Just got home after riding 50kms in the pouring rain along the shores of the Illawarra.  Time for a hot shower and enjoy the public holiday. Christmas was a quiet affair although I did have someone pretty interesting turn up to my house on Christmas Day.  Check out the photo. Scott Chipperfield, his mum, sister and all my usual friends turned up to celebrate Christmas.  Pretty good way to finish off the day.  Scott's shirt from the recent World Cup is one of my auctions at the fundraising night.

Hessel Kaan Signs & Neon sponsor helmet.

I'd like to thank Hessel of Hessel Kaan signs & neon, Dapto, New South Wales, for kindly supporting Cairo to Capetown 2011.  I've known Hessel and his family since we started our apprenticeships back in, well it was a long time ago.  On a serious note, if you need any sign writing or neon work, I'd have no hesitation in recommending Hessel for providing a professional product.  You can contact Hessel at the family business on 42621999

Training update: 3 weeks till lift off.

With having trained for the last 9 days straight I was hoping to finish the 10th on a good note.  When I got out of bed the wind was blowing insanely.  I managed to get to the bottom of Mount Keira and did 3 climbs and called it quits.  Looking forward to having tomorrow off.  Everything is looking good for the fundraising night with plenty of donations coming in daily.  Look forward to meeting up with everyone on the night.  To all my new mad cycling friends, can't wait to go for a ride with you in Cairo in 3 weeks.

Get ready for some serious pain.

Rod Price Mechanical Repairs donates to Cairo to Capetown 2011.

Rod is a local motor mechanic at the Cnr of the Princess Hwy & Jardine St, Fairy Meadow.  Rod has kindly donated a motor vehicle service which will be on offer during the fund raising night.  I would like to thank Rod and Kylie for their kind donation to eXsight Tandems.  Please support Rod Price Mechanical next time you're considering having your car serviced or for a registration check.  Thanks very much Rod & Kylie.

Scott Chipperfield donates a signed 2010 World Cup Jersey for fundraising night.

I would like to thank Australian Socceroo Scott Chipperfield for his kind donation of one of his shirts from the recent Football World Cup in South Africa.  Scott was more than happy to offer the shirt for auction for the fund raising night.  If you would like to have an autographed jersey from one of the most talented footballers our region has ever seen, then this is your only chance.  Scott will not be attending the night due to his commitments back in Europe.  Scott also played for Australia in the 2006 World Cup in Germany.  Thank you so much Scott.

I would like to thank Will Campbell of Bulli for his kind donation. 

Ride in the best location in Australia with Snowycycling and training Camps.

Snowycycling is a place where cyclists and triathlete enthusiasts come to train in the tranquil Snowy Mountains of New South Wales Australia. Feel the benefits of riding at altitude.  Snowycycling works with abilities of all levels from the top professional to the recreational rider. 
Make use of our all inclusive training camps, or just base yourself here and do your own thing and go for a ride in some of most picturesque countryside this country has to offer. 

Check out www.snowycycling.com.au or www.trainingcamps.com.au

David Meikle, McPhail Real Estate Wollongong

I would like to thank David Meikle of McPhail Real Estate Wollongong for his kind support of Cairo to Capetown 2011.  I've known David for over 25 years and at one stage we worked together.  David & McPhail Real Estate were more than happy to come on board to support visually impaired people of the Illawarra.  Please support McPhail Real Estate and their wonderful staff.  Thanks so much David.

I would like to thank Mr Christopher Apps for his kind donation.  

I would like to thank Mr Danny Hennessy of Elite Bicycle Repairs 0401194103 for his kind donation

Training Update: 4 weeks till departure.

Today I went out with Josh for a nice & easy 95khms of hills.  Josh had his super duper Giant Carbon Fibre and I rode my trusty mountain bike, the one I'll be riding in the tour.  A total of 1200metres of climbing and 1800 Calories gone.  The weather has been fantastic around 30 degrees all day as we rode with the ocean beside us.  Until next week, safe pedaling.

Malinda Halley & Gary Mandy support Cairo to Capetown 2011

Malinda has kindly donated a pair of Lisa Ho ladies sunglasses and a pair of Mens Matrix sunglasses which will add to making the fund raising night a spectacular success.

Gary Mandy has kindly offered his expert advice on servicing of my bike and training to get me to the starting line in Cairo 15th January 2011.

Corrimal Leagues Club donate venue to support Cairo to Capetown 2011.

After having discussions with management of the Corrimal Leagues Club Ltd, the venue will be supplied free of charge. The club will be providing the excellent outdoor entertainment area. I encourage all guests to use the bistro prior to the commencement of the evening or their gaming facilities.  From all types of wine, spirits, beer, and of course the coffee and cakes, there will be something for all us.  Cost of Venue $300.00.  Cost to Cairo to Capetown 2011.  FREE

RAMBOR Mining Equipment sponsor entire journey. Cairo to Capetown 2011.

After having discussions with Peter and Netti about my journey through Africa,and my desire to raise money to purchase tandems for visually impaired people of the Illawarra, they were both more than happy to sponsor the entire journey from Cairo To Capetown.  I've known Peter and his wife for over 30 years and I'm so happy to have them onboard for what will be an incredible journey for all of us.

RAMBOR PTY LTD manufacture and distribute the world's leading strata support mining products.  There state of the art equipment is the result of extensive research and development program that redefines innovation in the manufacturing industry.  Check out their website (http://www.rambor.com.au/) and see how you can 'be drilled by the best'.  Thanks Pete, but I think I'll wait till I get home from my ride in the sun. 

SOTO Group sponsors entire journey, Cairo to Capetown 2011.

After meeting with Frank Soto and his team of Engineers from Unanderra New South Wales, Frank decided to sponsor the entire journey from Cairo to Capetown 2011.  Frank has also kindly donated clothing to wear during my entire journey and also a full team SOTO racing outfit to support the fund raising night on the 8th January 2011.  The clothing includes, jersey like the one I'll be wearing, bib & brace, socks, gloves, beanie, arm and leg warmers and vest.  The SOTO Group have been heavily involved in cycling for many years, providing sponsorship to the Illawarra Cycle Club and the Illawarra Academy of Sport Cycling Team.  It was from this team that my son Josh went on to win the Australian under 19 road and time trial championships.  SOTO Group now have the sole rights to Section 1 Pharaohs Delight, from Cairo Egypt to Khartoum Sudan.  A distance of 1979 kms in 15 days.  Includes 4 rest days.

Tour d Afrique Mandatory stages. Should be easy.

 

 2011 Mando Stages:
The following 12 Stages are the proposed Mando stages for 2011. They have 30 minute time bonuses for the Stage winners associated with them.  Mando Stages cannot be taken as a Grace Day.  These are considered some of the hardest Stages of the Tour.

Egypt: Stage 2 Desert Camp to Desert Camp (paved, 168 km)
Ethiopia: Stage 23 Bush Camp to Gondar (paved, lots of climbing, 107 km)
Ethiopia: Stage 26 Bahir Dar to Bush Camp (paved, up and down, 162 km)
Ethiopia:  Stage 36 Riverbed Camp to Yabello (gravel, climbing, 96 km)
Kenya: Stage 40 Sololo Camp to Bush Camp (dirt, very rough, 85 km) 
Kenya: Stage 41 Bush Camp to Marsabit (dirt, very rough, 86 km) 
Tanzania: Stage 56 Mangalosi to Mbeya (dirt, climbing, 111 km)
Malawi: Stage 62 Nkhotakota to Kasungu (dirt/paved, climbing, 121 km)
Zambia: Stage 67 School Camp to Jehovah Camp (paved, climbing, 148 km)
Botswana: Stage 79 Ghanxi to Buitenpos (paved,  flat, 207 km)
Namibia: Stage 86 Betta to Konkiep Latta (dirt, 153 km)
Namibia: Stage 89 Hobas Camp to Felix Unite Camp (dirt,/paved, 159 km)

5 days Ski Hire to add to the 5 nights accommodation major prize. Cairo to Capetown 2011 fundraising night 8th January 2011. Corrimal Leagues Club.

I would like to thank Craig and his family for their kind donation of 5 days ski hire for a family of 4.  Craig runs Fleets Sportsworld Berridale in the beautiful town of Berridale near the Snowy Mountains of New South Wales Australia.  The addition of Ski gear to the accommodation offered by Cottonwood Lodge in the same town, is truly amazing.  On behalf of eXsight Tandems we wish to thank both Craig and David for their incredible support.

Fleets Sportsworld Berridale Craig and his wife have years of experience  in snow equipment hire both as customers and retailers in the Snowy Mountains. Their friendly and knowledgeable staff will gladly assist with your equipment selection, accommodation options and resorts choice. Fleets offer a comprehensive range of  snowboards, skis, snow clothing and accessories, from carve skis for kids to snowboards.  Please support those who support visually impaired people of our community.

Major supporter of Cairo to Capetown 2011. Illawarra Fasteners.

Geoff Hodson and his team from Illawarra Fasteners are now one of my major sponsors of Cairo to Capetown 2011.  After speaking with Geoff and discussing exsight Tandems and visually impaired cyclists in the Illawarra, Geoff immediately came onboard and is now a major supporter of my fundraising efforts.  It's people like Geoff and his team that will make my fundraising night a huge success.  Thanks so much Geoff.  I do request all readers to support Illawarra Fasteners, the home of the largest supplier of fasteners in the Illawarra.  Well that's what I think.

Cossies'r'us. Proud supporters of Cairo to Capetown 2011.

Cossies'r'us have been operating in Corrimal at Shop 1, 252 Princes Hwy,(NEXT TO St. George Bank)

                  Corrimal NSW 2518 AUSTRALIA
                  Phone: 02 4284 4099
                  Fax: 02 4284 0306

Proudly supporting Cairo to Capetown 2011 and visually impaired people of the Illawarra.  Karen will be putting on a fashion parade during the fundraising night.  So please come along and see some of the beautiful costumes and other garments on the 8th January 2011 at the Corrimal Leagues Club.  7.30pm.
Please support Karen and Cossies 'r' us. 

Pegasus Tandems

About Pegasus Tandems. The first Pegasus cycling enterprise in Australia was Pegasus Cycles, a shop developed in Doncaster, Melbourne and run by Peter Howell from 1976 to 1985. From their humble beginings to the present, Peter's business continues to grow.  Peter found my website whilst surfing the net and kindly donated to Cairo to Capetown 2011.  Peter's business continues to grow and in 2010 will see the introduction of two more Pegasus tandems - an entry level alloy framed tandem selling for under $1000 and a sophisticated 30 speed touring flat bar road bike style tandem with hydraulic disc brakes. Please check out Peter's website, maybe there's a tandem perfect for you.  Thanks again Peter. http://tandembicycles.com.au/

Spearman Cycles, Figtree, New South Wales.

I  approached Dave and the team from 'Spearman Cycles' last week to speak about my ride next January and the charity I'm trying to raise funds for.  Dave was more than happy to assist with my fund raising efforts.  If you look hard enough in the photo you can see some of the riders from the Spearman's Team.  You might even see me, I'm the one on the front doing all the work, like usual.  Just hit the logo on the right hand side of the website and this will take you straight to Dave's website.

Ruby's on the beach.

Today I got the chance to meet some of the amazing visually impaired riders and support crew from eXsight Tandems.  We all enjoyed a fantastic coffee and some fatning cakes and cream at one of my supporters for the Cairo to Capetown fund raising night.  Ruby's on the beach at Bulli, is the best place to sit down and have a nice coffee and be looked after by Lauire and hs wonderful crew.  Next time you're out at Bulli and you see those strange men & women dressed up in Green lyrca, call in and have a coffee with them.  They are special people. Your shout next time Geoff.

Illawarra Mercury. WEEKENDER Edition 9th - 10th October 2010

Recently I had an article published in the local newspaper down in Wollongong.  The Mercury were very kind to print the story about my ride and more importantly highlight my charity.

eXsight Tandems.

Article by Jody Duffy.  Illawarra Mercury.

Time to take the road bike for a ride for the last time.

Another 100ks completed and time to for a coffee break. 3 months to go before heading to Cairo and the training is coming along pretty good.  The only problem in training in my area is there's mountains everywhere you look.  Got my mountain bike back after a overhaul, that means the road bike has to be put away and time for some serious training.  It's the same bike I took to Africa in 2003/04.  It's withstood the test of time, not sure whether I have.

New South Wales Ride Week. Shellharbour. Members of Exsight Tandems.

Today Exsight Tandems took part in a ride along the shore of Lake Illawarra.  Joe, left, Grant 2nd from left, Geoff, 2nd from right and Brian, right, all took part in a fantastic day of riding around the lake. 

Richard, 2nd from right and Nicole talking tactics before setting off on their tandem. 

Geoff signing in for the ride with Brian.  No Geoff you must sit on the back this time.

Oppressive heat in Malawi

Some of the days in Malawi were the hottest we've ever ridden in.  The usual daily temperature was around 40 degrees with high humidity.  Sometimes it was easier to hold on to the trucks than peddle up all the rolling mountains

Time for a break after dragging our bikes up yet another mountain.

This is Josh my 17yr old son taking a rest after walking down from the summit of Mt Kenya.  It was about a 20km walk that day.  We Got up around 3am to commence the walk to reach the summit, but failed.  The walk in pitch black and pouring rain, and through snow was just too dangerous for us to continue.  We failed by about 100 metres to make the summit.  It didn't worry us that much as we knew we had Mt Kilimanjaro the following week.

Rest Stop outside of Lilongwe, Malawi. 2004.

This kind gentleman invited us into his home so we could eat out of the sun.  He remained outside with his grandaughter whilst we ate our bland avocado, tomato and tuna sandwiches for the 100th time.

Africa 2004.

After riding from Johannesburg to Nairobi our next big achievement was to stand on top of the biggest mountain.  That's Josh my 17 year old son.