Pedal the Peninsular & Rank Fellowship
As you may be aware, I am an ex-Rank Foundation scholar. Having benefitted so hugely from the support that the Foundation lent me in my time of need, and having now finished my formal education (B.Sc. Geography, Bristol University), I thought it might be appropriate to put something back into the system while I had the time.
After meeting Chris Dunning at the Rank Dinner in November we got talking about the North East projects and I settled on the East Cleveland Youth Housing Trust as it supports young people in my home area. I was eager to support a small charity where my efforts would go a long way and, having spent time with the guys at ECYHT I am also going to have a say in where the funds are going to be allocated, which is superb.
Pedal the Peninsular began on the 4th March when I touched down in Mexico. The real graft began two days later when I hit the road on my bike (Zephyr!) with Antigua, Guatemala as my intended final destination. My route began in the city of Villahermosa, Tabasco and followed the Gulf road east and then north through the beautiful cities of Campeche and Merida. Once I hit the north coast of the Yucatan I turned east and made by way via Villadolid to Cancun where I then turned south, following the Caribbean coast to the Belizean border.
Average daily temperatures were frequently over 40 degrees which saw me pouring up to 12 litres of water down my neck per day in a constant battle against dehydration. I did, however, have the benefit of fairly good road conditions and the fact that I was frequently passing some of Mexico's most exquisite Mayan ruins, so my archaeological interests have been severly boosted.
On crossing into Belize I am afraid, after much pressure from a friend who was the previous British Military attachee to Guatemala, I agreed to cut the Guatemala leg of the trip. Renowned for frequent violent crimes against foreigners I was well aware that, alone and in possession of some pretty desirable kit, I made a somewhat easy target.
And so it was that Belize City became my final destination, some 500 kms short of the desired mark. I had cycled 1,925 kms in just under five weeks and there was nothing that was going to stop me feeling pride in that alone. Zephyr (the bike!) and his apparel was shipped home courtesy of the British Army in Belize for the cost of a crate of beer and arrived home in Yorkshire six days later... amazing! I then hopped on a bus to Guatemala.
As far as sponsorship goes I carried out a widespread private fundraising campaign in the two and a half months leading up to my departure. Fingers crossed, by the time I have finished retrieving pledges etc. on my return I am aiming to have raised between £4,000 and £5,000. I was also supported by a few local businesses at home and Fuji provided a free case of film for me to take with me, as I am a keen photographer.
I am due back in the UK shortly, when I start Officer Training for the Army at Sandhurst in September. The next couple of months are going to be spent getting fit. If any Rank Foundation Fellows would like me to be in touch once I have compiled photos and gathered the proceeds, then I would be very happy to talk to you.
Piers Mudd (17/06/2004)