Cycling for the Alliance

29 September 2008

16-year-old student Christian Peters usually travels by plane to see his family in Germany. But this year, he set himself the challenge of travelling the 560 km journey from the UK by bicycle instead, raising money for charities including the Alliance along the way. He tells us more about his venture:

© 2008 Christian Peters

I thought about all the times I went by plane and how much carbon dioxide was released. I said to myself that I could cycle by bike and whilst I am cycling there, I could raise money for charities.

After all the planning for the route and getting the equipment, I had to focus on the fundraising side of the tour. I made a fundraising form and got people to sponsor me. I also chose three charities where the money will go to: the International HIV/AIDS Alliance, NSPCC and Greenpeace.

Every Sunday I cycled about 15km around the villages near me. It may not have been enough but I didn’t really have any spare time to cycle more. The training was alright, nothing too intense, just two or three hills, but mostly it was all straightforward. A week before we went I did a test run with all my bags and things. It was very difficult and I was struggling most of the way. When I came back I knew I had to repack my bags as they were too heavy. I really had to push myself up the hills.

Day one

The morning of the first day was definitely filled with excitement. The first 10km were quite easy, but then the big hills arrived and I was struggling with the extra weight in my bags.

My motivation was that for every uphill there is a downhill. After about 50km we had a break. My back and my knees were aching and I didn’t know how I would survive the next five days. I kept myself motivated by thinking about the time when I have finished my cycle tour and when I can give the raised amount to charity.”

Day two

I had a big muscle ache in my leg which I then tried to calm with a cold shower. It wasn’t as easy as I thought it would be.

During the day my body let the last reserves of energy out. It was the day where we took the ferry from Harwich (England) to Holland.

Day three

On the third day I was packed with energy and motivation. It was the thought that the countryside was a lot flatter so it becomes easier to cycle.

Ok, the day wasn’t perfect because when we arrived in Utrecht it suddenly started to rain. We tried to find the youth hostel when suddenly it started to rain even more. It felt like I was standing under a waterfall. We drove past the street about six times.

We got shown the dormitory and then we unpacked our bags. All my stuff was wet from the rain. I could have cried but I didn’t.

Day four

My body wasn’t as weak as it was on the first day.

When I arrived in Arnhem I got some plastic bags and packed all my stuff in them. I didn’t want my things to get wet again. Also I didn’t want to risk my passport getting wet.

Day five

On the fifth day we arrived in Germany after 30km and in this moment I felt proud and successfully. Finally I made it. A happy moment, which I will not easily forget.

When we arrived in Xanten I realized what I am actually doing – cycling to Germany without any C02 emissions. Despite the feelings of success, my legs and my back really ached.

Day six

I was physically and mentally at the end of my strengths, but I still kept going. It was very difficult to cycle around Velbert because it was very hilly. In my thoughts I was already at my destination, this way I managed to motivate myself for the last kilometres. And then finally I saw the sign with the inscription ‘Velbert’. As I passed the sign I lifted my arms.

Conclusion

The cycle tour was really great. I saw lots of nice scenery. I got to know a lot of different people and the Dutch culture. I am very proud of what I have done.

Now I will have to collect the sponsor money (£1078). I know this will be the most challenging thing, to chase people up for the money. So I have set an end date and whatever I have collected in by that day I will give to the chosen charities.

Thanks for all your support!