The JCCR Challenge:
"To ride from Beijing to Chengde and back, a distance of approximately 500 KM, in 20 hours and in the process raise urgently needed funds for the reconstruction of the Guangji Kindergarten, a school destroyed by the Sichuan Earthquake on May 12th 2008."
I decided to call my ride the Jingcheng ‘challenge’ because this is going to be an endurance test like none other - and I wanted to do something for the people of the province that I call home – Sichuan.
Many of those affected by last year’s cataclysmic earthquake face tough challenges on a daily basis
I felt that only by experiencing some challenges of my own could I truly contribute.
Presuming that I make it to the city of Chengde this Saturday within my 10 hour window I’ll be resting up, recovering and then repeating the whole process again as I head back to Beijing the following morning.
Why CHENGDE?
Chengdu is the provincial capital of Sichuan and regarded, like Chengde, as a place to visit to rest and relax. Although the Chinese characters for both cities are different I was struck by the similarities between the two – not least the pronounciation! And of course Chengde is a handy 250 km away from Beijing….
The PLANNING PROCESS
I’ve planned and organised this challenge myself over the past 3 months.
I’ve been triathlon-training since August 08 and feel confident that I’m up for the challenge.
This year I’ll be the volunteer testing out the route and fine-tuning the logistics but I hope to attract plenty of interest from all ages and backgrounds for future challenges.
PLEDGES & PAYMENTS
Please give generously!
I would be very grateful for all that you can contribute to support the Guangji kindergarten..
Payment options should be up and running on the SQR website soon or via separate links that you'll be informed of shortly.
MAPS & DETAILS
Some of you have asked me about the route to Chengde. Have a look at the Google map link.
I recommend that you scroll between the Terrain and Map options.
THE ROUTE & CONDITIONS "IN THE SADDLE"!
Once I leave Miyun reservoir behind me the hills begin. This will be at about the 90-100 km mark.
I’ll pass the stunning peaks of Simatai where the Great Wall is at its spectacular best before heading into the mountainous passes and valleys that will lead me some 150 km later to the city of Chengde.
Conditions this weekend will be challenging with the prospect of high humidity and hot sunshine.
Average temperatures will be around 30-33 °c and humidity over 80% so I’ll be starting early, around 06:00-07:00.
A FINAL WORD
This will be as much a mental challenge as a physical one however with your support and pledges I know that I’ll be successful secure in the knowledge that this is for a great cause – to help improve children’s lives in Sichuan through the reconstruction of the Guangji kindergarten.
Please give generously and help a child rebuild a life - and start a new one.
Thank you
Guy Dru Drury
Beijing 04.08.09
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