5000 miles in five days with Mick Hall for Riders For Health and The Air Ambulance...
When Mick told us he'd only just failed to ride 1675 miles in a single day last year due to bad weather, we thought our new range of Gore-Tex KLIM clothing would be just the thing to help him along next time!
So when he announced that next time was to be a 'real ride' – 5000 miles in 5 days, we were delighted that our kit was going to be put through an even more rigorous test.
Please drop us a mail with comments & ideas or if you’d like to sponsor Mick by providing parts, services etc. And if you’re on Mick's route and might be able to provide a weary traveller with a cup of tea, we’d love to hear from you!
Update
Mick's kit includes
Day 5 : 7:30pm
Today, Mick hall arrived back at his starting point in Bolton after 23 hours 48 mins and 18 seconds. He had covered a total distance of 5005 miles.
Micks effort to achieve this has been fantastic and he has given pretty much everything to make sure he delivered on his promises to people who sponsored him.
Mick will now take a week off to recover, but as soon as he's back from his break we'll interview him on film and see how his attempt has changed him. Was it easier or harder than he thought, what were the hardest bits, any hints or tips for long distance rides? Come back in a week and all will be revealed!
Check out Rally Raidio for Micks final call tomorrow morning before he sets off for one last run to his favourite Sunday afternoon bikers haunt, Rivington Barn (just outside Bolton). Mick would love to meet you if you're in the area. We think he should be pretty easy to spot, just look for someone who isnt walking quite right and whose eyes look VERY puffy and red!
Superb effort Mick, congratulations from all of us here, its official, Mick hall is most definately Adventure-Spec!!!
Please dont forget why Mick is doing this. Its not just for fun. He is pushing himself as hard as he can hoping that fellow bikers will appreciate his efforts and give generously to his chosen charities. Please click HERE! to donate
Day 5 : 6:30am
A call from Mick at 6:30am this morning showed a poor nights riding.
Because Mick won't ride unless he is fully alert, much of the night was spent asleep or napping. In his recent conversation he told how the cold and half light of the early hours of the morning always see the human body at its lowest ebb.
In order to make his 5000 mile target Mick now needs to average over 60 miles an hour for the next 13 hours.
Rain is forecast, Mick wont ride if he feels he is too tired, and he's no speed king. The five thousand mile challenge is hanging on a knife edge and Micks backside is getting more and more painful. Will he make it?
For news from the horses mouth check the Rally Raidio link to the right and listen as Mick tells it all as it happens in some superbly funny and wacky updates.
Please dont forget why Mick is doing this. Its not just for fun. He is pushing himself as hard as he can hoping that fellow bikers will appreciate his efforts and give generously to his chosen charities. Please click HERE! to donate
Day 5 : 8pm
Today Micks favourite leather gloves finally wore through as the onslaught continued. A meeting to provide Mick with some new Klim Powercross Goretex gloves aloowed a brief interview to take place.
Mick looked well and seemed perfectly alert. He seemed concerned that it was getting harder to wake himself after his power naps and said that he often felt very rough for 1/2 hour after a sleep stop. Because he waited until he felt fully alert before continuing his average time was dropping.
In a bid to get back some sleep and reduce his powernaps he spent two hours in a hotel for £60 (!) and came out feeling much more refreshed. By the time he arrived at our meeting he was looking good.
As ever, his concerns were for his mileage, but also that his last night was going to be cold and wet as the weather forecast took a turn for the worse. Mick knows that the last 12 hours is going to be critical, and in keeping with his policy of riding sensibly there will be no mad rushes to the end. Will he make it?
For news from the horses mouth check the Rally Raidio link to the right and listen as Mick tells it all as it happens in some superbly funny and wacky updates.
Please dont forget why Mick is doing this. Its not just for fun. He is pushing himself as hard as he can hoping that fellow bikers will appreciate his efforts and give generously to his chosen charities. Please click HERE! to donate
Day 4 : 8pm
A day spent in the North. Mick's route back up the east coast of Scotland and then down through Fort William on the West was making him a happy man towards midday as the sun blazed down and he pushed on up Glen Coe and across Rannoch Moor, one of the finest biking roads in the UK.
A poor start this morning though, as the mileage started to take its toll, saw Mick stopping frequently to relieve his fatigue. A wise strategy which keeps him alert on his bike, and after one of his famous power naps it allowed him to get right back into the groove and make his Scotland run.
After that it was, 'merely', a quick run down to London and then north back home through Leeds and well earned rest and sleep.
Mick made todays 1000 miles with 4 mins to go, meaning he has now covered 3000 miles in three days. As the days go on it is clearly getting harder but Mick's waiting for a phenomenon he calls his, 'second wind', which he reckons will see him through the next two days (although he did conceed that his arse, 'hurt like hell'!)
For news from the horses mouth check the Rally Raidio link to the right and listen as Mick tells it all as it happens in some superbly funny and wacky updates.
Please dont forget why Mick is doing this. Its not just for fun. He is pushing himself as hard as he can hoping that fellow bikers will appreciate his efforts and give generously to his chosen charities. Please click HERE! to donate
Day 3 : 8pm
A late night run to John-O-Groats in the pouring rain slowed Micks average speed dramatically but kept his 'interest' levels up...
Despite his run north Mick's one thousand miles a day average is still good as he heads into day two still very focussed on his 5000 mile target.
A quick discussion with Mick regarding his sleeping arrangements revealed some odd details. Apparently he sleeps for short periods (upto 45mins) four or five times a day and claims that he seems to be perfectly fine with the odd bar of chocolate and energy drink to keep him alert in between snatched meals
We can only guess that Mick's previous endurance riding experience allows him to use these systems to keep himself alert. He certainly seemed great on the phone this evening and very little bothered by his ordeal so far!
For news from the horses mouth check the Rally Raidio link to the right and listen as Mick tells it all as it happens in some superbly funny and wacky updates.
Again, please dont forget why Mick is doing this. Its not just for fun. He is pushing himself as hard as he can hoping that fellow bikers will appreciate his efforts and give generously to his chosen charities. Please click HERE! to donate
Day 2 : 8pm
After a shaky start with HAIL overnight and communications problems Mick has now completed his first 1000 miles in under 1 day and is happily heading north for a brief visit to John-O-Groats to watch the sunset!
We're hoping for better weather as the ride goes onward and Mick is taking advantage of the current weather window to enjoy some riding on his favourite roads in the far north of Scotland.
Apparently the sun is now shining and Mick is supremely happy as he heads north into the soft evening light up the A9.
For news from the horses mouth check the HERE! link to the right and listen as Mick tells it all as it happens
Please dont forget why Mick is doing this. Its not just for fun. He is pushihg himself as hard as he can hoping that fellow bikers will appreciate his efforts and give generously to his chosen charities. Please click Rally Raidio to donate
Day 1 : 11pm
After early electronic kit tests (in his garage) Mick was comfortable with his equipment, but has recently (in torrential rain, in the dark, at speed) been struggling to figure out some compatibility issues. This is undoubtably not helped by weather conditions that have Mick riding at less than 60mph on flooded and deserted motorways just north of Bristol.
This situation currently limits communications slightly but recently speaking to Mick on his Carlo Scarla headset he reported that he was warm, dry, and comfortable despite the conditions.
His route to the east along the M4 and then north to Edinburgh seems to track the heavy rain until the morning around 8a.m. before it finally clears the UK and opens up a good weather window for the next three days.
Although Mick is disappointed with his current speed, his strategy to accept a wet start when he is feeling fresh and leave the better weather for the smaller roads of Northern Scotland later in the week is still a strong one.
It is now 11pm. As we sleep Mick continues to ride through torrential rain trying to help others less fortunate than himself, mirroring the actions of the African charity 'Riders For Health'. Please help Mick to help others, sponsor him HERE!
He's Off!!!!! 02/06/08
To an overcast sky Mick donned his kit and rode away from Bolton at 7pm this evening. Lets hope his Corbin seat does the business!
His planned riding days are absolutely spectacular:
- Day 1: Motorway loops around the UK until exhaustion sets in. Hopefully over 1200 miles.
- Day 2: Riding through some of Wales' finest scenery in a large loop extending to 800 miles
- Day 3: Starting from Bolton, to Lands End, to John-O-Groats and back to Bolton, 1700 miles.
- Day 4: A loop around northern Scotlands finest roads. 1200 miles.
- Day 5: Spare...?!!!
Micks spirits were high as he left, but he has a long way to go. Please sponsor him if you can, his charity choices are superb!
Mick is all ready to go!!! 31/05/08
Well, planning is all very well, but the time is drawing near for the BIG event. Micks bike is fully ready, his Klim goretex clothing is laid out, and the weather forecast is looking predictably UK mixed...(ok, ok, its gonna rain!)
Check out the Listen to Mick Live link to the right to listen as Mick sends back regular live reports from the journey, and dont forget that if he is en-route and you want to join him for a section or two then please get in touch. Mick needs all the support he can get!
If you can't manage the riding then drop us a mail and we'll mail you his phone number. Using his Cardo Scala intercom system Mick can make calls while he rides and would love to hear messages of support all day and all night!
Start Time: T-Minus 4 days and counting down...
Mick's efforts are recognised by 'RidersFor Health' 14/05/08
Mick has recently been interviewed for the Riders For Health website and the results can be found HERE !!
B and C Performance Tyres fit for free!!! 29/04/08
Another lovely gesture saw Barney and Lee at B&C performance tyres, Clarke St, Farnworth. (Tel 01204 577333) fit Micks new DUNLOP tyres for free. A big THANKS GUYS!
Mick took delivery of his final set of KLIM GoreTex clothing today. Check the panel to the right to see what he'll be wearing We'll see what he has to say about them after the 8th June!
As the 3rd June draws closer Mick is as confident as ever that 5000 miles is achieveable. If you havnt already donated to a charity yet please have a look at the worthy causes. As little as 50 pence will go a long way Africa, and enough of them will help a severely injured person get to hospital safely using an air ambulance. Many Thanks for visiting!!
Cardo Scala Sponor Micks ride 14/04/08
More support has arrived from Cardo Scala in the form of an FM headset. We're certainly not underestimating the value of this vital tool. It will make Micks ride far easier as he will be able phone back to RallyRaidio, listen to music and take phone calls as he rides! Another big THANKS GUYS!!!
Mick Interviewed about his ride 07/04/08
Dunlop new partners for Micks 5000 mile ride!!!.- 01/04/08
We are delighted to announce that Dunlop have announced they will sponsor Micks 5000 mile attempt. They have kindly agreed to provide all necessary tyres and we are extremely grateful for their generosity, Thanks DUNLOP. GREAT TO HAVE YOU WITH US!!!
Tyre Sponsors Needed...- 20/03/08
Ok, we need someone to sponsor Mick for a set of tyres. This will free up around £200 for both charities and make a real difference to our targets. If you know anyone who has a tyre shop/dealership, give them a nudge!
Sponsorship Link Now Up For Individual Donations - 19/03/08
We will now be using the excellent justgiving.com to help us focus our money raising efforts and also squeeze a bit of cash back from the taxman! Visit the link under the picture for details.
Rumours of National Press Involvement - 10/03/08
Were delighted to announce that we now have two mainstream newspapers interested in publishing articles about Micks attempt. Keep your eyes peeled around here for a firm committment over the next week or so.
After only a few days and relatively few Emails we have already secured an initial bike service from www.motorcycle-republic.com and over 1000 pounds of sponsorship. Surely bikers are the greatest people in the WORLD!!!!
Fixed Date Announced For Attempt - 28/02/08
Today Mick announced that his attempt will start at 8pm on the 3rd of June regardless of weather. May the 'Klim' force be with him!! We are now looking for cash sponsors and offers of tyres, bike services and consumables so that all cash donated will go to Micks nominated charities. Riders for Health, and the Air Ambulance.