Cycle India - Progress

This section of the site details the day-to-day trials and tribulations that the girls in India had to deal with as they progressed through their run. From the highs to the extreme lows both Donna and Delia text me on a daily basis to let me know how they were progressing and I in turn posted them here for all to follow.

Getting Ready
	Introduction 27th November 2007 With a list of things to get ready and buy before the trip the girls are now almost ready for the trip. Having registered to take part over a year a go they have had plenty of time for training and making sure that they are both ready for the challenge. Delia had one final hurdle of persuading her doctor that she wasn't crazy and that giving her permission to go and cycle 240 miles was an excellent idea - how could anyone resist her powers of persuasion?! Donna was up to give us a visit with her mum and kids this weekend and enjoy a bit of relaxation time before the trip. She is now back down in England to finish things off at work and to complete final preparations ready for departing this weekend. Message From Donna Cooper 28th November 2007 "As this is my second charity event for 'Women For Women' I am looking more forward to this one and I know that I am certainly more ready for it than I was the last time. I would like to thank all those who sponsored me to make this all possible and I will be letting you all know how it goes by texting Peter with our progress. Thanks again to all. X" Donna Cooper Message From Delia McEwan 29th November 2007 "This was my ultimate goal - to get fit enough to complete the Cycle India Challenge. With only 2 days left until we set off on our travels I don't feel as if I'm mentally or physically prepared for the challenges ahead but one thing is certain I will give it 110%. I know you will all be supporting me and I hope I don't let you down. I hope you enjoy keeping track of Donna and I from your COMFY seats and look forward to catching up with you all for the 'krak' when I get back. Thanks again for all your support!" Delia McEwan Message From Delia McEwan 30th November 2007 "What's a girl to do, so much stuff and so little space, whats the chances of fitting it all in!! Donna keeps telling me i'm special, well i'll have to be spectacular to achieve this goal, teddies and Agnes want to go too!" Delia McEwan Photos 30th November 2007 The girls managed to pass me a couple of pictures before they went away of the items that were to go into the bag and the actual bag they were to go into. Click on images for large versions or follow link below to see the full packing description and the slight changes made to the items taken. Packing Things Click For Larger Image The Proverbial Tardis Click For Larger Image Click Here to View Packing List

Day 1
	Heading to India 1st December 2007 Today is the first day of the trip where everyone meets up at Heathrow Airport at around 6pm tonight and from there they depart to Delhi. With a 5+ hour difference it will already be 2:30am in Delhi before they fly out. As anyone does when they get to an airport the first port of call is the duty free to pick up a few things for the journey. As you can see this occasion is no exception with Delia picking up one or two items before heading to India. Message From Donna Cooper 1st December 2007 "Mornin. 4.5hrs in Heathrow, 9hrs on a plane & now a 5hr bus trip but we are here :o) Temperatures @ 32oC so not too bad. We attracted lots of attention in all our Women for Women t-shirts. Delia got wine & I got dairy milk. Was little bars but now melted into one. Day 1 lookin pretty easy so far but no sleep.X" Donna Cooper Photos 1st December 2007 A Bit Of Duty Free... Click For Larger Image

Day 2
	Moving Out to Agra 2nd December 2007 After a four and a half hour wait in Heathrow and a nine hour flight, there was no time to enjoy Delhi as it was straight on to the bus for a five hour journey to Agra although they will be stopping about half way for something to eat. Recieved another message from Donna has just arived and the trip there is getting longer and longer as time goes by as another hold up transpires! The bus that was taking them to Agra broke down an hour and a half into the trip and it took a further four hours before another bus could arrive to take them the rest of the way to the hotel and if that was not enough they also have no luggage! After they arrive they will have the rest of the day to recouperate and prepare for the journey ahead. An overnight stay in Agra and ready and fighting fit for the next day. :o) Photos 2nd December 2007 No photos available for this day

Day 3
	A Day of Relaxation 3rd December 2007 Today will allow the riders to have a day of mostly rest and relaxation with a day free to visit the Taj Mahal where they will receive a blessing. The small section of the day that will be not be their own will be to set up the bikes. As the bikes that they will be using are not their own, they will be spending a bit of time today setting the bikes up and fitting their own seats. Message From Donna Cooper 3rd December 2007 "Taj Mahal was amazing. Now off to get bike fitted up with seats. Smog is so bad here its hard to breathe" Donna Cooper Message From Donna Cooper 3rd December 2007 "Was nice getting the bikes fitted up and Delia has Agnes all clipped on and ready to go. I didn't have any mascots so I have tied a scarf to mine as identifying your bike in 70 others is a challenge!" Donna Cooper Message From Donna Cooper 3rd December 2007 "Would like to say we have been really sensible and had a nice early night ready for tomorrow but instead the two D's have had a couple of glasses of wine and are now trying to set our alarms for 5 hours time." Donna Cooper Photos 3rd December 2007 The Taj Mahal Click For Larger Image Photos 3rd December 2007 No photos available for this day

Day 4
	The Run Begins 4th December 2007 Today is the start of the cycle run and it begins with a very early start of 5am to get up and ready to make the initial transfer from Agra to Khanua where the run begins. Once at Khanua the riders will have the chance to get themselves psyched up for the beginning of the 5 days worth of cycling. The run begins with a 4.5km dirt stretch through fields and small villages of the Rajasthan countryside - a spectacular start to the day! Unfortunately the rest of the days run is not as nice with the remainder on secondary roads full of pot holes through villages and past temples. The day concludes with an overnight camp near the village of Bhasawar. Progress Map - The Initial Transfer from Agra to Khanua 4th December 2007 Part One 4th December 2007 "First day and covered 77km. The roads were horrendous, through loads of sewage and roads and traffic was chaotic, so much so that we are covered in it from head to foot. Legs, shoulders, hands and arms are really sore to the point where we can barely move! As for the saddle area, well lets just say thanks goodness for Sudacrem, and natural pleasures are off the menu for the foreseeable future! We started today with a blessing, and lets just say that we are now feeling that we need all the help we can get!" Donna Cooper & Delia McEwan Progress Map - Khanua to Bhasawar 73km(45miles) 4th December 2007 Special Message 4th December 2007 "Hi year 10, Today I have cycled 50 miles on roads that were very bad and at times where there was no road at all! We have ridden through some very poor areas. Tonight we are visiting an all girls school which is near the campsite. The children were great and have given me an address which they would really like for us to use to write to them. See you all soon." Mrs Miller Photos 4th December 2007 No photos available for this day

Day 5
	A Long Day 5th December 2007 Today is a long day for the riders with a massive 56 miles (90km) to travel. With the entire run in the region of Rajasthan the girls continue through the beautiful countryside along flat roads with hills on either side in the morning. The entire day is done on minor roads with little traffic but like yesterdays run the roads are littered yet again with countless potholes. After lunch they will cycle through probably the most scenic section of the whole trip. After a long day the girls will finally reach the village of Bhadrawadi. They will spend the night here in the Bhadrawadi Palace which will be just reward for such a hard days cycling. Progress Map - Bashawar to Bhandarej 90km(56miles) 5th December 2007 Message From Donna Cooper 5th December 2007 "Managed 25km this morning through yet more 'pooh', even the guide says its spectacular now. Have had to take to my room with a severe case of 'delly belly' and I am being advised to stay away from everyone incase I spread the infection. I think Delia managed the full 90km but I am not sure as I have not seen her. Missing you all and the chat on MSN but I am sure you are all enjoying the peace ;o)" Donna Cooper Photos 5th December 2007 No photos available for this day

Day 6
	Tahela Camp Site 6th December 2007 It's a tough day today with some short off road sections. We will begin the day by cycling to the Abhenrai ancient temple complex which is around 700 years old. Here we visit Chand Baori, one of Rajasthan's most awe inspiring step wells. It has 11 visible levels of zigzagging steps and is an incredible sight. The roads are not bad on the first part of the day but become worse and narrower as the day goes on. In the morning the surroundings are simply stunning - green valleys with lush vegitation, ancient forts on the hill tops. As the day goes on, it becomes more arid and a bit hillier but will hopefully see the monkeys playing in the trees. We will camp on the edge of the Seriska Tiger Park. Progress Map - Bhandarej to Tahela Camp Site 77km(48miles) 6th December 2007 Message From Donna Cooper 6th December 2007 "Today is day three of our biking and it was a really tough day. We have covered sand, hills and off-road tracks all mixed with children, camels, goats and monkies. Donna feeling much better and is back on bike today, Delia on the other hand has been brushed by a tractor, licked by a camel, had her bum felt by 3 different men on a moped and managed to hit a rock and fell off her bike. Have managed to survive them all and still smiling and we are both looking forward to tomorrow." Donna Cooper Photos 6th December 2007 No photos available for this day

Day 7
	Tahela Camp Site 7th December 2007 The terrain today is less exotic and more arid, but nonetheless it is a spectacular day of cycling. Today they will stop to look at the ruins of an ancient city, reaching it by cycling on the edge of the Seriska Park where there is a good chance they will see some wildlife. Certain parts of the roads today are in bad condition so that means more pot holes and a high chance of punctures! We arive at the most spectactular camp site of the trip in the sand dunes next to the village of Doela with two ancient forts on the background hills. Progress Map - Tahela Camp to Doela Camp Site 78km(49miles) 7th December 2007 Message From Peter Ferguson 7th December 2007 "Thought I would just say that I have been in continual contact with Delia and Donna over the days they have been in India and we have all tried sending pictures to each other but with varying degrees of success so we have decided to stop wasting money sending MMS's. After they come back I will create another page where the girls can display all their images and let yous all see where they have been and what wonderful sights they have seen and made the entire trip that bit more bareable. I would personally like to say a huge thank you on behalf of all the riders in India for all your words of support and I am really glad to have dedicated my efforts in setting up this site, even though I know it does not display well on all browsers, for all the loved ones to follow the progress of their freinds and family." Peter Ferguson Message From Donna Cooper 7th December 2007 "Day four of cycling and covered a further 67 km to reach our campsite in the dunes. We did the whole lot by 15:30 too :oD Most people are well now and no falls but Delia's kind of day with loads of hills, my idea of a nightmare! Did much better than Egypt with my own cheerleaders waiting for me at the top of each hill. lol About 40km to go tomorrow for the finishing line! I am missing everyone at home, see you all soon!" Donna Cooper Photos 7th December 2007 No photos available for this day

Day 8
	Doela Camp Site 8th December 2007 The girls last day of cycling! Part of this area is arid, almost like a desert. They will start this morning on an undulating road cycling between sand dunes. Some of the terrain is undulating, at certain parts the asphalt just stops, a dirt road continues and the asphalt returns. They will have 5km on a dirt track and through a river before they rejoin the tarmac road again to Tala. Villages remain very authentic this morning and they will cycle past a beautiful lake, which is home to some crocodiles! They finish the amazing challenge at Lal Mahal where they will have lunch. They will then transfer about 20km to Jaipur and have time to explore. We will then have an overnight stay in Jaipur. Progress Map - Doela Camp Site to Lal Mahal - Jaipur 52km(32miles) 8th December 2007 Message From Donna Cooper 8th December 2007 "Last 47kms done, finish line crossed, have said goodbye to my bike and now chillin' with some wine :o) Been really hard work and have sore hands, knees and another delicate area ;o) Thanks to all for all your messages of support and can't wait to see you all again." XxXxX Donna Cooper

Other Related Areas:
Cycle India - Support - Messages of support from friends and family.
Cycle India - Packing List - The packing list and changes made.
Cycle India - Blog - A blog of the daily events in India.