Jordan fans saddle up

For Sale
By Phil Giles
July 10 2003

It may not sound like the most perfect holiday ever but some of us dare to be different. Some like lying in the sun and burning to a crisp, others like Michael Cormack prefer to cycle a million miles all in a good cause.

Eddie Jordan's chosen charity CLIC (Cancer and Leukaemia in Childhood) is one committed to improving the lives of children with cancer and leukaemia and their families.  The charity provides specialist nursing care, family accommodation, financial assistance and can allow the family to go on a short break in the UK when things become too much to bear.  CLIC also supports research projects in the UK. 

Earlier on in the year Eddie got on his bike and rode into Africa to raise funds for the charity.  Now, Michael is going to go to Vietnam to take up the challenge.  Michaels problem however is that he needs to raise funds in order to undertake this adventure.

To it, he is selling a front wing end plate from an EJ12.  The plate has the Damovo Logo and is signed by the man in charge Eddie J.  There's even a certificate of authenticity. The asking price is perhaps a bit steep for us mere mortals but I'm sure that someone will read this who'd like to get their hands on a rare piece of F1 memorabilia.  I'll let Michael explain the rest...

So this November (21st-30th), I will join a group of fundraisers on a 295 mile bike ride through Vietnam, it's going to be a tough challenge and is by no means a cheap holiday!

On Friday the 21st we fly from London to Danang via Bangkok, Saturday 22nd is the day for our bike fitting and a spot of lunch!

Sunday the 23rd we will have arrived in Hoi An and have a warm up ride 32km not that its needed as the temperature is likely to be 20c

Monday 24th-we will cycle 128km the route will be South from Hoi An onto Quang Ngai upon arrival we will board a train have eat then on to Nha Trang

Tues25th-On arrival in Nha Trang we stop for breakfast then on the bikes for a journey to Phan Rang-(Who Rang!!) this part is only 107km,on the Wednesday we take in the Cham Towers then transfer to the Muc pass, have a picture or 2 then start the afternoon ride of 39km.

The first 6km of this ride is flat and then we have to sweat as for 15km the road climbs steeply, once the climb is over we will be at the top of the mountain and spend the night in Dalat.

Thursday the 27th-we will head south from Dalat and Head to Bao Loc some 114km away for an overnight stop, and if that's not enough there is a 12km option to cycle to the Pangour waterfall which might come in handy to cool off.

Friday the 28th-we begin the last cycling day with a visit to a tea factory in Bao Loc.  As we continue south , the route will pass churches and pagodas. After approx. 33km we will have reached the end of the challenge congratulations all round and a well earned lunch!  Then on to a coach and head for our hotel in Saigon where we will celebrate the end of our challenge with a gala dinner.

Saturday the 29th-A day to explore Saigon, the heart and soul of Vietnam the streets full of shops, stalls, stands.
In the evening we transfer to the airport for the return flight home via Bangkok.

Sunday 30th-arrive back in UK and for me a cool beer in my village pub.

At the moment I'm looking for individuals to sponsor me, a couple of companies offering sponsorship would be great, and if I manage to sell the front wing that £2500 needed would not seem so far away. Of course I'd love to pay the entire cost myself and indeed would if I could afford to. I have paid a fee of £300 to secure my place and will have to pay for insurance and a visa but I'm happy to do this as long as I can raise the £2500. 

But with your help I know I CAN DO IT!

You can contact Michael at Cormackwmn@aol.com 

Jordan Fans wishes Michael every success in his fund raising attempt. I'm sure we'll bring you more as it happens