David Dodge’s Post

The Tour du Lunsar defines the raw beauty of African cycling. Outside of all the work being done by so many great organizations throughout the continent, this amazing grassroots race exemplifies what can be done when passionate people, people who simply love cycling, come together and unite forces. When we worked in Rwanda, we had a phrase: #teamisteam. We all work together, and that includes Team Africa Rising helping our friends in Sierra Leone. Year over year, the Tour du Lunsar has grown and now attracts cyclists from Nigeria, the US, and the UK. But most of all, it is the race Sierra Leonean cyclists live for each year. This is THEIR race! This year has been a struggle with losing a major sponsor, and some of that money has been found with a generous large donation and the ongoing GoFundMe campaign, but here’s the reality: The race budget is $42,840 of which $22,120 is confirmed and an additional $9,450 pending (expecting confirmation). That leaves an outstanding balance of $11,340. That’s where the GoFundMe campaign comes into play. Like most of the US and UK, inflation has taken a huge bite out of the available currency. It is no different in Sierra Leone, probably worse. We need your help. Keep this race a reality -- this beautiful, raw, grassroots source of joy and pride to Sierra Leone. #africarising #makeadifference #sierraleone

Recent studies shed light on how dangerous Tucson streets are for cyclists. 🚴♂️🚧 Local non-profit, Living Streets Alliance is working with city officials to pedal towards a safer future. 🌟🛣️ Read today’s Tucson Agenda to see some of the ideas the group has come up with. 📰🔍 #TucsonCycling #RoadSafety #TrafficFatalities #UrbanDesign https://loom.ly/Coh7PUQ

Sometimes clubs are managed poorly, and struggle to survive, but here is a good club, with a good history, unable to get on with their landlords. If you are a sailing lawyer and might be able to help, then get in touch with them and offer your services. If you love sailing, and believe others should do too then perhaps put a few pounds into their campaign. If you work in the industry, and want an industry to be thriving, then make a corporate size donation - this way we can ensure our customers now and in the future will still be customers. More £££ = better hope of a positive outcome. https://lnkd.in/evKGmmmF

🧩✨ #AutismAwareness Top 36 Golf Course Rankings: Post 30 - Course #7⛳️ 🧩 🚨 $11,053 of $15,000 (74%) goal raised 🚨 💰 DONATE - Please help us get there by donating $36 today: https://lnkd.in/e4MFcQfd To represent the 1 in 36 kids affected by Autism in the US, I will be counting down my Top 36 Golf Courses that I have ever played with a short story/memory for each. If you could please consider donating $36 (or more) to Els for Autism via the link above, I would appreciate it ❤️ Golf Course #7 - Trump Turnberry (Ailsa) For course #7 we stay across the pond in Scotland to play the famous Turnberry (Ailsa) course. Founded in 1899 by Archibald Kennedy, 3rd Marquess of Ailsa, the idea for the course came about when a main railroad & passenger train was built close by and the land was not fertile enough for agriculture, thus making a golf course & hotel an excellent money making opportunity. Archibald hired 1883 Open Champion, Willie Fernie, to come in and design the course, which at the time was only 13 holes, and the project was overall successful, luring many golfers from all over Britain who stayed and played Turnberry. Unfortunately, this success was short-lived, because when the World Wars happened, it was decided that the course should be used as an airbase and the hotel as a hospital, as the coastline was too valuable to pass up. The course was essentially ruined as a result. It was not until after the wars when British Transport Hotels convinced government that the course and hotel should be restored, and thankfully for us golfers, the project was approved and architect Mackenzie Ross made it the 18-hole championship masterpiece it now is today. Since then, it has now hosted the Open Championship 4 times, the last being 2009 when Tom Watson famously almost became the oldest major championship winner at age 61, bogeying the last hole and losing in a sudden death playoff to Stewart Cink. I got to play Turnberry in 2018, and talk about a course that is jaw dropping! When you make the turn out on the coast, playing holes alongside the cliffs with the famous lighthouse in view, it is a spiritual experience. Not to mention the course is a very fair test; it’s not short, it’s not long, it rewards good shots and penalizes bad ones. Oh, and the walk down 18 with the hotel in the background isn’t bad either! A true joy to play and I hope to do it again one day ⛳️

SERPENT TRAIL CHALLENGE UPDATE - WEEK 1 of 32 COMPLETED With 31 weeks to go until I run the 50km Serpent Trail Race on 6th July next year I'm now past the starting blocks with both my fundraising and training. Week one has gone well seeing me run 19.9 miles across three training sessions. This is based on a progressive training plan created for me by expert running coach and old friend Kelvin Horner from Wild Souls Running Collective. This uses 4 weeks long training blocks separated by a 'download week'. Each block has a specific focus and builds towards a specific fitness goal. My current block is focused towards building my body's ability to use pyruvate and lactate as fuel during intense exercise. This week in training I have: * Run 19.9 miles * Gained 1178 ft of elevation on my runs * Run for a total of 3 hours and 23 min * Maintained an average pace of 10.10 min per mile I'm really delighted by how my fundraising has started, with 16% of my initial £1000 goal (£160) having been hit already and almost all donations having 25% gift aid on top of this. This is the first time I have personally worked to raise money for two causes simultaneously in this way and whilst it is very early days, it's fascinating to watch how this is developing. So far donations to the Fundraising for @The Community Foundation for Staffordshire are slightly ahead at £90 plus gift aid, with @The Gingerbread Centre following close behind at £70 plus gift aid. It might seem like it is a long time still until my race, but there is also a long way to go before I hit my £1,000 target and every donation helps spur me on with my training so if you would like to show your support you can check out my JustGiving Page here: https://buff.ly/3N0bjqe All support is greatly appreciated both by me and the two fantastic charities I'm supporting. If you are a UK taxpayer adding a simple gift aid declaration is a brilliant way to maximise your donation as the government adds a further 25% to your donation from tax you have already paid. Hopefully next time I post an update I may have some new photos to share!

Join Me in Cycling for Charity: Pedal with Purpose This year I’ve decided to turn my love for cycling into a force for good. For every kilometer I ride, I will be donating a set amount of money to charity. It’s a simple yet powerful way to stay fit while making a difference in the world. How It Works: ·     For Every Kilometer Cycled: I’ll donate an amount of money to a charity of my choice. ·     Tracking Progress: I’ll keep a log of my rides and the total distance covered. ·     End of Year Donation:At the end of the year, I’ll tally up the kilometers and make a donation to a chosen charity. Why This Matters: Charities rely on donations to support their crucial work. By turning my cycling routine into a fundraising effort, I’m not only staying healthy but also contributing to a cause I believe in. Whether it’s helping to fight disease, support education, or protect the environment, every kilometer counts. Join the Challenge: I’m inviting you to join me in this endeavor. Here’s how you can get involved: 1.    Pick a Sport: Whether it’s running, swimming, hiking, or any other activity you enjoy. 2.    Set an Amount: Decide how much you’ll donate for each unit of distance or time (e.g., per kilometer, mile, or hour). 3.    Track Your Progress: Keep a record of your activity throughout the year. 4.    Make a Donation: At the end of the year, calculate your total and donate to a charity of your choice. Sharing the Journey: ·     Social Media: Share your progress on social media using the hashtag #RomaniaSportForCharityChallenge. ·     Inspire Others: Encourage your friends and family to participate and make their activities count. Together, we can make a significant impact by turning our passion for sports into a beacon of hope for those in need. Let’s pedal, run, swim, and hike towards a brighter future. Who’s with me? Bogdan

10 Reasons Why You Should Buy a Buddy Bike! With The Buddy Bike, the rider with special needs can be included on family rides, and they can even lead the ride. If this isn’t reason enough to know that The Buddy Bike can be life-changing, not just for your child with special needs, but for your entire family, here is reason #8 for why you should buy The Buddy Bike today! #8 Help Us Provide The Buddy Bike For More Families Each purchase of The Buddy Bike helps us fund more trade-in models to refurbish and resell, or allows us to build new Buddy Bikes, and sometimes allows us to donate bikes. This ensures that this unique bicycle remains available for more families of children with special needs and the schools, camps, and organizations that serve them. Last week we were able to help get TWO Buddy Bikes donated to organizations where many families will be able to enjoy them. We can only do this with your support! READ 10 Reasons Why You Should Buy a Buddy Bike https://lnkd.in/e-MvESQk #buddybike #adaptivecycling #specialneedsparenting #specialneeds #inclusivecycling

🌊 Join Us in Making a Difference! 🌊 We're thrilled to share an inspiring initiative that combines athleticism, philanthropy, and community support. Pascal Ducray, an accomplished athlete, is taking on an extraordinary challenge: swimming across the Strait of Gibraltar from Europe to Africa to raise funds for the CP Family association, which supports children with cerebral palsy. 🗓️ Dates: July 22nd - July 30th, 2024 (depending on the weather) 🏊♂️ Distance: 16-17 kilometers  ⏱️ Target Time: 3 hours and 50 minutes About CP Family: Led by Sarah Bathfield, CP Family is dedicated to improving the quality of life for individuals affected by cerebral palsy. Through various forms of support and advocacy, they provide essential customized equipment like adapted wheelchairs to enhance mobility and independence for children. Why Support This Initiative?  By contributing to this cause, your company can play a pivotal role in enhancing the lives of children with cerebral palsy. This project aligns perfectly with CSR objectives by demonstrating a commitment to social responsibility, community support, and making a tangible difference in the lives of those in need. How You Can Help: 👉Corporate Sponsorship: Partner with us to showcase your company's dedication to social good and community support. 👉Individual Contributions: Every donation, no matter the size, makes a significant impact. 👉Spread the Word: Share our campaign with your network to help us reach more people and maximize our impact. Ready to Make a Difference? Click the link to donate and support Pascal's swim for CP Family: https://lnkd.in/duXS8rKB Together, we can empower these children and make strides towards a more inclusive society. Thank you for your support! 💙 #CSR #CerebralPalsy #Charity #Philanthropy #CommunitySupport #PascalDucray #CPFamily #Inclusion #CorporateResponsibility

Today is the start of the Boxmoor Virtual Marathon. The challenge is something we’ve been involved with organising at One Impossible Thing. The idea is to run, swim, bike, walk or scoot the 26.2miles/42.2km distance over 10 weeks. I’ve challenged myself to swim at least half of it. That works out at a bit over 2km each week. I’m currently at 1km a week, so I’m going to have to up my game! At least the lake is getting warmer. It was 12 degrees at our last outing. I’ll be shedding my gloves, boots and neoprene hat in no time at all! Surely that will help me propel through the water quicker, therefore swimming further on the same energy levels? Is that scientific? I’m not sure, but that's what it feels like it should do. I’m kicking off my mileage around the lake on Saturday. So it’s not too late to join me in this challenge. Decide what sporting discipline (or disciplines!) you want to complete your marathon distance in, and once you’ve finished your challenge you’ll receive a colourful wooden Boxmoor Virtual Marathon medal. Surely it's worth it just for the medal?! You can register here: https://lnkd.in/d36R6isc If the medal doesn't persuade you, then you can always sponsor me instead! All sponsorship money goes to One Impossible Thing to help fund all the work we do collecting and redistributing preloved sports shoes to those who need a little extra help. Here’s the link to the donation page: https://gofund.me/ac115cfc #sportingchallenge #marathondistance