Final entry
All distances are added up. Packages are posted, this is the end of the long ride to Berlin. And what a ride it was! Thank you all for your support. Thank you to the German organisers for the the grand climax, and the goodies we all got.
And thank you also for the suggestions that are now coming in. Yes, let's do it again, so be ready!
GMS, 21/8/13
And thank you also for the suggestions that are now coming in. Yes, let's do it again, so be ready!
GMS, 21/8/13
August 1st - 3 days to go!
Hurrah, we have reached just over 21,000km. That means we are now on a latitude that runs through Thurso on mainland UK. Keep on going - every km ridden until midday 4th August counts.
And if you want some inspiration of how the Europeans got on on their way to Berlin, visit http://stafettenritt.blogspot.de Pretty amazing!
And if you want some inspiration of how the Europeans got on on their way to Berlin, visit http://stafettenritt.blogspot.de Pretty amazing!
Focussing in latitude...Dear Riders,
If you have arrived – congratulations! But keep on riding. Once you have reached your personal target, it is time to focus on what we will have achieved together. Our common target is to ride around the globe on a latitude that runs through the UK, somewhere between Shetland in the north and Cornwall in the south. Total length of latitude 60.22, the latitude that runs through Northern Shetland is 19,980km. And we have already achieved that! Much further south, the latitude that runs through Penzance (50.11) is 25,787km long. Hmm, maybe we wil run out of time. So where will we end up? The total distance we have achieved so far is 20,358km - so working our way southwards. The team works!If you think you won't make it on your own – how about trying to find a team mate or two. - Teams with up to 7 members are allowed, and you can add the total distance of all team members together to boost your totals.
Each team needs a name - so get your thinking hats on! Once you have found one or more fellow riders from the list found here, please get in touch. GMS, 4th July 2013 |
GMS, 4th July 2013
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Team names - which one is your favourite?
Time for som brain work? If you are going to join in with others to form a team which will get you to Berlin - then it's time you also think of a good name for your joint effort! These are the teams we already have. Which name do you like best? I would go for Hestar la vista, followed very closely by Nice'n'Icey? What do you think?
And what name will you choose? As ever, please post your feedback to Gundula.
July 3rd, 2013
C0ngratulations to Lou and Shannon - the first team to arrive in Berlin
Behind the name Halfey Iceys are two riders, Lou and Shannon - who undertook the 1326km from home to Berlin together. With Lou riding 925km and Shannon 466, they are the first team to add their km together and arrive in Berlin by the end of June! Congratulations to both!
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With only one month to go, I hope there will be more riders who feel that shared fun is double the fun - and form into teams to make the whole distance.
If you need info for possible 'partners' - just get in touch with Gundula June 29, 2013 |
The first riders arrive in BerlinCongratulations to Maike and Oskar - they live 1157km from Berlin, and have just arrived! An incredible achievement! Skál – and we hope someone served you a cool beer! The next riders are well on the way to join you soon! 10th June 2013 - in the morning PS - latest news: I have just been told that Alison Fiddler and Ómi, have also arrived! Picture to follow! Congratulations to you, too! 10th June - in the evening For Ómi's story, see here |
(Le) Trekking through the bluebells
Last weekend, my friend Helena and I competed at a Trec in Dorset in the Level 2 pairs class. The event was hosted by Bryanston School on wonderful school grounds. After a rainy Friday arrival, the weather turned out well for the weekend: sunny, but not too hot. The orienteering phase of the competition led us for 20km along fields and through woods. Due to the late spring this year, the bluebells were still in full bloom and a beautiful sight to see. Though the many criss-crossing paths in the woods were a bit of a challenge to navigate correctly! Oskar was in good spirits and led much of the way. He was still power-walking on our way home, and felt as though he could've gone the distance again. By the time this hits the blog, we'll probably have reached our virtual goal - we're just about 20km short of Trabrennbahn Karlshorst! My tickets are booked, and I'm really starting to look forward to the WCs!
Ooops - splash....
We set off for our last May ride in glorious sunshine. Out along the track in perfect harmony, side by side, through all the gates perfectly, up the hill at a reasonable speed, with lovely upward and downward transitions. Down the hill and through the gate where we stopped for a snack (see photos of smiling, dry people and their horses). We listened to the cuckoo and chatted idly as we wandered down the grassy path. Home along the river, it was getting a bit hot and we entertained the prospect of perhaps unzipping our jackets. But no, that was not enough for Catriona. After a few uneventful fordings of the meandering brook, she decided to cool off by falling off her stumbling horse into the raging torrent. Luckily nothing injured and, on the upside, she stopped complaining about being too warm. Both horses came home as though butter wouldn’t melt in their mouths but Catriona’s jodphurs and water filled boots told a different story…
Kim and Catriona
Kim and Catriona
Star CommentsI've been tracking how for I've got on google maps, I've been stuck in the channel tunnel for 2 months now, must make a conserted effort to reach France. Hopefully the weather in February will be kind and let me ride. ( J&J)
PS - they finally made it through - heading for Dunkirk now (28th Feb). * * * * * * * * Having read a few updates on the website, Ess and I decided we didn't fancy hours riding through in the channel tunnel, so when we got to Newcastle we hopped onto the ferry from Newcastle to Rotterdam. Using this route there's just the 550 km to go :-) Is this cheating? (KW) Of course, it's cheating! Just make sure you do not get found out! Bon voyage! (Feb 2013, GS) |
Just can't help it...Even though I still have a cool 1600km to get there - and will NEVER make it on my own, this is all getting very exciting. The weather is horrid out there, so it's time to surf!
Love the poster! For news items on the preparations in Berlin go here: http://www.berlin2013.de/news-49.html |
The Relay Ride on the continentYou may also like to know that the organisation for the relay rides on the continent is now well underway. This link http://www.ipzv.de/newsdetail-110/items/stafettenritt-2013-jetzt-anmelden.html is in German – but you might want to run it through google translate. And either way – the map gives you an indication of the ambitions of this enterprise. Keep on riding – we are way ahead of the game! |
Star picture
This is one of my favourite pictures from the ride to Berlin... See how beautifully the rough patch molds the back and the leg of the rider?
Which photo of your ride do you like best? Or will you send in a new one?
Happy New Year!
January brings longer days and prospects of the New! And we are almost halfway through the month. But before we forget Christmas altogether, 3 cheers to Stjarni. He must surely be the best dressed Icelandic of the festive period. And thank you Tina for the seasonal reminder of riding in Iceland. Together, we are only 53km short of 10,000 km. Individually, Fiona is still very comfortably in the lead with 755 km to date. Congratulations! She is already over half way to Berlin. You find the current distances for everyone on the Statistics page. Keep riding! 10th Jan 2013 |
Rainbow Warrior
And snow gives way to "good hope". A very Happy New Year 2013 to all riders.
And thanks to Julie and Depla!
And thanks to Julie and Depla!
Advent
Beginning of Advent and the first snow in many parts of the country. That did not deter Kim and Ess.
3rd November - in November, Ómi, most faithful of steeds, together with his rider, will reach the proud combined age of 77 years.
Congratulations to both!
Congratulations to both!
29th September - As you know, this initiative was partly inspired by the disappointment that it will not be practical for most of us here int the UK to actually participate in any of the relay rides to and in Berlin for the World Championships in August 2013. So we had to find other ways of getting there, metaphorically and for real. But maybe it is possible for one or the other rider to actually travel to Berlin with a horse. Note, there is a deadline (30 October!) for riders to register for participating in the final stage in the city itself. For more information see here.
25th September - Here are a few fun numbers. We are now 36 riders, the youngest a teenager, the oldest - who knows!? The oldest horse I have heard about is 24. Anyone to top that? And yes, we also have a 5 year old. He is definitely going to be part of a team to get all the way to Berlin. He is coming, part ridden, and partly as a handhorse (distance counts half, i.e. 10 km as a handhorse counts 5km for the rider who took him). The total numbers for September will be published here early next week.
PS: we have a new record: combined age of horse and rider of 76. Can anyone beat that?
PS: we have a new record: combined age of horse and rider of 76. Can anyone beat that?
16th September - Take a look at the new page "statistics". It will show you the latest in what individual riders have achieved. Also - don't be afraid of the total distance between your home and Berlin! You don't have to go it alone. If you form a team, the kilometers every team member puts in will be added together - and together you will get there. Maximum team size is 7 riders (and any number of their horses)
31st August. Yes, there was a bit of confusion and the total distance is now 1362 km. That's more like it! Fiona has just broken through the 200km barrier... Congratulations!
The first pictures have now arrived. Take a look at the Gallery.
The first pictures have now arrived. Take a look at the Gallery.
26th August: there are now 24 registered riders and together we have ridden 233 km.
The website will be updated regularly. You can send in your distances, and pictures or contributions to the blog at any time to [email protected]
The website will be updated regularly. You can send in your distances, and pictures or contributions to the blog at any time to [email protected]