F.A.Q.

1.About me

1.1 Who are you?
1.2 Why are you doing this?
1.3 Are you insane?

2.The Bike

2.1 What bike are you using?
2.2 Why?
2.3 Isn't that a bit silly?

3.The Route

3.1 Where are you going?
3.2 What, right round?
3.3 What rules are you following?

4.The Charity

4.1 What charity are you supporting?
4.2 How do I donate?
4.3 What's Gift Aid?

5.Miscellaneous

5.1 What happens if you don't make it all the way?
5.2 Who drew the logo?
5.3 Who's paying for all of this?
5.4 Why is it a solo ride?

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1.About me

1.1 Who are you?
My name is Chris Gordon, I'm 36 years old, and currently training to be an engineer. Up until a few months ago I was a postman, and before that I worked in an industrial joinery making fire and security doors. I've had a full motorcycle licence since I was seventeen, and in addition to the Honda C90, I also own a 1981 Suzuki GSX 1100. For those desperately curious to find out what I look like, see here, though I don't recommend it.

1.2 Why are you doing this?
For several reasons- to raise money and awareness of my chosen charity, Cardiac risk in the Young, and also as a tribute to my mate Budgie, who died in November 2004, aged 33. See the 'My Reasons for doing this' page for more details.

1.3 Are you insane?
Yes. No. Possibly. A bit. I will admit to being somewhat silly. This whole idea may be faintly ridiculous, but I hope you'll agree, it's all for a good cause. Deluded perhaps, but I think insane is pushing it a bit. Put it this way, none of my jackets have sleeves that cross over at the front and buckle up round the back...

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2.The Bike

2.1 What bike are you using?
My steed of choice is the mighty Honda C90 stepthrough-85cc and 4.5hp of unbridled fury! See here for more details.

2.2 Why?
A fair number of folks have been around the coast on various types of motorbikes, and I wanted to be a bit different.

2.3 Isn't that a bit silly?
Absolutely. The fact that it's almost the antithesis of the bike that most people would choose to do a marathon journey like this, to my mind makes the journey more of a challenge, and hopefully, more worthy of people's sponsorship money. The comedy factor of a sixteen stone, shaven-headed and bearded biker on a stepthrough will also hopefully raise a smile or two...

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3.The Route

3.1 Where are you going?
From my home in sunny North Bedfordshire to King's Lynn, then clockwise around the coast of mainland Britain until I get back to King's Lynn, then home for a cup of tea and a sit down. Around 3500 miles, I reckon.

3.2 What, right round?
Well, yeah- as near a route as I can practically follow, anyway. Due to the speed limitations of my chosen form of transport I'll be keeping well clear of motorways and major A-roads wherever possible, but on the other hand I won't be taking every tiny little road that gets me a mile or two closer to the coast, either. The route will usually keep within 10-15 miles of the coast, occasionally it will go further out, especially where the roads are far and few between, but most of the time I intend to stick as close to the coast as is sensible. I've got a provisional route mapped out, and I think it does what I've said on the tin. I think it's pretty fair.

3.3 What rules are you following?
Rules? Who said anything about rules? Rules are for squares, man (apparently). There are no rules- I've set this challenge for myself, and have done my best to explain it to everyone as best as I can. Have a look at the mission page, and if you still have questions contact me and ask!

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4.The Charity

4.1 What charity are you supporting?
I'm doing this in aid of CRY, or Cardiac Risk in the Young. Registered Charity No. 1050845. For more details of what they do, see here.

4.2 How do I donate?
You can sponsor me online via my secure Justgiving page, or send me a cheque payable to CRY. See my 'Sponsor Me' page for more details.

4.3 What's Gift Aid?
Gift Aid is a way that charities can claim an extra 28% for every pound of any donation made by UK taxpayers. For a better explanation, see here (Will open in a new window.)

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5.Miscellaneous

5.1 What happens if you don't make it all the way?
First up, I'll be absolutely gutted. I'm hoping that any obstacles along the way can be overcome one way or another. If I suffer catastrophic breakdown along the way, there's always my trusty AA card, but I hope it won't come to that. At the time of writing this is a solo effort- I have no fellow riders, and no support crew, so failure is possible, though I hope to avoid that outcome. Rest assured, if I do have to admit defeat at any point in the journey, I'll be back to finish the job. All of that said, I'm riding a Honda Cub- almost indestructible, and with a little care and attention it'll make it, no worries.

5.2Who drew the logo?

I did! Me. All my own work.

5.3 Who's paying for all of this?

Me! Unless someone else wants to add to the 'on the road' fund, I'll be paying for my fuel, food and accomodation for the whole trip myself. I bought the bike, a tent etc. etc. Hopefully a few folks will be kind enough to give me discounts along the way in return for a little free PR, but other than that, it all comes out of my own pocket.

5.4 Why is it a solo ride?

For the simple reason that no-one else I know fancied doing it as well! If the right person came along, I'd certainly consider it...

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