By taking part in this event, I will be raising funds for Plan International; a charity I have subscribed to for the past 16 years – more detail below. 5 challenging days of cycling 50k each day, in the mountains of North Vietnam. I am covering my own costs for this trip. Thank you in advance for your support! Regards Kathy

58.93% Raised

€2,210.00 donated of €3,750.00 goal

5 Donors

Campaign has ended

As a global organisation working in 51 developing countries, Plan International Ireland promotes children’s rights, ending injustices and lifting millions of children out of poverty. Myself and 15 others will be flying to Hanoi, Vietnam on 12th April 2017, cycling an average of 50km daily. We will head on a bus to Ha Giang province, visiting some ethnic villages through Phu Tho, Tuyen Quang.   Arriving at Ha Giang by 16.00 to try out our bikes – I hope mine is an appropriate size as I am 5 ft 8 and considerably heavier than your average Vietnamese – fingers crossed!! Saturday is our first full day – 25km through landscape of terraced rice paddy fields, relatively flat through Quan Ba.  The next 25km up winding roads into vast limestone mountain range, climing 800m towards the mountain road pass “Heaven Gate 1” then a lovely 15km downhill into Quan Ba, where we stay overnight. The next few days will be a challenging mix of up and downhill at an altitude over 1,000m. Day 6 will be our first opportunity to witness first hand, the work of Plan International and how the fundraising efforts help, visiting a programme where we get to meet the children, families, teachers and communities that are benefitting from Plan International’s community based Bilingual Education for Ethnic Minority children in the region.  Today’s cycle is a short ride, the climb much harder but more spectacular. Day 7 we will be cycling one of the most scenic; 10km of Northern Vietnam with huge gorges leading straight into the wild frontier land and Yunnan Province of China.  After lunch, we will be visiting our second Plan International programme. Day 8 will be our final day of cycling through a stunningly remote mountain road en route to Bao Lac through beautiful villages.  After 5km uphill cycle we will make a (well earned) 20km descent before following a fairly flat 10km – more than likely exhausted by then!!  The surrounding landscape with surreal vista of peaks, troughs, towers and caves, passing people from local minority communities along the way dressed in their vibrant tribal costumes. Upon arrival in Bao Lac, we will check into local guesthouse for our overnight. Day 9 – full day transfer back to Hanoi with legs like rocks probably, having our final celebratory meal together with time to explore Vietnam’s vibrant capital. Day 10 – transfer back to the airport for flight back to Dublin. As I use my bike every day around Wexford Town, I look forward to improving my fitness as I work towards a cause I’m passionate about. Thank you in advance for your support! Regards, Kathy

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