The Charities

The Rainbow Trust
http://www.rainbowtrust.org.uk/
Rainbow Trust Children's Charity provides practical and emotional support to families who have a child with a life threatening or terminal illness.
It supports 1,000 families each year and its two respite houses in Surrey and Northumberland provide a break for the whole family.

World Wildlife Fund (WWF)
http://www.wwf.org/
WWF conserves endangered species, protects threatened habitats and addresses global threats. It finds long-term solutions that benefit both people and nature.


The Mother Theresa Society
http://www.mothertheresasociety.org/
A charity whose basic aims include ensuring the education of children threatened by increasing poverty and campaigning against the ostracism of children with the HIV virus.

Reading

Sometimes reading is dangerous! I signed up to participate in the Enduro India Challenge for a number of reasons.

  • Always wanted to visit India since the hippy days, but my wife is somewhat less keen.
  • Love motorcycles but never have enough time to ride decent distances
  • Have a debt to pay to organisations that help others at time of great emotional need.
  • Finally have a few quid to be able to do it.
  • Too Much reading!!


I have read too many motorcycle travel books from my armchair and it always seemed so interesting, exciting, glamorous and whilst sitting with my feet up it all seemed pretty easy. So now I am commited I have re read all those books and guess what? It all looks a bit difficult.

This is an edited list of the culprits.

The Adventure Motorcycling Handbook - Chris Scott

The definitive handbook for adventure motorcyclists. If you only have one such book, this is the one. Anyone planning to travel somewhere different on a motorbike will find this book really useful. Full of ideas, tips, lists, advice, it's all there. Even if you've never had a go at motorcycle touring before - this book will help. The information about touring in different continents/countries is excellent.

Bitten by the bullet - Steve Krzystyniak

Bitten By The Bullet will be of enormous interest to armchair travellers and devotees of the colourful and dramatic Indian sub-continent, keeping them breathlessly involved until the very last page.

Jupiters Travels - Ted Simon

The original and the best - four years to travel around the world on a Triumph (25 years ago).

Bullet up the Grand Trunk Road - Jonathan Gregson

The Grand Trunk Road stretches 1600 miles, from Calcutta to the North-west frontier. Some 50 years after, it served as an escape route for 15 million refugees, following Independence and Partition, the author travels the road on an Enfield Bullet motorbike.

Running with the Moon - Johnny Bealby

Jonny Bealby was devastated when his fiancee, Melanie, died unexpectedly while they were travelling in Kashmir. Two years later, still heartbroken and utterly disillusioned, he took on the challenge of a lifetime. Setting out with only his motorbike for company, he began a daring and dangerous journey around the African continent.

Long Way Round - Ewan McGregor

Well I guess it had to be here! - More back up than Rommel but hey! the did it. Fair play.


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