***NEW NEWS*** --- All wanting to follow my progress can now do so on my blog... http://edstourdefrance.blogsport.com/

Thanks! Ed

***BREAKING NEWS*** --- Thanks to those who have now donated using the offline possibilty. This is done by sending a cheque made payable to Save the Children to c/o Nancy, 1 St John's Lane, London, EC1M 4AR. She may also be contacted directly on 020 7012 6400.

Well...as I'm sure some of you know, as of September I found myself in a pretty rubbish job (entirely as a result of my own fault). So, having spent more time visiting back home than some students themselves indeed spent there, I decided I should probably get off my arse and do something positive.

Owning a wonderful mobylette (RIP Black Thunder) I considered mobyletting around France, before realising it was so mechanically unsound it would barely make it out of my village. I finally arrived at my current plan, to cycle around France. Standard.

The 1907 Tour de France (100yrs ago) was won by a man named Lucien Petit Breton, an independent rider who covered 4500kms in 15 days, cycling at an average speed of over 30km/h on a bike without gears. He was also up against team riders who had support networks behind them. The sheer scale of this achievement is difficult to comprehend, but to give an idea the cyclists of 1907 covered 50% more ground than those of 2007 will, and in half the time.

I shall be cycling as close as possible to the route of the 1907 tour de france, setting off on April 1st, and hopefully arriving back early June. I'm going to be carrying all my stuff on paniers on the back of the bike and completely self sufficient.

Donating through this site is simple, fast and totally secure. It is also the most efficient way to sponsor me: Save the Children will receive your money faster and, if you are a UK taxpayer, an extra 28% in tax will be added to your gift at no cost to you.

Thanks again everyone, even if just for taking the time to read this.

Ed xxx

Offline donors to date:

Mike Wilson --- £250.00

David Bellamy --- £100.00

Dave Worrow --- £20.00

Mr and Mrs Morgenthau --- £100.00

Neil Cowan --- £50.00

Steve McKnight --- £50.00

Placid Gonzalez --- £100.00