#BMXforNepal
So what's up?
This is the basic idea. On the 1st of October 2015, I'm going to be cycling a BMX across Bhutan, through part of India, into Nepal and finishing in Kathmandu. At total distance of over 1700km, crossing multiple mountain passes over 3500m. My dad will be joining on a more sensible mode of transport, a mountain bike.
My dad during the Freedom Challenge in South Africa
Me on a BMX doing the Cape Argus 109km cycle in 2014
Expedition Facts
I've Googled my heart out trying to find someone else who has cycled a BMX as far as this and have been unsuccessful. So unless someone comes forward, this will be the
- Farthest distance cycled on a BMX.
- First full country crossing on a BMX (Crossing the entire country of Bhutan)
- Distance - 1722KM/1070mi
- Crossing 5 mountain passes above 3000m.
- Crossing the two highest road passes in Bhutan (over 3800m each)
Click on the image to play the video.
What makes this difficult?
A BMX is MUCH smaller than a normal mountain bike and is not designed to be cycled a long distance - zero comfort factor.
A BMX is a single speed bike and has no gears to make pedalling easier.
A BMX has very small wheels and is not good at high speeds - huge risk of speed wobbles!
Altitude - we will be crossing multiple mountain passes over 3000m in altitude. The air is thin up there which makes breathing tough!
Why would I be doing this?!
First of all, because it's going to be awesome! Secondly and the real reason why: My wife and I have been volunteering in Bhutan this past year. She is a teacher and I am a photographer. When the earthquake hit Nepal, we felt it. It was unfathomable to think that the moment we felt the small shaking, thousands of people lost their lives, loved ones and homes. This expedition will help support schools damaged by the earthquake. All funds raised will go to the New Zealand non-profit organization, The Himalayan Trust.
How to help the schools
We are looking for organizations, large companies or individuals to pledge a donation per km. My goal is to raise $5000! Personal donations can be submitted through the button below. Even small amounts will make a difference!
Where do the funds go exactly?
All funds raised will be going to the New Zealand non profit organisation, The Himalayan Trust who are currently busy with projects in Nepal.
Sir Edmund Hillary founded the Himalayan Trust in 1960, and ever since then we have been working alongside our friends and partner organisations in Nepal to help the people of the Everest region with health, education and general wellbeing. We are an international non-profit humanitarian organisation working in the Solukhumbu region of Nepal—an area where Sir Ed first set off to climb Mt Everest and where he ended up spending many years over his lifetime.
Dylan on a BMX training for the 109km Argus in South Africa 2014
How can you assist in making this expedition happen?
No matter if you donated or not, please share this page with your friends and family. The more exposure we can create, the more funds we can raise for the schools of Nepal!
Secondly, as our expedition is totally self funded, there are some costs we need to cover as well as some gear we need for the trip. This is what we need to make this possible:
- 1 x BMX. This is the only essential piece of gear that we need to make this happen! $400
- BMX Extras. Along with the BMX, I need to get a spare tire, helmet, a bike tool,full finger gloves, and a spare tube. Roughly $100 for those extras.
- $$$ . We estimate it will take us about 3 - 4 weeks to complete this expedition. I've worked out that to cover our daily accommodation costs, food, snacks, water, and my flight back to Bhutan from Nepal we are looking at a total of $1000 for the both of us for the 4 weeks of traveling
Total estimated costs - $1500
If you are able to help cover the costs of the expedition, click on the Donate button below and make a contribution through PayPal. Please note! This button will make a payment to ME to fund the expedition and NOT to the Nepal Earthquake cause! That link is above.
Thank you for taking the time to learn more about my project and for any support, whether financial or emotional, thank you!
