Simon Macklin

Power of Bicycles

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My Activity Tracking

7,513
kms

My target 1200 kms

Paris-Brest-Paris 2023

On August 20, 2023, I set out to ride from Paris to Brest and back in the Audax Club Parisienne 4 yearly Paris-Brest-Paris ride. I need to complete this in under 90 hours. The more I sleep the faster I have to ride.  During my training for this event,  I came across this organisation and it resonated!

Please help me raise 50 bicycles!

Simon/Sam

I believe in the Power of Bicycles and their ability to change the world. Please consider supporting my personal fundraising efforts to help mobilise individuals in rural developing countries. Just $215 helps put a brand new bike in the field and forever changes the trajectory of an individual's life.

Spread the word by sharing this page with others who may want to donate to help individuals challenged by distance. 

Thank you for your support!

My Updates

Early August

Thursday 3rd Aug
Having left winter behind for some summer training in the northern hemisphere, I am now DRIES (Dodging Rain In England’s Summer). The weather has been unbelievable with, so far, only 2 days out of 13 when it hasn’t rained!
Nevertheless have got some rides in and am an expert in cleaning bikes! Road surfaces are variable, ranging from ok to awful, and the car drivers have been pretty respectful. 3 weeks to go before heading to France.
Bon chance!

4 1/2 weeks to go!

Monday 17th Jul
A solid outing to his weekend. 300 on Sunday, 100 today. Legs feeling good!
Packing the bike to head to the UK for final preparation and summer acclimatisation.
Hope the bike makes the journey without damage!

Prep work update 10 July

Sunday 9th Jul
A slight hiatus last week with a dose of the nasty URTI doing the rounds, combined with weather that was not conducive to riding a bicycle outdoors!
Still, managed 100km on Saturday and 200km on Sunday weekend before last, and 100km Sunday 9 July.
10 days to go until departing for northern hemisphere summer training and 5 weeks to go before le grand depart in Paris.
The nervous anticipation is rising!

1 July and 7 weeks to go!

Saturday 1st Jul
i had a wonderful weekend in Hereford, UK for my niece's wedding, which was a welcome break from training but maybe not the best preparation! Now back to it with 7 weeks to go until the off.
The response from friends and followers to my request for donations to World Bicycle Relief has been so amazing that I have increased my target to 35 bicycles (or $7000, in hard cash terms).
Spread the word!!!
A big thank you to all you lovely people who have donated already - the cockles of my heart are warmed by your generosity.

Preparation

Wednesday 7th Jun
To qualify for PBP, one has to jump through certain hoops.
Firstly, one can reserve a place on the ride and the further one has ridden (in one go) the earlier one can reserve the place. In October I rode 600km in Victoria, taking wonderful pictures of silo art along the way, as my “reservation ride”.
Place now reserved, one has to qualify by complete if 4 more rides: 200km, 300km, 400km and 600km. All have a cut-off time. Too slow and they don’t count.
I have completed all of these on the roads around South Australia.
It can be cold, wet and most can be a bit lonely, but the countryside is beautiful.
I am immensely fortunate to have a long- suffering wife who, although she doesn’t get the appeal of riding that far on a bicycle, has supported me along my journey.

Thank you to my supporters

$50

Chris Mcdonald

$215

Tony Russell

$224.46

Toby Branson

$224.46

Philip And Elizabeth Game

Hi Simon we admire you for your perseverance and vision.

$50

Yasmin

Amazing cause, Simon!!!

$224.46

David & Clare

$65

Hannah & Peter Schulz

Good luck Si, you’re crazy, but we love you! Hannah & Peter

$100

Libby Robertson

Second attempt! (Sorry xx) Ride safely Keep well, see you back in Adelaide

$445

Ben Beamond

Best wishes.

$224.46

Rod Cooter

Well done Simon!

$215

Nich M

Go Simon, I will also double my donation if you complete this on a Buffalo Bike

$104.40

Chris Bollen

Best of luck in PBP Simon. You are an inspiration to all of us. Cheers Chris

$104.40

James Olsen

Good luck on the Pairs Brest Paris ride Simon! I still don’t believe that “anyone” could do it! Takes a superhuman like you!

$104.40

John Bolt

Ride safely and come home

$67.86

Bruce Frayne

Good luck Simon

$67.86

Paula Green

A great cause Simon. Wishing you tail winds and a safe trip.Cheers Paula

$215

Scott Robinson

Great work Simon

$104.40

Marni Calvert

Good luck!

$224.46

Jeff Ellison

Well done Simon

$224.46

Louis Papilion

Good luck Simon!

$215

Mark Schoeman

$65

Anonymous

$67.86

Paul & Heather Sambrook

That’s a long ride Simon. Keep strong! Heather & Paul

$215

David Ellis

On you Simon!

$52.20

Steve Matulich

Good luck mate

$224.46

Mark Mussared

Go for it Simon. You're quite mad, but best of luck! Hopefully you'll swap pedals for an engine and come for that sort of ride again soon.

$104.40

Andrew Wallace

$50

Anonymous

$65

James D

How hard could it be? Churchill-“Nothing like a little fear to focus the mind''.

$50

Anonymous

$104.40

Lisa Biggs

Crazy! Good luck Simon!

$104.40

Peter Cundy

Great work Simon

$20.88

Glen Thompson

Good luck with the PBP.

$36.54

Nadine Tapper

Life is like riding a bicycle. To keep your balance you must keep moving.... Go Simon!!

$215

Will Cundy

Good luck Simon!

$224.46

Steve And Joanne Petito

Best of luck, Simon! We know you can do it! Best wishes from Steve and Jo Petito.

$83.52

George Pantahos

Great effort Simon

$224.46

Mary-ann

Well done Simon.

$224.46

Matthew Grill

$224.46

Kris Usher

Great work mate! Will be an impressive feat. Look forward to hearing about it when you are back!

$430

Josh Hayes

Amazing, Simon

$224.46

Anonymous

All the best for ride... L'elephant crewman

$52.20

Cheryl P

What a wonderful cause, safe travels!

$104.40

Alan Newman

Go well Bunky.

$224.46

Anonymous

Tail winds all the way. Go Simon!

$114.84

Ian And Rosie Budenberg

Great idea Simon to ride for a cause. Good luck!

$300

Bronwen Evans

Bon Voyage Simon, enjoy those climbs & savour the downhills!!

$110

Phil Worley

Great work you crazy man. Here’s half a bike towards your efforts. You choose if it’s the front or back. Ride well.

$100

Andrew Lavender

Sucker for punishment 👍

$130.50

James Litt

$224.46

Kate Drummond

$215

Mark Boesch

Go Shmack Dawg!

$104.40

Ryan Breslin

Good luck!

$104.40

Sam Willis

You’re a crazy dude!

$104.40

Jonathan Taylor

Enjoy every second of this Simon. Bonne chance!

$67.86

Bronwyn Porter

Great initiative, Simon

$104.40

Ian Metcalfe

Have a great time Simon

$36.54

Frank Grutzner

$224.46

Steve Wilson

Good luck mad man.

$52.20

Gary Wakeling

$104.40

Roy Chesters

I’m guessing half way through you may be considering donating the bike you’re on ! Well done

$224.46

Patrick Moran

$215

Anonymous

All the best Simon. Izhar Haque, Surgeon.

$215

Rs Cheng

Hmm… 1200km in 90hr… Good Luck!

$104.40

Andrew Wing

Go for it Simon! Ill double my donation if you do it on The Buffalo!!

$52.20

Gerard

Go Hard or Go Home

$224.46

Anthony Purser

Good luck

$224.46

Bill Griggs

$67.86

Gordon Eckert

$215

Claire&roger Macklin

Cycle and Survive!

$224.46

Simon Macklin