The Bouncy Bike Challenge No 3

'SKIDMARK’

CHRISTMAS NEWSLETTER
DECEMBER 2005

The promise of perfect weather and stunning West Coast scenery lured 32 intrepid folk on BBC3 around Ardgour and Ardnamurchan back in May. Well the stunning scenery came good but the weather was more than a little wet!

Setting out from Glenfinnan monument the team first headed down beautiful Loch Shiel in high spirits with infectious enthusiasm until Don had a chain break after 300 yards!

The team ethos took over and there was a queue to help the repairs. Team building was literally tested when a washed away bridge had to be overcome after 6 miles – no problem for our bouncy challengers!!!!

A clear run to remote Polloch for a midge invested reunion and lunch with the support team before a ‘wee ascent’ of Bimble Hill culminating in Jo’s NZ biccies, amazing views and a few gasps of bottled oxygen!

For every Bimble Hill there is a ‘yeeha’ descent and burning brakes could be smelt all the way to Strontian and on to Corran where a wet ferry crossing took us back to our superb digs at Inchree.

After an excellent meal, sound sleep (unless you were near Bob) and disappointing quiz results the team re-crossed to Strontian and set off in ‘moist conditions’ to Ardnamurchan Point – the most westerly point on UK mainland.

The moist bit got moister but the team got more determined, more focused and more wet in their quest to reach the finish line before all the buns were eaten .... And they did!

This year’s 2-day 8o-mile Bouncy Bike Challenge by the team has raised the absolutely outstanding amount of

..… £7188 ……

in sponsorship for Badaguish. Thank you to all who took part (both moist bikers and dry drivers) and to all who raised and gave sponsorship. A special mention must go to Bogey and the crew of HMS Vengeance who raised £2598 (even though they were away under the sea!). The amazing amount of sponsorship money has allowed the Centre to purchase the following items of equipment:

	6 Spacehoppers (special request by our regular kids) (and by Care Team!)
	Large Soft Play Mats and Trolley (Bob being dragged off a spacehopper)
	6-Metre Twin-Masted Spider Climbing Frame (Ideal for Bouncy Bike Teams Too!!!!)
So hopefully you will see that the Bimble Hills, soaking moist clothing, few midges and high cost of repeat Vaseline prescriptions plus your tremendous efforts make a real and practical difference here at Badaguish. Well done and thank you once again.

‘ BOUNCY BIKE 4 – A LEAP OF FAITH ’

By very popular demand (trust me) BBC4 is planned for May 26–28th 2006 and will follow the now tried and tested smooth format of previous epics (only better with no moistness, midgies or margarine). The location will be revealed within the next week on Channel 4’s new reality TV show: “ I have a baboon’s bottom – get me
out of here !” (Keep watching!)

To see more photos of the event .... click here

Website: Ardchattan Solutions Limited