Dave and Jen For Oxfam

After the ride yesterday we have our hands full with stripping the sand and salt off the bikes, reliant on the excellent Rocklube chain lubrication in simplifying the process and not laughing at the backpack and helmet strap suntan lines we have accumulated. As busy as we are there is of course always time for a countdown post and we find ourselves now 6 weeks away from flying out for our adventure. As expected things feel busier and busier but our weekend away has given us a feeling of being in the eye of the storm. More fundraising, planning and exercise await.

The fundraising has well and truly taken shape and we are progressing towards our target well enough. We do still need as much support as possible (yes, click link, click Donate, support us, feel good) to make our target but we have our routine in shape. We are in discussion with some major donors and supporters and we have rallied our respective workplaces and colleagues. Actually we have let our friends off lightly so far but that will change in coming weeks. Hi guys! As far as training goes, we were surprised how easily we managed the weekend ride and suspect it will be more a case of the unpredictable roads and intense humidity that will be the challenge. We aren’t super fit by any means but we are active (yes, even me, spending so many hours in the studio and at work with a collection of computers), and we do keep fit. We really should be doing more however, and this is something we will have to fix. Breaking into a new paragraph is a nice way to sidestep talk of not being as fit as we should be, so let’s go with that.

Over the last week I have been more and more interested in some of the mechanics of the Oxfam Australia campaigns that I have been a fan of. We really do have to be thankful for the length and breadth of the internet as a tool for swimming amongst incredible information at almost any time, and I have been losing myself a little in reports and the successes of the Fairtrade scheme. Whilst Oxfam Australia is a part of promoting Fairtrade as an alternative to profits before community relationships with agricultural third world producers, it’s incredible to see Fairtrade grow into a range of entities itself. Even better, it’s great to see a widening range of Fairtrade products available at local supermarkets and now even national franchises and corporate outlets. There are detractors to the scheme and some implementation of the concept could be better, but by and large the overall picture is positive. This is interesting enough for its own post so I will knock something together shortly, but this represents an example of some of the deeper engagement with the campaigns of Oxfam Australia that we have found ourselves interested in since committing to the Oxfam Cambodia Challenge.

It definitely was a commitment! We have 6 more weeks to raise the full $11,000 and get fit enough for the ride. We have 6 more weeks to read up on as much Cambodian and Vietnamese history to best appreciate the regions we will be riding through and as many weeks left to really appreciate the work that Oxfam Australia does. This also means you only have 6 more weeks left to assist us in reaching our fundraising target, so please click the link, support our fundraising and join us on an incredible journey!