After the enjoyment and success of the first 3 editions of the Umoza Challenge Bike Event, we are proud to present 2 challenges for 2013:

1) RIDE TO THE SKY - a 4 day event, daily average distances of 80km, total ascent of 2500m. Inland Andalucia to the highest road in Europe.

2) SEA TO THE SKY - a 7 day event, daily average distances of 90km, total ascent of 4500m
Mediterrenean Sea to the highest road in Europe.

Through his diligent charity work in association with the Tom Dunford Foundation, John recorded a CD of UMOZA´s music called Timbuka Voices. The CD also features Sharon Shannon and Justin Adams, World Music Producer at Peter Gabriel's studio and guitarist to Robert Plant (Led Zeppelin).

Sharon, who has recorded and toured with a who's who of the Irish and Global Music Industry (including Bono, Adam Clayton, Sinead O’Connor, Jackson Browne, Steve Earle, Mark Knopfler, The Chieftains, The Waterboys, Willie Nelson, Nigel Kennedy, and Shane MacGowan to name a few) recently played a concert in Ireland for the Umoza school to get this year´s fundraising off to a great start.

John meets Michael Higgins, the new President of Ireland

At the end of November 2011, John was called to meet the newly elected president of Ireland, Michael D. Higgins to discuss the charity and Umoza Challenge bike ride before a trip to Malawi. John was given a poem by the president ("Beyond the Eye") that he took to the Umoza school to be interpreted by the children into song and dance. A video will be made and returned to the president - a real honour for the charity and all involved.

John Dunford (right) beside the President of Ireland at his official residence Aras an Uachatarain

A documentary of UMOZA called CROI TE NA hAIFRICE (The Warm Heart of Africa) was broadcast in June 2010 on Irish TV. Watch a clip from this documentary here, featuring the UMOZA school and John´s sponsorship of the music project.

 

Another documentary is being made at the end of 2012, again to be aired on Irish TV.

Read about UMOZA and Brother Aidan´s work in the Irish Times here.

See the UMOZA Challenge webpage for more information on UMOZA and the charity work.

Previous year´s rides

The Umoza event started in 2010 and began in a different format of a 680km route from Lisbon, Portugal to Granada, Spain. The event was also ridden by Tony Griffin, Irish sports star and trans-Canadian charity bike rider who raised over $1million for cancer research - INSPIRATIONAL! His book “Screaming at the Sky” is out now, with the foreword written by Lance Armstrong. We were also lucky enough to be joined by Keira-Eva Mooney, Irish national level triathlete – all great companions who helped publicise the event and were fantastic fun to ride with.

 

The last few years of the Umoza Challenge have attracted all levels of cyclists including Belgian triathletes training for an Iron Man to beginners who had never cycled more than 50km in a day. With John himself riding each year, everyone achieved their goals of raising money for the Umoza school. The funds raised were used to sponsor international music/sports teachers (paying travel and subsidence), create a collection of instruments, record the CD for the children and make the documentary film for TV. The success of the project has been such that 5000 copies of the film have been sent to all secondary schools in Irleand to raise awareness. A second CD is in the pipeline to fund more money, with the children again playing the instruments.




Press events and TV coverage for the Umoza Challenge 2013 Ride to the Sky are being lined up. Watch this space....John and the gang will be riding again next May.

Who is the challenge open to?

Everyone like you! Anybody who wants to cycle the open roads of Spain and challenge themselves, whilst raising money for a worthwhile cause. A massive 60% of your sponsorship fee will be donated directly to Umoza. Your entry fee covers the price of running the event (including great accommodation, breakfasts, dinner where stated, Umoza challenge cycling jersey, transfers, guides, support, snacks etc) and makes a big donation to UMOZA to change people´s lives. With some ideas on fundraising provided upon registration, and some help from family and friends, this amount is realistically attainable.

Wear your complimentary Umoza Challenge Cycling Jersey with pride. Here´s Lorretta wearing hers with none other than the parents of Tour de France winner Carlos Sastre.

Either pay for the trip personally (your own donation) or raise the funds - you just need the registration fee of 200 Euros, plus a minimum sponsorship requirement of 900 Euros (total 1,100 Euros) for the 4 day event, or 1,400 Euros (total 1,600 Euros) for the 7 dayer by 1st April 2013.

Each day there will be 2 cycling options: (average 70km or 100km daily) plus the Ride to Sky day of ascending to 2200m or 2500m. The route is hilly, but with some pre-event training and full support from us here at Cycling Country we can help you achieve your goals. Local guides will be out on the route cycling and guiding, and our support vans will be there offering drinks, snacks, bike support, luggage transfers and full guidance. Be prepared to ride 70km+ a day over and ascend the highest road in Europe. This will be the challenge of a lifetime and you too could make a difference to the lives of children less fortunate than us.

What next?

Contact us and and will sent you a secure online booking form for the event. Then,

Get fundraising, Get training, GET EXCITED! Cycle for a Better Future.

Peter Connolly, occupational therapist and cyclist for the 2012 challenge, discusses the event and what he thought when he last visited the Umoza project in Malawi (1 minute video).