Cycling around Vietnam

Rotarian Brian Johnston gave the members an insight into his momentous fund raising effort cycling in Vietnam. He was working with ‘Lend with Care’ a charity that raises money to be lent to entrepreneurs world-wide; the money is then paid back or lent to another. The charity is involved with a lot of Rotary Clubs.

Of course, Brian explained, he had to get fit enough to complete the challenge of height and distance. He thanked Lorna for her support on a 79 Km ride, the culmination of working every day for a month in the gym and on the road. He reckoned that he had been covering over a hundred miles a week.

 

He arrived in Hanoi on 20th April to meet another 16 cyclists who had taken the spare parts like saddles for the bikes which were fitted there by mechanics. The riders were supported by those people who drove support vehicles throughout the ride, especially useful for one of the group, an 80 year old woman, who had an accident on the first day. There were also guides who would explain the sights on the tour and the glimpses of the way people lived in the country. The group were to meet the family of one entrepreneur who was receiving a loan for setting up an animal rearing unit.

 

 

Brian said he was overwhelmed by the attention of the local people who smiled and waved wherever he went; smiles that remain with him to this day. He soon learnt that there was no traffic control, especially in the cities. Being the monsoon, the wet was an additional hazard on the usually poor roads and the low cloud and mist in the mountains meant visibility was dangerously poor at times. This was compensated for on clear days where the mountain views were spectacular.

Brian completed 505 km over the 9 days he was in Vietnam and has raised just short of £8000; The group of 17 as a whole raised a stunning £101,000.