Its nearly The Dodo Extreme Trail 50km in Mauritius on 7 July & Gavin Grobbelaar will be doing this epic challenge for #TeamRich. Last year Erik Clavery won the 52km event in 6hrs44min showing how gnarly this trail run is. Gavin has set himself a pretty ambitious target of finishing within 90 minutes of the winner this year. He is betting us, that he can do it. HELP US RAISE MONEY FOR RICH.

Click here for the DODO EXTREME website.

The format : 
R50 buy in to the bet, and for every 5 minutes I am inside the target time of 90 minutes of the winner you chip in a further R25 each.
For every 5 min outside the target time I cough up R50 plus R15 per person who has bought into the bet prior!
As a bonus, if the winning lady beats me, I chip in an extra R250.

To buy in and commit you can simply follow this link http://backonyourbike.com/donate/ to pay your R50 before the race commences and lets set a Deadline of 20 June, which is when entries for Dodo close. 
When making the payment please use the reference ”Dodo Trail Bet” and then mail me (mayhemtradingsa@gmail.com) to let me know if you have made the payment. 
I will then compile a list of who has bought in and revert with how big the pot is and a count down to the start of the race.

Bev will be tracking me during the event and updating you all via Twitter with the Hashtag#DodoTrailTeamRich
Let’s get behind Rich and do this for him and one of the disciplines he is so passionate about….running!

Hi BOYB,

Recently we had a very special visit from the fabulous MARIETTE DE VILLIERS. 2XU SA owner and very old friend of Rich’s. It was such a treat to have her come visit Rich. Keep the image of our boy from your conference in Spain clearly in your mind. We will get him back on his bike…

 Rich was also visited by family friend Jilly Van Deventer who was visiting from Sydney. She, Rich’s carer Bernie and Rich had a lovely day in the Greenpoint sunshine.

We had a spectacular experience with Rich recently at the SAPS Horse Stables in Greenpoint. Many people standing around the fences but the horses only nuzzled and touched Rich. Every horse there came over and said Hi.

 EVENTS:

Today it’s the start of the Point 2 Point Run… James Allan Davis & The Mamu Loman federation running from Point to Point to raise awareness for BOYB and ThePINKDRIVE. 258 kms to be run (and jogged and walked @ times)
Date: Fri 14th 15:00
Finish: Sun 16th Before 15:00

Running from Cape Point LightHouse to the Cape Agulhas Lighthouse for Back on Your Bike & the Pinkdrive, this amazing crew will be raising funds for these worthwhile causes and are looking for your support!

To James & the Mamu Loman federation – thank you for supporting BOYB. AMAZING!!

THEN, Exciting news, we have been given the go ahead (pending we get 20 or more cyclists) to ride as an OFFICIAL ride for a purpose charity at this year’s Momentum 94.7 Cycle Challenge!!!

So, please can you join this event if you are 100% committed to riding for Rich. We need to confirm participants asap? PLEASE INVITE YOUR FRIENDS TOO. Once we have min 20 confirmed participants I can lodge our entry and we can raise funds. We’d like to get everyone in Orange BOYB cycle jerseys too.  If a charity is registered, the charity will be given a favourable start group time.
Closing date for entries: Thursday, 26 September 2013 – FOR ALL CHARITY APPLICANTS

Message from Pips —> So, I have some big news – this little child of Africa is moving home on 01 August. After 2.5 incredible years in Melbourne, some phenomenal and special experiences had and friends made, I’m heading back to Cape Town to be with my incredible family. It was 8 months yesterday since Rich Holland tragic accident, and I just can’t be so far away from my special big brother anymore and not be with my family when we need each other most. I’m so excited to be moving back home and look forward to the adventure that awaits in the Mother City. xoxo

Hi #TeamRich. It’s Pips here. Today, I wanted to send a huge hug and abundance of love and thanks to my mum.

When you are a mother, you are never really alone in your thoughts. A mother always has to think twice, once for herself and once for her child. Mum has Rich in her every thought, every second of every day, making sure that Rich is ok. She has been by Rich’s side since 11 Oct last year; walking the toughest road with our IronMan Rich; holding his hand through the longest and darkest hours; and celebrating the exciting and thrilling moments when Rich pulls a thumbs up. Mum, I know that you are not looking for thanks, or special mention, but you deserve it. Rich requires 24 hour care, love and emotional support; someone to entertain him and someone to cry with him. You have been there for him in a way that no one else can; and all whilst you’re facing your own heartache. You have had to put your tears aside to be a positive support for Rich. You have had to move continents twice with dad to give Rich the best possible treatment. You have moved mountains for Rich. You really are the most incredible mother, woman and wife. Rich, Daniel and I were blessed when we were given you as our mum.

“A strong woman is one who feels deeply and loves fiercely. Her tears flow just as abundantly as her laughter. A strong woman is both soft and powerful. She is both practical and spiritual. A strong woman in her essence is a gift to the world.”

Mum, you are our gift. We love you xoxo

Since starting the BOYB trust fund in November 2012, your donations and support have allowed us to cover to purchase the following crucial medical devices for Rich:

1. Specialised electronic extra length bed with extra postural and positioning features (6ft2 Rich didn’t fit a normal hospital bed!)
2. Customised bed blocks for correct positioning in the bed to enhance range and reduce tone
3. A hoist for lifting Rich in and out of bed, onto commode and onto wheelchair
4. Commode 
5. Customised vehicle for transportation of Rich whilst he is in his wheelchair. (Rich can’t be positioned in a seat, he has to be transported whilst in his wheelchair. This meant cutting out the floors and seats of a vehicle to fit his chair in.
6. Customised wheelchair for our tall IronMan to sit in correctly
7. Electronic lazy boy for him to sit in when not in bed or at treatment
8. A standing tilt table to ensure weight through the joints, blood pressure stabilisation, avoidance of deep vein thromboses and improved proprioception.

Our aim is now is to get the RT300 Electronic Cycle from USA (cost $22,000) http://www.restorative-therapies.com/rt300-legarm - a computer contollled programme that prevents  muscles from atrophying as well as ameliorating (making better the) brittleness of the bones.  the RT300 is linked to a passive pedal mechanism for the legs and a similar one for the arms and hands and the electrical stimulation causes the muscles to work and pedal just as they would normally.  This increases blood flow to the muscles, increases oxygen into the blood stream and increases the heart rate.  The result is functioning muscles and limbs in the the event of a full or partial recovery.

Due to Rich’s love of cycling, we believe that apart from the functional benefit of this equipment, the psychological benefit will be immense as he can train with DVDs of different races and feel that he is part of these again. This also stimulates the message from the brain to the relevant muscles and helps to trigger muscle memory and neural pathways.

With the RT300-SLSA:

• while leg cycling, you can stimulate up to 10 muscle groups in one or both of your legs and your trunk
• while arm cycling, you can stimulate up to 10 muscle groups in one or both of your arms and your trunk

Hi BOYB

Team mum here.

Richard was discharged from his first block of therapy at the Western Cape Rehab Centre last week. He spent 6 weeks as in-patient and the goal which was to get the best range for seating and the final decision on the best chair for him, has been achieved. Rich now sits at almost 90degrees and his legs are almost sitting on the foot rests in the correct position. This is a huge improvement and with good posture and seating, things can only get better. His new chair has now been ordered and as this has to be custom made, it should be ready in 6-8 weeks. At the moment he is using a demo chair which is the new chair is modelled on.
We are now home and will continue intense therapy at home with our out-patient rehab therapists. Rich working very very hard at therapies. 4 a day for an hour each. Occupational Therapy, Physio, Speech and communication and swallowing. So needless to say, our day is FLAT OUT. He is in great spirits and very gracious and full of laughter and continues to be a pleasure to spend the days with. All therapists and helpers adore him and Team Rich continues to grow moment, support and love. Chino has added a new dimension as he insists on being involved in everything and must be on the bed for the therapies and demands involvement!!! Hilarious. We will also add Cranio Sacral and remedial massage once to twice a week, so needless to say Rich will be a busy boy.

Proud of you Rich as it was not easy to be back in hospital again after such prolonged hospital stays already, but you did it and the goal was achieved. Keep working hard and all the little steps of improvement can only add up and one day soon, you will even surprise yourself. Come visit at home now friends in CT.

Rich has also had some very special visits lately from John Mcinroy and the amazing Unogwaja Challenge. The Unogwaja Challenge is a journey of inspiration made up of a 10 day road cycle from Cape Town to Pietermaritzburg (1,660km) followed by the Comrades Ultra Marathon (89km) on day 11 in less than 12 hours in memory of Phil “Unogwaja” Masterton-Smith. The guys at Unogwaja have a special message for Rich 

For more information: www.unogwajachallenge.com.

Also, look who has arrived!! It’s CHINO! This little bundle of joy is the cutest thing ever. Rich named him and is getting loads of special cuddles from this gentle and precious little doggie. Dont know who loves Chino best. Dad or Rich. Happiest little bundle of brown fur you have ever met. We are all besotted. Cape Town continues to be beyond glorious. Consistent perfect autumn days and I’m managing now with good help to get out for 2 hours onto the mountain every morning. Waiting for my puppy to be a bit older and he will become King of the mountains.

Lots of love to you all from Judy, Rich and Chino

Rich in his personalised Unogwaja jersey

 

Unogwaja #shoOops