When I was asked by Polis & Latchi Magazine to write 800 words about “Cycling Cyprus” I had something mildly resembling a panic attack. The last time I wrote 800 words about anything was when I was doing my English O-level (Blimey! Now I’m showing my age as well!). Then I thought, “Actually, that’s not that difficult, I’ll just thank everybody that has contributed in one way or another” and then I realised that for that, I’d probably need more than 8000 words.

 “Cycling Cyprus” was an idea spawned by a mid-life crisis, too many bottles of locally produced lager and a HUGE chicken kebab – I still blame the chicken kebab. It clouded my judgement! I got home that evening and bursting with enthusiasm I notified my partner, Kim who gave me one of those knowing glances and muttered those immortal words, “Paul, it’s 3am, take off those cycling shorts, come to bed and stop being silly”

The alarming thing was, the following day it was still a good idea – and when I woke, I still had my cycling shorts on. A charity bike ride in aid of “The Friends of The Paphos Hospice, The Children’s’ Ward and the Cardiology Unit at The General Hospital in Paphos. It was official. It was a bonza idea. It was, to coin a Clarkey vernacular “Cool beanz” Cycling from Kato Pyrgos to Deryneia – Green Line on the north-west of the island, (hopefully without being shot at) to the Green Line on the east of the island (again, without being shot at.)

As you can see the general theme is “I don’t want to be shot at! There was just one, teeny-weeny drawback, I have to go around the coast – a route of approximately 250 miles, or 400+ kilometres in “new money” – See showing my age again. I can remember when the British currency was L.S.D I’d conscripted Kim and now “Cycling Cyprus” had, unbeknown to Kim, a support crew, a press officer, a media co-ordinator, a fund raising co-ordinator, photographer and a sponsorship director – all coincidently going by the name of “Kim”. Suddenly a good idea was becoming a brilliant idea. There was however something lacking. Enter parents’ stage left.

The circle was now complete. Despite their initial reticence and belief that I am quote “officially certifiable and that they should put me up for adoption” unquote they have come around to the idea of their 45 year old son cycling around the coast of Cyprus for charity – and they do pray that in the next week or two I will take off the training wheels. It’ll happen when I’m confident enough! With the team in place it was a case of raising sponsorship.

A job allocated to my sponsorship director. “We’ll trawl the bars” I prevaricated for one, possibly two nano-seconds, “Let’s go!” And GO we did. Traipsing from bar to bar collecting for a charity that hadn’t been officially launched was a daunting prospect and I can’t deny there was an element of reluctance, but the more bars we entered the greater the confidence grew. Strange that? As the confidence grew, the more generous people became. (Hey. It’s a tough job, but somebody has to do it). Then there were lunches and dinners and suddenly “Cycling Cyprus” has snowballed. I’m pleased to announce that Cycling Cyprus now has sponsors, and I would like to take this opportunity of thanking them all for their support, contribution and belief: www.shieldscreate.com

www.draintechcyprus.com www.qwatercyprus.com A special thank you to Partymania, and an exceptionally BIG and very, very special thank you to BRAIV Health & Fitness (Mesogi Road, Paphos) who’ve made sure that I AM fit enough to complete this event. I have to admire your confidence! Having been collecting now for two months we’re pleased to announce that “Cycling Cyprus” already has €1,100.00 in the bank, we have another €1,000.00 in pledged sponsorship and all against a target of €10,000.00 – So still some way to go.

So if you’ve got €8,000.00 in a piggy-bank somewhere that you don’t know what to do with, contact “Cycling Cyprus 99 320 213 or email potsofjoy@spidernet.com.cy” On 04 April “Cycling Cyprus” will be outside Clarkson Logistics in Chloraka, opposite Papatoniou on a Cycleathon. Bikes provided by BRAIV Health & Fitness, Cycling on a static bicycle from 0900 – 1900 (9am – 7pm). You’re more than welcome to come along and cycle with them. Donate €3.00 and get a 3 day pass to BRAIV, donate €5.00 and get a 5 day pass. Then on 25th April, you can see them again in the Carrefour Car park between 10 – 1600 (10am – 4pm).

Cycling Cyprus still needs more sponsors. If you’re interested in supporting this event for 2009, or would like to discuss sponsorship for 2010 then please contact “Cycling Cyprus” either by emailing potsofjoy@spidernet.com.cy or mobile 99 320 213.