Congratulations to Luc & Danny
After all those long days, a message for Luc & Danny
You made it !!! Congratulations on the cycling tour that you have undertaken for the dogs in Spain.
Thank you so much for your wonderful efforts.
And of the support of the adoptive parents of Shin Dog Mamita.
Many grateful wishes
We would like to give you a synopsis of our hero Luc and his amazing collaborator Danny!
They did it together! For 17 days Luc has been cycling together with his collaborator Danny, who followed him with the big bus ... Danny was riding outside Belgium for the first time and without his beloved partner Diane, who was waiting for him at the gate of the refugio !! They were not able to restrain their tears when they finally parked at our ACE/SHIN Refugio.
Euphoria, pride, the stress that fell from their shoulders ... What an effort, what an incredible achievement from Luc, our cyclist who had an idea and made it happen !! For 17 days they did everything they could to achieve this, a return of 11,000 Euro for the dogs! Please!! Thanks to Luc and his wife Joske, Danny and his wife Diane, thanks to our PR in Belgium, Els, thanks to everyone who was part of this beautiful project! Thank you to all sponsors !! Thank you to everyone !! We are going to use the money for the design of our new clinic, many dogs will get better, you can be sure of that !!
With heartwarming greetings,
Fabienne, Ton, and all ACE-SHIN people
Please forgive the very rough translation in this long post. There was so much to translate and it needed to go up on the blog as soon as possible.
LUC & DANNY ARRIVE AT THE REFUGIO
WHERE DID THIS WONDERFUL JOURNEY START?
Below you will find the full story, day by day from the beginning with photos.
In the beginning there was a nice article in the Gazette of Antwerp about Luc Goris's departure on his Fundraising Cycle Ride for Shin.
It's wonderful what Luc and his co-adventurer Danny are doing for our dogs.
Friday, May 19, 2017
Day 5 of Luc's bicycle tour.
We left Langeais in pouring rain, which was not fun, but fortunately the temperature was good. Cycling for 15 km along the Loire, enjoying the beautiful view despite the rain. On the left side road lies the castle of Ussé on the banks of the Indre. After a hairpin curve, a slope of 13% for the wheels, but about 200m further, another cyclist is also heading for the road. It turns out that a Pole who lives in England is making a trip through France and he cycles with us for a while. Despite the heavy rain, it will still be enjoyable. Direction Chinon, which is a beautiful city, but we will not go through it. The rain increases, harder and hard and the temperature drops to 10C. The additional wind adds an extra difficulty to the test. After arriving in Loudun, some strength for the inner person with an extra chocomelk! The route continues to Viennay.
It gets colder and colder, but this is also part of the drive to the sunny south. Totally exhausted, Coulon is reached and we are drenched. A delicious hot shower after which Luc and Danny treat themselves to a delicious fries with steak .. Can it be Belgian?
19/5/2017
DAY 6: of Luc's Bicycle Tour
Restday for the for the Cycling SHIN team.
After a fresh night, the rain is still falling, but the sun is trying to find a way. A little order is put in the car, the bike checked and the steel rose given a brush. The rest day can now be used "usefully" for visiting Coulon and doing shopping.
Coulon is very idyllic with its rivers and boats and the many flowers. It is not called La Venise Verte for nothing, because several houses are only accessible with these boats and cars are left on the other side. Danny also enjoys this because he has had some hard days driving. Luc would like to mention how much he appreciates what Danny is doing and how a fine man is his coach. Nice to know that a team that has to share work and companionship for 17 days, can work so well together and complement each other. Thank you gentlemen! You're the tops!
Cooked a nice stew to finish the day. We hope to see the weather a little better tomorrow as the journey continues towards La Cala de Mijas. The team enjoyed this day of rest and looks forward to meeting the challenge again.
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DAY 7 of Luc's Cycle Tour
Weather forecast ok: check
Recharged battery Luc: Check
Danny equipped and on form: check
Material checked: check
Two villages with the same zip code and the same street names? No, nobody could understand it ... Even the TomTom or the bikeGPS didn't. Luc and Danny were equally confused, but fortunately, the Cycling 4 SHIN team worked well and it was just a short break in the trail.
The ride, with the logistics problem. Leaving with light rain at 9.30 in Coulon, hoping for better weather. After approx. 12km an error was made at a crossroads. Luc rode straight ahead and Danny had to make a turn. Maybe it's best not to try and wait for each other and perhaps miss each other. There's no problem because both of them have saved the next stopover in their gps.
The weather is getting better and soon the rain jackets go off, feeling blessed after the bad weather of the past days. Luc cycles towards Cognac, the legs are super so the miles fly under the wheels. In Cognac the factory of the famous Hennesey cognac is passed. Spending time to taset it is not a good idea, as some people know only too well hahaha. The road also runs along areas where the special wood used for the barrels is stored and which releases a special odor throughout the whole area.
A little later, Gemieux comes in sight, the meeting point. Oops, no Danny, what now? Stupidly enough, this morning, the phone has been forgotten and left in the car. Luckily they came across a friendly Frenchman and explained the problem to him. He let them use his phone , but of course Luc does not know Danny's number. No need to call the help line! They called Luc's wife Joske
in Spain, and that fixes that. The good man Danny is in Ars, also on Route du Cognac number 20. Same postal code, same address, only 2km away from me. About 10 minutes later the problem has been solved and both are back together "en route" "Thank you to my super female" says our tough cyclist and continues the road to the south. From here they drive 60km further, with the phone to bag, to Clérac.
Click here for live images.
DAY 8 of Luc and Danny's sensational tour.
Finally, the warmer weather arrived!!! From Clerac towards the mouthwatering seaside resort Mimizan ... Tonight it was 3 ° C, so hopefully this was the last cold night. The morale is good because the ride is more and more towards the sun.
For security reasons, Bordeaux is also bypassed. The GPS sends them along cycling routes where the car can not pass through, so that had to be changed. On the way birds are spotted that we rarely or never, even hawks. A thought goes through your head that you're glad you are not playing with a little chihuahua in the garden when they are around! The Dordogne slides past, a mighty river. The houses are typically South French. Beautiful gardens, beautiful lawns and the miles fly again under the wheels. After a 200km monster ride, Mimizan is reached. Just before entering the town a friendly French gendarme asks if it's not too hot .... But he is told that after 200km you do not feel the temperature anymore. This gives Luc a thumbs up from La Gendarmerie. At last it's lovely weather.
Flight hut here, threshold there and the bike is averaging 40 km / h in those places ppppfffff .... Normal daily average is around 28 km / h, which has at times reached 1100 km, but there are as yet there are about 1400 km of road to go. However, a bug with the gears of the bicycle is a minor aspect of this day. On the campsite, a helpful man happyly sends the number and address of a bicycle maker in Mimizan. In the morning, a check for a while and then go on again.... Hi, hi, climb climbing Pyrenees, Spain.
Again, a video made today, you want to see it click here.
22/5/2017
DAY 9 of Luc and Danny's grand adventure
Delayed departure from Mimizan by the cycling team, because of the traffic jams, but they enjoyed meeting a three-legged dog that had been caught in a trap. So this morning, we had to get to the bicycle maker in Saint Julien and Born, because it was closing day in Mimizan hahaha ... Murphy's law we say !!! : At Brooks bikes in St. Julien and Born this good man added the ball head for free, his contribution to animal welfare. Top service !!! So at 11.00h they were back "on the road" Luc took the bike route and Danny, the normal road. For more than 80% of the time, the beautiful cycling trails run between pine trees to Souston. What a lovely cycling experience !!! : - Animals all around you and suddenly a green lizard shines in front of the bicycle wheels .... but fortunately for both cyclist and animal, no one was hurt. A French / Belgian couple crosses our path. They are on their way to Compostella. After a bike ride of about 50 km, the bike path turns out of the forest and who is parked right on this route ,,,,, Danny with the trailer !!!! After 50 km they reached exactly the same point at the same time ... so super. They had some refreshment to strengthen the inner man :) because the weather had become fresher, and so - on to Bayonne. Again along the beautiful cycling trails of "La Douce France" by the beautiful, beautifully scented forests.
At the agreed point, Danny waits again with food and drink and again Luc got on his bike to race to Etxalar in SPAIN. After 10 km, the road starts to climb up 8 km from the final destination. The slopes coincide with rising rates of 4 to 5%, but 15 km from the destination it is steeply rising, with an average of 8%. Here riding at 8 to 9km / h is heavy. In Navarra, the French / Spanish border is crossed and our metal roses are finally in Spain. Luc gets a kick when the GPS shows an almost constant 50/55 per hour. On the parking in Etxalar, Danny and Luc meet each other again before the end of an exellent cycling day.
23/5/2017
DAY 10 of the great fundraising tour
A delightful nights sleep in the pure air of Subilla in the Pyrenees is so good to body and lungs .... Good start for today to catch the Pyrenean mountains !!! Almost immediately the road went out straight up .... The morning breeze is fresh, so the jumpers and wind jackets are needed again and then we're "en route". Up above it is fresh and downhill, this protection against the wind is good, because the wind is cutting. The incline is an almost constant 8% up !!! For the experts, it is driven with a compact, almost constant of 34/26 or 34/28. This part of the course is quite heavy but still delicious to do. During the racing down, the kilometer counter delivers GPS speeds up to 65 km / h without any additional effort.
At the foot of the mountain there are also 2 other cyclists, youngsters of around 20, who have beeen cycling at a constant of 35 per hour. Being out of the wind is an advantage, though these young people are not bothered by it anyway. After a further 10 kilometres, uphill, they ride away. But in the meantime the temperature has risen to 23 ° C, so the jacket comes off. The landscape on the way to Arre is breathtaking. With refreshed energy we go on to Tafalla, near Pamplona.
Pamplona is a very busy city, which is not fun for cycling, and we quickly get back onto beautiful quiet roads. The steepest places today are 16%, and therefore only 5 km / h "and danseuse" are achieved. Here nature is so beautiful that there is even an eagle floating 30m above the men, what a majestic beautiful animal. In the descent, thanks to gravity and aerodynamics Luc traveled at up to 78 km / h. From Tafella, our caravan continues on the road to Corella, the final stage for today. At a height of 1400 altimeters it was a spicy, but heavy stage, but it was enjoyable. Tomorrow the same again.
The fatigue starts to weigh on Danny too, who has to drive all day in the car at a slow pace with the trailer. Neither Danny nor Luc slept well on the air mattresses in the camionette, thereby being sleep deprivd, not to mention their backs that are also being tested. Nevertheless, both of them are having fun, enjoying a lot of small and beautiful things and seem to have a good time together but will be happy with the day of rest on Thursday. Sleep well, maybe treat yourself to a nice meal, stroll or whatever.
Update: Gentlemen - Luc, Danny, the people in the refugio are working very hard to get ready for your arrival and are already excited.
24/5/2017
DAY 11: the adventure continues
The journey today was acheived with the cooperation of the Guardia Civil 👮👮👍
The starting point this morning was Corella with final destination Radona, a 150km journey. It seems it was going to be a hot, not to say an extremely hot day, because at 9am the thermometer was already showing 22 ° C
The bones must be warmed up quickly and after about half an hour the heavy and long trajectory begins with many altimeters needednto get over this mountain range. From Aguilar, about 25 kilometers after the start, the first heavy climb of 11 km starts with a climbing rate of 8 to 9%. The heat certainly does not help make it easier 😅
Although the journey is so difficult, it's a true experience for both Luc and Danny, because it's so beautiful here, the impressive mountains being a quiet witnesses to their achievements. After a climb of about an hour they reached an altitude of 1055m. The statement "What goes up, must come down" gives Luc courage, but this seems to be only partly true. The number of height meters to be dropped is only 200m and then hop hop hop climbing up again towards Olvega. The ride continues to climb up to an altitude of 1196 m and it does not stop there, and nor does the heat. At the village of Bliecos, the refueling is inevitable just drinking, drinking, drinking ... Some rest and then on to Radona.
And then the Murphy's Law of the GPSs ... the bicycle GPS says turn left, the car GPS turn right !!!! 😖😵😵 At this height you really do not want to do any extra miles. In view of the right, "Autovia" indication, it is decided to follow the right and go on for the 44 k mindicated by the GPS. But ... this would bring the total to 180 km today ???? However, suddenly there was the Guardia Civil. As with our force, maybe they too have the slogan "The police are your friends!" So we ask them. Is Luc Spanish, "French", neither English nor French? Somehow we are able to explain where we have come from, where we are going to and our goal to help SHIN. They understand and show us the way.
Suddenly after 500m, our Cycling team and is guided by Guardia Civil for 4km. Where our GPS sayys to goes straight, they send us very swiftly to the left!? Rare but where ... the bike's GPSwould have directed us 30 km away !!!! Thank you Guardia Civil 👍👍
The climb continues towards Radona and finally it is clocked at 153km and most preferably 1926 altimeters. By great good luck, Luc and Danny have rest day tomorrow, which will do them a lot of good.
25/5/2017
DAY 12: Luc and Danny's second rest day.
Second (very well deserved) rest day 😎🤗🤡 after the "work" in the mountains.
Eventually, due to lack of a campsite, the night was not spent in Radona, but near Riojas, at Camping Fuente de la Teja. Here there is a breeding ground for storks. The boys quickly spotted several nests. The birds fly only a mere ten meters above the campsite, but they do not seem to be disturbed man or environment, fortunately.
After such a hard day yesterday, Danny and Luc can certainly use the rest to breathe in, enjoy the rest, but but the also have the bike to atttend to, and the laundry and to put everything back in order, ready for the next series of stages towards Mijas. A delicious steak with fries gives extra strength and a reward for the inner person.
A big salute may also be given for Spanish drivers who do not tcut up cyclists for 90% of the time, but offer every courtesy, even on the left side of the road to allow them space and safety . Really TOP! Gracias a todos los conductores de automóviles.
26/5/2017
DAY 13: The Tour leaves Rioja
The "Italian was tired and sat on the couch" but is now fully charged. The "pep drinks" have been prepared so, ... moving towards MIJAS ..... 😎 and leaving the Rioja region.
Departed from Radona with a nice weather again, rising to 35 ° C. Few events to report during the ride except one incident. Beautiful sloping landscape with happily more slight drops than rises.
The hard work of the previous days has therefore paid off. The route goes towards Valdeavellano. But then the GPS turns into a surprise and gives us a dirt road as a path to follow. The first kilometers are still drivable, but then the surface is simply debris. This road is in fact unpredictable. Change to a new tire and a few kilometers further on, the road continues happily on normal paved roads.
It is also decided to drive 15 to 30 km from Monday to Monday every day, hoping to have more luxury in the last days and have less kilometers for the pedals and to arrive earlier. Today, the ride ends in Ambite and the first 30km is added, so 185km on the counter again.
Up tomorrow from Estremera (because there is no camping ???)
NEWSFLASH
Close up of the Cycling 4 Shin team ;-) ;-) ;-)
Luc Goris - 57 years - in retirement after having been FPS Justice official - from Antwerp - hobbies: bicycles, Shin volunteer BV, friend of animals, clerk and helping hand behind the SHIN bar / shop.
Years ago, Luc was already very sporty, but rather a long-distance runner, but after that, he took up cycling and mountain biking.
Last year, he had the idea of doing this cycling sponsorship to help SHIN's darling four legged's get their new clinic started. When Luc with the help of his son Sam (yes yes Sam Goris !! but not the basketball one) agreed to sponso the ride, the decision was made. The cycle ride from Aartselaar to Mijas would happen. "Between this moment and the starting gate, Luc lost 12 kg and probably at the end of the race the scales will drop even moe. Meanwhile, a lot of training was needed, sponsors were sought, everything was prepared very carefully and they also took the necessary steps for a trailer. This turned out to unnecessary and this is where Danny came "ingo the picture".
Danny Swillen - 54 years old - working at the Nature and Forest Agency, from Tielt WInge. Hobbies: motorized tools, birds, dogs and pugs (including animal lovers etc.), big fan of singer Sabine, he is always the silent invisible power behind the Shin Shop and Shin shop driver 👮👮
Both gentlemen, Luc and Danny, only know each other through Shinshop stands and events, but Danny quickly spontaneously encouraged him to undertake this adventure. 🚐🚐 He was happy to offer his holidays at work and made immediate steps to plan them so that it would all be possible.
Also for Danny this trip is a victory in itself. The camionette that accompanies the road is gigantic and it is therefore not a small thing to park it or manoevre it somewhere. But more, as is apparent now, for Danny this is a first "foreign" adventure (and what a one?!)
Both are:
20 days away from home,
Sleep and live in the SHIN Camionette Boxer L4H2
Make use of campsites for overnight stays.
They cook their own pot on a daily basis
Take care of the laundry themselves.
Have provided all the materials as much as possible, but each one is designated a particular project throughout the trip (Danny in the camionette, Luc on the bike).
RESPECT MEN!!!
Our cyclist LUC is almost there !!!!
Dear everyone,
Luc took the great initiative to cycle from Aartselaar to Mijas, asking people to sponsor every kilometer .... To help us !!!
Luc is only two days away from his arrival, ...
What a phenomenen he is !! We are so affected by what people do to help us, thanks in advance to Luk and his wife Joske,
But also Els, our PR from Belgium and Diane Willems and her husband Danny who are accompanuing Luc and guiding him day and night!
How can we thank you enough and especially Luc ...
May we all ask you to, before we close our project, support him massively, we may ask to pay a small amount of money On BE21 7390 1406 5203 (BIC KREDBEBB)? We would be very grateful to you in the name of the 572 dogs we have in our house!
Thank you !!
Now back to the top, to read our thanks and to see photos about the grand arrival.
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