A.C.T.S. Riders
Basically, we are a group of friends who share two common interests: riding bicycles and doing something in the fight against poverty and injustice in the world.
Click the pictures below for more info on each of the riders.
Justin Busschau
Bicycle Description: 2007 Claud Butler Roubaix.
Bicycle Name: Claudette
Your Age: 33
Occupation: Software Engineer
Before LEJOG, what was the longest bicycle ride you ever did? I did a four day ride from London to Paris, averaging about 80 miles a day. The longest I have ever gone in a single day is 90 miles which was the first day of that London to Paris ride.
Shaved or hairy (legs)? Hairy! Shaved legs are for girls!
What's your favourite music to listen to while cycling? Anything with a good driving beat helps keep the cadence going nicely. I have found that Kings of Leon, Muse, Dave Matthews Band, Foo Fighters, Audio Adrenaline, Pearl Jam and Bride all work for cycling.
What's your biggest (or most important to you) reason for doing the ride? Jesus said that the poor will always be among us (Matt 26:11), but I sincerely believe this is not a reason to ignore them. He also said that anything you do to the least of his children you did to Him (Matt 25:40). Knowing how much it costs to provide food, water and shelter to a family in central africa, and how far a few pounds can go to improving the lot of that family - how could you not want to help? I know of a pretty good charity that is making a big, measurable and significant difference in Uganda and I know that supporting that charity is going to result in a bigger, more sustainable impact than if I tried to do something on my own. That is why I have chosen to get behind what that charity is doing. That charity is Watoto.
What is it that makes you get up in the morning? The idea of doing something that challenges me - whether it be physical, mental or other ...
What is your favourite one-line motto? I have two:
I don't suffer from insanity - I enjoy every minute of it.
The early bird gets the worm, but the second mouse gets the cheese.
Mark Murfitt
Bicycle Description: 2007 BeOne Storm
Bicycle Name: Elvis (the front wheel's called Shelia, and the rear wheel is Terry, we're inseparable when we're out for a ride.. :)
Your Age: 35
Occupation: International photographer
Before LEJOG, what was the longest bicycle ride you ever did? Longest distance has to be 52 miles, although I'm hoping to get in some big, BIG rides in before LEJOG
Shaved or hairy (legs)?Definitely shaved, smooth is the future..
What's your favourite music to listen to while cycling? I listen to the radio when I cycle, and it's usually Chris Moyles on Radio 1, I like anything which will break the monotony of a training ride, and if it makes me smile or laugh, then all the better.
What's your biggest (or most important to you) reason for doing the ride? The most important reason is to achieve something special, and to not ever wonder 'Could I have done the ride?' I'd rather fail trying, than not even try. But a very close second has to be to raise money and awareness for Gulu and Watoto.
What is it that makes you get up in the morning? Mainly my dog needing a wee and a walk, otherwise I'd probably stay in bed till 10am every day.
What is your favourite one-line motto? To have a healthy disregard for where my abilities end.
Matthew Pavid
Bicycle Description: 2007 Bianchi C2C Carbon
Bicycle Name: Biiatch
Your Age: 30 (will be 31 at the time of he ride)
Occupation: Web Designer
Before LEJOG, what was the longest bicycle ride you ever did? 49km
Shaved or hairy (legs)?Hairy, but not like the Sasquatch!
What's your favourite music to listen to while cycling? I think that listening to something like the Red Hot Chilli Peppers may either induce road rage or lul a rider to sleep, ergo, no music for me thanks dudes!
What's your biggest (or most important to you) reason for doing the ride? I'm doing it to be a part of something bigger than myself. I think there's something special about a part of a team that can raise money and awareness for some real people on the other side of the planet. We may never meet them, but to them we are an answer to a prayer and the fruit of their faith as they believe for their lives to be better.
What is it that makes you get up in the morning? Coffee or Kathy. It's exciting to be building a business and even now see the business as a tool to impact the need around us, there's a lot of money out there sitting in bank accounts itching to be liberated and given to those that have real, basic needs. £20 to you and I means a few coffees on the way to work, but you can feed, clothe, and educate a person in Africa for a whole month for that same £20. The great thing about education, is that it opens a generations eyes to what's possible in life, and they pass their skills onto others and even the next generation. Pretty soon you have a nation of people who can pass on what they have to others who need it more, it starts with me and you.
What is your favourite one-line motto? What's on the other side of your decision? What does your life look like on the other side of your decision to do, or not to do something?
Philip Royden-Turner
Bicycle Description: 2007 Specialized Allez
Bicycle Name: Sarafina
Your Age: 31
Occupation: Telecoms Engineer
Before LEJOG, what was the longest bicycle ride you ever did? 60 Miles. London to Brighton every year.
Shaved or hairy (legs)? Tempted to go for shaved, but regrowth hurts especially if you get ingrown hairs and a rash. So Hairy it is then!!!
What's your favourite music to listen to while cycling? Depends on the mood, but most of the time things like: Green Day, Foo Fighters, Evernesance, Def Lepard, Guns and Roses etc. But there are some days when some uplifting House or Rave or even some Miley Sirus will do just nicely, something with 100 to 120 bpm.
What's your biggest (or most important to you) reason for doing the ride? I feel so blessed in my life that if I can help others by doing something outrageous and challenging like this then so be it. It is also a personal challenge to achieve something great that me and my family (Adele and Declan) can look back on.
What is it that makes you get up in the morning? Besides a pee and hunger pains, It is the desire to see what lies ahead for me this day. Life is exciting and I cant wait to see what the Lord has in store for me today.
What is your favourite one-line motto? Live life like every day was your last, because one day it will be. OR Carpe Diem
Cliff Wing
Bicycle Description: Specialized Sequoia
Bicycle Name: None, that would be too sad
Your Age: 48
Occupation: Chartered Secretary
Before LEJOG, what was the longest bicycle ride you ever did? A few 90 rides, prob longest being London - Cambridge & back.
Shaved or hairy (legs)? Shaved
What's your favourite music to listen to while cycling? none- 2 risky. But generally Led Zepp, Alterbridge, Paramor
What's your biggest (or most important to you) reason for doing the ride? Cos it's there, and may be my last big challenge before old age.
What is it that makes you get up in the morning? my wife
What is your favourite one-line motto? Who dares Rodney, who dares.
