TechBikers

Techbikers is a collaboration of the London tech startup community to help children in need by supporting Room to Read. More at techbikers.com

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Why I ride with TechBikers: Jillian Kowalchuk

Jillian Kowalchuk is the Founder and CEO of startup Safe & The City. She joined TechBikers in June of this year, cycling 320km Paris to London. She shares why TechBikers and cycling to raise money for Room to Read is important to her, how it came about through a moment of serendipity and why she’ll be cycling Paris to London to raise even more money for Room to Read next year. Take a read…

What inspired you to drop your laptop and join TechBikers? A strange coincidence led me to find out about TechBikers. A week before the Paris to London cycling challenge, my friend Megan Gubler who was registered to take part in it had a minor cycling accident. After finding out what happened, I went to see her and, much to my surprise, Megan asked me to cycle in her place. Hearing how touched she was by Room to Read’s mission and what a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity it would be, I felt a surge of adrenaline and a little voice in my head asking 'are you crazy?' right before I agreed. Doing research about Room to Read, I quickly realised it was exactly aligned with my personal and business passions to empower women. As the founder of mobile app Safe & The City, which creates personalised walking routes to avoid sexual harassment and aggression, I recognise how vital education and safe places are to empower the next generation of women. 
Did you ride regularly before TechBikers’ Paris to London challenge? I hadn’t ever done anything like this but I felt comfortable as I was assured that we were going as a team, not as individuals, and that we’d be sticking together to achieve the miles ahead of us. From the outset, I was welcomed into the TechBikers Whatsapp group where everyone shares tips and chats before and after the ride. I love how we’ve all cheered on each other’s commitment to doing the ride and continuing fundraising efforts after it has finished. 

 Where was your favourite place to ‘speed train’ and why? As I didn’t have much time to train, I headed to VeloPark in Stratford, East London which was a great place to train on a sunny day because I didn’t need to worry about other vehicles.

 Tell us about your wheels. What did you ride? 
I rode a 2014 specialised Allez Sport road bike, kindly loaned to me by a fellow TechBiker. It was his favourite bike which made it even more of a kind gesture. 
How did you stay motivated cycling over 300km Paris to London? The cycling challenge was beyond my wildest imagination - finding out that I had the strength to finish the ride combined with great people and for a cause I felt passionate about. The weather was hot, organisation timed to a tee, food was fantastic and the scenery was the best bar none. It was a lot of hard work but I think everyone came away with something much more than they expected. Not only did we complete an altruistic mission but we did it with a new community and became a circle of close friends. Have you stayed in touch with other TechBikers since the ride? Yes! Since the Paris to London ride, I’ve noticed the profound difference that this group have had on me personally and professionally. As an early stage solo founder there is enormous pressure especially when building a team, product and trying to raise finance. 

The TechBikers’ group dynamics has allowed me to meet brilliant VCs, developers and other entrepreneurs. We swap stories, find ways to help one another or give nudges of encouragement to keep going. One fellow TechBiker even offered his support to act as my CTO to support our continued development after a challenging time. The TechBikers community is one that pushes me, shows me there are wonderful people who can also be wildly successful and gives me the opportunity to launch myself - and my business - to the next level. As my friend Megan said: “this wasn't a coincidence, you were supposed to be on TechBikers and we will do next year's together for an even larger contribution to Room to Read and the accomplishment of finishing it together”.

 Which book did you love when you were younger? Why’s it special?
 The Trumpet of the Swan by E.B. White was a book I read repeatedly as a child. I was (and still am) an animal lover and this book was about Louis, the mute swan, finding his voice and ability to make music through a trumpet. I think I liked it because of the underlying message that we all have our unique means to find our voice, even if we aren’t all equipped the same. 
Name a book that’s had a big impact on you as an adult 

The Power of Now: A Guide to Spiritual Enlightenment by Eckhart Tolle had a big impact on me. I read it shortly after my mother passed away and it solidified letting go of the past, focusing on the present and taking action to create the future you want.

 What are the next three books that you’re planning to read? 
I have an endless list as an entrepreneur but these are at the top of my list: •  The Chimp Paradox: The Mind Management Programme to Help You Achieve Success, Confidence and Happiness by Steve Peters
 •  Never Eat Alone: And Other Secrets to Success, One Relationship at a Time by Keith Ferrazzi
 •  Nice Girls Don't Get The Corner Office: Unconscious Mistakes Women Make That Sabotage Their Careers  by Lois P. Frankel
 What was your biggest personal challenge cycling Paris to London? The final day! Pushing through the pain, battling exhaustion and my body telling me to stop.

 The psychology of doing this for a phenomenal cause alongside people who’d become a great group of friends helped me to overcome it. Thanks to this experience, I’m excited to overcome challenges in business as well as in physical exercise. Three things you did to celebrate after crossing the finish line? 
I celebrated with friends who were at Campus London as soon as I arrived, followed by a long hot bath and eating so much food as I could totally justify the calories. 
Jillian Kowalchuk cycled Paris to London with TechBikers to raise money for Room to Read from 16 – 18 June 2017. 

 To support her with a donation (via her friend Megan Gubler’s page), please click here 

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TechBikers Copenhagen to Berlin 2017: Day 2

We were up even earlier today and on our bikes racing for the ferry before we’d barely finished gulping down our breakfast. There’s nothing like fresh air and starting the day on a tight schedule to get the adrenaline pumping. A special shout out to Kristjan Laanemaa for clocking up extra kms to help TechBikers who were struggling to keep up so that we all caught the ferry on time. 

Thankfully, we made it and promptly crashed out in our seats for a power nap. Not for long though. We’d made it to Germany and left the ferry on our bikes, ready to tackle the kms still stretching out ahead of us. 

Now that we’re on the second day of our Copenhagen to Berlin cycling challenge, we’re each settling into our own pace and cycling in smaller groups until we make it to a designated rest stop. The middle day is always the toughest mentally and the cold means that we can’t stop for too long without risking cold muscles and losing too much momentum. Those first few kms back in the saddle after a break are tough but we definitely need regular breaks and plenty of carb loading when we’re cycling over 400km in three days.

Why we’re doing this challenge is front and centre of our minds though and whenever we start to feel tired, we remind ourselves about raising as much money as possible for Room to Read. Your donations are still coming in to help as many children as possible learn to read so… THANK YOU!

Forest bathing, punctures and cobblestones


The landscapes we’re seeing on this ride are stunning and there’s been loads of laughter which has helped to take our minds off the extra tough parts of today. We’ve had so many punctures as a group that it’s now become a running joke but slogging it out over all the cobblestone roads has taken its toll.

Cobblestones look quaint but they’re deceptively ferocious - they’ve really tested our stamina and ability to cycle through the pain. Several of us have come off our bikes and are currently sporting a vivid array of bumps, bruises and scrapes. We’ve all been helping each other to push through the pain barrier at different points along the route today. Who knew we’d look forward to seeing traffic lights so much?

Sadly, unlike the Paris to London cycling challenge earlier this year, it hasn’t been warm enough to cool down in a lake during a rest stop but we’ve been enjoying our Copenhagen to Berlin alternative - ‘forest bathing’ - as the route has loads of trees including a long stretch with evergreen trees towering up on either side.

Two thirds of the way there

Tonight, we’re staying in Göhren – Lebbin. Our Saturday night is consisting of a quick drink, a foam roller session, a long bath and lots of sleep. It’s an awesome feeling knowing that we’re on the third and final day tomorrow. We’re aiming to arrive in Berlin in time for sunset and a big celebratory bier so we’ve got another early start to make it there in time.


You’ve helped us to raise €50,000. Let’s keep going!




We’ve got some great news to end the day with  – so far we’ve hit our €50,000 target for Room to Read thanks to your awesome support with donations! 

Every single €, £ and $ raised goes to Room to Read thanks to our sponsors covering costs so a huge shout out to them: Danske Bank, Rising North, TechBBQ, Mapillary, Balderton Capital and Factory Berlin. We’re also incredibly grateful to each and every person who’s donated so far. Please keep donations coming so that every child gets the chance to learn to read.

Don’t forget that you can also follow our progress on Twitter.
 We cycle Copenhagen to Berlin for Room to Read because we believe every child deserves the chance to learn how to read. You can donate here.

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TechBikers Copenhagen to Berlin 2017: 
Day 1


We’ve made it through Day 1! At the end of the first day’s cycling, we can’t wait to have a long shower and get some sleep... A fair few TechBikers taking part in this cycling challenge from Copenhagen to Berlin travelled overnight or caught early morning flights to make it to Copenhagen in time for our 9am start so we’re all in need of a decent rest before tomorrow. 

Thanks to everyone at Founders House for giving us such a positive start to our cycling challenge.

 The Danish countryside we’ve been cycling through today has been exceptionally stunning which has helped to take our minds off the ever present grey clouds looming on the horizon. Even battling a fairly ferocious headwind hasn’t been able to wipe the big smiles off our faces – it feels awesome to all be together in Denmark, cycling to Germany for Room to Read (with the occasional pitstop for roadside repairs).


So, what have we been doing besides recording highlights of the ride with Spectacles, Mapillary, body cams, smartphones and a drone? A lot of cycling. Many of the countryside roads have been pretty much deserted - tranquil stretches of water on one side and fields as far as the eye can see on the other - so we’ve been able to hit our stride and stick to a steady pace until our aching muscles and calorie cravings kick in. Luckily, today, it was just as we reached our planned lunch spot. There was just time for some dedicated carb loading and stretching and then we were off again for the second half of today’s cycling.

Thank you for all your support. The messages you’ve been sharing personally and on social media have really kept us going today. Please keep them coming. They make a huge difference especially when we start flagging, have to battle the wind and rain or hit a steeper climb.

 

We’re also hugely grateful for all of the donations you’ve already made and the ones that are still coming in. We promise we’re cycling hard to earn every €, £ and $ that you’ve donated. 

All of the donations go direct to Room to Read and you can pick a TechBiker at random to donate.  We’re cycling 450km Copenhagen to Berlin for Room to Read because we believe every child deserves the chance to learn how to read. To donate, click here. Thank you!

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TechBikers 450km Copenhagen to Berlin 2017: The night before

It’s the night before our longest ever TechBikers’ cycling challenge. At 450km, the TechBikers Copenhagen to Berlin cycling challenge to raise money for Room to Read is 130km longer than our Paris to London ride back in June. We’ve also set ourselves the additional challenge of covering the extra distance in the same number of days. 
What can we say? It sounded like a good idea at the time! Despite the nerves, we’re excited to get going.  You can probably tell from our flat lays above that we finally gave up trying to keep up with the weather forecasts - torrential rain? side winds? hot and sunny? cloudy and cold? - and decided to cover all bases. Pretty much the only thing we haven’t packed is Bertie, the King Charles Cavalier! 

As for where we are the night before, some of us live and work in Copenhagen, some of us arrived a few hours ago and the remaining TechBikers are travelling overnight or leaving super early in the morning in order to arrive in time. 
We can’t wait to be reunited with our wheels in Copenhagen – the first official Bike City in the World. It’s going to be an awesome first for us to ride as a group through some of the city’s 390km+ designated cycling lanes before we hit the rest of the 450km route to Berlin. This cycling challenge from Copenhagen to Berlin has already set a new record for individual TechBikers’ fundraising. Lars Fjeldsoe-Nielsen is currently sitting at the top of the leaderboard thanks to over $20k in donations! 

Some firsts from other rides are also inspiring us when it comes to our Copenhagen to Berlin fundraising. Rumour has it that Orsola De Marco may have started a TechBikers tradition. She was the first person to cycle part of the 320km from Paris to London in heels this summer but one TechBiker is tipped to follow her example if they hit their personal fundraising target of £1k. We’ll keep you updated... If you haven’t yet managed to, there’s still time to donate. You don’t have to know a TechBiker personally, just click here and pick at random. We are super grateful to our family, friends and people we’ve never even met: every €, £ and $ donated makes a huge difference to children around the world who otherwise wouldn’t have the chance to learn to read.

Thanks also to our sponsors Danske Bank, Rising North, TechBBQ, Mapillary, Balderton Capital and Factory Berlin for covering costs so that every donation can go direct to Room to Read. We’ll be back tomorrow with an update from Day 1 but for now, it’s back to the carb loading...

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Why I ride with TechBikers: Sanna Westman

Sanna Westman is an Investment Manager at Creandum where she seeks out Europe’s most exciting startups and the entrepreneurs who are founding them. She shares why she joined TechBikers to cycle 450km from Copenhagen to Berlin for Room to Read, what makes the Stockholm archipelago such a great training ground and the reason she’s always got a few cookbooks close to hand. Take a read…

What inspired you to drop your laptop and join TechBikers? 
 Well, how often do you get the opportunity to bike from one country to the other? And I really like the cause. I really agree with Room to Read’s view on how impact can be made through education, especially by giving girls the opportunity to go to school.

Do you generally cycle regularly? 
 No. Unless you count 3km to work!

Where’s your favourite place to train and why? 
I'm not really a cyclist, but I’m a big fan of both running and swimming and there is no better place then Stockholm Archipelago for that. It’s beautiful, tough terrain and you can go for a swim instead of showering.

Tell us about your wheels. What’ll you be riding? 
 No clue, whatever the rental will supply. I’m hoping it’s good.

How will you stay motivated cycling 450km Copenhagen to Berlin? Chocolate? It seems like there will be a good bunch of people joining and, as I’m pretty new to the tech community, I’m looking forward to getting to know people and hearing their story. Hopefully we will ride at a pace that allows for some talking!

Which books did you love when you were younger?
 Oh, I loved so many. The Solitaire Mystery by Jostein Gaarder was a favourite, maybe because of the mystery worlds and it wasn't clear what was imagination and not. I also loved Harry Potter. I got the first book when I turned 12 and then I sort up grew up with Harry, Hermione and Ron because for each book we were always at a similar age.

Name a book that’s had a big impact on you as an adult
 Torka aldrig tårar utan handskar (Don't Ever Wipe Tears Without Gloves) was really eye-opening, and very, very sad. I hope we, as a society, never turn our backs on a group of people who are in need just because they are deemed ‘different’ somehow.

What are the next three books that you’re planning to read? 
I'm currently reading Jan Guillo's series ‘The stora århundradet’ so it will likely be one of them. And I just bought Adultery by Paulo Coelho. Third? Do cookbooks count? I really love cookbooks, but read them as entertainment and inspiration rather than for following a recipe.

What’ll be your biggest personal challenge cycling Copenhagen - Berlin? As a not so frequent biker, sitting on a saddle for hours will be a huge challenge. And I just did ÖtillÖ, a 75km swim/run, so I hope my body will recover in time.

Three things you’ll do to celebrate after crossing the finish line? Brush my teeth to get rid of the sugary taste from bars and energy drinks, have a long shower and since we’ll be in Berlin, ein grosses bier! 

Sanna Westman is cycling 450km Copenhagen to Berlin with TechBikers to raise money for Room to Read from 15 – 17 September 2017.

 To support her with a donation, click here

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Why we sponsor TechBikers: Peik Hämekoski, Rising North

Our sponsors aren’t just aligned with TechBikers’ values, they cover costs so that every single €, £ and $ donated goes direct to Room to Read. We caught up with Rising North’s Operations Manager Peik Hämekoski to talk books, bikes and why they love supporting TechBikers as a sponsor.

What was it about our 450km Copenhagen to Berlin cycling challenge for Room to Read that made Rising North decide to sponsor TechBikers? Rising North could be described as a micro VC fund for the startup ecosystem. The fund gives out grants to events, trips and projects that help Nordic startups grow. Rising North is unique in the sense that it only finances projects that are organised jointly by at least three different Nordic organisations. 

We wanted to back Techbikers because it seemed like a cool way for the Nordic tech ecosystem to meet one another in a unique environment while at the same time pushing people physically to new heights.


What’s your favourite thing about this cycling challenge? The cool thing with the Copenhagen to Berlin ride is the way it’s connecting the Nordic tech scene to other parts of Europe. Hopefully, it won’t just inspire new Nordic collaboration but also lead to partnerships with the German tech scene.

Do you generally cycle? Whenever I have free time, I’m either riding or fixing bicycles. I’ve built three bikes from scratch and I own at least seven bikes, all with their own use cases. I commute to downtown Helsinki almost year round with my cyclocross.

Why is tech having a positive impact around the world important? Technology is one of the fundamental things democratising the world. Previously, natural resources and the geographical location had a huge impact on the success of a region. Thanks to modern technological breakthroughs, with the right attitude and policies almost any region can become prosperous. 
Which books did you love when you were younger? Well, being born in the ‘90s Harry Potter obviously played a huge role in my childhood but on top of them, it’s hard to name any specific book. 
Which book has had a big impact on you as an adult? For me, it's really hard to say afterwards if a book has had a big impact but I think for example, Walter Isaacson's biography on Steven Jobs did change the way I think especially in regards to the mistakes that Jobs had made as a young entrepreneur.

What are the next three books on your team's reading list? 
The next three books I have in the shelf waiting for me are some of the must-reads for anyone working in the startup ecosystem: Ed Catmull’s Creativity Inc, The Hard Thing About Hard Things by Ben Horowitz and Ashlee Vance's biography on Elon Musk. 
What are you most looking forward to celebrating when TechBikers cross the finish line? The fact that the trip has forged numerous new friendships between Nordic and German tech people - not only opening new doors to the individuals but hopefully pushing the Nordic tech ecosystem as a whole forward. 
Tell us a bit more about Rising North. What should tech startups know? Rising North is a three year €1.5 million fund that has been set to help accelerate Nordic collaboration and help Nordic startups. Rising North provides grants of up to €50,000 and so far we have funded 18 different projects. Descriptions of these can be found on risingnorth.org. Rising North’s next application deadline for new projects is on 15th September. To apply, click here To sponsor one of our TechBikers cycling 450km Copenhagen to Berlin, click here. All donations go direct to Room to Read so your donation will be helping to give every child the chance to learn to read.

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Why I ride with TechBikers: Beth Rowe

Beth Rowe is an Implementation Consultant at ecommerce marketplace, Brightpearl and signed up for her first TechBikers cycling challenge this year. She shares why she’s happy to cycle 420km Copenhagen to Berlin fundraising for Room to Read, her favourite cycle route in the UK and the books that have had an impact on her. Take a read… 

What inspired you to drop your laptop and join TechBikers? Mmm, in the beginning I thought 'this would make good dinner conversation'! Seriously, I was really keen to complete a group activity abroad, meet new people and gather some great stories to tell back home whilst raising money for a great cause. Do you generally cycle regularly? Before May this year, no. Where’s your favourite place to train and why? There's a route that goes from my home city of Bristol out to the Severn Bridge, which links England to my home country of Wales. It's a beautiful route and I always take a photo from the bridge to send to my mum. Tell us about your wheels. What’ll you be riding? I’ll be on a Cannondale Synapse. How will you stay motivated cycling 420km Copenhagen to Berlin? The fear of being left behind will be a BIG motivator. Which book did you love when you were younger? Michelle Magorian wrote a book called A Spoonful of Jam. It was a WW2 book about a girl trying to achieve her ambition to go to a grammar school. I was always fascinated by the war period and the stoicism that people demonstrate when things get really tough. Name a book that’s had a big impact on you as an adult When Breath Becomes Air by Paul Kalanithi. It's a book about a chief resident in neurosurgery at Stanford who documents his own challenge dealing with terminal cancer. He describes the science behind his terminal illness and his own personal relationship with family and friends as the disease progressed really hit home. I cried lots reading this book! What are the next three books that you’re planning to read? I haven't had the patience to read lately, so three books will be a challenge. I would like to read White Teeth by Zadie Smith as a friend recommended it to me. What’s going to be your biggest personal challenge cycling Copenhagen to Berlin? I've been getting some back pain while training, so it will be dealing with that.  Three things you’ll do to celebrate after crossing the finish line? Phone my mum and dad, take a picture with Kat (my fellow racer and colleague) and drink a beer. 

 Beth Rowe is cycling Copenhagen to Berlin with TechBikers to raise money for Room to Read from 15 – 17 September 2017. 

To support her with a donation, click here

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Why I ride with TechBikers: Anna Abrell

Anna Abrell is Marketing Manager (DACH) at Qubit and a Board Member at DevelopHer. She joined TechBikers this year when we rode from Vienna to Budapest for Room to Read. She shares her memories from that challenge, why she’s back to help us raise more money by riding 420km Copenhagen to Berlin, her favourite places to train in London and the books that have had the biggest impact on her. Take a read…



What inspired you to drop your laptop and join TechBikers? I’m really passionate about supporting childrens’ education, and I have supported other charities and also volunteered more locally as a mentor for ReachOut in the past. I had just started cycling and really liked the idea of pushing yourself physically and meeting lots of like-minded people while riding a really cool route, all in the name of a great cause.

Do you cycle regularly now? Yes, I love going on cycling trips outside of London on the weekends - it feels like going on a mini-holiday. Some of my favourite rides include the Crab and Winkle route between Canterbury and Whitstable, and a route from Chichester to West Wittering. Where’s your favourite place to train and why? Outdoors with other people! Richmond Park and St. Albans, for example. Tell us about your wheels. What do you ride? A Whyte Victoria 2017.

How did you stay motivated cycling from Vienna to Budapest? The group atmosphere really helped with motivation. Everyone was really friendly and it was great to get to know them. The team supporting us made a real difference too - our guides and the food were exceptional.

What was your biggest personal challenge cycling Vienna to Budapest? I had never cycled more than 80km in a day, so even just the first day was a challenge. Being able to complete all three days was a great achievement for me.

What do you think will be toughest about riding Copenhagen to Berlin? The Copenhagen to Berlin route is 100km longer than the route from Vienna to Budapest was, and I’ve heard that the ride is a lot harder. I’m very humbled by the distance we will cover and I think especially the last day will be very challenging. Which book did you love when you were younger? What made it special? White Fang by Jack London. I really enjoyed the journey that the protagonist went through, and the fact that the protagonist was a wolfdog :) Name a book that’s had a big impact on you as an adult The Remains of the Day by Kazuo Ishiguro, because it teaches us that if we don't step out of our comfort zone, we may never get the things we really want, and it does so in a really poignant and profound way.

What are the next three books that you’re planning to read? • Ein perfekter Freund by Martin Suter • Hit Makers by Derek Thompson • The Secret Life of Walter Mitty by James Thurber Which are your most memorable TechBikers moments? All the time spent with fellow TechBikers is memorable. Three are cycling amongst really beautiful scenery, arriving in Budapest and having pizza and cider at our arrival party. What are you most looking forward to about riding Copenhagen to Berlin? Meeting new people and seeing some of the TechBikers who did Vienna to Budapest! 



Anna Abrell is cycling 420km from Copenhagen to Berlin with TechBikers to raise money for Room to Read from 15 – 17 September 2017. To support her with a donation, click here.

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TechBikers Paris to London 2017: Day 3

For the final day, we were joined at Newhaven by a few riders who’d made a donation of £50 or over and wanted to experience cycling with us for the final home stretch from Newhaven to London aka ‘TechBikers Lite’. 

After two days of hard cycling over long distances in sweltering, unrelenting heat, they found us sweaty, sore, exhausted, sporting the odd scrape and with one of us on crutches. We were all still smiling though and the friendships we’d formed on the road the two days prior left us feeling optimistic about the third day’s cycling even with those dreaded hills that we knew lay between us and London.

Heading for the hills 
 We’d stayed in Newhaven overnight so we were up early and after greeting our additional riders, we were off and cycling across the South Downs. Some of us who’d taken part in previous Paris to London TechBikers challenges for Room to Read knew what was in store as did the TechBikers who’d cycled London to Brighton and back again during training rides but it was a surprise for the rest of the riders just how much we were earning every single one of those sponsorship £s. That succession of hills in the heat are seriously hard work. 

One saving grace is that from the South Downs to the North Downs, the country lanes are so picturesque that it does take your mind off the pain slightly. There was an audible sigh of relief when they were finally behind us and we were heading into The Big Smoke.

Bikes and crutches up 
It was bikes and crutches up in Greenwich as we stopped to snap a few photos and then we were off again and speeding towards the friends and family that we knew were waiting for us at Campus London. As we rounded the corner and saw the welcome banner, it was the best feeling. It’s hard to express the rush of adrenalin you get after managing to cycle the 320km from Paris to London but it was definitely mixed with relief, happiness at seeing all those cheering, friendly faces (including children excited to celebrate Father’s Day) and the elation of knowing that thanks to all your generous donations, we’ve managed to raise tens of thousands of pounds for Room to Read and that we’ll be able to give even more children the chance to read and learn.

Every £ makes a difference
 So far on this TechBikers challenge we’ve raised £54,797 and we’re aiming even higher. We’re hoping to reach at least £70,000 in donations all of which will go directly to Room to Read thanks to our awesome sponsors and riders who’ve ensured that all costs for our Paris to London 2017 cycling challenge have been covered.

Spontaneous acts of generosity
 Aside from all of the children that will get a chance to learn thanks to your generous donations, one of the things that we love most about TechBikers is all of the incredible acts of kindness that we experience from people we haven’t met before. 

This year, we have received so many Anonymous donations and donations from people that don’t know us but have heard about why we cycled Paris to London and think that Room to Read is a great cause. You deserve a special mention. We may not personally know you but we are so grateful and are so touched by your support. And if you do know us and have endured our endless training talk, early morning starts and still sponsored us, we’ll thank you in person just as soon as we can walk properly again without wincing.

Shout out to our sponsors
 Similarly, thank you so much to our Paris to London 2017 sponsors: La Fosse Associates, euNetworks, Campus London, Cenatorium and our drinks’ sponsor for the Homecoming reception, The London Distillery Company who make a mean gin to accompany those much needed slices of pizza.

Please keep the donations coming
 Since leaving Paris on Friday, in addition to cycling 320km, TechBikers have cycled in heels, ended up on crutches, shaved all manner of bodily hair, offered cookery classes and posed for a series of embarrassing photos. You can sponsor a TechBiker that you know or simply pick one of us at random if you’d like to donate. 
 To keep up with TechBikers news, you can follow us on Twitter. To make a donation and help every child have the chance to learn, click here. Every £ goes to Room to Read.

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Why I ride with TechBikers: Kristina Tauchmannova

Kristina Tauchmannova recently joined Balance, an open source wallet for tokens and currencies, and previously worked as Partnerships Manager at Tech City UK. She first cycled Paris to London with TechBikers in 2016. This year, Kristina has taken part in TechBikers cycling challenges from Vienna to Budapest and Paris to London. This month, she’s taking on her longest cycling challenge yet: 450km from Copenhagen to Berlin. She shares why TechBikers and cycling to raise money for Room to Read is important to her, how she first caught the cycling bug in Copenhagen, the books that mean the most to her and her ‘train for TechBikers by doing TechBikers’ approach that’s added up to almost 1,000km this year alone. Take a read…

What inspired you to drop your laptop and join TechBikers? I love a good challenge and this is definitely a challenge plus it’s for a good cause - Room to Read - a charity founded by John Wood, former Director of Business Development for Microsoft’s Greater China region with the belief that world change starts with educated children. They’re working to transform the lives of millions of children in low-income countries by focusing on literacy and gender equality in education. This is definitely worth cycling hundreds of kilometres for and even if I initially wasn’t a big fan of cycling apart from a short commute, TechBikers definitely changed this and now I’m happy to drop my laptop anytime and cycle for days. Do you generally cycle regularly? I used to live in Copenhagen for two years so cycling was part of my everyday life, but after leaving, I hadn’t touched a bicycle for years until I did TechBikers for the first time last year. Now I cycle to work and do all the TechBikers I can: so far this year, I’ve ridden as part of TechBikers CEE from Vienna to Budapest and then a month later I did the Paris to London ride for the second time. Now, this month, I’m heading back to Copenhagen (where all the cycling started!) to ride from there to Berlin with TechBikers for Room to Read. Where’s your favourite place to train and why? When I joined the ride for the first time last year, I bought my bicycle on the day I had to bring it to Google Campus to get it transported to Paris. I did about 10 metres on the bike with the cleats on (using them for the first time), fell down and that was all my training last year. This year, I did one training ride from London to Cambridge. Unfortunately, my bike was stolen shortly after that so I didn’t get any more training before the Vienna - Budapest ride. I train for TechBikers by doing TechBikers. Tell us about your wheels. What’ll you be riding?
 I have a Giant Liv, I got it because I liked the colour: black and baby blue. It was also recommended by some TechBikers friends so I trust their judgment. How will you stay motivated cycling over 400km Copenhagen to Berlin? This is easy! Having so many fellow TechBikers doing this together for a great cause creates an amazing energy that is enough for any hill. Which book did you love when you were younger? Why’s it special? How much younger? :) It was probably The Little Prince. I liked the story and the pictures, but then a couple of years ago I reread it and one quote stuck with me: “All grown-ups were once children…but only few of them remember it.” Not a lot of adults are able to look at the world in a new light and have the courage to pursue their ideas despite what the world thinks. Name a book that’s had a big impact on you as an adult. Why?
 The Alchemist. The story provides a great reminder that each of us has our own special path to travel and story to tell here on earth and that following our inner driver might scare the _ _ _ _ out of us, but in the long run it’s so worthwhile. Name the next three books that you’re planning to read • Sapiens: A Brief History of Humankind • Barbarian Days: A Surfing Life • Ethereum: Blockchains, Digital Assets, Smart Contracts, Decentralized Autonomous Organizations What’s going to be your biggest personal challenge cycling Copenhagen-Berlin? This is the longest distance - over 400kms! - that I’ve ridden but I hope that after already completing two long cycling challenges with TechBikers this year that all the cycling will help with this one. Three things you’ll do to celebrate after crossing the finish line? Take a shower, tell my friends and family and thank everyone who’s donated. 

 Kristina Tauchmannova is cycling Copenhagen to Berlin with TechBikers to raise money for Room to Read from 15 – 17 September 2017. To support her with a donation, click here 


[techbikers]

TechBikers Paris to London 2017: Day 2

No rain this year, the weather is on our side and we are racking up those kms (and taking the opportunity to cool off in a lake whenever we have a break). 

Now that we’re on the second day of our Paris to London cycling challenge, we’re each settling into our own pace but managing to keep up as a group. Having a ferry to Newhaven that we needed to catch unless we wanted to get left behind in France proved to be a great motivator.

Why we’re doing this challenge is front and centre of our minds too and whenever we start to feel tired, we remind ourselves about raising as much money as possible for Room to Read. Your donations are still coming in to help as many children as possible learn to read so… THANK YOU!



Carb loading and countryside climbs 

It’s been fun but it’s also been extra tough today and taken all of our stamina to slog it out uphill to leave the Seine Valley behind. After that, we were pretty wiped out and needed a quick pitstop to rest and load up on more carbs before continuing the challenge.



With making it to Newhaven firmly in mind, the countryside flew by as did the pretty market towns and despite it being a tough day of cycling, there was a palpable sense of relief as we got closer to the coastal area of Dieppe. Once we’d made it in time for that all important ferry to Newhaven, we knew we could finally relax for a few minutes.

 Some of us slept as the ferry pulled out, others sunbathed on the upper deck or took in the views as France quickly receded and the UK came into view. 

It’s a great feeling to know that we’re two-thirds of the way through our Paris to London cycling challenge and that we’ll be setting out for London tomorrow. You’ve helped us to raise over £50,000 so far! 

A few of our donors will be joining us in Newhaven so we’re excited for that and we’ve got some great news to end the day with  – so far we’ve raised £51,633 for Room to Read thanks to your awesome support with donations! 

Every single £ raised goes to Room to Read thanks to our sponsors covering costs so a huge shout out to them: euNetworks, La Fosse Associates and Campus London. We’re also incredibly grateful to each and every person who’s donated so far. Please keep donations coming so that every child gets the chance to learn to read.

Don’t forget that you can also follow our progress on Twitter. We cycle Paris to London for Room to Read because we believe every child deserves the chance to learn how to read. You can donate here.

[techbikers]

TechBikers Paris to London 2017: Day 1

Nous sommes arrivés. We’ve made it to St Marcel! At the end of the first day’s cycling, our muscles are aching and we’re pretty tired (not sure any of us slept properly last night knowing that we had an early start) but from the minute we met at St Pancras to catch the 7am Eurostar to arriving here via stunning countryside routes, we’ve had big smiles on our faces. It feels so great to all be together in France and cycling for Room to Read.

Unfortunately, we’re now one TechBiker down due to an ankle injury (she had to take an unexpected detour to the hospital) but in true TechBikers’ form, Luciana is still with us although sadly on crutches and no longer able to cycle.

Thank you for all the support


The messages of support you’ve all been sharing have really kept us going today. Please keep them coming. They make a huge difference especially when we start flagging or hit a steeper climb.



We’re also hugely grateful for all of the donations you’ve already made and the ones that are still coming in. We promise we’re cycling hard to earn every £ that you’ve donated. So, what have we been doing besides posing for photos for you? A lot of cycling. After setting out from the Eiffel Tower, we made our way out of Paris via the suburbs. By the time we were out in the countryside, we’d hit our stride and kept going for as long as possible before aching muscles and calorie cravings kicked in and we stopped for a late lunch beside a lake. Then we were off again for the second half of today’s cycling. Today, we’ve covered 91.2km.

The ride began in earnest with us heading out of Paris to Saint-Germain-en-Laye in the western suburbs of Paris and then through Poissy to Chanteloup in the countryside. After our late lunch (location: Foret Domaniale), we set out on our 35-mile trip to Vernon in the Haute-Normandie region in northern France. Those of us who’ve done TechBikers before love this picturesque stretch and it was great to see from the reactions of new TechBikers that they feel the same.

We’ll be getting an early night here in St Marcel, ready to hit the road early tomorrow. Thanks again for all of your support. Please keep it coming and don’t forget that you can also follow our progress on Twitter.

We cycle Paris to London for Room to Read because we believe every child deserves the chance to learn how to read. You can donate here.

[techbikers]

TechBikers Paris to London 2017: The day before

The calm before the challenge. Ok, so that’s not strictly true but there’s nothing like capturing your flat lay to stop you focusing on the fact that you really are about to embark on a 300+km cycling challenge from Paris to London.

That, and coming up with attention grabbing ways to persuade friends, family and generous strangers to dig deep and help you hit your donation target. With beards, free bike repairs and cookery classes already donated to the fundraising cause and not much time left to raise money for Room to Read, the inventive ideas have increased exponentially…culminating in a promise to cycle 100km in a pair of high heels.

Friendly competition is well underway at the top of the Donations page leaderboard, banter’s ramping up on our TechBikers group Whatsapp and our bikes are now heading to France. We can’t wait to collect them at the Eiffel Tower in Paris and hit the road for Room to Read tomorrow. 

If you haven’t yet managed to, there’s still time to donate. You don’t have to know a TechBiker personally, just pick at random. Each £ makes a huge difference when it comes to giving a child the chance to learn how to read. Every single penny donated goes to Room to Read thanks to the generosity of our sponsors eu Networks, La Fosse and Campus London. Shout out too to The London Distillery Company who are our drinks’ sponsor - these guys being on board is awesome - we’ll be able to toast cycling 320km in 3 days with one of our favourite drinks on Sunday night (even if we are collapsed in a sweaty, exhausted pile on the floor when we do it!) As a special thank you to anyone who donated £50 and over and wanted to join us on the home strait, we’ve made a few exclusive places available for the final stage of our Paris to London cycling challenge. They’ll be joining us at Newhaven before heading to London. As for us, we’ve just time to polish off a third bowl of pasta before getting a few hours sleep. Our Eurostar to Paris leaves at 6am.  

 À demain!

[techbikers]

Why I ride with TechBikers: Orsola De Marco

Orsola De Marco is Head of Startups at Open Data Institute and joined TechBikers this year. She shares why TechBikers and cycling 300km Paris to London to raise money for Room to Read is important to her, her favourite places to train in Madrid, books she loved when she was younger and her ‘life on two wheels’. Take a read…

What inspired you to drop your laptop and join TechBikers? 
 One of my resolutions for this year was to spend more time doing meaningful things and giving back, whether with time, skills or money. I had never fundraised for charity and honestly I was a bit lost in where to start, which cause to pick or challenge to set. Then a couple of months ago I came across TechBikers, and it just clicked. 

 The cause is very close to my heart because books have been an integral part of my childhood. I grew up in a house full of books, from novels to art and design so reading felt very natural to me from a young age. I was such an avid reader that my parents at some point set quotas for how many new books they'd buy me every month - if I wanted more, I had to go the local library. The idea of helping kids get the same opportunity I had is such a strong motivation by itself. On top of that, I am incredibly passionate about cycling so TechBikers felt the perfect mix and I immediately got excited to be on board. Do you generally cycle regularly? 

Yes, I've always cycled as a means of transport to get from A to B everywhere I’ve lived, small towns to big cities. My bios on social media channels all include a 'life on two wheels' strapline because cycling is really a lifestyle and state of mind for me. I have been wanting to cycle Paris to London for a while but I have never cycled really long distances before or trained for a proper cycling challenge. Where’s your favourite place to train and why? 

I started training when I joined TechBikers about a month ago. I have been travelling for work most of the time, so I cycle wherever I am abroad. So far I’ve trained in London, Madrid, Milan and Copenhagen. My favourite two places to train are both in Madrid. One is a massive park next to the city centre called Casa de Campo which is a bit like Richmond Park but hilly so it's great for different terrains and elevation. The other is the Anillo Verde Ciclista, a 60km ring cycling path surrounding the city. I'm not a big fan of reps as I tend to get bored so that one is perfect because you get a long distance in just one single loop. Tell us about your wheels. What’ll you be riding? 

I’m building up a vintage Raleigh frame and I was hoping to get it finished in time to ride it. Unfortunately, I’m still missing some parts so instead I’ll ride my best friend's Cinelli vintage steel frame which I rode a couple of times before and really liked. 

How will you stay motivated cycling over 300km Paris to London? 

 I am sure the atmosphere and the company will be enough to keep the spirit up during those nasty hills I’ve heard about. I look forward to the feeling of all being there together, pushing for such a great cause that we care about. Which books did you love when you were younger? 

I loved Roald Dahl books because they always involved adventures, had smart characters and the stories were often pretty surreal and fostered my imagination. Name a book that’s had a big impact on you as an adult I don't think there is one in particular. One that surely played a role though is The Lean Startup by Eric Ries which was one of the first books I read about startups. I had been exposed to related ideas before but that book was a great synthesis of things I believed in and was passionate about. The book is now over five years old but remains a classic to recommend to people that are new to the industry. What are the next three books that you’re planning to read?
 • Happy City by Charles Montgomery because I am passionate about human cities and placemaking.
 • The Happiness of Pursuit by Chris Guillebeau because I always like some inspirational stories about people that found what they love. There seems to be a trend of happiness here, doesn’t there?
 • The Amazing Adventures of Kavalier & Clay by Michael Chabon. I don't know much about this one but it was a gift by a dear friend who likes it so I’m looking forward to being surprised. What’s going to be your biggest personal challenge cycling Paris-London? The hills! Three things you’ll do to celebrate after crossing the finish line? 

 Enjoy the party with old and new friends, check the map of the ride (I’m addicted to maps!) and probably take pictures and videos for any friends that won't be able to make it to Campus London. 

Orsola De Marco cycled Paris to London with TechBikers to raise money for Room to Read 16 – 18 June 2017.  TechBikers are cycling 450km Copenhagen to Berlin 15 - 17 September 2017. To support TechBikers with a donation, click here 
. You don’t have to know any TechBikers personally to donate. Simply select one. Every €, £ and $ donated goes direct to Room to Read. 

[techbikers]

Build your own --cyclocross-- bike

Hi,

I find this post particularly helpful:

http://blog.techbikers.com/post/63759600839/build-your-own-road-bike-its-easier-than-you

Would you be able to suggest what one would need to change in this post in order to build a bike with disc brakes and wider, sturdier tyres (cyclo cross style)?

Thanks a lot!

Paul

[techbikers]

There are many reasons to be thankful to education.

Here are some of the things that Techbikers have to be thankful for... How did education change your life for the better?

On 18th of September, Techbikers will be riding from Paris to London for Room to Read. It’s a charity that’s determined to give children good education. Please sponsor a rider.

[techbikers]

Techbikers Q&A: Paola Gomez

In this series of interviews, we ask Techbikers newbies and veterans five questions on their participations this year.

Name: Paola Gomez

Work role: Corporate finance lawyer transitioning into tech entrepreneurship.

1. What are you up to at the moment?

I am a corporate finance lawyer and I am transitioning into the tech world. Yes, lawyers can be smart creative and great entrepreneurs too. I am leaving to San Francisco next week to join a immerse training in product management.

2. What inspired you to join the Techbikers ride this year? Three things inspired me: First, the goal of the ride: raise money to help kids all around the world get an education. I am from Colombia and I have experienced first hand the changes that quality education can have in your life and how it helps people, communities and countries fight poverty.

Second, the challenge. From Paris to London on a bike? I have never cycled before, I have to confess: I am scared ;) Third, the fun. You get to meet amazing people and make new friends. I think this challenge and its beautiful goal will help us connect and build meaningful relationships. 3. What kind of cycling experience did you have before you took this challenge on? How do you prepare? None! Sometimes I think: What did I put myself into? I probably will be the last one of the group to arrive anywhere during the trip ;) but I promise, I will arrive to London on a bike! I keep telling myself: do not underestimate the power of grit! I started training a month ago with other Techbikers. We train once a week in a park in London. We try to do 20 to 30 km every time we meet. Also, I started taking spinning classes at the gym, I hope this helps! 4. What will keep you going from Paris to London for three days? The idea of the kids that we will be helping with the money we raise. Education will make a huge impact in their lives, just as the impact it had in my family.    5. How will you celebrate when you finish? I am not sure if I will be able to move after I finish the ride ;) and in any case, I have to go back to San Francisco right after the ride to continue my training. I got admitted to the training after I joined Techbikers so I am coming from San Francisco to London just for the ride, I do not want to miss it! So far the Techbikers have raised over £100,000 for Room to Read, and they continue to vehemently support their mission. Please sponsor a rider.