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The Tour de Tulum Two, a Cycling Adventure!

On the 27th

of February, volunteers and staff from both the

Pez Maya and Playa Community projects in Mexico joined

forces to embark upon the challenge of the century; our

Tour de Tulum Two.

Excitement levels were high. After weeks of anticipation,

participants had still only heard rumors of the challenges

and scavenger hunt that lay ahead. The 30km bike ride

along the reserve road and into Tulum seemed daunting

enough.

At the stroke of 9.00am, the 6 teams were given the details

of our first challenge: designing top-of-the-range costumes

for the race. Materials including paints, sharpies, old sheets

and some slightly damp cardboard were strewn across our

communal area, and after a chaotic 15 -20 minutes

everyone was dressed up and ready.

As each team was marked and signed off on the challenge, they

received the first half of our photo-based scavenger hunt and a

map of the road ahead. Scavenger items could be found

anywhere form base to the site of Challenge # 2, and included

tasks such as burying a team member in sand, sunbathing with a

crocodile, and discussing philosophy with a toucan. Points could

only be received by capturing a photo of each item, with at least

one team member featured in the image.

And so our riders were off! They went flying from base at top

speed, on bikes that would make Cadel Evans weep with

jealousy. Their fury upon the road couldn't be dampened by

torrential rain, lake-sized puddles or a lack of mud guards.

(Our paper maps were sadly less resilient).

Eagerly hunting for each item on their list, volunteers had two

hours to collect as many as possible, before arriving at the

site of the second challenge: a local cochinita restaurant.

A flat tyre and some mild toe damage later, and our teams

began to appear, looking tired, stressed and muddy, but ready

for more adventure. Upon arrival, each team was handed

details of the second challenge; eating three “mystery tacos”,

filled with chapulines (fried crickets) and a very spicy salsa.

Milk was on hand to put out any emergency belly fires.

Objective To support our key partners, Amigos

de Sian Ka'an, by generating vital

funds for ongoing marine

conservation works in the Sian

Ka'an Biosphere Reserve.

Summary During a 30km challenge-laden bike

ride, 18 volunteers and 4 staff from

Pez Maya (along with 5 Playa

Community guests) participated in

the Tour de Tulum Two. Over

US$1,600 was raised to support

Amigos de Sian Ka'an in buying

monitoring equipment for ongoing

marine research in the reserve.

Figure 1 Volunteers getting their

costumes ready

Figure 2 Challengers leaving base despite the

rain

GVI.2015.1

Not until the plate had been licked clean could participants

receive the next half of the scavenger hunt and continue the

race. The second list was filled with items to be found in

Tulum center. Once collected, teams made a final mad rush

for the finish line: The Ayuntamiento. Extra points were given

to reflect arrival times.

When the challenge was over, we had a picnic lunch together.

There was a lot of excited chatter and team banter. Accusations of cheating were thrown around

like celebratory confetti. Injuries were few and laughs had been many. Best of all, every

participant had completed the race successfully, and

had had a lot of fun doing so.

After a weekend of recovery and point-counting, our

winning teams were announced. Gag and the Bivittatus

had won! An impressive feat, as their team had

remained struggling at the back for the whole race

(claims of a “child's bike” are still being investigated).

However, team members Nic, Lucas, Kirsi and Craig,

were able to go the extra mile, after gaining 80 bonus

points by taking up the “shaving challenge”, which

other teams had shied away from. As we'd said all

along, it was a test of courage, not speed!

Our second champions, The Blues Brothers, were

awarded the prize for best fundraising effort. Emma,

Jonny, Elli, Marcos and Blue were absolute heroes,

raising over US$600 between them.

In total, we managed to raise US$1,680. This money

will be given to our key partners, Amigos de Sian Ka'an,

so they can improve their science monitoring

equipment.

The funds raised are key to our marine conservation project here in Mexico, as they ensure that

our work can continue long-term. Investing back into the community with which we work is

essential if we hope to create and stabilize community-based conservation action. By supporting

and empowering groups like Amigos de Sian Ka'an the reach and impact of our efforts is far

greater.

Finally, we would like to thank all those who participated in the Tour de Tulum Two, including

those racing, involved in the organisation, and especially to our donors. Without you, projects

like this can't happen – you are the difference!

If you would like to know more about the GVI Charitable Trust please visit: www.gvi.org

Figure 3 Cricket tacos!

Figure 4 The winning team: Gag and the Bivittatus

Figure 5 Second place: The Blue Brothers