2012 CST Bike Challenge for a noble cause

As part of the continuous CSR activities, Custom Sensors and Technologies organized a Bike Challenge in an effort to generate donations throughout CST worldwide for a worthy cause.

CST employees from 14 different sites around the world enthusiastically participated by guessing the total distance the bikers would ride in exchange for a small donation that would help a local organization and a chance to win an iPad Mini, raising with this the amount of $ 5,390.86  USD which would be matched by CST, making a grand total of $10,781.72 worldwide. 

The funds that each site generated will go to their selected local organization, as a result many people will receive much needed help, such as kids with cancer and autism in Tijuana Mexico,  the Telethon in France, Disaster relief organizations in China and USA and many more in Germany, India, UK, Morocco and EAP.

Christian, some words about CST Bike Challenge experience

Some last minute doubts (about the distance and especially the weather with rain, snow, wind and low temperatures, not to mention flooded tracks!!) but never during the challenging ride, which made put things into perspective and convince myself that nothing is impossible.

I recently saw a documentary about Philippe Croizon, the swimmer who swam across oceans to link the 5 continents despite having lost both arms and legs and through his example we can see through will and dedication everything is possible - what an example to follow.

So back to our much smaller endeavour, with a  high concentration of emotion over a very short period with a great team.

And not forgetting Laëtitia, our coach and mother - and supporting comments like 'Be careful' and 'It's not a problem, you are only 3 hours behind schedule, you will get there!' or 'Hey boys, you cannot be serious, you must eat before setting off!!'

A uniting spirit, that is essential in this type of challenge.

As for the charity that brought us all together, our effort is insignicant compared to the difficulties facing many people worldwide, in their fight against illness on a daily basis and would love to go biking for 2 days, whatever the conditions.

and this is the truth of Mapa gloves...

They are useful to clean your bike but not really efficient to keep hands warm

The real story!

CST Bike Challenge 2012, you did it, congratulation team!

Saturday, they won the challenge

The team in Valence with a new biker, see in the middle, Helen's son, Jérome is really motivated for next year :)


Dean could you tell us official results?

 Thanks a lot!  Employees who came to congratulate our CST bikers.

Thanks to Patricia and Michel to have welcomed our CST Bikers (who deserved to have rest) with drinks, fruits, chocolate...

 and me, still on my Ipad, to provide fresh news.


I'm coming back soon with other photos.

CST Bike Challenge results

After 2 days of snow, rain, wind and near zero temperatures, the bikers are bike.

I imagine your are all impatient to know the result. So it is my pleasure to announce that the team rode 712,431 kms.

Brenda and Jean-Marc will check the results and announce the winners beginning of next week.

Dean Whittaker

They are in !

They are almost there

20 km to go !

Morgan Charre, the interview

Morgane Charre, the downhill mountain biking world champion in 2012, has accepted to support the CST bike challenge (biking ride from Strasbourg to Valence in effort to raise funds for theTéléthon NPO). While our team struggles on the snow somewhere close to Châlon sur Saône, the 21-year old athlete trains in the French Alps where she lives and trains for the 2013 mountain biking season.
CST: Thanks for supporting the Téléthon CST bike challenge! Why did you decide to go for it?
Morgane Charre: I was approached on Facebook by a member of the team and watched an inspiring video presenting thechallenge. I found it pretty cool!
This is a massive challenge the team is facing, and I find it interesting to link it to the Téléthon which is a major event in France this weekend.

CST: How will you support this action?
M.C.: Unfortunately I was not able to join the team to ride my bike with them. However, they will get a jersey with my signature which they can use as a giveaway for their Challenge.
I will also participate in the ceremony in which the money the team will have collected for the Téléthon will be given to the NPO.

CST: Is there anything you would like to tell the team right now?
M.C.: Go team, go! Have fun!

News, they are 35 kms from Valence

Some photos of MTB team this morning

Meet Team 2 riders on the road

4 of the 5 riders ...

... And a special one for Dean, geared up to fight off all the flying bugs ...

Team 2 on the road ...

... And getting closer to the finish Line ...

Departure this morning

Breakfast

Bon apetit by Team 2

After a cold and wet day,

French cuisine ...

And a bunch of guys ...

They did it!

130 kms for the First team, 70 for the second who began with 3 hours delay because of bad weather. It was the "wet feet day"

It was day with a real team spirit,

After a shower, they have cancelled the light fest of Lyon :)

They need to sleep...

Chalon sur Saône

Waiting for David, Julien, Samuel.

Do you want to visit Chalon sur Saône?

Look at some pictures

Don't believe what was said on this blog ...

... The sun is shining ... And here is the proof :

More winter scenes from Team 2

100 kms

Call from David, they reached 100 kms and are 40 kms from Challon.

Team, We are with you!

News from David, Julien and Samuel

12h30- phone call from David, they got to Dole after 60 km under snow and cold wind.

They did 30 mn break and are on the way to chalon sur Saône. Waiting for them.

Do you remember who is who?

First photo, David on the right, Samuel next to him.


And Julien, he tried yesterday evening to borrow a new bike...
We told him it was not possible :)

And Jeff

Christian and Jeff left Chalon sur Saône at 12h45 with motivation. During the trip to Chalon, they told me: "laetitia, it's too warm in our van, we want to be outside"

But....we took more time to arrive to Chalon, look at the road...