Why would anybody cycle 516 miles?

We want to raise money to buy a permanent home for Samye Dzong London.

Samye Dzong is...

...that most rare of things - a place of peace and tranquility for all in central London. Many people of all religious persuasions (or none) have benefited from the wide range of courses, teachings and therapies made available here over the years. In addition to providing access to a deep wisdom tradition, an unbroken lineage of teachings from the Buddha, and teaching meditation and relaxation techniques for stress reduction, we also offer affordable alternative therapies such as shiatsu and acupuncture (among others), and host classes and courses run by community groups, including martial arts and mother and toddler.

We'd like to make sure this work can continue, and are prepared to cycle 516 miles to raise money towards buying a permanent Centre. This will give us a stable base from which we can build on the work carried out over the last decade and continue to make a positive difference in the lives of those who live and work in London.

If you'd like to help us continue to make a difference, and give us a fantastic incentive to pedal all the way from the Thames to the Samye Ling Tea Party in Scotland, please click on the Donate button and give what you can.

The Trip

The Ride

Thursday, August 21, 2008

A rapturous reception

It's fair to confess we're all feeling a little embarassed to have been so silent since the night before we arrived. No excuses but here is an update for anyone still looking...
 
We cycled the last 20 miles to Samye Ling in the most unsettled weather conditions of the whole trip but in fine mood, knowing that soon our destination would be within sight and our aims accomplished. Appropriately enough our fiercest rain squall was reserved for the exact moment we passed the sign marking the beginning of Eskdalemuir.
 
O the dreadful wind and rain continued for most of the week but there was a long enough pause for us to change into our team dreamflag shirts after an extremely welcome pause of our own making at Vin's, where we enjoyed warmth, towels, tea and his shiatsu chair, before departing for our final leg (and on our last legs in some cases).
 
Nobody at the gate at 3 minutes to 1.45 and the Ling appeared to be deserted. Then someone popped around the corner of phase 2 to ask us to wait a few more minutes. We imagined Border tv must not have been ready.
Finally we entered the courtyard to find it full of cheering well wishers formed into a corridor for us to pass through 4 abreast. At the top of the temple steps Akong Rinpoche and Lama Zangmo were waiting with white scarfs, bronze plaques, and mugs (printed with our ugly mugs).
Seb and Colin were also there waving elderflower champagne around, hugs from beautiful girls, a speech from Rinpoche and more much deserved applause for the support team followed.
 
Lots of big smiles all around too!!
 
Thankyou to everyone who was there, to all those who were so generous in their kind support .
There's still a bit more epilogue to write but it's lunch so that's all for now.
 
Will

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