Pedal for No Medal

From Riga to Sochi by bikes

The Road never ends – it is always waiting without any conditions,limitations or demands. It is just there, kindly allowing us to crawl,walk, skate and roll on it. Some people do not hear the welcominghowl of adventure, but then there are always those whose ears andminds are tuned in. We have heard the howl and are ready for thenext adventure.

The four members of Pedal for No Medal cycling team are asdifferentas they come – some have dedicated their lives tocycling, some are taking up a race against themselves andsome will experience the Road through the eyes of a pedalerfor the first time, but there is one thing that unites all of them -the addiction of following the Road line by line, breath by breath.

Goal

To cycle from Riga to Sochi in 17 days

in winter conditions,whatever they may

be, and deliver children’s messages

to Latvian Olympians.

Duration

January 21 to February 7, 2014.

Distance

2802 kilometers (~165 km per day)

through five countries (Latvia, Lithuania,

Poland, Ukraine, Russia).

Charity

During the course of this adventure the cyclists will act as messengers of good wishes – they will pick up the letters and drawings prepared by the little patients of the Children’s Hospital in Riga and deliver them to Latvian Olympic team in Sochi. The cyclists will devote this adventure to a good cause, encouraging the followers of this project to make donations for the renovation of the Hemato-oncology ward of the Children’s Hospital.

Media

February 24, 2014

This was "Pedal for no Medal"

February 2, 2014

Catching the night train to Latvian disco.

January 30, 2014

Toatal chill.

January 30, 2014

A short video summary of the first week of our epic trip.Advised to enjoy in warm surroundings.

January 29, 2014

Warm and cosy ride through Ukraine.

January 5, 2014

Challenge extended. Adventure accepted!

TEAM

Full time adventurer.
He’s been on a bicycle before, but started training for serious cycling on November 22, 2013.
So far he has pedaled approx. 750 km.
The most important entry in Karlis adventure log is the 60 day roller-skate ride form North Cape to Gibraltar, covering the road length of 6247 km.

His day job is managing the bicycle shop HAWAII EXPRESS.
After work as well as during it he cycles and manages the HAWAII EXPRESS cycling team.
Each year he adds approx. 9000 km to his cycling stats.
He has been cycling since forever and his biggest adventures so far include the bike ride from Vilnius to Polar cycle in Finland and the cycling tour on the famous route Paris-Dakar.

By day he is the revenue analyst for Radisson Blu hotels in Riga.
Once he is out of his suit he plays hockey and manages the Radisson Blu cycling team.
He got on his first bike in early childhood, but began participating in races and longer adventures in 2006.
His average yearly distance traveling on bike is approx. 13 000 km.
He’s certain that the biggest adventures are yet to come.

When working, he is the supervisor of the Radisson Blu convention center.
When out of the office, he plays squash and rides his bike.
His cycling stats for the last 3 years are quite impressive: 2011: 8000 km, 2012: 15500 km, 2013: 17000 km.
Kaspar’s adventure portfolio includes the trip around Latvia, during which he cycled 1523 km in 7 days, and the 1280 km ride from Riga to Berlin, which also took him 7 days.

He makes living by translating technical documentation and user interface (if you don’t like Windows Phone, maybe he’s the one to blame).
He’s good with words and keen to get out of his chair – these qualities have bought him a place in the support team for this adventure.
Miks has already withstood his first baptism of fire in the role of a support team member during the first BoB adventure Coast-to-Coast.

Co-founder and member of board at kusT – Education about the important.
The veteran of the first BOB adventure Coast-to-Coast.

As an expert of hospitality and hotel business Aigars is responsible for ensuring that thousands of visitors have a great time in Latvia.
His skill set will be put to good use during the ride from Riga to Sochi, as he will be responsible for the well being and security of the team on the road.

Every working day he is the chief bicycle mechanic at HAWAII EXPRESS.
His priceless expertise was crucial in preparing team’s SCOTT bicycles for the long ride.
Every day he cycles from Ogre to Riga and back and once a week participates in MTB races.
He is somewhat hesitant to speak about cycling in the winter.