Suggestions?

[ClockworkOrange]

My friend is going to cycle to raise money for a cancer charity which will take place in Kenya on an incredible ride through the Rift Valley. This journey winds from the slopes of Mount Kenya to the shores of Lake Victoria, she will be cycling 400kms (250 miles) over five days. :eek:

The most I have ever ridden was a couple of years ago and that was about 35 miles on a MTB

I know nothing about road bikes and all the extras you can buy, now I am after a small gift for her, something useful that she might not think of taking for around $20. 'J' is an albino, is blind in one eye and obviously will have to be careful about too much sun on her very pale skin.

Any smart suggestions, this is the only place I ever come for help. :D

[Becky]

How about a pair of Arm Coolers (http://www.teamestrogen.com/prodDE_AC.html)or similar? I used a pair of Specialized's version (http://www.specialized.com/us/en/bc/SBCEqProduct.jsp?spid=60255&gold_ses=) on a 5-day tour last summer, and loved them! I'm pretty fair and burn easily, and they were worth every penny.

[ClockworkOrange]

Thanks for the great idea, just ordered a pair online, Craft Compression Arm Cooler.

http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y272/Missbe/e8cdd465.jpg


Really like the colour too, I needed them for 10 days time, so this is perfect, am sure my friend will be pleased.

Many thanks Becky for taking the time to reply to my thread.

[Kiwi Stoker]

Something else (I don't know if you would want to buy this or mention it to her) is to maybe have a small stash of cheap gifts to give to the children she meets as she rides.

For example-
pens
pencils
erasers (the cool fun ones)
stickers
fake tattoos
small mascot??
Candy
Balloons (uninflated)

I have had several friends ride in Asian and African countries and have said that having something small on hand to thank children was well worth it and brought a lot of cheer to their lives. I know someone brought tiny clip on koala bears (they were from Australia) and another guy brought small mini lip balms (as big as a thumb nail).

Anyway just a thought. However you do have to be careful about how you give them out- ie you don't want to give them out to a crowd of kids as they can go a bit crazy.