Team members' presentation - Christina Fotinopoulou

Let’s start with the basics. I am a runner, more specifically a mountain runner and this is most probably what I will remain to be. This one time though, maaaaany maaany years ago, (I think it was on 2005) I participated in a multi race called “Pindos Challenge”.

This race included mountain running, mountain cycling and kayaking. I need to highlight the fact that throughout the race the rain was pouring, I got humongously lost twice, I was attacked by wild shepherd dogs in the middle of nowhere and finally I finished first woman in the individual category and got a cup since I was the only woman that completed the specific category.

It was at that time that I came to love cycling, however I did not get the chance to practice my inexhaustible talent. Thus, last year, when I found out that, cyclists from all over the world would cycle for charity from Milan to Dusseldorf I decided that I had to participate. Following the successful completion of this difficult task I decided this was not enough and I had to do it again this year, so I started training since Christmas. If you speak greek you can read my adventures in the magazines mbike and Runner and in my personal blog, http://xristin.blogspot.com

Ever since, I am looking for roads to practice and races to finish last. Wish me best of luck!

Team members' presentation - Nikos Tsitouras

I got my first major Cross Country Bike and swept the suburbs' plains and mountains. The feel of adrenaline when riding mountainsides and very rough paths was exactly what I was looking for! 

This means that I am actually a downhiller who recently got into a race biker's suit. But I love biking in all aspects and especially when there is a reason: like raising money for SOS Children Villages.   

I recently run across the below, which I really liked and would like to share with all you my friends:

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A nerd was walking down the sidewalk one day when his friend, another nerd, rode up on an incredible shiny new bicycle.

The first nerd was stunned by his friend's sweet ride and asked, "WOW! Where did you get such a nice bike?"

The second nerd replied, "Well, yesterday I was walking home, minding my own business, when a beautiful woman rode up to me on this bike. She threw the bike to the ground, took off all her clothes and said, 'Take what you want!'"

The second nerd nodded approvingly, "Good choice. The clothes probably wouldn't have fit."

Team members' presentation - Diana Sioumi

TBC

Team members' presentation - Kostas Tzevelekos

A year ago in Berlin I had my first experience in city cycling and that experience became life culture that follows me up today. Since then many things have changed. New job, new mentality and cycling in Athens, cycling to get to work became a daily hobby. I learned about GBI and I promised to myself “next year you will be there too”. I bought my first road bike and I started my first triathlon races. The big challenge remains the 800km in 8 days. But this is just the beginning.

Team members' presentation - Dimitris Kitsanelis

You are likely to find me in late night hours, cycling in the city or jogging in the streets. You are even likely to find me in the mountains around the city - no matter what the weather conditions are. There is no particular target. Just the will to be continuously in some kind of athletic outdoor activity.


I started of with a no-name, yellow road bike, back in the beginning of the nineties and went on with my dearest red Peugeot, doing long rides around the city and later small trips to nearby towns. These trips though, brought me closer to the mountains and the nature... My Peugeot got tired of being carried around in mountain roads and buying a mountain bike was the next step, in order to get to know the mountain roads.


I now use both bikes (a new road bike replaced the old Peugeot) and I participate in every race I see as fun and entertaining. Knowing that GBI (both in 2009 and in 2010) aims to raise charity money, it didn't take me long to decide that I have to participate every year! I did it last year and I will do it this year again!

Team members' presentation - Costis Contopoulos

Why is it that nearly all children feel this deep attraction for cycling? And why is it that most of us, as we abandon our innocent youth, forsake this childhood's desire? Or is it not forsaken, but rather concealed somewhere deep down? Is it like this children's innate tendency for drawing, and how this wears out as we grow up? I sometimes ask myself.

My story with cycling is not much different than that. I always remember my early years on a bike. And then at my late adolescence, came a time that for many years I relinquished my relation with bikes.

But I guess the flame was never lost. It was 4 years ago that I rediscovered the magic of cycling. Cycling up on the mountains, in the woods and under the shadow of dense foliage, or across rivers. There is an indescribable feeling in this thrill of biking close to the elements of nature.

It was only a matter of time that I also took up road cycling. The desire for long-distance routes, the excitement for the companionship of a riding group. A love affair was born again.

Last year I cycled from Milan to Dusseldorf, for the benefit of Global Biking Initiative 2009. We are amateurs in cycling, even if many of us take it seriously. However, a continuous 8-day riding of more than 1000km is always a challenge for all of us; which requires great reserves of will, perseverance and high spirit. An ambitious test, to prove to ourselves how much of a fighter we can be; a test for which we'll all be inspired by the thought of the children we met at the S.O.S. Children Villages, the real fighters in life.

I look forward to GBI 2010!

Team members' presentation - Yiannis Theanopoulos

TBC

Team members' presentation - Manos Gkiokas

Leaving out my childhood, when cycling was one of my favourite extracurricular activities, I took up cycling in 2007.

I took up mountain biking which requires not only being fit but having certain technical skills as well since off road biking associates with the ability to overcome obstacles of any kind while maintaining your balance.

In the first year my performance improved so much that I was able to take part in mountain biking races with an increased level of difficulty and reach the finishing line with dignity.

After that I decided to take up road biking as well. Having three mountain bikes already, in the beginning of the year I got my forth bike (a racing bike). I participated with this specific bike in 3 brevets 200, 300 and 200 km respectively.

I am ready to take part in this year’s biking initiative (Global Biking Initiative 2010) cycling from Prague to Düsseldorf, crossing over 1000 km in 8 days, aiming to raise money for SOS Children Villages.

Team members' presentation - Dionysis Alevizakis

My athletic story starts back in 2004, when I met - in my work environment - the person who would significantly change my life from then on. Without even understanding how, I slowly transformed from the cafeteria and beer guy I used to be, into an addict for outdoor athletic activities of all kinds.


It started off with climbing and buying my first bike didn't take long. It was at the end of 2006 that I bought my first mountain bike and - naturally - friends were skeptical ("at this age?", etc.). On May 2007 I participated in my first triathlon race - again under the inducement of a colleague and had my first contact with a road bike. In that race, I participated with a bike I had borrowed just a week before but the feeling of speed on a road bike convinced me that I should have one of my own. Since then, I have riden thousands of kilometers on my bikes, doing relaxed rides, training or participating in races. 


After last year's trip (Milan - Dusseldorf), which I found a personal physical and psychological test, I am happy to participate for a second year and - again - try to raise charity money for the SOS Children Villages. 

Team members' presentation - Fragkiskos Vellis

I started cruising in the city roads with my bicycle, back on 1984. I stopped on 1990 but started again on May 2008! My target was to improve my fitness and to have fun. I soon got "stuck" with road cycling and especially with long distance cycling. Since January 2009 I systematically practice (or should I say train on) road cycling.

I participate in brevet (cycling events of at least 200 km without external help), I train on beautiful roads of Attica and neighbouring areas and - through this hobby - have made new friends, improved my physical condition and get closer to nature.

Last year's participation (GBI 2009) was a unique experience. The sense of accomplishment and the pursuit for the maximum amount to be collected for the SOS Children Villages, made me feel joy, pride and inner satisfaction. My participation in GBI 2010 has high expectations in all aspects:

• Charity: To collect over 10,000€ as Greek team (with Vodafone Greece additional support) for SOS Children Villages of Vari
• Cycling: To cover around 1,000 km in the 8 days of the event, with some of these days containing 200 km stages with tough climbing
• Tourism / Fun: To cycle in some of the most beautiful courses of Czech Republic and Germany, getting the opportunity to visit small villages and cities and to experience every day lives of the locals. I just hope to find the time to take many beautiful photos, to bring them home and have lots of things to remember! 

Final countdown

This is the blog that will be used by the members of the Global Biking Initiative (GBI). GBI is a charity event, organised by Vodafone employees.


We are opening the blog today and we will use it as a communication link with our friends and followers during our preparation, during the event and after it. The event will take place on June 1st till June 8th and the team will cycle from Prague to Dusseldorf.