Forward: We finally decided it was time to coerce Erik, the quiet achiever and real unsung hero of the Jesters Care for Kids Charity Drive 2001 to submit an article for our weekly series. In case, you have not gauged his progress on our website (www.care4kids.info), as of 18/08/01, Erik has amassed an astonishing 276,020 baht of backing for the 50-kilometre Sponsored Cycle Ride, which is to be held the same day as our Children's Fair on Sunday, September 16th. In a year when economics have made it difficult for many companies to contribute, Erik's efforts are deeply appreciated by us. Here is his tale. (LWU)

Spandex Eric looking ready to go

I guess my fitness season started over a few beers late one night in June. Someone accidentally told me I would never manage to get through a half-marathon, and before I knew it, I was signed up for the Pattaya Marathon.

During my training for the half-marathon (steak, beer and long walks), I was again faced with scepticism from my peers about my hardly aerodynamic body and ability to compete. This time I was challenged to do the bike ride. Knowing that I hadn't been on a motorbike since the mid-nineties, and on a bicycle since childhood, I signed up for the full 50k ride.

After shopping for the appropriate spandex attire, I realized that my real goal was not just to look good, but also to collect sponsors and money to support my quest of doing the bike ride. This was a new concept for me and I spent several days thinking about how to go about doing it.

One early idea was to threaten people to donate money, while walking around in my new state-of-the-art bicycle uniform. However, my 'Man in Tights' intimidation idea was soon abandoned, and I decided to do a straight-up collection in the Bar/Restaurant every night.

It turned out to a much easier job collecting donations from willing Norwegians, especially after a few beers. And since people kept asking me about my latest sponsorship figures, we launched a special page on the Scandi Bar web site: www.scandibar.com, to honour my donors.

Erik (right) from the Scandinavia Bar & Restaurant and his chief sponsor for the bike ride, Edgar Skjoenhals of Orkide Ekspressen.

Among my sponsors that deserve special mention is Edgar Skjoenhals of Orkide Ekspressen. When I told him about the Charity Drive, a quick phone call ensued between management and owners, which immediately resulted in a 100,000 baht donation from one of Norway's largest tour operators with Thailand as their special field. A big thanks to Edgar Skjoenhals and Orkide Ekspressen!

As for the bike ride, I'm practising a few times a week these days, as long as it doesn't interfere with my training I'm doing on the side for the Pub Night.

With the half-marathon done and 50K bike ride to be accomplished in less than a month from now, I guess it will be just a matter of time before I'll find myself accepting the challenge to swim between Fun City and Koh Larn one day. Well, on second thought, maybe not.

Thanks to all of my sponsors and to Jesters MC for putting it all on!

Erik, Scandinavia Bar & Restaurant