Mods - pleeeaasssee allow this a short run here before moving it to Flyertalk Cares given that the madman doing it, gav0106, has hosted a number of BAEC events at Guys and St Thomas' Hospital (I was lucky enough to attend the one in the marquee by the Thames in June 2013, and there was another one on the 29th floor of Guy's Hospital in March last year that I couldn't attend ).

The reason for mentioning this is that he has given a lot, and I would suggest that it is perhaps time to consider giving back.

Gavin is mad for two linked reasons - he is missing a simple Avios earning opportunity by choosing to cycle 2,000 gruelling miles, across ten countries, from London to St. Petersburg rather than flying, and the simple fact that he is cycling over 2,000 miles. Completely bonkers.

However, he is doing this for three great causes:
Evelina London Children's Hospital
Medicinema
Breathe Arts Health Research

You can sponsor him here.

You can also follow his progress on social media:
Twitter: @culturalcycle
Facebook: LondontoRussia
Blog: theculturalcycle.org

There is also the opportunity to buy a ticket for THE CULTURAL CYCLE GALA DINNER - an evening of fine dining, music and arts at the same marquee as the 2013 FT event (Parliament Panorama, Westminster Bridge, London, SE1). It is taking place on Thursday 17th September at 19.00 for 19:30 (Carriages at midnight). Tickets are priced at £100 (+ VAT) per seat or £900 (+ VAT) for a table of 10. I'll be going - maybe we could get an FT table?!

If you did want to attend please e-mail [email protected] or telephone +44 20 7188 6814, stating how many tickets you would like, and once they have received payment, they will send you e-tickets which will be your entrance on the night.

There will be entertainment and a charity auction -including a one-off painting by leading artist Albrecht Behmel from Germany, and many more exciting lots, all worth making a bid for! So bring your credit cards and cheque books!