2018 Event Information Guide Stage 3 participants

Transcription

1 2018 Event Information Guide Stage 3 participants Welcome to your comprehensive Event Info Guide! Any STRIVE Challenge is a major undertaking, both in terms of the challenge itself but also the training and preparation. This document is intended to provide you with all the logistical information you should need to make the next 9 months as seamless as possible. Please refer to this document any time you have a question, if the information isn t there please get in touch with our Participant Managers at (StriveSupport@big-change.org). Looking forward to getting started with you all! EVENT SPONSORS EVENT PARTNERS

2 CONTENTS 1. Challenge overview 3 2. Flights, ground transport and bikes 4 3. Accommodation 5 4. Stages overview 6 5. Training 7 6. Our support team 8 7. Medical support 9 8. Mechanical support On the route At the hotel Packing list Insurance Fundraising & next steps 16 2

3 Section 1: Challenge overview Stage Day Date Detail Arrival day Mon 15-Sep Stage 3 participants arrive Sun 16-Sep Cycle Mon 17-Sep Cycle Stage 3: France cycle Tues 18-Sep Cycle Weds 19-Sep Cycle Thurs 20-Sep Cycle Departure day Fri 21-Sep Stage 3 participants depart *Itinerary subject to change 3

4 Section 2: Flights, ground transport and bikes Flights It is your responsibility to organise and book your own flights from your local country to/from the start/finish airports. Ground transport We will provide you with coach services from Nice airport to the event start and from the event finish to Geneva airport. Please ensure your book your flight to arrive in time for the scheduled coach times otherwise you will need to organise your own transfers. The coaches will depart at the below times: Inbound - Nice airport Start hotel: Monday 15 th September, 13:30 (30 minute transfer) - Nice airport Start hotel: Monday 15 th September, 15:30 (30 minute transfer) Outbound - Finish hotel Geneva airport: Friday 21 st September, 10:30 (3 hour transfer) - Finish hotel Geneva airport: Friday 21 st September, 12:30 (3 hour transfer) We will provide all in-country ground transport that you require for the event, apart from for personal needs. Bike transport Return ground bike transport from London is included within your entry fee. You will have five days before/after the event to drop-off and collect your bike from our central location. Address: On Your Bike, The Vaults, Montague Close, London SE1 9DA Drop off between: Saturday 8 th September Wednesday 12 th September Pick up from: Saturday 22 nd September Wednesday 26 th September NB: please check the opening/closing times before you go to drop off your bike as these vary. Your bike does not need to wrapped or put in a bike box / bike bag. On Your Bike will provide suitable protection for the transfer. Please make sure you remove all of your accessories such as GPS, helmet, cleats from the bike. Bikes will be insured whilst onsite at On Your Bike and whilst in transit with the transportation service. You will be reunited with your bike in Monaco before the cycle stage. If non-uk participants wish to use this service you will need to arrange the shipment of your bike to/from London in time for the drop off date of the ground bike transportation slot(s). 4

5 Section 3: Accommodation Accommodation is included in your entry fee and you will be allocated based on twin occupancy. Below is a list of the nearest town that hotels will be located in. We will confirm the hotels with you closer to the time. Stage Day Date Nearest Town Arrival day Sat 15-Sep Monaco/Nice Sun 16-Sep Auron Mon 17-Sep Barcelonette (TBC) Stage 3: France cycle Tues 18-Sep Guillestre Weds 19-Sep Saint Jean du Maurienne (TBC) Thurs 20-Sep Tignes Departure day Fri 21-Sep NA 5

6 Section 4: Stages overview Stage 3: France cycle This is a five day cycle from Monaco/Nice to Tignes. Cycling through the Southern Alps means we will take in a couple of famous Tour de France climbs, which will present a challenge for any keen cyclist. This is multi-day cycling will be extremely mountainous and may just be the closest thing to riding in a Grand Tour as you will ever get. Think Pelotons and support cars, but throw in coffee stops and amazing lunches on the road too. Alpine cycling heaven. This stage is more about the climbing than the distance. There are a couple of smaller days and two big ones. We are cycling an average of 80km, with an average daily altitude gain of 1200m a day. Accommodation The accommodation for the cycling will be in hotels located along the route. Finding your way The entire route will be signed with arrows. We sign every junction before the turn, at the turn and even add a confirmation arrow afterwards. There will also be a couple of expert chaperones on hand to help you out if you get lost. Their main role will to be on hand to ensure the safety of all riders, but will be able to offer advice and support throughout the event. Kit You will be able to access a day bag throughout this stage. You will just need to drop your rucksack off at the appropriate point at the hotel in the morning before you leave. This bag will then be available at the lunch pit stop. The rest of your luggage will then be waiting for you at the hotel when you arrive. 6

7 Section 5: Training Training The successful completion of the Virgin STRIVE Challenge 2018 will depend almost entirely on your preparation and having the right mindset. Everyone lives a busy life but it is essential you get as much (smart) training under your belt before the challenge kicks off. A recommended training plan is available on the participant hub. There are also few training days throughout the year available to stage participants. The dates for these can be found below but the sports are still to be confirmed. We encourage you to come to as many of these sessions relevant to you as possible - not only will they be good practice they will also be essential for getting to know your fellow team members and some of the support crew too. Sunday 20 th May 2018 Saturday 23 rd June Saturday 30 th June 2018 More information on the training days will be shared in due course. 7

8 Section 6: Our support team The event team (all stages) Our event team (led by Threshold Sports) is responsible for making sure you have a fantastic and safe experience during the challenge. Threshold will look after the following elements: Training events Event logistics Participant wellbeing and queries Accommodation Hospitality Bike transport Ground transportation Daily luggage transfers (from hotel to hotel) Lunch stops Supplier and partner management Medical support The medical team provided by Jigsaw Medical will be made up of the following team members. Cycle stages: 1 x doctor 2 x paramedics Massage therapist Physio team Cycle Support Just Pedal will manage the France stage. Their team will be made up of the following: A specialist route manager 3 x chaperones 1 x broomwagon Mechanical team Signage team Mobile catering team 8

9 Section 7: Medical Support We will have a dedicated medical team on the event who will be available on the road, at the lunch stop and at the hotel, with a morning and then an afternoon/evening clinic. There will be emergency medical care available at all times. Personal First Aid No matter how fit you are, the Virgin STRIVE Challenge will hurt at times. Please be prepared. You will be responsible for your own first aid. Use your experience from training to learn where your weaknesses are and predict what problems may arise. Address any possible niggles now before they become injuries on the event. As much as there will be emergency medical care available at all times on the event, the team is not there to provide very basic first aid. Our medical team has collated a list of recommended items you should include in your main packing list for the event in addition to your regular medical prescription(s): Paracetamol Spare set of your usual medication: keep this in a separate place Ibuprofen Fabric plasters (assorted) Vaseline (or similar, for chafing) Compeed (large) Second Skin (alternative to Compeed for saddle sores) Loperamide (Immodium)/ rehydration sachets Alcohol hand gel (for clean hands as well as cleaning small wounds) Important info: keeping yourself hydrated and protected with sunscreen is also going to be important to your success in September the weather will still be hot and sunny. 9

10 Section 8: Mechanical support during cycling stages During the cycle stages we will have mechanical support provided by Halfords in France who will be available on the road and at the hotels each evening and morning. Bike Repairs As well as offering this service at the hotels and pit stops, mechanics will be on call for roadside repairs but please remember you ll need to fix your own punctures. If your problem is something they can t fix at the roadside, they ll loan you a bike to finish the stage (subject to availability). If you d rather adjust your own bike, you re more than welcome to use a stand and tools. Our bike mechanics are a very knowledgeable team, so feel free to ask for any advice. Please ensure that if your bike needs attention, you seek advice as soon as possible. Parts Stock Our mechanical specialists will carry a good stock of the basic consumables such as tubes, tyres, chains, brake pads etc. In addition to this, they ll carry a range of parts that will allow them to fix most problems that you may encounter during the cycling stages of the event. This will include wheels, bearings, shifters etc. At all times they will have a REPLACE NOT REPAIR approach as this is the most efficient way of supporting all people on the event effectively. Loan Bikes If you have a serious problem with your bike, our mechanics will be carrying a number of loan bikes in a range of sizes to ensure that you are able to finish each stage. 10

11 Section 9: On the route Food and drink Powering you during the day is our aim and there will be a selection of calorie packed foods for you to eat. If you have any specific dietary requirements, we will ensure these are catered for throughout the event. Sports nutrition will also be provided by our partners at Tribe. During the cycle, there will be a lunch stop and splash and dash stops in-between to fill up your water bottle. PLEASE NOTE: There will not be toilets at the lunch stops, so please stop when you see the opportunity when going through local towns. The Broomwagon The route will be open for just under a 10-hour period each day and all participants are required to complete the daily stage within this time period. The Broomwagon (a minibus at the back of rider field) will be travelling at an average speed of around 10mph. You are required to stay in front of this at all times. 11

12 Section 10: At the hotel We will be staying in a number of hotels during this epic challenge and listed below is what you can typically expect during your stay. Finish Line Recovery area There will be a recovery area at each hotel, which you will be able to head to once you ve crossed the finish line. There will be various stations available for you include access to physios, sports therapists and ice baths! Food and Drink Breakfast will be provided at your accommodation each day. Your evening meal will be provided at the main overnight hotel each day or a local restaurant. The food will be varied and plentiful, and we will cater for specific dietary requirements, which you should state on your registration form. Food is included in your entry fee, however you will be required to purchase your own alcoholic drinks. NB: when purchasing alcoholic drinks, please pay for these at the time and do not charge these to your rooms. Lost Property If anything is found, and handed in, you ll be able to pick this up at the Info desk, which will be stationed at the main hotel each evening. 12

13 Section 11: Packing List This is a suggested list of kit to bring with you to ensure that you are comfortable and prepared. As part of your entry fee, you will be provided with the following kit, which will be given to you on the live event: Cycle General Jersey x 4 Cap x 1 Gilet x 1 Beanie x 1 Bib shorts x 3 Water bottles x 2 Cycling cap x 2 Gloves x 2 Socks x 4 Rain jacket gilet x 1 In addition to the above, we therefore recommend bringing the following. Cycle General Helmet Underwear Bike lights Casual clothing Water/ wind jacket Swimwear Cycling socks x 4 Long sleeved base layer (to cycle in) x 2 Cleats GPS device and charger (if you have one) Cycle glasses/ sunglasses Buff/ skullcap/ headband Chamois cream/ vaseline Flip flops Trainers Travel towel Water bottles (that can carry 2/3L) / camelbak Sunglasses Sunscreen/ lip protector and insect repellent Ear plugs 13

14 2 Bottle cages attached to your bike Multi Tool correct allen keys for your bike Puncture repair kit Personal medication/ mini first aid kit Toiletries Mobile phone and charger Mini bike pump European plug adapters Spare inner tubes We appreciate that STRIVERS will have other commitments alongside the daily challenge but ask you (where possible) to keep techie provision down to phones and tablets only, and avoid bringing laptops. 14

15 Section 12: Insurance It is your responsibility to have taken out insurance cover suitable for your participation in the event, which protects yourself, your personal belongings, and your bike. Stage Requirements Cycling - Personal (incl. travel) and equipment 15

16 Section 13: Fundraising & next steps Fundraising As a Stage 3 participant you have a fundraising target of 3,000. Big Change will send you plenty of content, information and tips on how to maximise your fundraising. It is important to start your campaign as early as possible if you are to smash your target! Please get in touch with the Participant Managers if you have any questions. Next steps Please ensure that you have read this document thoroughly. If you have any questions please contact: StriveSupport@big-change.org. The next things for you to do are: Check the kit list and purchase any additional items Purchase the right travel insurance Look out for the monthly newsletters which will give you important updates about the challenge and Big Change Start training! o The training programme can be found Please download this and build it into your schedule to ensure you are fully prepared We will be sending more detailed information about each stage, including overview itineraries, 2 months prior to the event. We will also need to collate further information from you such as booking onto airport ground transfers and bike transfers etc. 16