Cost and fundraising targets

Size: px

Start display at page:

Download "Cost and fundraising targets"

Dortha Woods
6 years ago
Views:

Rider FAQs London Paris is the ultimate cycling challenge.

Remember, it isn t a race but you will need to do some serious training for it. How difficult is the ride? This event is for cyclists looking to take on a challenge.

The slowest of these will be riding at an average speed of 20kmh but will receive the same support from our specialist crew as the fastest group who will be riding at 32kmh. How fit do I need to be?

1 Rider FAQs London Paris is the ultimate cycling challenge. For four days you ll look and feel like a pro-rider, cycling part of a peloton with rolling road closures, technical and physio back up teams and a dramatic Arc de Triomphe finale. Remember, it isn t a race but you will need to do some serious training for it. How difficult is the ride? This event is for cyclists looking to take on a challenge. You can choose to ride with one of four speed groups depending on your ability. The slowest of these will be riding at an average speed of 20kmh but will receive the same support from our specialist crew as the fastest group who will be riding at 32kmh. How fit do I need to be? The challenge will require a good level of fitness, a commitment to train for the ride ahead and a sense of adventure to match. You must be able to comfortably ride over 100km within the minimum speed requirements (an average of 20kmh). If at any point during the ride we feel you re with the wrong speed group or failing to meet the minimum speed requirements, it s at our discretion to move riders within groups or to the sweeper van. If you have any worries about your health, please consult a doctor before signing up. Is it really closed roads throughout France? Yes! Once you hit Calais, our lovely French motorcycle outriders close the roads ahead of you, which means no traffic, no traffic lights and no waiting at junctions or roundabouts. This includes Paris! In fact, we cause a huge traffic jam in the centre of Paris just so you get the best experience. And the French are so excited to see you all that they don t even mind. Are there really physios at every stop? Yes! And they re so popular that each year we actually see people throw down their bikes and run to be first in the queue.

Are there timed speed sections available? Yes we have optional timed speed sections and hill climbs available for those who want to push themselves a bit harder and compete against each other.

We have four scheduled training rides specifically to get your prepared for London to Paris.

2 Are there timed speed sections available? Yes we have optional timed speed sections and hill climbs available for those who want to push themselves a bit harder and compete against each other. These sections are clearly marked and we ll have prizes available for the respective winners! What training support is on offer? We have four scheduled training rides specifically to get your prepared for London to Paris. Run by RG Active, these rides will cover approx km of cycling within a peloton and get you used to cycling in a group and at a consistent speed. Dates for the ride are: March 11 Ham May 6 Ham Jun 17 Nottingham July 22 Ham Aug 19 Essex We also have our 12 ride captains on hand at any time to answer your training queries, simply post a question in the Facebook group or us. What if I don t know anyone else? Will I still enjoy it? Absolutely! Many of our riders are solo cyclists but make friends during the course of the ride or at one of the pre-event training rides. Our crew will look after each and every one of you and by the end of the ride you ll have made lifelong friends! Cost and fundraising targets How much does the ride cost and when is the money due? Each place on the ride costs 919, which includes all meals, energy drinks, accommodation, transfers, travel, bike transport, mechanical support, sports physios, your cycling kit and the celebratory gala dinner on the last night. Riders are also expected to raise at least 1,000 in sponsorship, as the entry fee only covers the cost of the ride. We understand that 919 can feel like a lot of money, so it is possible to pay a 149 deposit to secure your place now, and then pay the remaining 770 by 31 July Please note this cannot be taken out of sponsorship money. After the payment deadline, the balance is non-refundable. How much sponsorship money do I need to raise? We ask all riders to commit to raising at least 1,000 and we have a fantastic team on hand to help you reach this target. Once you sign up, you ll have the opportunity to create an online fundraising page on our website. We ll also send you lots of fundraising advice from now until the event to help you raise as much as you can, and if you need any extra support or materials, we can provide them.

The practical stuff When will I get my pack with the kit and final info? August 2018.

3 The practical stuff When will I get my pack with the kit and final info? August This ensures you don t have much of a chance to ruin your kit ahead of the event, and means that the info we send you in your packs is unlikely to change much, if at all, before the event. If you re getting anxious at any point and just want some info, or there s anything you need to know to help you plan, please don t hesitate to contact us at londonparis@bloodwise.org.uk or post a message in the Facebook group. questions, you ll know who to ask. He s also a total expert at inventive mixing of the flavours, which are blackcurrant, orange, lemon, lime & lemon, pink grapefruit and vanilla. Please note that you ll need to bring your own energy gels and bars if you want them. What about luggage? Your luggage will be transported between each stage by our support vehicles so you won t need to carry it with you up those hills! Energy drinks, snacks and sunblock will be available at each stop, and anything else you need to carry can either go into your pockets or a small bag if you choose to carry one. What happens if I get a mechanical problem? We have an expert team of mechanics with us and they are super quick at fixing things. If you experience a puncture, pull over to the side, put your hand in the air, and before you know it, they ve swapped out your wheel and towed you back to the peloton. Smaller items such as inner tubes are not charged for. What do I need to bring? You will of course need to bring your own bike, cycle helmet, base layers and shoes. A month before the event, we ll send you a pack containing your branded cycle kit and a kit list of everything else you ll need to bring. In addition to a change of clothes for each evening, we d recommend bringing Euros with you, to spend at the bar! Do I need to bring my own energy drinks? Absolutely not! Our wonderful nutrition sponsor has given us endless amounts of TORQ powder in various flavours so you can fill up your bottles at every stop. And not only do we have the TORQ powder, we have TORQ founder Matt Hart cycling with us again! We ve branded him up in his own special kit, so if you have any nutrition Do I need insurance? We recommend that all riders take out travel insurance as the tour involves multi geography riding. We recommend our insurance partner: Yellow Jersey Cycle Insurance. Use their discount code Bloodwise10 for 10% off their policies. 10% of each policy is also donated to Bloodwise. yellowjersey.co.uk/bloodwise What happens when we get to Paris? You ll finish at the Stadium Emile Anthoine, right by the Eiffel Tower and get immediately presented with your medal and beer/wine. You ll also give us your bikes to send back to London. Assuming the weather is good enough, we ll stay for a bit to take photos and drink more beer and wine, before getting you on coaches to the hotel. Once at the hotel, you ll check in with our team, pick up your

luggage and have a chance to shower and get ready for the champagne reception and gala dinner. We ll spend the evening reliving the last four days and toasting your incredible efforts.

4 luggage and have a chance to shower and get ready for the champagne reception and gala dinner. We ll spend the evening reliving the last four days and toasting your incredible efforts. The party goes on well into the night Can my friends/family meet us in Paris? Yes! Friends and family are very welcome to join us for the finish and gala dinner. You ll receive an containing an online form where you can book in additional guests for dinner and/or accommodation on Sunday evening. Please note we cannot book accommodation for guests on the Saturday night. If all goes to schedule, riders should arrive in Paris around 15:30. We recommend the space between the south side of the Avenue de la Grande Armée and the Avenue Foch on the Étoile as the best place for spectators to gather to watch the peloton head up towards the Arc de Triomphe. The finish line is inside the Center Sportif Emile Anthoine near the Eiffel Tower. What time is the Eurostar train and what time does it arrive back in London? When you sign up you will have the choice of trains: 10:13 or 16:13. These are the times the Eurostar leaves the Gare du Nord on the morning of Monday 19 September The trains will arrive at King s Cross St. Pancras in London at 11:39 and 17:39 respectively. Can I stay in Paris for a few days after the event? We need everyone to have collected their bikes from us by 18:15 on the day we return to London. If you can arrange for someone to collect your bike on your behalf, you are welcome to stay behind. However you will need to arrange and pay for this, and your return journey will be at your own cost. The route Day one: London to Calais 13 September 2018: You ll gather in the iconic Eltham Palace to register, before setting off on the challenge of a lifetime. You ll have the chance to test your competitive spirit with a timed hill climb and time trial section. All riders will set off as one big peloton, as you begin this most epic of journeys... Day two: Calais to Abbeville 14 September 2018: After a hearty breakfast, it s back in the saddle for the second day of the challenge. Heading through Pas de Calais and the Somme, you ll take on the rolling hills of Northern France with the expert help of our team of ride captains who ll offer advice and tips on how to improve your ride. You ll be supported throughout the day by our dedicated motorcycle outriders, who ll keep your ride smooth and free of traffic. Day three: Abbeville to Beauvais 15 September 2018: Half way through the challenge and one of the toughest days on the ride. You ll experience another timed hill climb and

time trial section that will test both competitive natures and riding ability! The day will finish with a reception in Beauvais before bed reckons, ready for the big one.

5 time trial section that will test both competitive natures and riding ability! The day will finish with a reception in Beauvais before bed reckons, ready for the big one. Day four: Beauvais to Paris 16 September 2018: The finish is in sight and the final day of the ride is set to be the most exciting. Riders set off in their groups, before joining together after lunch to form one huge peloton for the arrival into Paris. With full rolling road closures up to the Arc de Triomphe and then on to the Eiffel Tower, this is the bit where the tears start to flow and celebrations can begin. After a well-earned drink you ll return to your hotel. That evening, you ll be treated to a champagne reception and a spectacular gala dinner where we ll relive your efforts over the last four days, toast the achievements, exaggerate the hills and promise to return with bells on in Celebrations typically go on well into the night so save some energy for this final hurrah with your new found friends! Day five: Paris to London 17 September 2017: You ll return to London via Eurostar, probably a bit sore but triumphant, victorious and safe in the knowledge that you ve not only completed an epic cycling challenge but that you did it to help the 38,000 people diagnosed with blood cancer each year, and made a difference to blood cancer patients throughout the UK. Your bike will be transported by road and will be ready for collection in London when you arrive. If you have any further questions please contact cycling@bloodwise.org.uk

More information about London Paris

More information about London Paris How difficult is the ride? This event is for cyclists looking to take on a challenge. The event isn't a race although you will need to train for it. You can choose to