Belgium to Berlin
Cycle Challenge
15th – 17th May 2009

The Challenge

The challenge is for teams of four to cycle 540 miles in relay from Ghent to Berlin in just three days.   The three days will start in Belgium, from where we will travel through Holland and into Germany through National Parks and rolling hills towards our final destination of Berlin.

 

Why?
One objective is for teams to raise sponsorship for their efforts, with each team committing to raise at least £1,000 for charity. Half of the team sponsorship will go to Bone Cancer Research Trust, with teams having the option of nominating their own charity for the other half if they wish. Obviously, we would be delighted if you would raise 100% for BCRT. However, we understand that a team may have other charities that are close to their hearts that they would also like to support. The event will be a great physical challenge, and you will also have great fun taking part with over 100 other cyclists. The route will follow mainly quiet country roads through beautiful parts of Europe that you may otherwise never see.

How?
Teams will be made up of ‘extra’ ordinary people, rising to a physical challenge to raise money for BCRT and other charities through personal and corporate sponsorship. Each team will pay an entry fee of just £1,000 (£250 per person), which will cover the costs of the channel crossings, accommodation and breakfast and evening meals over the three days. With all costs covered by the entry fee, this means that all sponsor money raised goes directly to charity.    You will experience exhaustion, exhilaration and adventure. Stamina, map reading and leadership will be tested and it will be a great team building exercise. You will need to be able to ride your share of the 540 mile route, which will include some steep climbs and your team should be able to average a minimum of 15mph. Road bikes are best for the challenge, but lightweight mountain bikes with slick tyres will be ok. Teams will need their own support vehicle to carry the other bikes and personal fuel.

 

Travel and Route

 

Thursday 14 May 2009 – Travel to Ghent

You will catch an afternoon/early evening channel tunnel crossing to Calais, before making your way to the hotel in Ghent (1 ½ hour drive) which will be the start of the challenge the following day. The evening is free for you to have a meal and get to know some of your fellow challengers before getting some sleep ahead of the challenge.

 

Friday 15 May 2009 – Ghent to Leverkusen (170 miles)

Day one is a gentle introduction to the challenge with 170 miles to cover. We are expecting teams to start the challenge any time from 6.30am onwards in order to cover the 170 miles ahead of them. We start off cycling through the Flemish Region of Belgium towards the northern outskirts of Brussels, through Genk before heading briefly into the Netherlands North of Maastricht. We then cross into Germany towards our day 1 destination, Leverkusen. On arrival you will be able to enjoy what is left of the afternoon before we all get together for an evening meal and a few drinks while discussing the events of the first day with your new friends on the other teams.

 

Saturday 16 May 2009 – Leverkusen to Hildesheim (190 miles)

Day two is our longest day in the saddle covering 190 miles where you will see some fantastic scenery through 4 National Parks in the heart of Germany. We start the day heading North East across a few climbs taking us to over 1,300 ft in the Bergisches Land National Park, then into the Homert National Park. Heading over the Mohne Dam, the route becomes gentler passing through Paderborn and onto our destination for day two, Hildesheim, home to some fantastic historic churches and a magnificent Market Square. Again, we will spend time in the evening relaxing and enjoying a great evening meal before heading off to bed to recharge the batteries for our final day to Berlin.

Sunday 17 May 2009 – Hildesheim to Berlin (180 miles)

The final day will see us having another early morning start as we head further East from Hildesheim towards the Brandenberg region and Berlin. On the way you will pass through forests, past lakes and rivers with some fantastic scenery. Finally, we reach Berlin passing some of the historic landmarks of the city such as the Brandenburg Gate before finishing near Checkpoint Charlie in the centre of Berlin. We will celebrate our achievements of the weekend with a fantastic evening meal with prize giving and a few celebratory drinks! After a good night’s sleep, you will be ready for the long drive home on the Monday where you will be able to catch an evening channel tunnel crossing.

How to enter

For a team entry form or for more information, please contact David Fisher by email to david@bonecancerresearch.org.uk or by telephone on 0113 2621852. Alternatively, you can download a PDF copy of the entry form by clicking here.

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