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Watch the final stage of
the Tour de France
Cycle 300 miles in four days
Christian Aid/Nell Freeman
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join us today!
The challenge
Dust off your bike, slip into
your Lycra® and take part
in Christian Aid’s exciting
London to Paris Bike Ride!
You can do it! Whether you are a cycling fanatic or just
enjoy a leisurely Sunday afternoon meander, this event
has been specifically designed to cater for all abilities –
whatever your speed, endurance or experience. We take
care of everything so you get to enjoy cycling 300 miles
over four days between two fantastic capital cities.
Christian Aid/Nell Freeman
Each day we will be in the saddle for around six-eight
hours, covering an average of 75 miles, so padded
shorts are a must! The route takes us through beautiful
valleys, rural villages and past First World War historical
sites. We guarantee the routes will keep you ‘wanting
more’ with challenging short sharp inclines, rewarding
winding declines and plenty of opportunities to chill out
and enjoy a chat. There will be time to take breaks, enjoy
the local hospitality and sample the very best of French
cuisine and culture.
Parisians will think the Tour de France has arrived a
day early when the Christian Aid cycling team rolls in.
We will ride up the Champs Elysées, around the Arc de
Triomphe and cruise into the Jardins du Trocadero, to
be greeted with a celebratory finish overlooking the
Eiffel Tower. Our reward is a special meal that evening
and the chance the next day to watch the other cycling
heroes glide into Paris on the final stage of the Tour de
France, before we catch the Eurostar back to London in
the evening.
We’re asking you to participate in this challenging
experience and make a difference to the lives of poor
communities around the world. Simply register for £99
and agree to raise a minimum sponsorship of £1,100, and
you’ll be part of the Christian Aid cycling team.
Your journey starts now.
Register online today at
www.christianaid.org.uk/events
‘This is an exciting event bringing
cyclists of all abilities together on
what is a really picturesque route
– and of course they get to see the
Tour de France at the end of the
challenge! I encourage you to join
the Christian Aid London to Paris
team in 2009 for what will be a
truly awesome experience.’
Register for £99
Minimum
sponsorship
of £1,100
This trip is operated
by Global Adventure
Challenges Ltd on
behalf of Christian Aid.
Bradley Wiggins,
Olympic gold medallist.
The itinerary
Day 1
London to Calais (67 miles)
Our ride from Bexley in southeast London kicks off early
to avoid the traffic. Within five miles we’re cycling on
quieter roads and hitting the rolling Kent countryside.
Today we get off to a great start as we find our rhythm
cycling in a large group. We cover nearly 70 miles to
reach the white cliffs of Dover, and cycle through historic
Rochester and tackle tough climbs, but there’s plenty
of coasting terrain to rest our legs. We board an earlyevening ferry to Calais and arrive in France at our hotel
charged for the next day’s ride.
Day 2
Calais to Arras (78 miles)
Following a hearty breakfast we start cycling ‘French
style’, remembering to stay on the right. Today is the
toughest day, both mentally and physically, but we can
do it! We’ll whizz through beautiful French countryside,
with views of green meadows as far as the eye can see.
The roads are quiet and we travel through attractive,
small towns.
Day 3
Arras to Compiègne (73 miles)
Today’s ride is a step back into history as we head south
towards Bapaume, scene of the Battle of the Somme.
After a delicious Fairtrade lunch next to a beautiful lake,
we continue south and enjoy a well-earned downhill
stretch to our overnight stop in Compiègne.
Day 4
Compiègne to Paris (66 miles)
The final day of our European cycling adventure sees
us cycle south through stunning forest and it’s not long
before we reach the eastern outskirts of Paris. We cycle
around to the north and proceed through the small
villages and towns. It’s normal to see locals waving us
on – after all, the finish of the famous Tour de France
ends tomorrow and the atmosphere is sure to be electric.
The sight of the Eiffel Tower will spur us on as we bike
closer. We stop for the group to reassemble and then
ride together up the Champs Elysées, round the Arc de
Triomphe and down to our finish overlooking the Eiffel
Tower. This evening we celebrate our achievements with
a special dinner.
Day 5
Christian Aid/Nell Freeman
Paris to London
After breakfast at our hotel, we are free to enjoy the
sights and sounds of Paris. Maybe you want to get your
front row seat for the Tour de France or simply soak up
the atmosphere in one of the many cafés – the choice is
yours. There will be an early-evening Eurostar departure
from Gare du Nord back to St Pancras. Bicycles will be
transported back to London and participants will then
have the choice of either collecting their bike from
St Pancras or the starting point in Bexley.
(Itinerary correct at time of printing, but may be subject to change.
‘The people, the cycling, the routes, Paris and
that amazing finish – I will never forget this for
the rest of my life. An awesome event full of aweinspiring people.’
All distances are approximations.)
Darren Hitchcock, 2008 team member.
DAY 1 – 67 miles
DAY 2 – 78 miles
Christian Aid/Nell Freeman
Frequently asked questions
Q1
How much does the tour cost?
The tour cost per person is £600, which is deducted
from the £1,100 minimum sponsorship. The £600 cost of
the tour should reach Christian Aid by 13 May 2009, ten
weeks prior to the start date.
Q2
Who is responsible for the logistics?
The route, accommodation and all travel arrangements
are organised and booked through Global Adventure
Challenge Ltd. Christian Aid acts only as an agent for the
tour company. All you have to worry about is getting fit
for the ride and raising your sponsorship money.
Q3
What is included?
Your tour cost covers all the accommodation, travel to
and from France, most meals and staffing.
Q4
All our hotels are 2 or 3 star. They have twin rooms with
en-suite bathrooms to ensure comfort while at the same
time guaranteeing Christian Aid uses all the sponsorship
money raised most efficiently. We will try to ensure that
you share a room with the same person each night and
will attempt to accommodate most requests.
Q7
How do our bikes travel back to London?
All bikes are securely transported back to the UK in
support vehicles in time to meet us off the Eurostar.
Q8
When does the Tour de France arrive?
Pick your spot on the Champs-Elysées and soak up the
atmosphere as you watch the parade of floats building
up to the moment when finally the Tour arrives, which
is usually at around 3pm. It’s an awesome sight as the
riders glide past in a blink – but don’t worry, you have
ten laps to watch them.
Christian Aid/Nell Freeman
What is not included?
Travel insurance, lunch and evening meal on your free
day in Paris, and a tip for the ground staff who will be
working with us throughout the ride. Transfers to and
from the start location and the cost of a hotel the night
before the challenge race are not included either.
Q6
What is the accommodation like?
Q5
How fit do I have to be?
It’s all about stamina. You will be in the saddle for an
average of seven hours per day for four days. This is a
challenge event, no one is left behind, but it is advised
you follow a good training programme. The key is good
preparation leading up to the tour and time in the saddle.
The tour has been specifically designed to cater for all
abilities and so you will definitely enjoy it.
DAY 3 – 73 miles
DAY 4 – 66 miles
We’re here to help
There are loads of exciting ways to raise your sponsorship money and
we will support you every step of the way.
Our 2008 team came up with some novel fundraising
ideas. Here’s a taster of what people got up to:
Martin Wharton from Lincolnshire put on a quiz night in
his local pub and invited all his work colleagues. He raised
more than £400 in one night.
Christian Aid/Nell Freeman
Flora Munro from Aberdeen asked everyone in her
local church and school to put a pound towards her
fundraising. She raised more than £2,000.
Elizabeth Perry from Somerset made and sold greetings
cards in her local area and raised more than £4,000.
Every member of staff in Christian Aid’s Events team has taken part
in one of our fundraising events before – and we’re here to help you.
Ian Olsson/icphotos
You’ll receive:
• a welcome pack full of fundraising and publicity ideas
to help you reach your sponsorship target
• a specially designed training plan
• a dedicated member of the Events team to answer any
queries you may have
• a free T-shirt and the opportunity to purchase a limitededition cycling jersey
• updates on fundraising
• access to a number of resources such as stickers,
balloons and banners to help promote your event
• an invitation to the information day on 11 April 2009,
which is your chance to meet everyone involved in
organising the London to Paris Bike Ride. Hear from
past participants and learn hot tips on training and how
to reach your fundraising target.
Need more information? Want to know exactly what it’s
like to ride from London to Paris? Just call us on
020 7523 2248 or email events@christian-aid.org
Christian Aid/Nell Freeman
Why do it for Christian Aid
If you can’t sit on the sidelines while people around the
world are held back by extreme poverty; if you want
to get out there and change things; if you want to raise
money so that Christian Aid can make a difference; if you
can’t stand still while poverty destroys lives, then this
challenge is for you.
We don’t just give people aid, we deliver real benefits on
the ground, whether through providing emergency relief
during a humanitarian disaster or long-term development
projects such as helping communities get clean water.
We also speak out wherever there is injustice, providing a
voice for those who don’t have one.
Last year our cyclists raised a fantastic £100,000 in
sponsorship, which has helped poor communities around
the world to work their way out of poverty. In 2009, with
your help, we can make it even bigger and better.
If you can’t stand still while people
go hungry, join us today.
Christian Aid works in around 50 countries with the
world’s poorest people, regardless of race or religion.
We tackle the causes and consequences of poverty
and injustice.
Register now at
www.christianaid.org.uk/events
By cycling to Paris, you’ll be helping people in
need all over the world.
Christian Aid/Hugo Palotto
Christian Aid/Hugo Palotto
In Sierra Leone, they’re getting active themselves.
Christian Aid is funding a project at the Bo Youth Centre
where each year a football competition is held to raise
awareness of HIV. Every time a player is shown a yellow
card they must answer a question about HIV. Junisa, the
coach, explains that it’s all about ‘ensuring young people
understand HIV in an interesting way and are able to
protect themselves.’
Join us today! By participating in the London to Paris Bike Ride you’ll
be helping Christian Aid fund partner organisations who are helping
poor communities worldwide have the chance of a brighter future.
www.christianaid.org.uk/events
020 7523 2248
events@christian-aid.org
UK registered charity number 1105851 Company number 5171525
Northern Ireland charity number XR94639 Company number NI059154
Scotland charity number SC039150
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