Bridgwater to Belgium Cycle Picture 1
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Best Time of Year: April - October
Somerset to Veurne Belgium via Dover
Bike Adventure
Prepare for 4 days of riding through the gorgeous British countryside and a night across the channel in Belgium! Experience 3 countries in just 24 hours as we head onto the continent to sample french and Belgian culture in this whistle stop tour of Northern Europe! Enjoy four nights away from home with the final night in the classical town of Veurne, Belgium.
Designed to take in the best roads along the way, we'll head out of Bridgwater and across the somerset levels via Glastonbury and over Cranborne Chase to Salisbury for the first nights accommodation. Get a good breakfast as day 2 is a real challenge heading across the South Downs, a day covering 124kms so you'll have earnt your dinner in Dorking. Day 3 is another corker as we pass through Royal Tunbridge Wells and make our way to the coast! Finish the day with a well deserved dunk in the sea in Hythe, for our peniltimate overnight stay. Day 4 sees us enjoy the sights along the Coast as we make our way to Dover. After having lunch on the ferry we'll wind across the french countryside and cross the border into Belgium for our final night in Veurne. The final day see's us ride back along the coast through Dunkirk and onto the ferry aiming to be back in England for 13.00, we'll then transfer back to Bridgwater by coach for 18.00.
Itinerary
Pre-Event Meet at agreed location for pre-event briefing 19:00
Day 1 - Bridgwater to Salisbury (apx 106km).
Early departure from Bridgwater- approx 08:00 (You will need to arrive at the start location for around 07:15 sharp!). Our chosen route takes us through Glastonbury, Maiden Bradbury, Monkton Deverill, Barford St Martin and finishing in Salisbury.
Day 2 Salisbury to Dorking (apx 124km)
It's a bright start from Salisbury heading towards Basingstoke and Guildford; finishing up in Dorking after a couple of challenging climbs!
Day 3 Dorking to Hythe (119km)
Heading south we'll pass through Royal Tunbridge wells and Ashford before finishing on the coast at Hythe, expect a relatively flat day with some consistent rolling undulation.
Day 4 Hythe to Veurne (148km total 55km by ferry)
The easiest day with a nice morning ride along the coast to Dover before a lunchtime crossing to France. It's then a scenic route to Veurne having crossed the border!
Day 5 Veurne to Dover (30km)
A lovely morning ride along the coast to enjoy the sights and culture; its then a quick ferry ride home before coach transfers back to Bridgwater.
Accommodation
We'll be using simple but clean hotels en-route - good enough to give you somewhere to get clean, and get a good nights sleep with planned eating stops along the way. Nothing palatial - but not too bad either!
What is a Level 3.0 Cycling Challenge Like?
These rides are typically multi day rides, with medium distances and undulating terrain. Level 3 rides suit riders who ride regularly, and are looking for something challenging but manageable. In the case of single day events, you can expect up to 8 hours of cycling with breaks. In the case of a multi day ride, you can expect a slightly lower daily duration - but of course - the effort is sustained over a longer period. You should be a competent rider, with regular training outings - both at the weekend and ideally with another session during the week. A 10 week training programme is available for our 3 star rides.
How Fit Do I need to be to join a Level 3.0 ‘Bike Ride’?
You need to have good endurance for these events. You must be used to doing long bike rides in the countryside of 5 hours + and distances of between 45 - 55 miles . You should be doing regular exercise - with some serious cycle training (at least twice per week in the run up to the event). Your typical comfortable cycling speed will be around 21-23 km/hr on flat and gently undulating terrain, and you should be able to cycle at higher speed for up to 1 hour or 25 km (on a road bike). You may also blend in other types of exercise - but for longer periods of time (ie sessions in excess of 1.5 hrs.) - however cycling is the best preparation (obviously!)
Medical Issues
Please note, it is extremely important for this physical challenge that you are in good health. If you have any pre-existing medical conditions, please consider carefully whether you should be joining the challenge. Please ensure you fill in the booking form accurately and honestly, this is important. In the case of serious conditions (epilepsy, diabetes, heart conditions, recent illness or operations), please discuss the challenge with your GP. Please also ensure you notify us of any allergies or similar.
It requires stamina and good aerobic fitness - but good willpower will also come in handy! Failure to disclose medical conditions is a serious omission - that could have serious repercussions on any of our challenges.
Included In Trip
Experienced Cycle Leader.
Full Vehicle Support and Driver/Mechanic.
Qualified First Aider.
Pre-event briefing.
Ferry Crossing to Dunkirk.
4 Nights Accommodation.
All meals (4 days).
Returns to UK.
Coach return to Bridgwater.
Excluded From Trip
Personal insurance cover.
Spending Money.
Equipment Required
Kit lists specific to your trip dates and location will be issued upon enquiry...below is our guide advice to give an idea of what you should bring on a multi--day ride in Europe
Bike Items
Road Bike / Hybrid Bike (with puncture resistant tyres) - please call us for guidance on type of bike on a trip by trip basis
2 X Water Bottles (bladder system/cycle water bottles)
Cycling Gloves, Bike Lock, Neck Scarf, Inner Tubes*, Multi-Tool (with allen keys)*
Day Bag for support vehicle, Small Holdall (for overnight gear)
Bike Lights (front and rear, head torch can be worn)
Saddle Bag (recommended - can be used to carry asterisk* items)
Puncture Repair Kit*, Spare parts for your bike (specialist parts and spokes), Pump (suitable for your valve type)
Helmet (compulsory)
Personal Medikit Suncream, Plasters, Vaseline, Painkillers, Sunbloc, Insect Repellant
Washkit
Warm Clothing Medium Weight Softshell, Long sleeve Jersey / insulating layer Lightweight Gloves.
Cycle Clothing
Padded Lycra Cycling Shorts, Cotton Shorts, or Long Cycling Trousers (Tights/Tracksuit Bottoms)
Short Sleeve Cycling T-Shirts (wicking type material) or Cycle Top with rear pockets
Cycling Shoes (approach shoes or sturdy traners suitable),
Spare Shoes/Sandals for after ride
Casual Evening Wear - tracksuits, jeans, T shirts, fleece ...
Waterproof Clothing
1 Outer Fully Waterproof Jacket (gore-tex, e-vent) - comfortable to cycle in
Other
Travel Documents, EHIC (European Health Insurance Card) Credit Cards, Cash, Local Currency, Mobile Phone, chargers, EU plug adaptor, Sunglasses
Snacks for Cycling Days (dried fruits, nuts, flapjacks, cereal bars etc)
Travel insurance (not included), Passport
Important
Make sure you do not ‘over pack’ - bring only what is essential for the trip. It is advisable to check that your travel insurance covers the value of any expensive items of kit that you chose to bring along with you.
A final kit list will be provided in your ‘Final Joining Instructions’ pre-departure
Safety Information
You must stay in contact with your leader at each stage of the ride. Briefings will be made each day. You must always wear your helmet. Your leader is First Aid Qualified - and will carry a full expedition first aid kit. There will also be a support vehicle available in case of emergency - but this is only useful if you are in contact with the vehicle / leader.
Weather
The weather is obviously dependent upon the time of year - but typically from April to September when we run these rides, you can expect reasonable weather. If we prepare for all conditions then we may be pleasantly surprised!
You should prepare for both the possibility of hot and cold weather - as it can be fairly unpredictable.
Notes on Cycling Events
This is our standard range of Cycling Challenges in the UK, Europe and further afield. However, we offer completely tailormade itineraries to your specification. Call us to discuss!
Please note that for overseas point to point cycling challenges we can transport soft cases for bike transport - but not hard cases, due to space limitations on board our support vehicles.
On all our cycling events, please pack sensibly and bring a reasonably sized soft holdall type bag.
To participate in an overseas Adventure Cafe challenge - you must carry Travel Insurance (to be for the activity you are participating in, and to include repatriation to the UK).
Please also note that you should have a good level of cycling experience and be competent to handle your bike. We ride on roads shared with other vehicles - and you need to be able to deal with this safely.
Adventure Cafe Booking Terms and Conditions
By booking an event with Adventure Cafe, you agree to these standard terms of booking. Please ensure that you read the appropriate document for your type of event carefully.
Adventure Cafe Terms & Conditions - For all types of event
To Reserve Your Space on this Challenge
You should fill in the Google Form - linked here below, and then please call us on 01823 444 246 to advise of your payment method. We can accept card payments over the phone, or Bank Transfer.
Please note that your space is not confirmed until you have received your booking receipt.
CLICK HERE:
Adventure Cafe Challenge Booking Form - For Challenge Events