Brussels to Amsterdam Cycle Picture 1
Next departure:
Please Call for Details
Best Time of Year: April - October
Brussels to Amsterdam Ride
Bike Adventure
This promises to be a great weekends biking on the continent and a real chance to get away from the hustle and bustle of the UK. The route takes us through the fascinating northern part of Belgium and on into Holland (with the odd coffee stop!) as we simply enjoy life on our bikes! Travelling by bike and passing through two of our close European neighbours will give us a varied and fascinating weekend.
After being whisked to the unofficial capital of Europe Brussels via Eurostar you will have a night to relax in this beautiful city before departing for your end destination of Amsterdam. Our route heads immediately North to Mechelen before we turn for the coast and some magnificent coastal riding which was brought into the spotlight during the Tour de France Grand Depart which passed through the area in 2015. Cycling across this reclaimed land you will never be far from the coast enjoying the beautifully flat and fast roads the Polders has to offer before a night in Rotterdam. Riding out from the city made famous for its windmills you are just one day away from Amsterdam and a night of celebrations!
Itinerary
Day 1:
09:30: Bike collection from Pra Health Sciences HQ Reading
15:04 Eurostar Departs St Pancras
18:05 Eurostar Arrives Brussels
20:00 Dinner and event briefing
Day 2: Brussels to Bergan op Zoom via Meechelen Distance 90km approx
08:00 Breakfast
09:00 Depart Brussels
10:00 Arrive Pra Offices Mechelen
11:00 Depart Pra Offices
12:30: Lunch Antwerp
13:30 Depart Antwerp
16:00 Overnight in Bergan op Zoom
20:00 Dinner
Day 3: Bergan op Zoom to Rotterdam Distance 120km approx
08:00 Breakfast
09:00 Depart Hotel
12:30 Lunch
17:30 Arrive Rotterdam
20:00 Dinner
Day 4: Rotterdam to Amsterdam via Utrecht Distance 106km approx
08:00 Breakfast
09:00 Depart Hotel
12:30 Lunch Pra Offices Utrecht
13:30 Depart Utrecht
17:30 Arrive Amsterdam—Celebrations!
Day 5: Travel Home - Flight or Eurostar
Please Note - Journey time is approximately 3hrs from St Pancras to Brussels by Eurostar.
Accommodation
Four nights 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 3.5 Cycling Challenge Like?
These challenge rides are either longer, with more ascent, or span several days. In the case of single day events, you can expect up to 10 hours cycling. In the case of a multi day ride, you can expect lower daily durations - but of course - the effort is sustained over a longer period. You need to be a keen cyclist for these events, and to enjoy training, and to ride regularly. If the ride is outside the EU, it is likely to be easier in terms of the physical riding, however, you will need to be more resilient - due to more basic living conditions (in the case of Asia / Africa especially)
How Fit Do I need to be to join a Level 3.5 ‘Bike Ride’?
You need to have good endurance for these events. You must be used to doing long rides in the countryside - 6 hours + . You should be doing regular exercise - with some serious cycle training. Your typical comfortable cycling speed will be at least 22-24 km/hr, and you should be able to cycle at high speed for up to 1 hour or 25 km. You may also be concentrating on 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 Challenge Pack & Briefing, Eurostar St Pancras to Brussels, 4 nights B&B accommodation, Bike collection/return to Reading and Lunches (Buffet style)
Excluded From Trip
Transport to St Pancras int, Return from Amsterdam (Based upon a minimum group size of 10 Ad Cafe could assist with group Eurostar travel. Please call for details), Dinners
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
By nature all activities contain an element of risk. Your leader will be first aid qualified and will carry the appropriate safety kit for the activity. Safety equipment carried will be appropriate to trip. The leader's primary role is to ensure your safety, but it is your responsibility to listen to their guidance and instructions.
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