Cycle London 2 Amsterdam Ride (3 Day)

Itinerary

Day 1 - 141km -Early breakfast in London Olympic Park for initial briefing (08.30 hrs), bike checks, and loading of baggage for transfer by support vehicle. Departure point and main photograph in London. Ride via East London then into the picturesque Essex countryside, through small villages and open farmland out past Colchester and on to Harwich port for the ferry crossing to Hook of Holland. Each cycling day will include regular breaks and a lunch stop.

Day 2 - 116km -It's a bright start from The Hook of Holland to begin our way down the Nieuwe Maas - before we peel away inland and up to the pretty town of Delft - where we shall take our first break in the main square. From here we continue to explore the fabulous network of cycle routes to pass through Gouda and then on to our overnight stop in Amersfoort.

Day 3 - 106km- From Amersfoort both routes ride around the edge of the Markermeer prior to our final approach to Amsterdam. Typically, we like to assemble as many of the group as possible at the Museumplein, next to the famous " I-amsterdam" sign. We shall then lead you to your hotel, store bikes, and head out to dinner in this famous city.

Day 4 - return to UK - Adventure Café will pack and return bikes to London, we can (subject to timings) arrange shuttles at several times during the day, to Schiphol Airport. 

Accommodation

We'll be using simple but clean hotels en-route sharing twin rooms - 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! Please note we will be using Quad Cabins on the Ferry. Single supplements are available - please inform us at the time of booking if you would like a single room.

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.

Visas / Redtape

When travelling abroad you may require a Visa. Please check the Travcour website (www.travcour.com) for up to date Visa information. Here they can advise you on the best action to take. If you require further information please don't hesitate to contact the Café.

Included In Trip

Experienced Cycle Leader, Full Vehicle Support and Driver/Mechanic, Qualified First Aider, Pre-event briefing, Ferry Crossing to Hook of Holland, Bed and Breakfast accommodation en route, Amsterdam Accommodation, Full buffet breakfasts every day. 3 x Packed Lunches.

Excluded From Trip

Depending on group size we will either be stopping in local cafes or providing picnic style lunches. With a larger group we provide picnic Lunches. Although dinners are not included, we shall make dinner reservations for the group - if you have specific dietary requirements, please let us know.

Return flight / train to London. Pre Event accommodation on the night before our departure from London. Travel to and from start and finish.

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 morning. 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. You should make sure you have programmed your leader's phone number in your own phone. If you are stuck at the roadside - please make yourself safe. Also it is essential that you check your bicycle is in good working order before joining this event, please ensure it has been recently serviced.

Weather

Weather conditions very similar to the South East of England - dependent upon time of year could be cold, hot or rainy. Prepare for all conditions. - The support vehicle will be close at all times and will be able to carry your waterproofs / extra layers should the weather be changeable on the day.

Optional Extras

Bike Hire

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

To Reserve Your Space on this Challenge