Zurich to Frankfurt Bike Challenge

Itinerary

Day 1 - Fly from UK to Zurich - build bikes up and transfer to hotel for overnight, and evening briefing on the challenge ahead.
Day 2 - (Cycle 63 miles) - Depart from Zurich, cycling via city centre and 'photo op' beside scenic Lake Zurich. Then depart for the Black Forest - pedalling with our best foot forward. Our route will interestingly zig zag between Switzerland and Germany, finally departing Switzerland for good in the early afternoon. During the morning we shall cycle by the Rheinfall - Europe's biggest (by volume) waterfall, where the Rhein drops steeply by about 23 metres, dropping the Rhine's huge mass of water in a tumbling foaming mass of white water. In the afternoon we climb steadily up to Villingen - at an altitude of just a touch over 700 metres.
Day 3 - (Cycle 62 miles) - We really get stuck in to the meat of the ride here. We climb to our maximum altitude on the trip of some 950m. We ride through the heart of the Black Forest, enjoying beautiful oxygen rich air, and wonderful deep woodland surroundings. Later in the day we shall have a fantastic downhill ride which will see us coasting rapidly down towards the Rhine Valley once again and the fantastic city of Strasbourg.
Day 4 - (Cycle 72 miles) - Today is a much flatter (and easier!) day - we shall be following the Rhine, heading for Speyer. We shall use cycle paths, and may even take a little time to explore central Strasbourg before we set off. Hopefully we shall arrive in good time this afternoon - to give a little time for R&R and to enjoy a typical hearty German dinner. Day 5 - (Cycle 68 miles) - Our big hurrah! We shall cycle the last day further up the Rhine once again - through Mannheim, and the interestingly named towns 'Worms'. Finally we shall branch away from the Rhein, through Darmstadt and into the heart of Frankfurt for a well earned celebration of the completion of our challenge! Day 6 - Return flight from Frankfurt to the UK - well done team!

Accommodation

Each evening we shall use accommodation as we are able to find it, in each location at the end of our day's ride. Sometimes this may be small gite style accommodation, other times a more normal small hotel.

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.

Visas / Redtape

None required for this trip (if you are an EU citizen. If from further afield you will need to check requirements.

Included In Trip

Leader (experienced with first aid qualification, and experienced mechanic), Support Vehicle with driver, 5 nights accommodation B&B basis.

Excluded From Trip

Lunches, Dinners. Bike Hire.

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, such as mountain safety shelters, walking rope and from time to time mobile radios. 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

We normally run this challenge during summer - and have mild warm and sunny weather. Be prepared for hot and sunny conditions - so be prepared to protect against the sun. Equally however, we could get unlucky! So pack rain jackets and warmer clothes too! Just in case….

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