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Best Time of Year: April - October
London To Amsterdam 2018
Bike Adventure
Come and join our London to Amsterdam bike challenge - taking just 2 days riding in total, with one day to return home, you’ll be covering around 150 miles - just enough to blow the cobwebs away - or stretch yourself to the limit - depending upon your fitness level! This is an ideal itinerary for those embarking on a first cycling challenge - as the hills are very few and far between and much of the route in Holland is on off-road cycle paths!
From our start location in central London, we begin steadily riding from the the busy London suburbs and it’s not long before we are clear of the urban sprawl and out into the Essex countryside and riding on to the historic towns of Chelmsford and Colchester. We will do our best to take the prettiest (and quietest) roads we can find as our route through this picturesque county, however, we should also be prepared for just the occasional tricky junction or busy stretch on this 85 mile day. Our final destination town for the day is the port town of Harwich and the point we join our ferry and overnight quarters. Before boarding we will have time to take dinner at a local restaurant after which you will be able to freshen up in your en-suite cabin.
After our overnight journey on the ferry we arrive at the Hook-of-Holland - now the fun begins - we begin cycling the bike friendly countries of Europe... pedalling our way along the multitude of traffic-free cycleways and canalways of Holland. Cruising without the complications of traffic control the scenery quickly changing between urban and rural as we pass through towns and countryside we can expect to make good progress through the day and arrive in good time for well deserved refreshments and celebrations.
The final day will be for you to enjoy the sights of Amsterdam - We will drive your bikes back to the UK for you to be reunited on your return.
Itinerary
Day One - 01/06/18
London to Harwich (75mi / 120km)
07:30 - Arrive at Start Venue (TBC)
- Registration opens
08:15 - Event Briefing
- Photos
- Prepare to ride
08:45 - Depart start venue
18:00 - Arrive at Harwich
18:15 - Evening dinner at restaurant
21:30 - Depart restaurant for Port
22:00 - Arrive Harwich port
- check in
- Board ferry
- Shower/Changing facilities in cabin
23:15 - Ferry depart Harwich
Overnight cabin
Day Two - 02/06/18
Hook-of-Holland to Amsterdam (75mi / 120km)
07:45 - Ferry arrive Hook-of-Holland
- Breakfast before alighting
08:00 - Depart Hook-of-Holland
- Ride to Amsterdam
16:30 - Arrive Amsterdam
Day Three - 03/06/18
Return to UK
08:00 - Breakfast - Your Adventure Cafe team will be departing to return your bikes to the UK
10:00 - Checkout
14:00 - arrive amsterdam train station for train to Schipol Airport - this is optional you may wish to take a taxi.
14:30 - arrive Schipol Airport
16:30 - approx recommended flight departure time
16:45 - approx arrival time into London Gatwick to meet your Adventure cafe team and be reunited with your bikes.
Accommodation
We will be using twin or triple rooms through the challenge. We will spend night one in a ferry cabin - compact and cosy but good enough to give you a good nights sleep. Night two will be a little more spacious using a 2/3 star hotel close to Amsterdam city centre - nothing palatial - but not too bad either! Single rooms are available upon request (subject to availability).Please Note: there will be a single room supplement (SRS) for this service.
What is a Level 2.5 Cycling Challenge Like?
For this type of challenge - you can expect either distance (up to 80km), or altitude gain - around 5-600m. But not both! If you climb, then the distance will be less, if you cover the distance, then the altitude gain will be little. Typically road conditions will be good - although there are exceptions to this. If you encounter rough road conditions (or it is a mountain bike challenge), then the distance / altitude will be reduced. These events would suit someone of good all round fitness, who takes exercise regularly - without neccessarily being of high specific cycling fitness.
How Fit Do I need to be to join a Level 2.5 ‘Bike Ride’?
You must be active and with moderate fitness level. You should be taking regular exercise, consisting of regular bike rides and possibly other sports (swimming / football etc.) You should be comfortable in undertaking long country rides of up to 6 hours or 60 km in the lowland English countryside. Your training rides will encounter a few reasonable length hills.
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.
Special Notes
For a detailed kit list, please click HERE!
To view a 16 week training plan to get you in shape for the ride, please click HERE!
For information on the suitability of your bike for this challenge, please click HERE!
For tips on how to stay safe on the roads to Amsterdam, and in your training, please click HERE!
Included In Trip
Experienced Cycle Leader
Full Vehicle Support and Driver/Mechanic
Challenge Pack and pre-event briefing
Bed and Breakfast accommodation en route
Full buffet breakfasts every day
Picnic lunch each day
Evening meals
Return flights
Bike transfer
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 first aid kits, our on hand support vehicle, 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. You will be issued with detailed safety guidance for riding safely. It is our primary focus to ensure you arrive safely at your journey's end without any crashes or accidents!
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.
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