London To Amsterdam 2 Day Cycle Picture 1
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Best Time of Year: April - October
Cycle London To Amsterdam 2 days
Bike Adventure
Come and join our great fun, 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!
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 where we will stay the night and explore for an evening meal
The following morning we will take the ferry and arrive at the Hook-of-Holland - now the fun begins - we begin cycling through the most bike friendly country 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.
Itinerary
Day 1
London to Harwich (85mi / 135km)
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 and check into accommodation (Premier Inn)
18:15 - Evening dinner at restaurant
Day 2
Hook-of-Holland to Amsterdam (60mi / 97.7km)
07:45 - Ferry from Harwich to Hook-of-Holland
- Breakfast before alighting
08:00 - Depart Hook-of-Holland
- Ride to Amsterdam
16:30 - Arrive Amsterdam and check into accommodation (IBIS - Amsterdam)
Day 3
Return to UK
08:00 - Breakfast - Your Adventure Cafe team will be departing to return your bikes to the UK
10:00 - Checkout
Return Travel arrangments will be confirmed on the joining instructions.
17:00- Collect your bike from the Adventure Cafe staff in London.
(If you are taking part in this ride for charity, the Eurostar will be provided back to London.)
(If you are taking part in an "open event" please note flights and transport to Amsterdam Airport are not included - We will send a recommended flight to book once minimum trip numbers are reached). If this flight time is not convienient for you, you may need to arrange for your bike to be transported on your flight).
Accommodation
We will be using twin or triple rooms through the challenge. We will spend night one in Harwich and the second night in Amsterdam. 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 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.
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
Route & Navigational Operations
Experienced Cycle Leader
Support Vehicle and Crew
First Aiders
Accommodation on the ferry and in Amsterdam
Ferry
Luggage Transfer
Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner x2
Rerturn travel arrangements from Amsterdam will be provided for participants and bicycles; further details will be confirmed at a later date, see wakelet page if applicable.
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