Pedalling a Good Cause
Are you looking for a new fitness challenge for 2024? And one that would actually help other people? How about a 4-day cycle ride from Eastbourne to Amsterdam? Obviously that is a tough one, but if you do join up, you will be raising money for St Michael’s Hospice in Hastings and St Winifred’s hospice in Eastbourne: clearly a most worthwhile cause.
The charity project entitled Hospices to Holland is a professionally organised venture that is planned for this September, but it will require all participants to get into training this spring and summer. Riding roughly seventy miles a day is quite something! Would-be cyclists will have to make sure they have reached a good level of fitness and stamina.
NOT A RACE
Impressively, one of the riders will be 82-year-old Vic Butler. Vic says that: “Over a number of years. close friends and family acquaintances have used the care and support which St Michael’s hospice provides. I want to be able to contribute in a small way to that work, whilst I still can.” The organisers are keen to assert that “this is not a race!”. Riders can travel at their own pace. We should also add that Vic looks like a very fit octogenarian.
The route begins in Eastbourne and soon hits the pleasant Kent and Sussex coastal routes, which will take the riders through beautiful Winchelsea, Rye and the Romney Marshes on the way to the Dover ferry and then Dunkirk. The next day the riders will wend their way through France and Belgium and the Netherlands until reaching Amsterdam, taking in the scenery and enjoying necessary breaks in delightful towns such as Bruges and Middelburg.
It is to be hoped that there will be time for sightseeing and taking in a bit of the local history. Middelburg for example, is famous for pioneering lenses in the scientific revolution of the 17th century. Who knew? Belgium and the Netherlands have tremendous cycling infrastructure with loads of cycle lanes, paths and even protected intersections. The Dutch, in particular, see cycling as a way of life.
SIGHTSEEING ON TWO WHEELS
Exhausted pedal pushers will stay the night in a series of decent hotels where basic refreshment will be available. There will also be time to enjoy Amsterdam after the challenge has been completed, and riders will doubtless be relieved to learn that they return home on the Eurostar. (Bicycles are transported separately to the hospices by the organisers of the event.)
Although pre-event training is vital – and the website has a programme to download – participants must also make sure that they have medical and travel insurance. The team provides support throughout both the build up and the challenge itself. There will be a team of mechanics on hand for bicycles that malfunction and general support in terms of someone to turn to in the event of illness or injury.
Although food and accommodation costs are covered, the registration fee is £149 and all riders must guarantee to raise £1,950. It is obviously not the faint hearted or the disorganised, but if you fancy it, check out their website and follow the instructions at hospicestoholland.co.uk.
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