LONDON TO AMSTERDAM

 

 

Ride25 is proud to present a fantastic London to Amsterdam Brompton Bike ride this September 2016.  This will be a 2-day cycling event, with everything organised for you and is destined to be an unforgettable adventure that you can enjoy with fellow Bromptoneers and fans of the iconic folding bike.

With the ‘Grand Depart’ taking place from the flagship Brompton Junction on Long Acre, Covent Garden on Wednesday 14th September 2016, we will pedal our way down to Harwich, crossing overnight via ferry to the Hook of Holland.  On leaving the ferry, we will follow the stunning coastline with its spectacular sand dunes and beaches and the wonderful traffic-free cycle paths of the Zuid-Kennemerland National Park before our triumphant arrival at the Brompton Junction in Amsterdam.  We will then enjoy a fabulous celebratory meal and overnight stay in central Amsterdam.  All your meals are included and we will stop at some fabulous venues en route (no soggy sandwiches by the side of the road!) plus you will supported the whole way by the fabulous Ride25 tour crew, so all you need to concentrate on is which way to pedal. Everyone will make their own way back home the following morning of Friday 16th September 2016.

Some information about the challenge..

When is it?

Wednesday 14th September 2016 – Friday 16th September 2016.   (We will be cycling on the 14th and 15th September and returning home on Friday 16th)

Days’ Cycling:

2

Distance:

140 miles

What is the cost – and what’s included?

The cost per Bromptoneer is £620.

You are required to pay a £250 deposit on booking.  You will then be invoiced 6 weeks before the event for the remainder of your balance.

The following is included:

• 2  nights’ accommodation in a clean and comfortable room (one night on the Ferry and final night in Amsterdam).  All rooms will have twin beds and we will allocate you a room partner unless you specify who you would like to share with.  (You may select a single supplement in the booking process for an extra £100 if you prefer not to share a room)
• Coffee and cake at designated stops
• Three meals a day (breakfast, lunch and a lovely dinner in local cafe/gastro-pubs/restaurants).
• Ferry crossing from Harwich to the Hook of Holland
• Professional Ride25 support crew with back-up vehicles to provide you with any medical help and assistance should you need it – including a mechanic and a first aider who will be on hand to help throughout the trip.
• Support vehicle to transport your luggage (clothes and supplies) from each stage to the next
• A digital map in the format of a .gpx file for mobile navigation devices such as Garmin
• Customised, waterproof route maps including essential directions, pitstops and interesting information on the area.
• Two personalised high quality breathable cycling shirts for use on your trip
• Daily fresh fruit and water in the support vehicles
• You will also have access to all the photos that the tour crew take during the trip – plus a special video to help remember the highlights of this epic event!

Optional extras:

• Brompton waterproof cycling gilet (this can be ordered before the event during the booking process)

What’s not included?

• A Brompton Bike – if you need to hire a Brompton bike, please contact us to discuss before booking
• Personal insurance
• Travel to and from the start and finish points (please organise your own travel to London and then back home again from Amsterdam.)
• Accommodation the night before the event starts in London

How will I navigate?

Please note that the route is not sign-posted and we encourage everyone to either have a Garmin (or similar GPS navigation device) or install the Strava App & routes onto your phone.  Garmin has launched various new models in the last 12 months, many of which include navigation at far lower price points.  See reviews here: (http://www.cyclingweekly.co.uk/news/latest-news/garmin-edge-complete-buyers-guide-183499) – a great excuse for a new cycling gadget!

As always, we do not follow the quickest routes each day – the routes are planned to minimise traffic & busy roads and maximise the scenery & significant places.

We will give you more information on navigation once you have signed up for the ride.

How do I book a place? 

To book your place, please go to the booking page.

The route

Day 1 – Covent Garden, London to Harwich:

We will depart from the flagship Brompton Junction in Covent Garden bright and early and make our way out of London and into the beautiful Essex countryside where we will stop for a quick refuel of coffee/tea and homemade cakes at a local cafe.  We will then hop back on the bikes heading towards Harwich.  After lunch, we will spend the afternoon continuing our journey towards Harwich with a quick coffee stop at a country pub. Back on our bikes, before long, the estuary to the North Sea will be visible.  We will stop at a hotel in Harwich where you will have access to your bags and can take a shower.  We will load the bikes onto the van and then, after freshening up, will enjoy a hearty evening meal at the restaurant and a few drinks.  After dinner, we will take a minibus for the short journey to the ferry port, where we will board our ferry as a foot passenger (your bike will be in the Ride25 van) for an overnight crossing and get a good night’s sleep before we embark on the following day’s ride.

Day 1 Strava route including elevation

Day 2 – Hook of Holland to Amsterdam:

After breakfast on the ferry, we will disembark at 9am and begin our final day’s riding.  The morning sees us following the coastline northwards, past sand dunes and spectacular beaches.  We will stop for a morning coffee break next to the beach in Katwijk and then continue along the coast onto lunch in Nederzant. For those looking for a bit of an extra challenge on the final day, there is the option of taking an extra loop of 22 miles before lunch.  Alternatively, if your legs have had enough, you are welcome to stop for an early lunch.

After lunch, we continue pedalling in the Zuid-Kennemerland National Park where will enjoy cycling mostly on cycle paths, before arriving for our triumphant finish at the Brompton Junction in Amsterdam.   In the evening, we will enjoy a celebratory meal and a few drinks at a fabulous, traditional Dutch restaurant and a lovely central hotel in Amsterdam.

Day 2 Strava Route including elevations (shorter route)

Day 2 Strava Route including elevation (longer route with extra loop)

To get a flavour of the challenge ahead of you, please check out the video below of last year’s RAF Benevelont Fund’s Brompton Bicycle Challenge!