Ride to

Mont Ventoux - 2016 Funding Research, Finding Hope

Registered charity: 1145303

Cycling stage 12 of the 2016 Tour de will be an epic but achievable challenge for both novice and proficient cyclists.

Take on this challenge to ride stage 12 of this year’s starting in Montpellier and finishing at top of the iconic Mont Ventoux.

After 2 days of pedalling and more than 190km in the saddle, we will arrive at the summit of the Bald Mountain for the obligatory team photograph and a celebratory glass of fizz before making the fast and virtually pedal free descent back to our base camp in the town of . Detailed Itinerary

Day 1: Friday 16th Sept – Arrive Montpellier Participants are free to arrive in Montpellier throughout the day and explore the amazing city before making their own way to the hotel. Bikes and basic kit (helmets & shoes) are transported separately to the hotel and will be ready for final mechanical checks before the grand depart on Saturday. Shared accommodation is included on a bed and breakfast basis and an evening briefing including welcome drink will take place at 8.30pm in the hotel bar.

Includes: Overnight accommodation in Montpellier, welcome reception drink and briefing (evening meal and flights not included)

Day 2: Saturday 17th Sept – Montpellier to Carpentras Dates and Prices After a hearty breakfast, we begin the fairly flat ride from Montpellier to the town of Carpentras. This 130km ride will take us through the beautiful region of 2016 France which is arguably one of the most irresistible of regions with the snow- Friday 16th September – Monday 19th September capped mountains of the Southern and the delta plains of the Camargue. Traveling on quiet country roads, this initial stage of the ride will ease us in to the big Payment schedule climb on Sunday. Registration Fee £150 Due before 1st June 2016 After a relaxing lunch, we ride on to the town of Carpentras for our second PLUS Trip Cost £210 overnight stop and a chance to prepare for the following day’s accent of Mont Ventoux.

Includes: Two feed stations en route, lunch and overnight accommodation in Carpentras

Distance: Approx. 130km

th Day 3: Sunday 18 Sept – Carpentras to the summit of Mont Ventoux

After breakfast we head out on quiet country roads towards Bedion where the

classic route most often used in the Tour de France begins at 300m above sea level. After the 15km ride from Carpentras to Bédoin, we will cycle a further 21.5km (up 1612m, at an average gradient of 7.5%) to the summit. The first 5km are considered easy (average 4%), but the next 9.5km through the forest from St. Esteve will see

us encounter gradients of anywhere from 7% to 12%. Upon emerging from the forest at Chalet Reynard, the final 6km of the ride are exposed to the elements so the wind could be a hindrance or help push us to the top!

Lunch will be provided at the summit plus plenty of time to pose for photos and take

in the spectacular view. Cycling information We then make an epic decent back to Carpentras to our hotel and pack up the bikes The terrain on this trip is mainly flat but the to be returned to the UK in the support van. A celebration dinner will follow and a final day is fairly strenuous with some tough night on the town for a drink or two. climbs. The distance is easily achievable in Includes: Breakfast, two feed stations en route, lunch, overnight accommodation in 2 days provided you train well in advance. Carpentras and celebration meal. We ride mainly on small country roads Distance: Approx. 55km wherever possible but occasionally need to Day 4: Monday 19th Sept – Return to the UK ride on busier main roads. After breakfast riders will be transferred via coach to Montpellier airport to catch It’s important that you are used to riding in their return flights back to the UK. varied weather and traffic conditions. You

Includes: Breakfast at the Hotel (Return journey to the UK not included) will be less alert as you become fatigued, so it’s vital that you have trained enough to Action for A-T reserves the right to change the route or itinerary for safety know your bike extremely well and are fit, reasons should local conditions dictate. confident and experienced enough to Trip overview succeed. It is essential that your bike is in good order before departure; road bikes The tour cost includes three nights hotel are the most suitable for this trip. accommodation on a twin-share basis (2- It is imperative that you supply your 3*) and optional bike transfers to and from own helmet and wear it at all times while Montpellier. Also included are meals as cycling, with straps done up. specified and full trip support from September temperatures can vary, and rain experienced ride leaders, drivers and and strong winds are a definite possibility. mechanics. Meals while cycling are generous buffet-

DESIGNED TO BE CHALLENGING! style with plenty of energy food to keep you going. The post ride celebration This event is an endurance event, dinner is likely to be in the hotel where designed to be challenging for those of we are staying. Please let us know o f good health and fitness. It is achievable any dietary requirements in advance. for most people provided they train far enough in advance to gain the fitness The tour cost does not include return and experience required – and have a travel to Montpellier, personal travel or healthy dose of self-belief and cycle insurance, some meals (as determination. We supply you with a specified), a bicycle, alcoholic drinks, thorough training guide when you have extra food, personal items or any registered and scheduled training rides. optional tourist activities. We strongly recommend you carry a credit card and phone in case of personal emergency.

Included Not Included

The tour cost includes the following: The tour cost does not include the following:  Pre event training plan and organised rides on the  Evening meals on Friday and Saturday night build up to the grand depart  Alcoholic drinks  Cycle and kit transfers to and from Montpellier  Return travel to Montpellier – Flights are  Action for A-T cycle shirt available via Easy Jet from £110 return  Welcome drink and full trip briefing at the hotel  Bicycle hire – each participant must provide  3 nights hotel accommodation on a twin-share their own bicycle basis  Bicycle insurance  Lunch during both ride days  Travel Insurance  Celebration evening meal on Sunday evening  Breakfast on Saturday, Sunday and Monday  Refreshment stops including water, fruit and a variety of snacks (twice per day on both ride days)  Day bag transfer to lunch stop on each day  Bag transfer to hotel on each day  Vehicle support (2 x vans and 1 x 9 seat minibus)  Full trip support from experienced ride leaders, drivers and mechanic  Trip director  Basic spare parts – we cannot cater for EVERY eventuality, however no charges are made for basic repairs  Daily routes guides for each rider and ride leaders for each group of 10  Safe bike transportation from Brussels to UK (destination TBC)

Sign up Today!

Cost You pay the event registration fee of £150 direct to Action for A-T shortly after you have registered (must be paid before 1st June). You must then settle the final payment of £210 no later than 6 weeks before the trip. Total cost is therefore £360 per person.

Tour costs include accommodation, food where specified, tour guides, mechanic and event support but does not include flights or outbound airport transfer to hotel.

There is no minimum fundraising target but we hope you will do all that you can to raise a considerable amount for vital A-T related medical research. Fundraising incentives will be on offer to those who exceed a certain target.

To join us for the ride of a lifetime, please click on the register button or use the contact details below

E-mail: [email protected] Tel: 01428 853313 visit: https://crm.actionforat.org/civicrm/event/info?id=54&reset=1