CYCLE

28 OCTOBER – 4 NOVEMBER 2018

Patron Her Majesty The Queen • Registered Charity No. 1059050 hessaloniki (520 km. north of ) is the second largest city of Greece and the most Timportant centre of the area. Built near the sea (at the back of the Thermaïkos Gulf), it is a modern metropolis bearing the marks of its stormy history and its cosmopolitan character, which give it a special beauty and charm.

Join Norwood Challenges in October of this year, as we cycle from this incredible city with its wealth of Jewish history and culture, along the coast and EVENT DETAILS: over to Thassos Island. Quiet roads, ✔ 8 days • 5 days of cycling, 253km, spectacular scenery, and fabulous food on good asphalt roads to fuel the great cycling – and you just won’t want to leave. We finish back in ✔ Stunning scenery, traditional Greek villages, great food for a tour that takes in the and quiet coastal roads Jewish Museum, the Freedom Plaza, ✔ Cycling alongside the people we support the Holocaust Memorial and the old with - 3 tandem teams taking part railway station - a great challenge with a particularly emotive finish. ✔ Cycle around Thassos Island with a finish in Thessaloniki and a complimentary tour of the Jewish Quarters

✔ Registration Fee £295

HOW WE GRADE/ YOUR CHALLENGE We want to give you an incredible experience, but the overriding objective is of course to raise as much money as you can for Norwood. With this is mind, you have to EARN your sponsorship money and this can only be achieved if there is truly an element of challenge involved.

Our challenges are graded moderate, challenging, tough and extreme. Many factors will influence this categorisation – terrain, distances, climate, living conditions, altitudes, climbs etc. The grade allocated however will reflect the overall level of challenge with some days being more challenging than others.

• Challenging events require you to have a reasonable level of fitness and an open mind to new situations. • Tough events have usually longer itineraries, may take place in more remote areas and require a good level of fitness. • Extreme events require a very good level of fitness, are hard going, may involve more basic conditions and often involve longer days, steep climbs and descents.

LEVEL OF CHALLENGE: This is a challenging but achievable cycle with some long daily distances and some challenging climbs on generally good asphalt roads. With the long days in the saddle, you should be comfortable riding up to 6-8hrs a day and make sure to incorporate hill training in to your training schedule.

2 Challenges 2018 • Thessaloniki (Greece) Cycle DAY 3 DAY 4 30 OCTOBER 31 OCTOBER to Astris to ITINERARYGreece Cycle Thassos Island City

DAY 5 DAY 2 1 NOVEMBER 29 OCTOBER Xanthi to Lagadas to Alexandroupolii Kavala City

DAY 1 DAY 6 28 OCTOBER 2 NOVEMBER Thessaloniki to

DAY 1: SUNDAY 28 OCTOBER Meet at Thessaloniki airport at 14:00 for a short transfer (1/2hr to 45mins depending on traffic) to the Lazart Hotel. It’s a relaxed start to the challenge with a traditional Greek dinner, bike fitting and full briefing on the days ahead.

DAY 2: MONDAY 29 OCTOBER Lagadas to Kavala City CYCLE – 125km / 78 miles After an early breakfast, it’s a short 30 min transfer out of the city to our starting point, Lagadas village. It’s a gentle start to the week, with predominantly flat cycling on quiet country roads, passing Lake Volvi (the second largest lake in Greece) and the famous Lion of Amphipolis, before continuing on towards the Strymonas river. It’s winding hills after lunch as we follow the coast to Kavala where we stop for the night.

Challenges 2018 • Thessaloniki (Greece) Cycle 3 DAY 3: TUESDAY 30 OCTOBER Kavala to Thassos Island CYCLE – 80km / 50 miles We are back on our bikes early for another long day of cycling, heading out towards Keramoti port. Here we pick up the ferry across to Thassos Island, the northernmost island of the renowned for its stunning coastline, beaches and lush greenery. There’s some long climbs but we’re aiming to cycle half way round the island to Potos village located in the south - our final destination for today.

DAY 4: WEDNESDAY 31 OCTOBER Astris to Xanthi City CYCLE – 30.9km+59km / 56 miles It’s a mixed day with a morning of undulations and a couple of tough climbs as we take the coastal road – with its spectacular views - around the other half of the island. Aiming for the 12.20 ferry back to the mainland, the roads may feel busier but there’s only another 59km until we finish at Xanthi for a great meal in the local taverna.

Morning

Afternoon

4 Challenges 2018 • Thessaloniki (Greece) Cycle DAY 5: THURSDAY 1 NOVEBER Xanthi to Alexandroupolii CYCLE – 132km / 82 miles It’s busy coming out of town this morning, but we are soon on quieter roads as we head out towards the Ramsar protected area of Lakes Vistinida and Ismarida. It’s a great morning of cycling on relatively flat terrain before we hit the rolling hills and an interesting river crossing (the clue being – you’ll need to take your shoes off!). There’s still some distance to cover after lunch, with some steep climbs before it levels out on the last stretch to Alexandroupoli, but there’s a fabulous beach hotel to enjoy at the end of a long day.

DAY 6: FRIDAY 2 NOVEMBER Alexandroupoli to Sapes CYCLE – 40km / 25 miles It’s a tough 31km start with 15km of it being all uphill. But then it’s rolling hills, with incredible views as we pass through beautiful villages until we reach Sapes for a special celebratory finish at the local church. We derig the bikes and as it’s too busy to cycle direct into Thessaloniki city itself, there’s a 3hr transfer to our city centre hotel to get back in time for 3.30pm. It’s a busy weekend for Thessaloniki with 5 fairs and a cinema festival, but we’ll enjoy the Sabbath at the local synagogue and a celebration dinner at the Grada Nuevo restaurant.

DAY 7: SATURDAY 3 NOVEMBER Free day with optional city centre tour of the Jewish areas of Thessaloniki (10:00am start for approx. 2.5 hrs). Or book a spa pass to the https://www.mediterranean-palace.gr/en at an additional charge of £25.

DAY 8: SUNDAY 4 NOVEMBER Transfer to Thessaloniki airport.

Challenges 2018 • Thessaloniki (Greece) Cycle 5 WHAT TRAVEL YOU NEED DETAILS TO KNOW

FLIGHTS

Your flights are not included in the cost of this challenge, so you will be responsible for making If travelling on the Saturday, you will of course your own arrangements to and from Thessaloniki. arrive early into Thessaloniki. Neither the transfer Internal transfers to/from the accommodation are or the accommodation for that night is included in however included if meeting at the scheduled your costs, but it does mean you’ll have a leisurely time of 14:30 at Thessaloniki airport on Sunday start to the week. 28 October. The bike fitting will be taking place Sunday afternoon. Outbound: Easyjet There are a number of airlines travelling to Saturday 27 October Thessaloniki, but we recommend either British London Gatwick to Thessaloniki 05:55/11.10 or Airways or Easyjet. Please bear in mind that British Sunday 28 October Airways were not operating a return flight, but London Gatwick to Thessaloniki 13:40/18:55 have now introduced an option. Inbound: Easyjet Sunday 4 November Outbound: British Airways Thessaloniki to London Gatwick 19:35/21:10 Saturday 27 October BA2642 London Gatwick to Thessaloniki 07:05/12:25 If you are making your own additional plans and or travelling outside of the dates of this challenge, then Sunday 28 October please do let us know well in advance. You will need BA2642 London Gatwick to Thessaloniki 08:05/13:30 to meet the group at Thessaloniki Airport on Sunday 28 October to take the group transfer to the first Inbound: British Airways night accommodation. Transfers are only included Sunday 4 November if meeting the group at the scheduled times and BA2643 Thessaloniki to London Gatwick 20:20/21:40 meeting places.

6 Challenges 2018 • Thessaloniki (Greece) Cycle PASSPORT AND VISAS BAGGAGE

A 10-year passport is essential which must have Your allowable checked baggage is one main at least six months’ validity still remaining from luggage item on the recommended flight. We the date of return to the UK. British and other suggest you check the baggage allowance European passport holders do not need a visa for online of your preferred airline. Norwood is not this challenge. Please visit www.fco.gov.uk for the responsible for any excess charges incurred. We most up to date entry requirements. advise you carry your cycle helmet, a set of cycling clothes and any medication you require, with your INSURANCE hand luggage.

Travel insurance covering emergency medical HEALTH AND VACCINATIONS treatment, air evacuation and repatriation is a compulsory condition of your booking and can be You must seek professional medical advice from arranged by Norwood – at an additional charge your GP or local travel clinic. To find out more of £25 - if you do not have your own insurance in about the relevant NHS travel health advice, a place. good website is www.fitfortravel.nhs.uk • If you choose not to take out the appropriate For reference, the current recommendations are travel insurance, should you fall ill or be involved that your primary courses and boosters are up-to- in an accident you will not be covered for those date as advised for life in Britain. You should also associated costs. consider tetanus. This is a guideline only. • We strongly recommend you are insured for the You should bring your own regular medication with full duration of your trip and the policy is taken out sufficient supplies for the whole trip and a small prior to the date of your departure and does not first aid kit. All participants will need to complete cease until you have returned. a detailed medical form, detailing pre-existing medical conditions and current medication. These • If you have an existing policy we highly details will be passed to our tour doctor who may recommend you call your insurers and confirm that it wish to contact you prior to the event to clarify any meets with the requirement of the trip and that you conditions or specific requirements. are fully covered for the event you are undertaking - clarifying its precise nature to your insurers. FOOD • You must also make sure you inform the insurance company of any pre-existing medical All water in the accommodation and on the conditions before travel, failure to do so may challenge is safe to drink. invalidate your policy or any subsequent claim. All meals are provided on the challenge with the exception of lunch on non-cycling days. Breakfast E1-11 CARD / EUROPEAN HEALTH and evening meals will be self service buffet style INSURANCE CARD (FREE) in the hotels and lunch will be a vegetarian packed lunch. Please ensure you apply and bring the current European Health Insurance card. You can We can cater for all dietary requirements as long apply online at http://www.dh.gov.uk/en/ as we know in advance. Just fill in the appropriate Policyandguidance/Healthadvicefortravellers/ section on your registration form. index.htm Please note this does not replace Travel Insurance, the European Health Insurance card is best used in conjunction with good travel insurance.

Challenges 2018 • Thessaloniki (Greece) Cycle 7 registration with details of any specific items that may be needed, but please find detailed below a ACCOMMODATION sample of the basic kit needed: Accommodation is twin-sharing in a great mix ESSENTIAL of local hotels. Single person supplements • your own helmet are available on request on a first come, first served basis at an additional charge of £380 • cycling gloves for the week or £190 for the weekend only – • some cycling shorts with limited availability. Please complete the relevant section of your online form or contact • small rucksack or bike bag us direct. • light waterproofs • casual clothes for the evening Day 1: http://www.lazarthotel.com/el • something smart for end-of-ride Day 2: https://www.airotel.gr/el/Galaxy-Hotel-790.htm celebratory dinner Day 3: http://aeolis-thassos.gr/ OPTIONAL (will be opening only for us, as it is usually closed in Oct) • You can bring your own pedals, saddle and toe Day 4: http://www.nestos-hotel.gr/diamoni/diamoni.htm clips and any other personal cycling equipment you see fit to modify the bike supplied, but it isn’t Day 5: http://www.astiregnatia.com/el/index.html compulsory. Although all bikes have two water Day 6 & 7 : http://paphotels.gr/el/arxikh-astoria bottle cages, you can always bring an hydration backpack to ensure that you stay hydrated during the ride. For health reasons, we advise water CURRENCY bottles with lids are used. You may be changed for the fitting of bar ends. The local currency is the Euro. We recommend that you bring approximately £100-£150 (115/170 euros) spending money which will be sufficient for TYPICAL DAY drinks, tips (it is customary to tip the ground crew at the end of your challenge and we suggest £25 While cycling we are usually up around 6.30am! - £35 pp or 30/40 euros) and for any souvenirs. It’s an early breakfast, with cycling starting around We also advise that you bring a credit card for 7.30/8am. We cycle for 4-5 hours in the morning, emergencies - both Visa and MasterCard are widely stop for lunch and then cycle all afternoon to our recognised – but do let your bank know in advance overnight hotel - aiming to have cycled over half that you will be travelling with your card. of the days distance before stopping for lunch. Typically, we stop every 15/20kms for water and snack stops (energy snacks/ fruit) depending on WEATHER the ability of the group, terrain and weather. On arrival at the night’s accommodation, there’s time The most popular time to visit this area of Europe, for a shower and a rest before meeting for dinner when the most suitable weather occurs, is during the in the evening and a briefing on the day ahead. summer months of June through to September. The average day time temperatures in October are mild at 16º. Afternoons can still be warm with average USEFUL INFORMATION high temperatures reaching 21º. However there is a good chance of rain during the month of October, so International dialling code: +30 it is advisable to bring some light waterproofs. Time difference: GMT+2hrs

CYCLING KIT What’s included: • Transfers to and from the airport if taking the The kit required for each challenge may differ recommended group flight or meeting at the slightly, but there are certain items that are consistent scheduled time in every challenge. Full kit lists will be provided after • Twin-sharing accommodation in local hotels

8 Challenges 2018 • Thessaloniki (Greece) Cycle • All meals and non-alcoholic drinks (with the exception of lunch on non-cycling days) including celebration meal at the end of the FURTHER INFORMATION cycling challenge On our website you can find further information on • Bike hire – Specialized hybrids with two water this challenge including: bottle cages • Tour of the Thessaloniki Jewish Quarter on your • Booking forms free day • Full support team/back up vehicles, doctor, • Training tips mechanic and local guides • More detailed information on fundraising • FREE Norwood cycle jersey. • Full kit list What’s NOT included: • Your flights FIND OUT MORE • Travel insurance, tips, fees and optional activities Of course if there’s anything you would like to • Personal expenses, including any alcoholic drinks talk through, then just ring Julie Braithwaite • Personal cycling equipment, helmet and clothing. on 0208 420 6811or email [email protected]

FUNDRAISING Register: https://cms.norwood.org.uk/challenges/ Fundraising is largely a test of imagination, thessaloniki-greece-cycle/ organisation and perseverance. The more you make your own personal fundraising campaign PRICING stand out against everyone else, the more successful you’ll be. While you are responsible for OPTION AB C raising the funds yourself, that doesn’t mean we can’t offer some helpful hints to help you on your way. When you sign up to one of our challenges £2,200 £3,645 Registration we’ll send you our fundraising e-kit, packed full of £395 (pay £395 (pay £395 Fee tips to help you achieve your fundraising target. deposit) deposit)

For more fundraising information or materials, Minimum £3,250 £1,445 – please contact the Challenges Team on Fundraising 020 8420 6811 or [email protected]

UNDER SIGN UP FOR TWO CHALLENGES 35s IN 2018 AND WE WILL REDUCE OPTION THE COMBINED MINIMUM AB C FUNDRAISING TARGET BY £500. £1,650 £1,949 Registration £199 (pay £199 (pay £99 If two or more members of a family sign up, Fee deposit) deposit) contact the challenges team direct for details of any group fundraising targets that may apply. Minimum Options to pay in instalments by direct debit are £1,750 £299 – also available. Fundraising

Challenges 2018 • Thessaloniki (Greece) Cycle 9