Epilepsy Action: Lake Geneva Five Countries Cycle Challenge

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Epilepsy Action is a working name of British Epilepsy Association.

British Epilepsy Association is a Registered Charity (Registered in England No. 234343) and a Company Limited by Guarantee (Registered in England No. 797997).

© Epilepsy Action 2008

Lake Geneva Five Countries Cycle Challenge
19-21 September 2008
France, Belgium, Luxembourg, Germany and Switzerland

The challenge

This year’s challenge is for teams of four to cycle 520 miles in relay from Valenciennes to Lake Geneva in just three days.

The three days will take us across northern France, into Belgium and Luxembourg, before heading further east into Germany and then south into Switzerland.

During the ride we will pass through the Vosges, Jura and Swiss Alps mountain ranges before finishing on the shores of the stunning Lake Geneva.

Why?

One objective is for teams to raise sponsorship for their efforts, with each team committing to raise at least £1,000 for charity. Half of the team sponsorship will go to Epilepsy Action, with teams having the option of nominating their own charity for the other half.

Picture taken on an earlier cycle challenge The other objective is to have fun taking part in the event with 100 other cyclists, and in achieving a significant physical challenge. The route will follow mainly quiet country roads through beautiful parts of Europe you would otherwise never see.

How?

Teams will be made up of ‘extra’ ordinary people, rising to a physical challenge to raise money for charities through personal and corporate sponsorship. Each team will pay an entry fee of £940, which covers the costs of the channel crossings; accommodation and food while in each of the destination countries, and ensures that all of the sponsor money goes directly to the charities.

You will experience exhaustion, exhilaration, and adventure. Stamina, map reading and leadership will be tested and it will be a great team-building exercise. You will need to be able to ride your share of the 520-mile route, which will include some steep climbs and your team should be able to average a minimum of 15mph. Road bikes are best for the challenge but lightweight mountain bikes with slick tyres will be ok. Teams will need their own support vehicle to carry the other bikes and personal fuel.

Travel

We will cross from Folkestone (via the Eurotunnel) to Calais on the evening of Thursday 18 September and then drive to Valenciennes (approx 1.5 hours) where we will stay overnight before starting the challenge on Friday 19 September. We will then return from Calais on the evening of Monday 22 September, following the drive back from Switzerland that day.

The route

Day one: Friday 19 September
Valenciennes (France) to Luxembourg (Luxembourg) (180 miles)

After an overnight stay in a hotel, the challenge starts just south of Valenciennes. The route heads east on well marked roads following the France/Belgium border, taking in both French and Belgian roads along the way. As we near the end of day one, we reach Luxembourg where we will make our way to our accommodation for the night, just south of the city of Luxembourg. Here we have a well-earned meal and a chance to unwind after the first day in the saddle.

Day two: Saturday 20 September
Luxembourg (Luxembourg) to Freiburg (Germany) (185 miles)

At the start of day two we will head back into France as we cycle further east, zigzagging across the French/German border towards Lorraine. We then travel south east crossing the northern peaks of the Vosges Mountains before crossing the flood plains of the Rhine (crossing the river by ferry at Rhinau), after which there is a final 25 mile push to our destination for day two just outside Freiburg, Germany.

Day three: Sunday 21 September
Freiburg (Germany) to Lake Geneva (Switzerland) (170 miles)

As ever our final day is the toughest on the challenge. However, it will be worth the exertion as we cycle into Switzerland through fantastic scenery in both the Jura Mountains and then on the edge of the Swiss Alps. We will cycle past lakes, forests and mountains with breathtaking views on our way to our final destination on the shores of Lake Geneva.

Picture taken on an earlier cycle challenge

How to enter

For a team entry form or more information, please contact Philippa Corner on: 0113 210 8800, email: cycle@epilepsy.org.uk or download a form .

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Entry is £940 for a team of four and covers the costs of the channel crossings, accommodation and food while in Europe. To guarantee your team’s place in what will be another fantastic challenge, get your entry form in early, with either a £100 deposit (with the remaining £840 to be paid by 31 July 2008) or pay £940 in full now.

Please note this year’s challenge is limited to 25 teams