London to Paris Bike Ride

Connect two of the world's most chic capital cities as you embark on the challenge of a lifetime for charity.

Cycling through beautiful English villages and into the stunning countryside of rural France you'll pass historical landmarks and famous battlefields from World War I until you reach Paris, undoubtedly one of the most magical places on earth. The sense of achievement you'll experience will be one you'll cherish forever an unforgettable experience awaits you.

The following gives you a brief taste of the challenge ahead but for more detailed information please do not hesitate to contact one of the Overseas Team on 0870 905 5577 who will be delighted to help you!

• DAY 1:
  Cycle from London through Kent and North Downs to Dover; ferry to Calais
• DAY 2:
  Quiet winding roads and beautiful old market towns to Abbeville
• DAY 3:
  Follow River Somme and mainly flat tree-lined roads to Beauvais
• DAY 4:
  Rural countryside and villages to outskirts of Paris; finish under Eiffel Tower
• DAY 5:
  Free in Paris; return by Eurostar to London

Enquire about availability now!

   Or   

Skyline are acting as the agents for the tour operator
(ATOL number 5636).

Is the trip for me?

Definitely! These trip is a fantastic challenge for anyone wanting to do something amazing for a great cause! There will be lots of like minded people taking part, all looking for the challenge of a lifetime and of course to meet new friends. Some people come with friends or family but most people come on their own so what are you waiting for? Sign up today for a fantastic experience and the opportunity to make life long friends.

How fit do I need to be?

You don't need to be a fitness fanatic to do this challenge. The majority of people on the trip will be just like you and will not necessarily have done anything like this before. However to get maximum enjoyment from the challenge training is vital and we will provide you with a detailed training plan which we strongly recommend you stick to. We will also be on hand every step of the way to provide training advice.

How much do I have to raise?

£1,100

Will I be able to raise the sponsorship level?

YES! Once you have started you will find that raising the minimum sponsorship is easy and most importantly fun! We will provide you with a breakdown of examples of how to raise the sponsorship money in an enjoyable way and we will of course be available every day to help you with more ideas! You are doing something quite simply amazing so make sure you tell everyone you know, and before you know it you will be racing towards your fundraising target!

What deposit do I have to pay?

£99

Can I extend my trip?

No. Unfortunately due to Eurostar restrictions we are unable to change any tickets.

Will you help me?

YES! One of our highly experienced tour reps will be on hand to help you in the lead up to the event. You will be sent a full confirmation pack shortly after you register on the event which will give you all the information you need but we are always here to make the event as enjoyable and hassle free as possible! And there will even be the opportunity to meet your fellow participants at a special gathering before the event!

What is the food like?

Lots of familiar European dishes will be on the menu! Breakfast, lunch and dinner will be provided throughout the trip except for 3 meals (dinner on the ferry on the way out to France and lunch and dinner in Paris on our last night). We can of course cater for vegetarians and other dietary requirements - as long as you let us know in advance!

What do I need to bring?

No specialist kit is required although we strongly recommend that you use your own bike for both your training and the event itself. However in the unlikely event that you do not have a bicycle these can be hired for the trip for £50. You will also need to bring your own cycle helmet. We will send you a full packing list for the trip you are going on once you have registered.

What will happen to my luggage during cycling days?

There will be support vehicles with the group at all times which means your luggage will be transported in one of these vehicles for you. You will just need to carry a bum bag for any essentials like a camera and sun tan lotion

How many people can take part?

The average group size is about 70 people although this does vary considerably from trip to trip

What type of accommodation will I be staying in?

We will be staying in minimum three star hotels throughout the trip

What's included in the cost?

Travel by ferry to France and return travel to London on Eurostar, accommodation, all meals (excluding dinner on the ferry on day 1 and lunch and dinner on day 5), mechanics, guides and medical support

Is there an age restriction?

You will need to be over 18 but there is no upper age limit. If you are over 65 will just need to get a medical form signed by your doctor.

What about insurance?

You must have travel insurance cover in order to participate in this challenge. You can either arrange this yourself (as long as your insurance company is aware of the nature of what you are doing and that it is a charity event) or we can help you arrange this.

How do I book my place?

As soon as possible! Simply click here to book online today. Places are extremely limited and get snapped up quickly so to avoid disappointment sign up today and don't miss out!

Location: France and England
Registration Fee: £99
Sponsorship Level: £1,100

There are a limited number of places available on our next London to Paris charity bike ride so click over to the next tab and read more on the itinerary or order an information pack now.

Your London to Paris bike ride takes place:	10th - 14th September 2008 3rd - 7th June 2009
Book now for a deposit of just:	£99
Additional sponsorship to raise:	£1,100
Number of days:	5 days(4 nights)
Accommodation:	4 nights in 2-3* hotels where possible
Temperature:	Usually 10-26C at this time of year however the temperature will vary when near the coast.
Whats included:	Flights and all interval travel, accommodation, all food (except 3 meals), water, refreshments, guides, a doctor and medical support.

Fundraising Ideas

The majority of people who embark on fundraising events do not have any experience of raising funds and therefore we have taken the opportunity to go through some ideas and tips in this section to help you. The important thing is to let everybody know what you are doing and enjoy yourself.

Your fundraising event is obviously very important to you so shout about it as much as you can and get everyone around you as excited about the event as you are. One way to start is to sit down and make a list of all the people you know and work out how they could help you, whether they are family, friends, colleagues or even just the local businesses you use. Each of those people will be able to help you raise the money! Give them sponsor forms so that they can collect donations from their friends, family and work colleagues and involve them in fundraising activities. If they have a particular talent maybe they can put it to good use helping you raise the money or if they own a venue maybe you could use that for an event.

Your local school, nursery or college may be able to help by holding non-uniform days or taking aboard your cause as their charity of the year/ term. It is a good idea to offer to go into the school and give a talk about the event you are doing and the charity you are supporting; not only does this raise more awareness but it may inspire them to give more generously. The company you work for could either sponsor you or match fund the amount you have raised. Although you will have more contacts within your own company it might also be an idea to approach any other companies you have links with, for example the companies your family and friends work for. A lot of companies will hold annual events for the staff, especially Christmas parties, so this is a good chance to promote your event. Even if it is just putting collection tins on tables you are still raising money and awareness.

Most companies will have a central notice board or intranet site. You can utilise this by putting out flyers of any events you are organising and your contact details so that your colleagues know how to support you. If the company cannot support you in a monetary sense then they may be able to give you a prize for a raffle or auction. Unfortunately, approaching companies where you have no personal contact often ends in disappointment. Therefore we do recommend that you only contact companies you know.

Whatever you do keep smiling and keep fundraising - with a bit of invention and energy you can easily reach your fundraising target - thousands of others have done this so you can too!