Bike ride for Tisma June-July 2018

Five riders and their supporters raised over £1300 in a cycle ride from Amsterdam to Berlin in summer 2018. Thanks to Esther, John, Kath, Malcolm and Ludi, everyone at the Race Night in the Quays Cafe Bar, and everyone else who contributed.

From left to right with other riders on the trip: Tim, Ludi, Kath, Esther, Malcolm, Stephen, John.

We have left some of the details below as a record of where we went.

The ride includes:

• • Vehicle support, luggage carrying, bicycle spares, and toolkit.

  • Great company with a team of between 6 and 12

  • Option to do Amsterdam – Bremen, or Hamburg- Berlin legs, or both

  • Suitable for ‘leisure/occasional’ cyclists, with day stages of 40-60 miles on relatively flat terrain – which is more manageable than it first sounds, with stops for food and drink on the way.

  • Extensive use of cycle routes and quiet roads

  • Free days in Bremen and Berlin

  • Route maps, pre-booked accommodation (Airbnb and hotels), and free bicycle loans

  • Bikes to be loaded on Friday 22June, returned on to Sunday July 8^th for collection on July 9^th.

The proposed itinerary is:

Phase 1: Amsterdam to Bremen (June 25-28)

212 miles in four days, on recognised cycle routes, stopping in Kampen, Coevorden, and Cloppenberg, with a free day in Bremen on June 29^th

Phase 2: Bremen to Berlin (June 30th-July 5th)

Transfer by train to Hamburg and then follow river side cycle paths to Berlin,

260 miles in six days, stopping at Lauenberg, Hitzacker, Wittenberge, Rathenow, and Potsdam.

Free time in Berlin (your bicycle will be transported back) before flying back to the UK (or by other travel means).

Costs (these have been kept low, and will be covered by each rider, separate from sponsorship)

You will need to arrange your own flights to/from Amsterdam / Bremen / Hamburg/ Berlin as required. Jet2 fly to Amsterdam and Berlin. Early booking will reduce costs (for example Jet2 from Leeds-Bradford to Amsterdam on 24 June 2018 is currently £39, Manchester to Hamburg on Ryanair is £29). Your bicycle and heavy luggage can go in the support van.

Accommodation costs will be approximately £50 per night

We estimate costs for the support vehicle (hire, insurance, ferry and fuel) at less than £50/£100 (depending upon costs, overall numbers and duration)

The train fare from Bremen to Hamburg is likely to be around £10-£15.

You will also need to pay for meals and drinks.

We will need to collect some money in advance when we book accommodation and hire a vehicle (if that is necessary).

Interested?

If you are interested you please contact John Henkel (07943 569669, johnhenkel@blueyonder.co.uk)