When does the trip take place?.jpg)
What do I have to do to take part?
What sort of person takes part?
Where will we stay while cycling?
Do I have to carry my own kit?
Am I fit enough?
Do I have to meet any medical requirements?
How does Macmillan benefit?
What will the weather be like?
What is included?
What is not included?
What is the cycling like?
What kind of bike will I use?
Who organises the trip?
When does the trip take place?
The trip takes place 17-21 September 2009.
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What do I have to do to take part?
Simply pay a £195 non-refundable registration fee and return this with a completed application form [PDF, 72kb]. We then ask you to pledge to raise a minimum sponsorship of £1,600.
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What sort of person takes part?
The group will be made up of around 60 people, both men and women, from all backgrounds, abilities and ages, although you must be 18 or over to take part. Some take part with friends, most people come on their own, so it's a great way of meeting new people.
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Where will we stay while cycling?
Throughout the challenge we will be staying in 2/3* hotels.
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Do I have to carry my own kit?
We will be accompanied by support vehicles which carry all our equipment and supplies. However, you will have to carry a small rucksack or camelbak to hold anything you will need during the ride.
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Am I fit enough?
This is an extreme challenge, but it is designed to be challenging for those of good health and fitness, and is achievable for most people provided they train well in advance. We will supply you with a thorough training guide when you have registered. Training for the challenge is all part of the preparation and requires commitment! Without it, you will find the cycle less enjoyable – and we want you to have the time of your life!
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What will the weather be like?
Temperature: September 16-32° C. The weather on this challenge can be very changeable. Rain is always a possibility and it may be windy in the valleys. The weather and temperature at the foot of a climb can be dramatically different to the top, where it may be foggy, in cloud or much colder.
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What is the cycling like?
This cycling is mainly mountain climbs on smooth tarmac roads. Distances around 100 km per day. See 'Your Cycling Adventure' for more details on the climbs.
The following table shows more detail on each of the six cols you will climb. Official figures vary depending on where the start of the climb is counted from, so these are purely to give you an idea of the level of difficulty – and how magnificent the views will be!
Col name
|
Category of climb*
|
Altitude
|
Average gradient
|
Maximum gradient
|
Length of climb
|
|
Col des Aravis
|
2nd
|
1487m
|
5.6%
|
8%
|
7.5km
|
|
Col des Saisies
|
1st
|
1650m
|
5.6%
|
9.6%
|
15km
|
|
Col de la Madeleine
|
HC
|
1993m
|
6.3%
|
11%
|
24.5km
|
|
Col du Telegraphe
|
1st
|
1566m
|
7.3%
|
8.1%
|
12km
|
|
Col du Galibier
|
HC
|
2646m
|
6.9%
|
10.1%
|
18km
|
|
Alpe d'Huez
|
HC
|
1815m
|
7.9%
|
10.6
|
14km
|
*Mountain categories used in the Tour de France are based on length and gradient, and range from 4th Category (least challenging) to 1st Category and then Hors Catégorie ('beyond categorization' – incredibly tough!) Tour legend says these were based on the gears a car would have to use to get up the mountain; they were not expected to be able to get up a Hors Catégorie climb! Cars have obviously changed since the climbs were classified, as have the standards of road surfaces. Categorisation can vary but we have listed that most commonly listed in modern Tour history.
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What kind of bike will I use?
We recommend that you ride a road bike/racing bike for this trip due to the long distances involved on well-surfaced roads. Discover Adventure and Macmillan will not provide bikes for this challenge.
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Do I have to meet any medical requirements?
Everyone on the challenge is required to complete a medical form. Medical forms will be provided in your fundraising packs.
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How does Macmillan benefit?
At least 68% of the £1,600 pledged minimum sponsorship will be treated as a donation to Macmillan. If you raise over £1,600 the entire surplus will benefit the charity. £1,600 will enable us to fund a Macmillan nurse for a week and a half.
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What is included?
-
Flights: London - Geneva and Geneva - London .
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All transport and accommodation: five nights in 2/3* hotels.
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All food other than three meals.
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Full trip support including leaders, drivers, mechanics and a doctor.
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Macmillan Cancer Support representative.
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What's not included?
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Insurance: our tour operator, Discover Adventure, offer insurance specifically created to cover you for the activity you will be undertaking
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Three meals
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We also recommend around £100-200 for personal expenses.
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Who organises the trip?
This trip is conceived and operated by Discover Adventure Ltd, ATOL 5636, whose booking conditions apply.
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If you have any more questions, please call the Challenge Team on 020 7840 7875 or email us at biking@macmillan.org.uk.