WOMEN V CANCER LONDON TO AMSTERDAM BIKE RIDE 9 June - 13 June 2022

the challenge

Cycle through four countries in four days on our postponed 10-year anniversary European challenge! Together, we’ll hop on our saddles in Central London and pedal all the way to Amsterdam for the invaluable Women V Cancer charity trio, Ovarian Cancer Action, Jo’s Cervical Cancer Trust and Breast Cancer Now.

your itinerary

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Day 1

Day 2

Day 3

Day 4

Day 5

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day 1

london – dover – calais | approx. 137km

Our challenge begins bright and early when we meet at our starting point in Central London (location to be confirmed). We strongly recommend you bring a hearty breakfast with you to fuel you up for a full day of cycling.

Before we set off, our awesome challenge leader gives us a briefing on the cycle ahead and you’ll meet the rest of the Dream Team supporting the ride.

We saddle up and then we’re off! Heading South, our route takes us along quiet roads through the gorgeous Kent countryside.

We stop for lunch along the way and finally reach the white cliffs of Dover for our first group dinner. Our Dream Team will then load the bikes on to the ferry and we board as foot passengers on a short transfer to Calais.

Once we’ve arrived in France, we find our hotel in Calais to rest for the night.

day 2

calais – bruges | approx. 114km

We’re not done crossing countries yet! Today sees us cycling through North Eastern France to Belgium! Cycling along the coast, we enjoy some stunning views across the Channel.

Of course, this area isn’t just renowned for its beauty but also for its historical significance. Along the way, we’ll pass through the cities of Dunkirk and Ostend, both of which are famous for the role they played in the World Wars.

Across the border, we finally end up in the exquisite city of Bruges, home to a magnificent cathedral, a maze of canals and our second night’s hotel! After checking in, we enjoy a delicious dinner of Belgian food, followed by a good night’s rest.

day 3

bruges – rotterdam | approx. 148km

After breakfast at the hotel, we mount our bikes for our longest day’s ride. The cycling may be tough, but the amazing scenery spurs us on.

Pedalling North-East, we leave Bruges behind and enter our third country in three days! Now in the Netherlands, we have some fun crossing bridges, island-hopping through the Zeeland province.

Eventually, we reach our hotel in Rotterdam, the second largest city of Holland. We settle down for dinner, take in the beautiful sights of the city lights on the river and retire for some welcome sleep.

day 4

rotterdam – amsterdam | approx. 74km

Last stretch now – and it’s our shortest day’s ride! After breakfast, we head North and cycle on the outskirts of one of the planet’s most important political cities, The Hague.

Pedalling on, we pass several pretty lakes, including Vlietland and Westeinderplassen, before reaching our finish line in the amazing Amsterdam!

This evening, we have some time to freshen up at our hotel in the city, before heading out for our celebration dinner. Over some tasty, Flemish food, we toast our incredible achievement for Breast Cancer Now, Jo’s Cervical Cancer Trust and Ovarian Cancer Action.

day 5

amsterdam - london

Today is free for you to explore Amsterdam to your heart’s content. As the cultural capital of the Netherlands, the city offers so many things to do and see. Brush up on your art and visit the Van Gogh gallery, get some sobering insight into the holocaust at Ann Frank’s house or take a trip to the Heineken factory and taste the local beer.

You can also take your time making the most of the city’s maze of shops and canals. Widely known as the Venice of the North, you may well be reminded of our Milan to Venice challenge in 2019 and 2020, if you joined us. Why not take a tour of the canals or make your own way along them on a pedal boat?

Only breakfast is provided today, so you’re free to arrange your own lunch and dinner, with an incredible range of restaurants and cafes to choose from.

In the evening, we’re homeward-bound. Meeting as a group, we take a coach back to Brussels and the Eurostar back to London. Once back on British soil, we part ways and you make your own way home.

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Our epic route takes us through the English countryside and along the Northern coast of France, across Belgium’s West Flanders and finally into the Netherlands, to our finish line in Amsterdam!

With stops in the famous cities of Dunkirk and Ostend and a night in the beautiful Bruges, we also island-hop through Zeeland, pedal past some gorgeous lakes and get some amazing sea views. All the way, we’ll get fit, make a bunch of friends and raise crucial funds and awareness for our three women’s cancer charities.

We end with a free day to explore the awesome city of Amsterdam and make the most of its canals and culture, before we head back home.

£1,800

Minimum sponsorship target

Pay the non-refundable registration fee of £149 which is used to administer the challenge.

Fundraise the minimum sponsorship target of £1,800 for Women V Cancer at least 12 weeks before departure.

Providing you raise the minimum sponsorship, the charities will pay the challenge costs of £900 on your behalf.

The challenge costs cover your ferry and Eurostar ticket, accommodation, transfers, most food, guides, technical and medical support.

The remaining funds and anything you raise over the minimum sponsorship target will go directly towards the work of the Women V Cancer charities.

Will I have to carry my kit?

No, your main luggage will be transported each day by our support team. We advise you to pack light.

You will need a bag to go on your bike or a waste bag for things like your camera, sun cream, tissues etc. Any extra items you may need during the day can be carried on the support vehicle, which you will have access to at the snack stops and lunch.

Do I need special equipment?

Each participant is expected to bring their own bike. As this is a long distance, on-road cycle, you are advised to use a touring/road bike. If you are planning to use a mountain bike, it is highly recommended to have road tyres fitted.

A bicycle mechanic will be travelling with the group but you will be expected to bring two spare inner tubes for your own bike.

A cycle helmet is essential and must be worn at all times. Cycling shorts are also recommended and everyone will need their own water bottles or a camel back-type hydration system.

Apart from that, no specialist equipment is required. We'll supply you with a list of everything you'll need to take before you go.

What other costs will I have to pay?

In addition to paying your registration fee, you will need to budget for:

Your personal travel insurance

Breakfast on Day 1 (to have before we set off from London)

Lunch & dinner on our free day in Amsterdam (Day 5)

Gratuities

Personal expenses

You may also want to pay £150 for a single supplement so you can have a room to yourself at our accommodation. Simply get in touch and we can arrange this for you.

We’ll stay in comfortable hotels in twin rooms throughout the challenge.

Accommodation is included on a twin-sharing basis. However, if you would like to pay an additional £150 for a single supplement and have a room to yourself, simply get in touch and we will be happy to arrange this for you.