FAQs for 2012 Dublin to Paris Cycle Challenge

cycle challenge

FAQs for 2012 Dublin to Paris Cycle Challenge

How long is this event?

The total distance is 600km over 5 days cycling. We start cycling from Dublin on Sunday 17/6/2012 and arrive in Paris at the Eiffel Tower on Thursday 21/6. We spend the Thursday night in a hotel close to the Eiffel Tower.

How do we get to France?

We take the ferry from Rosslare in Wexford. Our second night’s accommodation is aboard the very comfortable Oscar Wilde ferry.

So we don’t have to ride through the UK then?

No, we have put together a route which takes us through some of Wicklow’s most spectacular scenery on day 1 (with the option of going over Ireland’s highest road at Sally Gap). Then after spending the night in a hotel in Arklow we continue on quiet costal roads to Wexford town before heading down to the ferry at Rosslare. On day 3 when we wake up we are in French waters and when the Ferry docks in mid morning we set out from Cherbourg, passing the D Day beaches, on quiet rural back roads to the mediaeval town of Bayeux where we spend our 3rd night in a hotel. On Day 4 we again spend most of our time on rural back roads, skirting around the city of Caen before arriving in the town of Evreux which was a centre of Jewish learning in the Middle Ages. Its Cathedral, which dates from the 11th century, is one of the largest and finest in France. Our final day on the bike takes us on quiet, scenic roads all the way to Fontenay le Fleury, a suburb close to Versailles. From the spectacular Versailles our route is mainly on cycle lanes and traffic restricted parks into the city centre to our finish at the Eiffel Tour. Our Hotel is close by the Eiffel Tower.

How do I know where to go to follow the route?

We take that worry from you. You will be put in a group of about 10 people of roughly similar ability who will be accompanied by one of our experienced cycling guides. The guide will direct you and keep you on the right road.

How fit do I need to be for this challenge?

The fitter you are the more enjoyable the Dublin to Paris Challenge will be. The route, apart from the first half of day 1 through Wicklow, is predominantly flat. Add to this the excellent standard of French roads and you will find that you will move a couple of kilometres per hour faster than in Ireland for the same level of effort. If you can ride your bike continuously for 2-3hours then you will make it to Paris.

What kind of training should I do for Dublin Paris?

When you sign up you will be issued with a training programme and tips about cycling equipment etc designed by a level 3 cycling coach. The main thing to remember is the event is not a race so speed is not important. Really all you need to do in training is to gradually, over a period of 3-4 months, increase the time you spend on your bike. Three to 4 times a week is ideal. Some of this could be commuting with at least one long spin at the weekend.

About 2-3 weeks before the event you should be aiming to do your longest ride (3-4hours) and to get used to the multi day aspect of the challenge you should try to do some back to back spins on Saturdays and Sundays.

What about my bike will it be suitable?

The ideal bike for this sort of challenge is a bike with 700c wheels (you can see this no. on the tyre wall). This is the size of the normal

racer wheel and has the lowest rolling resistance of all the wheel sizes. A sports hybrid or a racer is ideal for this challenge. If you intend buying a bike for this challenge go to a bike shop where the staff are cyclists and tell them what you are intending to do.

Get them to set you up with a comfortable and efficient cycling position on your new bike.

What do I need to carry on my bike?

Our vans will take your luggage each morning and transport it to the next hotel. So all you need on your bike are water bottles. Our mechanic will be in the van in the case of in any mechanical mishap.

Our guides are all experienced bike mechanics also. However we do recommend that each person carries a mini pump, tyre lever and a tube to save waiting for the van in the event of a simple puncture.

It is better not to wear a rucksack on the bike. Jackets, cameras, wallets can all be fitted into the rear pockets of a cycling jersey.

Mentioning bikes, how does my bike get back from Paris?

You will be flying home but when you finish at the Eiffel Tower we will take your bike from you and pack it carefully in cardboard and put it on one of our vans which will transport it back to Dublin. So you don’t have to worry about it on the plane or dragging it around Paris if you choose to stay on for a few days.

What type of accommodation do we have on the Dublin Paris?

We stay in hotels. These vary in size and luxury. Our objective is to provide comfortable accommodation so that you can recover from your days cycling but at the same time trying to keep the costs low

so that the charity can benefit. On the Ferry we are accommodated in ensuite cabins.

What about food?

We are cyclists ourselves so we know that cyclists have insatiable appetites. On our challenges we pay great attention to cyclists’ nutritional needs. All meals are included on the Dublin to Paris with the exception of breakfast on the ferry. This is the only meal you will have to pay for yourself. At each hotel a buffet breakfast is provided before we set out on our bikes. In mid-morning our van will have found a suitable place to set up a snack stop/feed station with a range of food from fruit to power bars, from energy drinks to chocolate to keep you running until lunch. Our lunch will be taken in a café which we will have booked ahead. This is normally a light lunch consisting of a baguette or similar. In the afternoon there is normally another road side snack stop/feed station to provide sustenance to get you to our destination.

A three course dinner is provided each evening either in the hotel or in a local restaurant. On the ferry dinner is provided in the self service restaurant.

What about clothing?

The most important investment you will make for this challenge (or any other long bike ride) is a couple of good pairs of cycling shorts and a tube of chamois cream. Spend the most you can afford on the shorts! Don’t go for cheap supermarket ones, go to a good bike shop. Avoid cotton clothing on the bike as it soaks up perspiration (or rain) and tends to stay wet. A good cycling jersey with rear pockets worn over a wicking base layer would be the normal for this challenge. We recommend that you carry one of the compact rain jackets which fit in the rear pocket of a cycling jersey.

For evening time casual wear is fine. We won’t be going posh!

Join the Outreach Moldova (ORM) for the challenge of a lifetime and cycle from Dublin to Paris in time to see the finish of the Tour de France.

Departing from Dublin on Sunday, 17th June, we will cover some 600km over the five days, all the while raising vital funds for the Outreach Moldova’s (ORM) work to ensure that everyone in need can have access to ORM’s care.

For more information please contact us at: Tel: +353 – 1 – 219 0268 e-mail: moldova@ireland.com web: www.outreachmoldova.org Registered office: Suite 104, DMG House, Deansgrange Business Park, Co. Dublin, Ireland Charity Number: CHY 14229 Company Number: 336502