When and where does the group depart from London on day one?
10.00 at St Pancras Station.
Who is organising the event?
A specialist charity event management company called Across the Divide Ltd – www.acrossthedivide.com .
I am travelling with a friend. Is it possible for us to share accommodation during the trip?
We cannot guarantee it but we will try. Just make sure that you put the name of your friend joining you on the trip on the registration form.
My partner will be joining me on the trip. Will we be able to share a room?
We will try to book rooms that allow for couples to share, although this may not be possible. Add your partner’s name to the registration form under the ‘Accommodation’ section and we will do what we can, but cannot guarantee it.
What type of accommodation will we be staying in?
Throughout the trip we will be staying in good, tourist-class hotels. On Friday night we will be staying in cabins on the overnight ferry.
Is there a minimum and maximum age limit to take part?
Yes. All participants need to be over 16 by the first day of the event. Those under 18 must be accompanied by an adult. There is no upper age limit but participants over the age of 65 will need their doctor to sign the medical questionnaire.
How fit do I need to be?
You do not have to be super fit to take part, although the event will be suited to those with a good level of fitness and there are a lot of miles to cover. We do strongly recommend that you undertake training, cycling regularly on consecutive days with some long distances in the weeks leading up to departure. If you are over 65 years of age or suffer from a medical condition that is affected by exercise you must obtain a medical certificate.
What will the terrain be like?
We will be cycling on tarmac roads for the duration of the event. Expect roads to be heavy with traffic on leaving London and entering both Amsterdam and Brussels. Mostly the roads will be fairly quiet and good for cycling. The route is mainly flat especially in Holland and Belgium, there will be a few inclines in the UK but nothign too strenuous. See the itinerary for full details.
What do I need to take with me?
We will supply you with a list of what you will need to take, recommending the type of kit that you will require. Essential items are a bike and a cycling helmet which you must wear at all times when cycling.
What support staff will be on the bike ride?
There will be full medical and mechanical support. There will also be support vehicles for participants to ride in, in case for any reason they are unable to continue. Representatives from MAG will also be there.
Do I need insurance?
Yes. Across the Divide do provide a comprehensive insurance cover for all cyclists at an additional cost of £38 per head (this is subject to change in January 2008). If you have alternative cover, then this is acceptable provided that full proof (including a copy of your policy) is made available ten weeks before departure.
Do I need to train beforehand?
Yes. This cycle ride is going to be a challenge and so, the more training you have done; the more you will get out of the trip. We will provide a training schedule for you to follow in the run up to the event.
How much of my sponsorship will go to MAG?
We are asking each participant to raise £1,350 in sponsorship. The £150 registration fee is not included in this total. Of this, under half will cover the cost of running the event (such as all travel, food, accommodation, staffing and vehicles). This means at least £700 of the money you raise will go directly to support MAG’s field operations. The more you raise above the target, the more MAG will receive, so please raise as much as you can!
What do I need to provide?
When you register to take part in the 3 Capitals in 3 Days Cycle Challenge we request a fee of £150 with your registration form. You must bring your own bike and each participant will also need a helmet, two spare inner tubes, brake and gear spares, bike lights, cycle gloves and a small personal first aid kit.
What do I need to take with me?
We will provide a suggested kit list once you have registered.
£1,350 is a lot of money. Will I be able to raise that amount?
There are many different ways of raising money, through your friends and family, organising a fundraising event or asking companies and businesses to support you, and don’t forget that we are here to help. We will provide you with tips, advice and resources to make reaching your target as painless as possible and will help you in any way we possibly can.
What if I don’t raise the sponsorship money?
We do request that £900 of the sponsorship target is received by MAG ten weeks before departure – by Friday 28th March 2008. If we do not receive this amount from you, you are liable to forfeit your place on the ride. The remaining £450 is then due on Friday 16th May, 3 weeks before we depart. If you do experience any unexpected difficulties, please contact us as soon as possible and we will try to help you out in any way that we can.
What time do we arrive back in London?
We arrive at St Pancras station at around 5.30pm on Monday 9th June. Please note, as we are returning by train the arrival time at St Pancras is subject to timetable changes.
Do I need a passport?
Yes, and it will need to have at least six months validity on it from the date of return to the UK.
How much spending money will I need?
We suggest about £150 for drinks, souvenirs, sightseeing and shopping in Amsterdam and Brussels.
If the weather is bad will the event be cancelled?
If it rains the event will still go ahead. If the weather deteriorates during the trip, participants will be transported by coach to shelter or the hotel. The date of the event means it is unlikely we will face bad weather, although it may rain. If the ferry were cancelled due to bad weather we would wait for the next service and adapt the itinerary accordingly.
How will my belongings be transported?
All luggage will be carried ahead of the cyclists in support vehicles. Do bring a small bum bag or day-pack to contain useful and valuable items such as money, camera and passport.
When is the sponsorship money payable?
£900 of the sponsorship money is payable 10 weeks before departure on Friday 28th March 2006. The remaining sponsorship of £450 is then payable 2 weeks before the event, on Friday 16th May.
What will the weather be like in Holland and Belgium?
Slightly warmer than the UK. The average temperature in June is 17-18°C.
How long do we have in Brussels?
We will aim to arrive in Brussels early Sunday evening and depart after lunch on Monday.
How much is MAG hoping to raise through this event?
We hope to raise in the region of £25,000. This will be a very significant contribution to MAG’s unrestricted income, and will help MAG continue providing support for communities affected by the presence of landmines and unexploded bombs worldwide.
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