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13-17 June 2012 Registration fee: £199 |
Cycle between the great sites of the Normandy landings alongside an expert battlefield guide.
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The tour will include visits to some of the largest cemetaries from the Second World War - including the British burials at Ranville - as well as taking in Omaha and Utah beach, the historic towns of Bayeux and Carentan, and the iconic Pegasus bridge.
2012 REGISTRATION IS CLOSED
How to register
2. Download the registration forms and event brochure
Itinerary
DAY 1 London to Portsmouth (67miles/107km)
Our event opens with an introduction from our expert into the journey of an allied soldier as he heads to Normandy for the decisive assault into enemy territory. We begin cycling from the start line in Richmond Park as our route takes us through Hampton Court quickly leaving behind the busy commuter roads and on into the heart of rural Surrey. After a pub lunch we continue south through villages, on undulating minor roads, and up onto the North Downs. From here a welcome descent from the Downs brings us into Portsmouth. We overnight in Portsmouth near to the harbour ready for an early start.
DAY 2 Cherbourg to Ste Mère Église (31.45miles/50km)
We cycle on board the morning ferry to Cherbourg for a 7.30am departure. Arriving into Cherbourg by midday, we settle down for a traditional lunch and an introduction to the local history of the Second World War. After lunch, we pedal our way to Quettehou, the north-east tip of the Cotentin peninsula, before continuing on to the town of Ste Mère Église where we will stay the night. Paratroopers landed in Ste Mère Église in the early hours of D-Day to secure the route to Utah beach and cut off the road to Cherbourg, the town witnessed heavy fighting between the forces and our evening here ensures we can explore this renowned town.
DAY 3 Ste Mère Église to Bayeux (62.85miles/101km)
An early start sees us cycle North across the beautiful countryside to the coastline. Passing more bunkers along the coastal route we approach Utah beach and later Carentan. We continue along the coast taking in the key landing site of Omaha Beach where some 34,250 soldiers landed on 6 June 1944 for Operation Overlord. We stop here for lunch and to call in at the visitors centre. In the afternoon we pass the overgrown bunkers, and cycle to the beginning of Gold Beach before heading inland to the historic town of Bayeaux, where we will stay the night.
DAY 4 Bayeux to Caen (55.71miles/90km)
Our final day cycling along the coast includes Arromanches and sightings of German batteries and bunkers. We follow the water to the historic Pegasus Bridge site, where 6 British gliders landed to take over the bridge and signal the start of D-Day. After taking a look around the memorial and relaxing in the local cafe, we cycle to the British cemetery at Ranville, a fitting end to our trip. After the visit we cycle the final miles along the canal tow path into Caen where we will celebrate our achievements of the past few days.
Day 5 Ferry to Portsmouth Coach to London
Today we have the morning to explore Caen before cycling aboard our high speed ferry back to Portsmouth. Upon arrival in Portsmouth, we load up our bikes into the support vans and board our coach to return to London.
Somme to Flanders 2010 Photo Gallery
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