April Fools Club – Ride 2018
“An unforgettable trip full of adventure and camaraderie…”
(A message from Tim Mycock, 2018 April Fools Club Captain):
On behalf of both the April Fools Club and RAF Benevolent Fund, I hope you’ll choose to ride with us for what’s shaping up to be an unforgettable trip, to remember the heroic actions of 75 years ago and to help those in need today. It will also be a hugely challenging ride, full of adventure and camaraderie which will create memories that will last a lifetime. We already have over 60 riders signed up. Don’t worry if you are a keen racing snake or a “fat lad at the back” you will be in good company – we have riders of all genders and ability and the Ride25 crew will ensure you all make it to the finish line.
You can see the specific sponsorship page for the Dambusters bike ride HERE – if you can’t join us for the ride please support the great work the RAF Benevolent Fund do by sponsoring The April Fools Club Dambusters Ride HERE.
Sign up to take part by registering below:
If you are already in a team/crew and have already registered via your team captain please complete your entry details HERE.
To confirm a place you need to have registered as a single rider or team of 7 and paid the appropriate deposit. Once this is confirmed all team/crew members can fill out the entry form HERE.
When is it?
The event takes place on the 16th-19th May 2018, 4 days of riding covering 313 miles from Newark to the Mohne Dam.
The cost for the event is £1,150 and is an all inclusive cost with exception of your return flight from Dusseldorf. All riders are also expected to raise funds for the RAF Benevolent Fund and the project is supported by the April Fools Club.
Full Itinerary:
Day 1 – Wednesday 16th May 2018 – Millgate Hotel – Newark – 8.30am depart
(If you wish to book accommodation the night before departure this can be arranged directly with the hotel) – http://millgatehousehotel.com/
Our Grand Depart will take place from The Millgate Hotel in Newark before riding past the International Bomber Command Centre at Canwick Hill and then past RAF Scampton, where we will take the official start photo and head off on our first day’s adventure towards Hull. After our departure we will follow gentle undulations through the Lincolnshire countryside before crossing the Humber Bridge. On arrival in Hull, we will enjoy a meal before embarking on the overnight ferry to Rotterdam.
Strava Route: https://www.strava.com/routes/12827503
Miles: 74.8
Elevation: 2,338 ft
Lunch: The White Hart, Brigg – 50 miles
Finish point: Hull Ferry port
Accommodation: onboard P&O Ferries
Day 2 – Thursday 17th May 2018 – Rotterdam to Uden
The second day sees us set off bright and early on our biggest day of the trip – 92 miles from Rotterdam to Uden. Using dutch cycleways we will make our way through towns and villages before crossing the intersecting waterways to have lunch in Lage Zwaluwe. Working out way across the flats of Holland we finish the day in Uden
Strava Route: https://www.strava.com/routes/12300232
Miles: 92
Elevation: 1,616 ft
Lunch: Brasserie ‘t Apppeltje, Lage Zwaluwe – 43 miles
Finish point: Uden
Accommodation: Van der Valk Hotel Uden
Day 3 – Friday 18th May 2018 – Uden to Essen
Day 3 will see us crossing the border into Germany, where we will spend the night in Essen. Continuing on the dutch cycleways in the morning we enter Germany leaving the flats of Holland behind. Heading into the valleys and rolling countryside of northern Germany.
Strava Route: https://www.strava.com/routes/12300234
Miles: 84
Elevation: 2,208 ft
Lunch: Zue Rheinfahre
Finish point: Essen
Accommodation: G Hotel Essen
Day 4 – Saturday 19th May 2018 – Essen to Mohne Dam
Rolling through the countryside on both cycleways and roads the terrain changes to small hills and rolling valleys. With tired legs we complete the final day of our cycling challenge through undulating terrain with beautiful views towards a spectacular finish at the Mohne Dam. We will mark our respects at the Dam and then we will board a coach transfer to the hotel in Dusseldorf for a few drinks and a collective meal to celebrate our fundraising and physical endurance.
Strava Route: https://www.strava.com/routes/12827516
Miles: 64
Elevation: 4,675 ft
Lunch: Dahlhauser Landhaus – Die Schnitzelmanufaktur, Menden. – 38 miles
Finish point: Mohne Dam – Coach transfer to Düsseldorf
Accommodation: Van der Valk Hotel Düsseldorf Airport
If you are already in a team/crew and have already registered via your team captain please complete your entry details HERE.
To confirm a place you need to have registered as a single rider or team of 7 and paid the appropriate deposit. Once this is confirmed all team/crew members can fill out the entry form HERE.
How will I navigate?
The route will be not be signposted. You will also receive a special cloth map of the route which will get you out of trouble if needed! We recommend that you also have a navigation tool such as the Strava app downloaded on your phone – or a Garmin. See below for advice on navigation on Strava.
What’s included?
- 4 x nights accommodation in 3 star or above hotels
- 4 x Breakfast to fuel you each day for the ride ahead
- 8 x Coffee and cakes at designated stops
- 4 x Lunches
- Daily bespoke cloth route map
- Personalised cycling shirt to wear on the day – fresh new shirt each day
- Professional Ride25 support crew and vehicles including a bike mechanic and first aider to help you on your way
- The option of the transportation of your bike home for Manchester or London with Ride25 crew
- Bike box rental arrangement – (you will have to pay for the rental directly)
- Celebratory meal and drinks on the last night.
- Event insurance
What’s not included?
- A bike (We recommend a road bike, however, riders have used hybrids and Bromptons in the past)
- Personal insurance – including cycling cover for you and your bike
- Travel to and from the event – please organise your own.
Photos and video from the event
We will have a the Ride25 crew taking photos and video that will capture your best moments on your bike. (And perhaps some of your most challenging!).
Ride25 will also produce a professionally edited video with footage taken from the tour crew which will create a great memory to show sponsors, colleagues and friends.
YOUR SAFETY
We recommend that you always cycle in groups and not alone. Please also ensure that you wear a helmet.
TRAINING TIPS
There are plenty of training tips and training plans around. Find one that suits you and your schedule and give yourself enough time so that you are fully ready for when the time comes to complete the ride.
We have plenty of training advice here and you can also watch our video from tips from previous Ride25 riders here and also a great GCN video on how to train for long bike rides here.
Indoor training is also really useful (especially in the winter) so check out our advice on indoor watt bike training here.
Also, read our advice for staying safe (and comfortable!) on the road
If you are already in a team/crew and have already registered via your team captain please complete your entry details HERE.
To confirm a place you need to have registered as a single rider or team of 7 and paid the appropriate deposit. Once this is confirmed all team/crew members can fill out the entry form HERE.
