Centenary of the Tour de France sees demand for charity cycle challenges rise
As the UK awaits with bated breath to see whether there will be another British cycling hero in the Tour de France, Global Adventure Challenges, the charity challenge organiser, announces that this year - the 100th anniversary of the Tour de France – the number of people signing up to charity bike ride challenges has doubled with a staggering 303% increase in the number of women.
Peter Robinson, co-founder of Global Adventure Challenges said: "Environmental and health considerations as well as the increase in cycling to work schemes have all helped to contribute to a steady increase in demand in our cycling challenges over the years, but the sudden spike in demand for our cycling events has to be due to the unbelievable success of the GB cycling team last year and the inspiring personalities involved.”
“While Bradley Wiggins has stood out as a sporting icon, the amazing success of British women in London 2012 which made Victoria Pendleton and Lizzie Armistead household names has also had an unexpected effect. Cycling challenges used to be the preserve of men but there has been a big shift and women are signing up to our challenges in big numbers too."
To mark the 100th anniversary of the Tour de France, Global Adventure Challenges’ annual London to Paris bike ride finishes in the centre of Paris the day before the end of the Tour and participants will get a front row position to see the winning competitors finish the next day, including favourite Chris Froome and British National Champion Mark Cavendish.
Starting in London, the 300 mile, 4 day route goes through glorious English countryside and the stunning South Downs down to Dover, where the group catches the ferry to Calais. Once ‘French side’, the route takes quiet French country lanes, through traditional market towns with views of the rolling green hills of northern France. Cycling is the French nation’s favourite sport so participants can be expected to have locals cheering them on!
Global Adventure Challenges - top 5 best selling cycling trips for 2013:
1. London to Paris. 17-21 July 2013. Four day cycle. Two groups and two routes are being organised for this popular challenge. The first group is full, but there are still limited places for Group two. Register for £149 plus £660 to self-fund or £1650 for a minimum sponsorship for your favourite charity.
2. London to Paris 27-30 August 2013. A shorter, but more challenging three day cycle than the four day option. Register for £150 plus £1450 for a minimum sponsorship. This challenge has been organised to raise money for the Body Shop Foundation.
3. Euro City 4-8 September 2013. This 300 mile ride covers three cities in three countries over four days - London, Amsterdam and Brussels. Register for £149 plus £690 to self-fund or £1725 for a minimum sponsorship for your favourite charity.
4. Edinburgh's First Charity Night Ride 7-8 September 2013. A 50 mile overnight ride taking in all of Edinburgh's iconic sites from Holyrood Palace to the Royal Mile and Arthur's Seat. Register for £39 plus £60 to self-fund or £160 for a minimum sponsorship for your favourite charity.
5. Coast to Coast UK 15-18 August 2013. Cross the breadth of England by bike starting at Whitehaven on the Irish Sea across the Lake District, Northern Pennines to Tynemouth on the North Sea. Register for £99 plus £380 to self-fund or £930 for a minimum sponsorship for your favourite charity.
For more details and to book, visit globaladventurechallenges.com.
