Bruges (Brugge) 30th Aug – 3rd Sept 2023
Overview
O2e’s 15th annual cycling challenge is a two and a half-day ride from a base in one of Europe’s most iconic historical cities, Bruges (Brugge).
World famous for Beer, Frites, Waffles and, of course, Chocolate, Bruges is one of Europe’s best-preserved medieval cities.
Not only is 2023’s ride different to previous rides because it’s based in one city, but it is also offering multiple distances. So, if you are not advanced enough to cover 100 miles a day, you will have the option of picking a shorter route of approximately 100km (around 60 miles).
Both distances will give you the opportunity to visit two more iconic cities in Belgium – Ypres & Ghent – as well as a number of famous WW1 sites.
For those of you who came along in 2022 we will be staying in the same hotel in that incredible city centre location so there will be plenty of choice for evening entertainment and eating and drinking every night and no repacking your case every day!
Price: £550 (based on shared hotel room)
Current plans (subject to change until final)
Wednesday
Meet at Dover bright and early to catch the 10:00am ferry to Dunkirk. Upon arrival at port, we’ll saddle up and cycle the 50 miles to the utterly gorgeous Bruges.
Thursday
Options of two distances, both of which will encompass Ypres and some WW1 sites.
Friday
Options of two distances, both of which will encompass the beautiful city of Ghent.
Saturday
You’ll have the chance for a well-deserved lie-in and still have time to take in the daytime wonders of Bruges, including the famous canal boat trips, before re-joining the group for the not-to-be-missed After Party hosted by the legendary Kev and Slatts. You will enjoy the unique camaraderie of celebrating your personal success of achieving the distance of your choice with some of the best people on the planet and you will all have just raised a bunch of cash for our deserving causes.
Sunday
All good things come to an end and sadly this is that time. Bikes go on specialist bike transport whilst we take a coach back to Dover/London
More Information
The routes will also be available for download from this website once the routes have been fully recce’d in the spring.
Avril’s award winning support team will also be with you for the entirety, offering a vast selection of home-made goodies, tools, pumps, or simply encouragement when most needed.
What You Can Expect
- A well-researched route by an experienced cycle tourer/route planner – fully tested and recce’d
- GPX routes for Guru Maps/Garmin/Wahoo etc.
- Regular support stops, manned by our legendary support team
- Full support/recovery in case of any issues
- 4 nights quality hotel accommodation
- Luggage transfer
- Ferries between Dover & Dunkirk
- Return coach to Dover
- Specialist bike transport to return bikes to Dover
- Support with achieving your fundraising goal
- Amazing camaraderie and friendship
What We Expect (of You)
The only reason we do this is to raise money for terminally ill and disabled children. Many “charity” bike rides are outsourced to companies and require a minimum sponsorship of 3 to 4 times our entry fee, yet less than half often goes to the charity.
O2e is different – everything is done by volunteers and we cover our own costs. That way every single £ raised in sponsorship goes to the amazing charities we support. Please realise though that volunteers doesn’t equal little effort – this event takes many months of hard work from several people to plan and relies on a huge team of very generous volunteers to donate vehicles/time/fuel in order to run it.
If you raise at least as much as the entry fee in sponsorship, it makes it all worthwhile. Help with setting up sponsorship via Just Giving, Virgin Money, employer match funding etc. is available.
Entry
The trip is run “at cost” and this year that’s £550 per rider. Note that a staged payment plan is available if required.
………so get signed up, chat to friends, family & colleagues and get them signed up.
Let’s make 2023 the BIGGEST fundraising Kev’s Big Bike Ride yet!!!!!!!!!
Please note, all rooms are shared and you are required to arrange your own insurance.