Band of Brothers D - Day Bike Ride
INTRODUCTION
Our exciting cycle challenge takes us from Southwick Park in Portsmouth - a hugely important part of naval history - across the channel to Cherbourg and Northern France. The journey will take 7 days and 6 nights.
This challenging route traces some of the region’s most significant WW2 battle sites, including the Northern beaches around Arromanches and the area south of Caen which witnessed the culmination of Operation Goodwood.
This will be a great physical challenge, but also an amazing emotional journey. We finish our challenge by cycling through central Paris, via the Arc De Triomphe before finishing at the Eiffel Tower.
ITINERARY
Day 1: Portsmouth – Cherbourg
It’s an early start with registration taking place at 8am in Southwick Park. After registration there will be a rare opportunity to visit the D-Day map room from where Eisenhower made all his tactical decisions and also some of the museums at Southwick Park. We’ll then have a send off lunch at Southwick House before cycling down to the ferry terminal, leaving our bikes with the transport crew and boarding the afternoon ferry to Cherbourg as foot passengers. The crossing takes around three hours and all cyclists will need to buy their own dinner on-board. After disembarking in Cherbourg we will be picked up by coaches and driven to our hotel for the evening.
Dinner not included.
Cycle 5 miles
Day 2: Cherbourg - Bayeux
Cycle to Ste Mere Eglise for this day remembering the American Airborne Forces, where we will stop to lay a wreath in the village square at the memorial. We continue on to visit the main American landing beach, Omaha, before heading for our night stop in the beautiful town of Bayeux.
Overnight in hotel (breakfast, lunch & dinner included).
Cycle approx 75 miles
Day 3: Bayeux – Caen
Today, the British Day, we visit the coast where the troops landed. First we tour the museum at Arromanches and see the film footage of the historical events that took place. After a spectacular fly past display, we head onto the beaches Gold, Juno, and Sword where guides will be waiting to deliver some history at your leisure. From here we pedal on to Merville Battery, from where we take in the facts of this operation and a view over the sea. Once the group is together, we will head back down towards Caen, but not before an unforgettable experience at Pegasus Bridge where the first house to be liberated from the Germans in June 1944 still stands. Here we are piped over the Bridge by Pipers and after a gathering and historical briefing we ride off as the bugler sounds The Advance.
Overnight in hotel (breakfast, lunch & dinner included).
Cycle approx 50 miles
Day 4: Caen – Lisieux
Today, the Canadian and Polish are remembered as we cycle from Caen down to Falaise, where the Germans were very nearly defeated! After a stop in the square to hear the guides explain how close it was, we take a spectacular climb to the Mace. Here we will lay a wreath to commemorate the Polish soldiers, before continuing on to Lisieux.
Overnight in hotel (breakfast, lunch & dinner included).
Cycle approx 75 miles
Day 5: Lisieux – Evreux
Today is the French Resistance and Special Forces Day. We will remember the brave soldiers and hear the stories of the much celebrated SOE Agents, who parachuted into the countryside to work undercover against the enemy. We will have SOE individuals who were there at the time, as well as modern day women when we remember those no longer with us at a local airfield. We shall once again lay a wreath in the memory of resistance fighters. Then we continue to Evreux.
Overnight in hotel (breakfast, lunch & dinner included).
Cycle approx 55 miles
Day 6: Evreux – Paris
Free French day- The liberation of Paris. An exciting day today as it was back then, as we cross the river and follow the route many soldiers took in the liberation of Paris. With personal memories from those who were there, we cycle towards the capital city where a wonderful celebration welcome awaits us. A wreath will be laid at the Arc de Triomphe as we cycle past and down the Champs Elysees and onto the finishing point at the iconic Eiffel Tower. A long, emotional yet rewarding day to finish the cycle challenge. All cyclists will be part of a celebratory evening reception aboard the Bateau Mouche, hosted by Help for Heroes - an experience never to forget.
Overnight in hotel (breakfast, lunch & dinner included).
Cycle approx 70 miles
Day 7: Paris – London
After breakfast you are free for the rest of the day to explore the city, going up the Eiffel Tower or visiting renowned attractions such as the Arc de Triomphe and Notre-Dame cathedral. You are responsible for getting yourself and your bags to the Gare du Nord on time for your afternoon Eurostar train back to St Pancras, where you will be reunited with your bike.
Breakfast included; riders buy own lunch & dinner.
GENERAL INFORMATION
Tour cost
The tour cost includes all meals (other than dinner on day 1, and lunch and dinner on Day 7); accommodation; support vehicle and Discover Adventure leaders, drivers & cooks. It also includes a Eurostar journey from Paris to London.
The tour cost does not include travel insurance, meals as specified, tips or personal expenditure. Approx. £100 - £150 is recommended for personal expenses.
Food and Accommodation
6 nights in **/*** hotels. The hotels are comfortable and well-situated for our ride, but not luxurious. All rooms have en suite facilities. All food is included except dinner Day 1, lunch and dinner on Day 7 as above.
Passport, Visa and Vaccinations
A valid ten-year passport is required. Visas are not required for British passport-holders. No specific vaccinations are recommended for France but a tetanus injection is essential.
Climate
May 16 - 25°C
The climate of northern France is very similar to that of southern England, rain is a possibility in May and it may be windy.
CYCLING INFORMATION
Support vehicles are with the group all of the time. All luggage and spares will be carried in them. The cycling is mainly undulating. Distances are fairly long, varying from 50 – 80 miles per day, and participants should make sure they are fit enough to manage these distances. We ride mainly on small country roads. Traffic is light on most of the roads but when we pass through large towns we go through as a group.
Bike Repairs
There will be a range of spares in the support vehicles along with a full tool kit. However it is impossible for us to carry spares for every eventuality so it is vital that if you bring your own bike it is in good order before departure. All spares will have to be paid for so that they can be replenished!
IT IS IMPERATIVE THAT YOU SUPPLY YOUR OWN HELMET AND HIGH VIS VESTS, AND WEAR THEM AT ALL TIMES WHILE CYCLING.
Further information, kit list etc will be sent on receiving your booking
Please phone the office with any questions.
Discover Adventure Ltd
Throope Down House
Blandford Road
Coombe Bissett
Salisbury
SP5 4LN
ATOL 5636
Tel: 01722 718444
Fax: 01722 718445
info@discoveradventure.com
www.discoveradventure.com