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Bordeaux–Paris 2013

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Bordeaux - Paris FAQs

How does the event work?

The Rapha Bordeaux to Paris is a team relay event covering approximately 600km. As part of a team of 4 riders you will need to complete the event in under 24 hours to say that you’ve completed the mighty Bordeaux – Paris. The route will be divided into seven segments. The event starts with a “team” segment which, as the name suggests, must be completed by your entire team. There follows 5 “relay” segments where it is up to you to decide which of your team members completes which segment. You can deploy your rouleurs on the flat, saving your mountain goats for when the route gets more undulating. Maybe your strongest rider can handle 2 segments in a row, saving your weaker riders for later in the event. The tactics are up to you!

The only requirements are that each team member must ride at least 2 relay segments and a minimum of 2 riders must be on the road at any one time. The event will finish with a final team segment that will take you into the heart of Paris.

Each segment will be punctuated by a checkpoint where you can change riders, clean up and fuel for your next leg. Riders not taking part in the subsequent segment will be transported with their bike to the next checkpoint.

To complete the event in 24 hours you’ll need to average approximately 25kph. At some of the checkpoints we will operate cut-off times. Teams who fall outside the cut-off time will be withdrawn from the event. Don’t worry though, we’ll help you with your training by providing regular training tips and organised training rides for those of you based in London.

We will leave Bordeaux on Friday afternoon with your team riding through the night to arrive in Paris 600km later.

All team members must pay a non-refundable registration fee of £975.00, and pledge to raising a suggested minimum sponsorship of £2,500.00.

What's included in the price?

The entry fee of £975 per person includes the following:

  • 2 nights luxury accommodation, twin occupancy with breakfast
  • A commemorative Rapha Bordeaux - Paris jersey and exclusive eventaccessories bearing your unique team number and colourway including hi-vis gilet, cap and oversocks worth over £300
  • A welcome dinner in Bordeaux
  • Pasta party send off lunch in Bordeaux
  • A gala dinner in Paris

Full support for the event comprising of:

  • Fully signed route with special reflective route arrows, marker paint and GPS files to download
  • Luxury coach to shuttle riders between segments
  • Bike transport between segments
  • Food and drink stops at each checkpoint
  • Roaming mechanical support
  • Medical and physiotherapy / massage support
  • A regular e-newsletter with event and fundraising news, training advice and other essential information.
  • Special prizes for fastest team, lantern rouge, fundraising and combativity
  • The chance to turbo-charge your team by bidding on a top pro rider for your team.

How do I sign up?

First you’ll need to find three other friends or colleagues who are up for the challenge and think up a team name. Don’t worry if your team isn’t entirely complete at this stage, you can still sign up and confirm your line up later. To book your team’s place on the start line in Bordeaux you’ll need to pay a £2,000 deposit (£500 per person) towards the entry fee of £3,900 (£975 per person). This deposit is non-refundable but we do allow substitutions in case some of your team are unable to take part (see the Terms and Conditions below).
Your balance payment of £475 needs to be paid by 1 July 2013 at the latest.

How much money do I need to raise?

By signing up to take part in the Rapha Bordeaux - Paris, each member of your team is pledging to raise £2500 for Ambitious about Autism. Gift Aid will not be included within this total. Why not set up your own unique online sponsorship page through JustGiving? This enables friends, family and colleagues to sponsor you very easily. The biggest fundraisers will be eligible for some special prizes which will be announced soon.

Breakdown of payment dates for each team member:

AmountTo CoverDue Date
£500Initial registration depositOn Registration
£475Registration fee balance1st July 2013
£200080% fundraising target5th July 2013
£500Outstanding balance of fundraising target5th September 2013

If you are unable to raise the minimum sponsorship required you will forfeit your right to take a place on the event, or you can choose to make up the balance yourself.

What if I am concerned about raising the £2,500 fundraising target?

To achieve the £2,500 fundraising target per person, we can provide you with all the support you will need.

Don’t be put off by this target as this is achievable even in this economic climate. We have many people who take part in our challenge events each year that have never done fundraising before and reach and often far exceed their targets.

On signing up for this exciting event, you will be sent a Fundraising pack with all the tips and advice you need to get started and ensure that your fundraising is both enjoyable and successful.

Ways in which you could raise the funds:

Matched Giving – Check with your employer to see if they run a matched giving programme. Many companies will match funds raised to a certain level. It is also worth speaking the Corporate Social Responsibilty (CSR) Team as your company may have specific funds set aside for supporting charities.

Sponsorship – This is a tough and exciting challenge so ask people to support you by giving you a donation. It is quick and easy to set up an online sponsorship page and you can then ask friends, family, colleagues, clients, local businesses, suppliers, customers and any other contacts you have to support you.

Organise an event – It could be a sponsored bike ride, run, quiz, dinner party, live music evening anything you think your friends and colleagues would be interested in supprting.

Ambitious about Autism has an Events team who can provide any advice and answer your questions. Please contact the team on 0208 815 5431 or events@ambitiousaboutautism.org.uk

How far in advance do I need to book?

We expect places to fill up very quickly, so don’t delay.

Can we substitute a team member?

If you wish to substitute a team member, you may do so by contacting us in writing providing full information about the new team member. The existing deposit and any other monies paid will be carried over. It will be the responsibility of the new team member to sort out finances with the retiring team member. Depending on the timing of the substitution, it may not be possible to change the sizing of the event clothing as this is custom ordered from our supplier.

How do I transport my bike?

If you live in or close to London, you will be able to sign up for our bike shuttle service. Drop your bike off to our London depot a few days before the event and it will be securely transported to the start in Bordeaux. After the finish of the event, your bike will be packed up and transported back to London for collection a few days after the event. Your bike will be well looked after and insured to a value of £2,500 for it's full value throughout the transportation. The price of the shuttle will be confirmed soon. If travelling from further afield, you may wish to consider having your bike couriered to our hotel in Bordeaux, who will be happy to store it until you arrive.

What if I need to cancel?

  • More than 60 days prior to departure - Deposit only
  • Between 30 and 59 days prior to departure - 60%
  • Between 15 and 29 days prior to departure » 75%
  • Between 8 and 14 days prior to departure » 90%
  • 7 days or less prior to departure » 100%

If you fail to pay in full 60 days prior to departure, we reserve the right to cancel your booking and fill your place with a substitute from our waiting list. Your deposit will be forfeited. Should you or any member of your party be forced to cancel your booking, we must receive notice in writing or by email from the person making the original booking. The cancellation will take effect from the date that such written notice is received. The following cancellation charges will apply. The charges are expressed as a percentage of the total holiday price.

If you or a team member cancels their place the charity reserve the right to retain any donations made.

Do I need travel insurance?

Travel insurance is compulsory to take part in the Rapha Bordeaux to Paris to provide you with adequate cover in the event of a medical emergency, lost baggage, or if you need to cancel your trip. Its is also highly recommended that bicycle insurance is taken out to protect your pride and joy in the event of an incident. Click here to find out more about bicycle insurance. In addition it is recommended that EU Nationals hold an EHIC card for reciprocal health care provision within the EU. Online application is available from www.cyclosure.co.uk

Can you help me with my travel arrangements?

We are pleased to provide information about the event itself and take bookings for extra services at the event but unfortunately we can’t help with transport to Bordeaux / from Paris. Both destinations are well served by high speed rail services (TGV and Eurostar). Paris is an international aviation hub with numerous direct flights to worldwide airports. Bordeaux is served by Easyjet flying from London Gatwick and London Luton and by British Airways flying from London Gatwick.

Are airport transfers included?

You will need to make your own way to / from the airport. Our hotel in Bordeaux is a short taxi journey away. Our Paris hotel is close to public transport or the hotel concierge will be happy to book a taxi if required.

Is my travel safe if things go wrong?

In the current financial climate it is re-assuring to know that any monies paid to us are secured by a bond administered by ABTOT. In the unlikely event that we cease trading or go into administration, the full value of your trip will be refunded. Should you be abroad at this time, the policy provides support for repatriation home. For more information on the ABTOT service, click here.

Please note, the ABTOT bond is not a substitute for adequate personal travel insurance.

What kind of travel documentation do I need?

A valid passport is required to gain entry to France. If you need to apply for a new passport or for its renewal, make such application at least eight weeks before departure. Foreign nationals are advised to contact their local French embassy to check their visa requirements. At the time of publication (November 2012) no vaccinations are required for France. The Department of Health provides health advice for travellers and online application for an EHIC card giving citizens of member states reciprocal health benefits within the EU.

www.ehic.org.uk

How big is the event?

The event is limited to 25 teams of 4 riders (so 100 riders!)

Will I Be Sharing A Room?

The standard event fee is based on twin occupancy. A limited number of single supplements are available for an additional fee. We can also arrange for your wife / partner to stay with you in Bordeaux and Paris.

Do I have to bring my own bike?

Yes, unfortunately due to the size of the event we are unable to offer hire bikes and if you do need to hire or borrow a bike we highly recommend that it is professionally serviced prior to the event

What kind of support do you offer?

There will be a wealth of support before, during and after the event to give you the best chance of making it to Paris within the time limit.
In the months leading up to the event we’ll send you regular training advice to ensure you are in peak fitness on the start line. We’ll also provide a complete packing list so you can be confident you’ve got the right gear.

Once you arrive in Bordeaux, our team of mechanics will fix any last minute gremlins before the start and be present throughout the route to offer assistance. Our medical team includes a doctor and a team of physiotherapists / massage therapists. At each checkpoint there will be a well stocked feed station where you can refuel and grab a pocketful of food to fuel you to the end of the next segment.

At the finish, the physios and masseurs will be available to ease tired legs and the barman at our hotel will be more than happy to furnish you with a well earned drink!

What mechanical support will there be?

There will be a fleet of mechanics to support you during the event. To give yourself the best chance of completing the event we strongly recommend you have your bike serviced prior to travelling. Particular areas to check are:

  • brake blocks have adequate life in them – if in doubt have them changed
  • tyres are free from cuts
  • brake and gear cables are well lubricated and are not frayed or rusting
  • gears are smooth and properly adjusted.

Our mechanics will not mend punctures; you should carry at least two spare tubes, tyre levers and a pump or CO2 canister. If you have a more serious mechanical problem you should contact the Event Manager who will dispatch a mechanic to your location.

What kind of shape do I need to be in?

You don't need to be a professional athlete to enjoy the Rapha Bordeaux - Paris. In fact, believe it or not, you don’t even need much cycling experience. If you are prepared to follow advice and put in the hard miles to the build up to the event there is no reason you can’t make a strong contribution to your teams’ performance. After signing up you will receive regular training tips to help you prepare for the demands of the event. Please be aware that to ensure the safe running of the event, there is a minimum fitness requirement, but as long as you are regularly riding and capable of comfortably completing 100km at over 25kph by the time of the event you won't have anything to worry about!

Will I get help and support with my training, and do you have any tips?

Prior to the main ride we will be organising three training rides, beginning in April, which will be open to all registered cyclists. All cyclists will also be sent a 12 week training guide to help focus your training schedule. This ride will be challenge but with the correct training it will be a challenge you enjoy and remember for the rest of your life.

Training Tips

  • Work on your core strength – Riding for hours and hours places an extraordinary demand on your body. It's advisable to do some specific core-strengthening work to prepare you for the demands of the event. A strong core will help you to avoid injury and provide you with a stable platform to deliver more power to the pedals. You can start with simple sit-ups at home or develop a more complex programme with the help of a personal trainer at your local gym
    Stay flexible! - Closely related to core strength is flexibility. Our flexibility naturally declines with age leading to a greater chance of injury and a loss of efficiency in pedalling. Working on your flexibility will not only benefit your cycling but improve your general posture and help with general niggles such as sore lower backs and stiff necks.
  • Eat right – Nutrition plays a huge part in completing an endurance challenge like the Bordeaux - Paris. Getting your fuelling right will allow you ride faster for longer and help your recovery so you're ready to go again on your next leg. You should practice your nutrition strategy in training, in the weeks leading up to the event. In that way you can help to avoid digestion problems associated with using products you're bodies not accustomed to.
  • Train in the Sweet Spot – Training in the zone that coaches call the Sweet Spot is a time efficient way of boosting your performance. Less fatiguing than a threshold session but more taxing than an aerobic ride, riding in the Sweet Spot allows you to train more frequently and gain real results. The Sweet Spot is defined as either 90% of your threshold power or 95% of your threshold heart rate.
  • Give every ride a purpose – With limited time to train, it's essential to make the most of every minute. It's easy to go out on the bike with no purpose and "waste" the training opportunity. Have a plan for each session whether it is a sweet spot session or recovery ride. Riding with a group can help with motivation but be careful the level of the group isn't holding you back or pushing you too hard.

Can Alpe help me put on a similar event?

Alpe are the driving force behind the Bordeaux – Paris event, organising everything from route design, accommodation booking, staffing and providing key information on the event website including training advice. Alpe have strong experience of organising charity and corporate events, having organised events such as the Dallaglio Flintoff Slam 2012 and the Fireflies Tour, and work with charity and corporate partners such as Barclays and UNICEF. Alpe would be happy to discuss your event idea and help make it happen. Contact us on info@alpe.cc