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Coast to Coast Cycle Trip

1st-4th October 2009

With a great Autumn lined up full of events, British Military Fitness has decided to add yet another fantastic event into the calendar which is guarenteed to challenge both your mind and your physical condition!

This October we are getting on our bikes and cycling from tipping our toes at the start in the Irish Sea to dipping them in at the finish in the North Sea. Around 15,000 people take on this challenge every year and now its your turn! You'll be starting off on the West Coast working your way through Cumbria, over to Penrith heading onto the Northern Pennines and finishing up on the East Coast covering a grand total of 135 miles!

 

The Basics:

• Dates: 1st-4th October 2009
• Meeting Point: Uxbridge Tube Station at 16:00 hrs on Thursday 1st October
• Starting Location: Whitehaven
• Destination: Sunderland
• Returning to Uxbridge Tube Station approximately at 22:00 hrs on Sunday 4th October

This event is open to everyone, not just BMF members. Getting yourself into prime shape is not essential but you will need a decent level of fitness as well as being a competent bike rider and have a good sense of humour! The good news is your bags will be driven to your accommodation each day.

Coast to Coast is a great way to see parts of Britain you may not have seen before and in a healthy way! You may just wish to enjoy this challenge with a group of friends or feel free to join up on your own and make some new driends! If you would like to fundraise for a good cause to help pay for this event please visit our Charity page for more information.

 
 

Cost: £450 per person

Included in the package:

• Pre departure information and training advice
• Minibus transport from and to London
• Vehicle back up throughout the event
• 4 x Trail Cycle Leaders on hand to help guide you through the challenge
• 3 x nights B&B/Bunk House accommodation
• 3 x Breakfast
• 3 x packed lunch
• 2 x Evening Meals
• Tea/coffee/snacks on route
• Full cycling/mechanical/logistical support throughout the event
• Advanced First Aid back up throughout the event

Not included in package:

• Mountain bike (see 'Bikes' below for price of hiring)
• Insurance
• Towels
• Kit (see below)
• Alcohol

You will not have to cycle with all the kit you bring up for the weekend as these will be put in the vans when going from one destination to the other. However it is advised that you have a day sack which you can keep your essentials in such as water and food.

 
 

Bikes:

Although it is possible to bring your own bike with you, we do recommend you consider hiring one instead. This way you can be sure you have the correct type of bike needed and more importantly if you have a breakdown or tyre puncture, our instructors will be on hand knowing they have the right kit needed to help you get back on the trail again.

Hiring a bike with us will cost £60 for the 3 days. With it you will get all the mechanical support needed if you breakdown from the necessary tool kit to chain links, allen keys to spanners and tyre levers to lubricant. They will have everything you need!

If you are thinking of bringing your own bike, below is a very basic list of checks you should carry out before you start and this is something that should not be done the night before you set off! If you are in any doubt regarding the maintence then please take your bike to a local bike shop and get it serviced.

Brakes - Make sure the blocks are not rubbing on the tyre when you apply your brakes, also check the blocks hit the rim squarely and do not slide under the rim. Check that the blokes are not overly worn and that they connect with the rim cleanly.

Cables - Check that neither the gear or the brake cables are frayed. If they are, replace them.

Tyres - The tyres should be inflated correctly to the manufacturers recommendations and check the amount of tread left. Again, if in doubt, replace them.

Lubrication - Apply lubrication to front and rear mechs, brake holder pivots, all entry and exit points on cable outers, chain, brake lever pivot points and reapply lubrication at the end of each days riding.

Spares - Prepare to have with you: Lights and batteries, brake blocks, straddle wires, puncture repair kit, inner tube and bike lock.

Training:

As we mentioned above you do not need to be extremely fit to sign up to this challenge. However we strongly recommend that if you wish to get the best out of yourself on this event you train to our guidelines below:

• Cycle four times per week for at least an hour each time
• Spinning/Circuit training
• Endurance exercises
• A minimum of 6 hours riding over undulating terrain
• Be able to ride 12 miles comfortably per hour

Please do not see the above as a set of strict rules but we highly advise that you train in advance for this event so to get your body into a state where you won't be struggling after the first day and can still enjoy yourself!

Kit List:

• Cycling helmet
• Cycling gloves
• Cycling shorts
• Hat
• Running/Cycling leggings
• Base Layer shirt
• Light Weight Waterproof jacket
• Light Weight Fleece
• Head Torch
• Training/Trekking shoes
• Small rucksack (30 litres max)
• Camelbak
• Camera
• Wash Kit
• Sleeping bag
• Evening pub clothes
• Energy snacks/drinks
• Sandals/Flip flops
• Towels

There are only a limited number of places available on this trip so if you are keen please book as soon as you can. Click here to reserve your place through our online shop. Please note, as with all BMF events, your deposit for the Coast to Coast Trip is non-refundable or transferable. You will receive a final reminder via email when your final payment is due which is on Friday 28th August.

As with all BMF events, your safety is our number one concern. Experienced Trail Cycle Leaders will be on hand throughout the course to manage tricky sections of the route. Those signing up for this event must accept that there is an element of risk involved in such activities.

If you require any further information please click here to email Crispin or call the Events team on 020 7751 9742.

To go back to the events homepage please click here