The Golfe du Lion Challenge is to individuals to cycle 520 miles in seven days climbing over 12000 meters raising as much money as possible for charity. Starting at Marseille Airport early on Saturday 8th May 2010 after arriving from Gatwick, participants will cycle around the Golfe du Lion in southern France finishing in Cadaques in northern Spain, returning to the UK on Saturday 15th May.
Cyclists will cross the Carmargue into the Alpilles passing Les Baux-de-Provence and Nimes before climbing into the Cevennes national park. The longest day will be 110 miles along the beautiful Gorges du Tarn passing under the 2.5 km span of the Foster designed Millau suspension bridge. Heading south, riders will spend a night under the walls of the medieval fortress of Carcassonne before heading into the Pyrenean mountains. Thermal spas are on hand before and after day six, starting from Ax-les-Thermes, the Col de Pailhère is 18.6 km long. Over this distance, the climb is 1281 m (an average percentage of 6.9%) with a maximum gradient of 10.4% near the 2001 meter high summit. The climb has already been used in three stages of the Tour de France in 2003, 2005 and 2007 and it will also be following the Challenge in 2010! Descending to the coast on day seven, the route passes the picturesque port of Collioure before winding over the border to Spain and the last night in Dali’s home fishing village of Cadaques.
The Challenge will be made up of ordinary people rising to the Golfe du Lion Challenge to raise money for worthy causes. Numbers are strictly limited to 30 and there will be two sets of marshals. Participants must be fit enough to undertake this considerable Challenge and must raise a minimum of £250 for a charity of their own choice, though they are strongly encouraged to beat last year’s top individual total of £3700.
The cost of entry is £685 and this covers flights from London Gatwick to Marseille, separate bike transport to and from the UK, and half board accommodation in good two and three star hotels each night, with the exception of Carcassonne where riders will enjoy B&B and an evening in the old city at leisure. Due to the variety of airlines, airports and destinations, the return flight is NOT included in the entry fee. Transport will be arranged to Girona airport on the Saturday for the Gatwick and Bournemouth Ryanair flights and participants are urged to book their flights online as soon as their entry is confirmed by email. Transport may also be arranged to Barcelona if there is sufficient demand.
Please email trustees@challengeadventurecharities.org.uk for more information and an entry form.