Paris to Hayling Charity Cycle Ride 2009

The Paris to Hayling annual event, now in its 24th year, has established a substantial track record, both in the world of cycling and that of charitable fund-raising. It combines the challenges of cycling 285 miles over three and a half days or 420 miles over six days and that of raising at least £150 for the charity of your choice. Over £1,000,000 has been raised through the event, with over 500 charities and deserving causes benefiting. Last year’s ride presented the organisers with the greatest challenge in the history of the event - devising six days of completely new route and organising hotels and waystops in the new destinations en route. It was a popular success and so we shall ride the same route, with minor tweakings, although this year we shall not be visiting Gorron, but devising a new route from Rennes to Laval.

This year we have 43 riders on the 3½-Day event, which entails a coach journey from Portsmouth to a meeting point between Laval and Angers, taking the overnight ferry via St Malo, on 14th July. The 3½-Day riders meet up with a further 105 cyclists, who have cycled 125 miles over the preceding two and a half days, starting in St Malo and overnighting in Rennes and Laval.

All cycle into Angers together and over the next three days ride to Tours and Alencon, then to Caen for a party at the Castle, before returning to Hayling via Ouistreham and Portsmouth on the Brittany Ferries’ fastcat on the Sunday morning of 19th July. Our dedicated support crew accompanies us at all times; equipped with refreshments, bike spares and first-aid assistance. Riders’ bags are carried in the vans and are ready at their hotel at 5pm each day.