Honister Help for Heroes Bike Ride

The Amazing Honister Help for Heroes Bike Ride

H4H provides support for wounded servicemen and women injured during the course of their duty. It is a short term charity appeal with an urgent need to raise £6 million to fund the construction of a swimming pool and gymnasium complex at Headley Court, the tri-service rehabilitation centre in Leatherhead.

Julie Bushell will be taking part in this challenge and she needs sponsorship! Even a small donation will make a big difference. Please visit her DoItForCharity page here to make your donation.

The Itinerary
6th to 10th July 2011
Download full details here

Day 1
London to Calais
Our challenge begins bright and early from Blackheath heading South on route to the coast. Our long journey today takes us through rural Kent – the Garden of England. Our path winds through traditional British countryside, along the North Downs Way before we reach the white cliffs of Dover. the ferry takes us across to Calais and our first night’s resting place.
95 miles (approx)

Day 2
Calais to Abbeville
La belle France! Stunning pituresque countryside awaits us in Northern France as we travel South through some beautiful quaint villages – do not be surprised to be greeted with a “Bonjour Monsieur/Madame” as you cycle through! Cycle through Desvres, a market town known for its ceramics and continue with the windy roads along the valley of the Caneche River. The Atois region is amazing with the Spanish influenced town of Hesdin and its tremendous architecture and close proximity to to the Battle of Agincourt. We spend the night in Abbeville – steeped in history from the war and despite being destroyed in just one night it has managed to retain its beautiful Gothic church.
75 miles (approx)

Day 3
Abbeville to Beauvais
Our route this morning follows the River Somme out of Abbeville. The Somme is perhaps most famous for its battles and you cannot fail to be reminded of the thousands who lost their lives in the war. But the Somme is also a Celtic word meaning tranquility... so summing up the feeling of the day as you cycle through this superb region. After lunch you can enjoy the countryside with a little less undulation than on previous days. We finish the day in Beauvais where the market square, Place de l’Hôtel de Ville, is a true delight. Several of the houses close to the Cathedral date back from the twelfth to the sixteenth centuries.
70 miles (approx)

Day 4
Beauvais to Paris
Our final day of cycling and the big push to Paris, our final destination. We are still treated to some stunning countryside including a lovely lunchtime in wooded area next to the River Oise. After lunch we near the outskirts of Paris and you will start to spot the familiar sights of the Eiffel Tower and the River Seine. We rendezvous in a park just North of Paris before joining together to cycle the last miles along some of the famous boulevards. Our finish point can be seen for miles above the Paris skyline and on arrival the celebration can begin!
60 miles (approx)

Day 5
Paris to London
The day is yours to soak up the Parisian way of life, explore the city, and visit the landmarks that only yesterday you were cycling by. We will meet in the afternoon at the Gare du Nord to catch our Eurostar home, arriving at St Pancras where you will be reunited with your bike and commence your onward journey home.