FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
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| 1. What's included? |
| 2. What's not included? |
| 3. How much does it cost? |
| 4. Do I have to sign up as part of a team? |
| 5. How fit do I need to be? |
| 6. What is the average speed of the lead pace riders? Or what pace do I need to maintain to reach the finish line in under 24hrs as a solo cyclist?
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| 7. I’d like to do this event solo, but have a friend as a back-up relay partner, will this be okay? |
| 8. Can I take part in relay with myself because I don’t have a partner? |
| 9. Can I drop my bike and bag off at registration the night before the event? |
| 10. What about rest and sleep? |
| 11. What sort of bike do I need? |
| 12. What equipment do I need? |
| 13. Do I need a bike lock? |
| 14. What's it like cycling at night? |
| 15. What type of lights do you recommend for the night stages? |
| 16. What mechanical support do you provide? |
| 17. What if I get lost? |
| 18. How will I find my way? |
| 19. What happens to my baggage? |
| 20. How safe are my belongings along the route? |
| 21. How do I get on/off the ferry? |
| 22. What food is provided? |
| 23. How do I join and leave the event? |
| 24. What happens after we finish the event? |
| 25. I want to travel back straight after the event, how do I arrange this? |
| 26. What time is my Eurostar train? |
| 27. How are bikes transported back to the UK? |
| 28. I’d like to extend my trip what happens to my bike? |
| 29. Hotel twin share accommodation - sharing preferences |
| 30. Can you book additional services for friends and family? |
| 31. What insurance will I need? |
| 32. What happens if I cannot take part? |
| 33. Who do I speak to about Fundraising? |
| 34. What happens if I don't reach my fundraising target? |
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What's included?
- online rider resource via participants area
- invite to rider briefing day - fully signed route, rider maps, GPS downloads, - professional bike mechanics, pace riders, medics, drivers - all food on event including hot meals en-route - celebratory dinner Paris - bike transportation (en-route + return of cycles to UK) - full vehicle support - event timing system for all cyclists - Ferry crossing Dover Calais - Hotel accommodation in Paris (twin-share) - Return Eurostar to the UK
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What's not included?
- bike
- insurance - travel, personal liability/personal accident
- bike insurance
- lunch in Paris on Sunday 8th July 2013
- items of a personal nature including alcohol
- cycling accessories, lights, helmet, and clothing
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How much does it cost?
Registration Fee (non-refundable)
£99 per rider
Fundraising Target*
£1200 per rider
*At least £800 per person of the fundraising target must have been received by the charity 11 weeks prior to the event (Friday 19 April 2013).
Balance of sponsorship and fundraising monies(£400 per person + any excess) must be submitted to the charity no later than 4 weeks subsequent to the event (Friday 30 Aug 2013).
VIP packages available for teams of 10 or more and corporate entries. Please email events@scope.org.uk for more information on the corporate packages on offer.
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Do I have to sign up as part of a team?
No. Teams of 2 are encouraged and individuals registrations are accepted.
All riders nominate their preferred cycling format - either relay or full distance.
Individual riders will be paired up with another cyclist in terms of administration (room sharing etc).
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How fit do I need to be?
L2P24 is a tough cycling challenge requiring stamina and endurance. You will need to be prepared to endure long stints in the saddle (stages average 35 miles), with little rest, and as the event progresses under conditions of sleep deprivation and extreme tiredness.
You will need to train to undertake this challenge (a full training plan is available in the participants area).
Attempting to cycle the full distance is only recommended for accomplished riders who are willing to put the hours in the saddle to train and prepare for the event. Even cycling the relay format will typically result in 180 miles or more being covered in the 24 hour period by riders.
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What is the average speed of the lead pace riders? Or what pace do I need to maintain to reach the finish line in under 24hrs as a solo cyclist?
This is a tough endurance challenge over long
distances with a lack of sleep. To be able to complete the distance in 24 hours
you will need to be at an average pace of at least 15mph. Our pace riders at
the front of the peloton will be hitting an average of 18mph.
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I’d like to do this event solo, but have a friend as a back-up relay partner, will this be okay?
It is up to you and your team mate how you
split up the stages, whether you wish to do the full distance or become a
relayer. The main aim is to cover the 280 miles route and get you to Paris
within 24 hours however you cover the mileage.
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Can I take part in relay with myself because I don’t have a partner?
This is possible and we ask you to tell us if
you don’t have a relay partner in the Rider Details Form, released in Spring
2013. The charity Scope will then try to pair you up should there be another
rider without a relay partner. However we do recommend you try to find a team
mate, so that you can share the training, distance and the memories.
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Can I drop my bike and bag off at registration the night before the event?
The will be an option to drop your bike
off and main bag at the hotel, in a room we reserve for the event and you will
be advised of timings and the hotel location in Spring 2013. However all bikes
and bags although locked up overnight, are left at your own risk. We recommend
you have the relevant cover for your bike and belongings as part of your
insurance for the challenge. Insurance advise is available in the participants
area of the website.
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What about rest and sleep?
The event is continuous and the time pressures mean there is little time built-in for rest. At each transition stop (circa 35 miles) riders have the chance to rest and recuperate, and take on more food, water, and use the toilets (this is typically 15 to 30 minutes dependent upon your pace).
There is a good window for rest during the Ferry process and many riders use the crossing to grab some valuable shut-eye.
When riding relay format, non-cyclists are shuttled to the next rest stop by comfortable coach and use the time to rest and sleep.
One night 3*hotel accommodation on a twin-share basis is provided in Paris. Details of your hotel will be confirmed to you in Spring 2013.
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What sort of bike do I need?
This is a tough, road cycling challenge and it's recommended that you only undertake the event on a well-maintained and serviced road cycle with slick tyres.
It is not suitable for mountain bikes.
In 2012 one rider completed the full distance on a Brompton folded bike, its tough but achievable, with the right training, and we welcome you to try!
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What equipment do I need?
A full and comprehensive equipment and clothing list is available within the Participants Area and you are advised to refer to this carefully - some items are essential, others recommended. Please note in addition to items normally required for cycling - you'll also be expected to have cycling lights mounted front and rear and at least one piece of high visibility clothing.
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Do I need a bike lock?
No this is not compulsory. All bikes on the
ferry are secured by the load master, however we recommend removing any
valuables from saddle bags. Each rest stop has bike racking with Action
Challenge staff managing each rest stop site. All bikes are left at your own
risk but a bike lock in not compulsory. We recommend you have the relevant
cover for your bike as part of your insurance for the challenge. Insurance
advise is available in the participants area of the website.
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What's it like cycling at night?
Very different to cycling by day! Especially when cycling as part of a group. Obviously visibility is reduced but also depth perception and judging distances becomes more difficult. It is a skill which you are advised to practice in the company of others and be comfortable with riding long distances in the dark and relying upon your cycle lights only. A night cycling protocol is posted in the participants area and more information will be included in your Departure Pack.
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What type of lights do you recommend for the night stages?
You need a good pair of bike lights for the night stage, they don't have to be the most expensive on the market but a reasonable pair from your local bike shop will do the job. Speak to the staff and they will be able to offer advice on individual lights.
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What mechanical support do you provide?
You are advised to get your bike thoroughly serviced and a bike MOT conducted at your local cycle shop before joining the ride. There will be professional bike mechanics on hand at the start for last-minute tweaks and also at rest-stops for problems incurred along route. These mechanics also patrol the route in support vehicles and will stop to assist as required. In extreme cases we may have substitute bikes to switch in with any cycles damaged beyond repair but this cannot be guaranteed.
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What if I get lost?
You will probably be riding in small groups or as part of a larger peloton for most of the way so it is very unlikely that you would lose the route. Should this happen we have a loss procedure in place which you will be briefed upon and support vehicles available to locate you and bring you back onto route should this be necessary!
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How will I find my way?
The route will be fully signed signed (using reflective signage with glow sticks where appropriate), you will also be issued with personal rider maps as a back-up. Support cyclists and pace riders will be on hand to assist at awkward junctions and provide encouragement up the hills!
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What happens to my baggage?
All riders are restricted to 1 piece of main baggage (ideally soft) not exceeding 50L / 10 kg in capacity/weight and 1 day bag/ruck-sack.
Your main bag is labelled and transported from the start in London to the finish in Paris. Riders then claim this baggage and are responsible for it (including carrying back on Eurostar).
All riders should bring a daypack to carry personal items, spare riding clothing, warm clothing, wet weather gear, personal items. This daypack will travel with you on the participant transport throughout the event and will be available at the rest stops. It is advised that you cycle with this bag onto the ferry.
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How safe are my belongings along the route?
Your main bag travels straight to Paris on
our baggage transfer vehicles, along with your bike bag or box, if you intend
on bringing one. These are kept locked up until the early morning of 7th
July. Your day bag travels with you along the route in our rider coaches and is
stored underneath the coach or can be left with a relay partner should you have
one. All sites are managed by Action Challenge staff but we recommend you take
out personal baggage insurance as part of your event insurance package and that
this covers loss, damage or theft. Insurance advise is available in the
participants area of the website.
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How do I get on/off the ferry?
All participants are required to cycle onto
the ferry from the last rest stop in Dover. You must bring a suitable bag that
you can cycle with for the short 2 mile distance to the port and waiting ferry loading.
You will cycle off the ferry and can drop your bag at our rest stop just
outside of Calais.
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What food is provided?
All meals will be provided whilst on the challenge starting with the first transition stop outside approximately 20 miles from London, and continuing approximately every 35 miles along the route.
There will be a celebratory dinner for riders in Paris and a hotel breakfast before leaving France.
The food is plentiful and varied with hot meal stops along the route, snack bags and water. Our on event caterers are specialists for sporting events, to ensure that all the food we are providing is suitable for the challenge. We also recommend that you bring your favourite energy drinks and snacks to consume whilst on the challenge.
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How do I join and leave the event?
Joining & Departure Information is posted in the Participants Area but you should provision to transport yourself, your bike, and your personal baggage to the start in London ideally being dropped off by friends or family, cycling, or joining by public transport.
You will return to the UK on a mid-afternoon Eurostar and arriving in London St Pancras you will be re-united with your bike and continue with your onward travel arrangements.
Exact timings and more detailed joining instructions will be supplied in your Departure Pack.
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What happens after we finish the event?
You will celebrate, rack your bike, enjoy the
buffet lunch provided, pick up your main bag and there is an option to have a
shower, if you wish. Hotel check-in is not until 15:30 so there will be plenty
of time to relax and recuperate.
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I want to travel back straight after the event, how do I arrange this?
You need to tell us in advance in the Rider
Details Form and you will need to arrange your own travel arrangements but your
luggage will be at the finish. We recommend not booking any travel until later
on in the afternoon due to unforeseen route changes or delays on the event.
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What time is my Eurostar train?
Your exact Eurostar timing will be confirmed in the departure pack. We hope to be on the 14:13 departure arriving in the UK at 15:29.
All bookings are made as a group reservation and therefore we will not be able to change your return date or time. We are only able to supply tickets for participants booked onto the challenge. Any additional Eurostar tickets will need to be booked independently.
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How are bikes transported back to the UK?
All bikes will be returned to the UK in trucks, and will be awaiting collection at St Pancras International. The bikes will be packed securely with racking and padding, however you are welcome to bring additional foam tubing or a bike bag if you so wish.
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I’d like to extend my trip what happens to my bike?
You can arrange for your bike to be taken
back to the UK and delivered to you at a later date (at an additional cost). We
will advise you of our cycle transfer details in Spring 2013 and provide you
with a link and contact to make this booking.
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Hotel twin share accommodation - sharing preferences
All bookings for the hotel in Paris are based on a single sex, twin share basis. If you are in a group or have friends/family taking part in the ride, we will ask you to indicate your preferred room share 2 months prior to the ride in our compulsory online Rider Details Form. We will try to accommodate all room share requests.
If you are a individual taking part in L2P24 then we will put you in a room share with someone of a similar age to you.
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Can you book additional services for friends and family?
Many friends, family, supporters travel to Paris to the finish line to welcome in L2P24 riders.
Friends & Family are unable to come to
the Celebration Dinner. This event is booked under advanced group bookings for
twin share hotels, the celebratory dinner and Eurostar return, these bookings
are made a year in advance and for the number of riders only. Therefore we
are unable to accommodate any additions to the hotel or celebration dinner.
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What insurance will I need?
Participants on London to Paris 24 are strongly advised to ensure they have a valid Travel Insurance policy for the ride. This will include medical repatriation to the UK, personal accident cover, personal liability cover, and curtailment in the case of your being unable to participate in the event on medical or compassionate grounds.
Please refer to the Insurance Advice as issued in the Participants Area for further details.
Bike insurance is not compulsory but highly recommended and protects your bike against damage, theft, and loss. Please note that neither the organisers Action challenge, nor the Charities accept any liability whatsoever in respect of damage, theft, or loss of personal property (including bikes!) whilst on the Event however caused.
You are advised to bring a bike lock which will be used to secure your cycle in the start and finish pens.
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What happens if I cannot take part?
Your deposit is "non-refundable” but we review cancellations on a case by case basis, and riders may be able to transfer deposits onto the next years ride.
If you have collected fundraising monies then there are strict rules surrounding the refund of donations to donors or the notification to them that you will not be participating and you must seek guidance from Scope, please email events@scope.org.uk
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Who do I speak to about Fundraising?
Scope have a great team on hand to support you in your fundraising activities. A point of contact for additional fundraising support, advice, and materials is contained within your welcome pack - and you can email events@scope.org.uk or call the supporter care team on 0207 617 7286
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What happens if I don't reach my fundraising target?
L2P24 is a charity fundraising cycling challenge.
You will submit ideally all of the£1200 fundraising target and certainly no less than £800 by 19 April 2013 to confirm your place on the ride.
All sponsorship and fundraising monies should be collected and submitted to the charity no later than 30 Aug 2013.
Scope rely on your commitment and honesty to fulfil this pledge and the team at L2P24 hope that you will work hard to surpass the target and meet the deadlines!
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