25th to 27th May 2012 - with Rob Henderson

British & Irish Lions Rob Henderson and the Child Bereavement Charity invite you to join us cycling from London to Amsterdam on May 25th to 27th, 2012.  200 Kms in two days on bikes, a night out in Amsterdam – and an afternoon on the train - what‘s not to like?

Starting out from the idyllic “Jewel of Havering”, Romford, your two-wheeled weekend winds it’s merry way through leafy suburbs to Chelmsford, a town notable for being the principle settlement in the borough of Chelmsford.  Next you will meander along quiet Essex roads in the afternoon sunshine (*) to Colchester, a town which was apparently popular in Roman times.  Fully refreshed after a Satsuma and a bag of crisps, you press on to Harwich, a place where boats live. Here you will reluctantly dismount your (t)rusty steed, board our luxury yacht, feast on the finest foods know to man, and sleep off your excesses in a state-room.(**)  Whilst you sleep, we will skim you across the moonlit waves to a strange and fantastic world – Holland. More precisely The Hook of Holland, a piece of Holland know for it’s ‘hookiness’. And its ferry terminal. 

Day Two starts here, breezing away from the harbour, waving to friendly locals as you go.  Then onwards, riding up the coast, past windmills, across dykes, over tulips, and through clichés, finishing in Dam square, Amsterdam.  Upon your arrival you will be offered Champagne, or a cheaper, sweeter substitute, before retiring to the hotel for a shower and change.  After a celebration dinner you may wish for a night out sampling the cultural delights of Amsterdam, a city with 51 museums and 1,281 bridges. As the museums will mostly be closed by that time, you will probably want to look at the bridges.  Whatever you choose to do, it promises to be a lot of fun. 

On Sunday you will spring from your bed to greet a beautiful new day. You can spend the morning eating a leisurely breakfast, touring those 51 museums, or crossing any bridges you didn’t cover on Saturday night, before boarding the THALYS train to Brussels.  Finally the Eurostar back to St Pancras, where you will hopefully be reunited with your bike and luggage, and set loose in the middle of London, with a glowing sense of achievement.  Accompanied not only by Rob Henderson but also a support vehicle, carrying luggage, snacks, drinks, spare bikes and broken riders, we will get you to Amsterdam in style. 

To find out more contact Emma Riley on 01494 568912 or view more information and book your place today.

To take part we ask for a £100 deposit and a pledge to raise £1200.

(*Other weather types are available.)

(** It is just possible that this may be a shared berth on a ferry, and food that will do little more than ‘fill a hole’.)