Destination Bordeaux
To benefit the National MS Society

Description | Itinerary | Fundraising | FAQ

Q: Is airfare included in the registration fee?
A: No, you are responsible for making your own travel arrangements and must plan to arrive at the airport in Biarritz, France before 12 noon on August 23rd, and depart on August 30th between 8 am - 12 pm.  Any travel times other than the ones specified will be your own responsibility.

Q: What happens if I want to arrive early?
A: You are welcome to arrive early, but you will need to be at the airport for pickup at the designated time with the rest of the group.

Q: Can I bring a guest?
A: We will have room for a limited number of guests. Each guest will charged the full cost of the trip, or he/she can choose to fundraise and pay the same fees as laid out in the fundraising and registration table. See the guest registration form for more information.

Q: I am being asked to raise a lot of money. Where does the money go?
A: All the fundraising money goes directly to the Central New England Chapter of the National MS Society. We anticipate a minimum of 80% direct benefit to the MS Society, with approximately 20% to cover event expenses.

Q: I’m nervous about cycling in a foreign country.
A: You will be pleasantly surprised to find that people in Europe are very friendly toward cyclists. In addition, we will have guides with every group of cyclists and support vans on the road at all times.

Q: What pre-departure materials can I expect to receive from you about what to pack, etc.?
A: Once you register, you will receive a packet of information about how to prepare for your trip covering fundraising, training, booking your flight, what to pack, etc.

Q: Will the riding be difficult? Are there mountains?
A: The ride will cover a large variety of terrain, from nearly flat along the coast, to rolling farmlands, to long climbs* in the Pyrenees. *long climbs - You will have the option of riding a climb that is 10km in length and averages 7.7 percent grade or one that is 19km in length and averages 7.1 percent grade.  Gearing suggestions would be to have a triple crankset on your bike, or use a compact crank.

Q: What kind of weather should I expect?
A: This time of year in the Aquitaine region the weather is generally sunny, warm and dry with daytime temps in the 70’s and 80’s. However, you need to be prepared to ride in all conditions including cooler temperatures, wind and rain. Weather in the mountains can be highly unpredictable.

Q: What will be the daily mileage?
A: You will ride an average of 50 miles a day. Some days will be closer to 75 miles and other days shorter, around 40 miles.

Q: How do I know if I’m fit enough for the ride?
A: We will work with each individual cyclist over the course of the coming season to determine your level of fitness and discuss options for training. We will also provide regular training tips to all registered cyclists.

Q: Should I worry about my gearing?
A: We will consult with you on bike setup, and make recommendations for gearing based on our knowledge of the route and the input we receive from you. In general, the broader range of gearing you have the better.

Q: What if my bike breaks down during the trip?
A: We will be able to make most minor repairs. There will be plenty of bike shops in the area should there be a major mechanical problem. We will do our best to keep you cycling.

Q: Will I have time to do any shopping or sightseeing?
A: We try to build in some free time every day for you to explore the incredible towns and countryside we will be visiting.  We have shorter routes planned for a few of the days to allow for a little extra free time as well.

Q: Is my bike and personal equipment safe?
A: We will take all reasonable precautions in regard to security for your bicycle. The bikes will be locked overnight, and usually stored in a secure spot in the hotel.  Ultimately you will be responsible for your own equipment.

Q: Do I need trip insurance?
A: Traveling in general can be unpredictable, and more-so when heading to Europe.

Destination Cycling strongly suggests that you carry both personal and travel insurance. Travel insurance is well worth the money it costs, here are a few reasons why:

In the event you need to cancel your trip, you can recoup the cancellation penalties, travel interruptions, delays, emergency medical expenses, lost baggage, emergency medical assistance, last-minute or emergency travel changes and more.

Travel insurance also helps protect yourself and your belongings if you can't travel or if your vacation is interrupted for any reason.

Here are a few links to some of the majors companies where you can purchase it:

www.travelex.com
www.insuremytrip.com
www.travelguard.com
www.cfig.com/travel

Take the next step. Contact us.