Ride to Ypres
pie is a cycling events company delivering amazing bespoke bike rides throughout the UK and Europe. We create, develop, manage, operate and deliver fully supported guided group cycling trips for companies, charities and groups of individuals. All to your specific brief.
A bike ride from Kent to Ypres via the battlefields of France and Belgium. The ride finishes with observing the Last Post at the Menin Gate – the ceremony has been carried out uninterrupted since 2nd July 1928.
2 day guided ride
Bike transfers
2 different route options (195km & 1,388m elevation)
Full supported with medic, vehicles, drivers, all food and accommodation if required
Itinerary
Day 1 – Kent to Calais
We meet for registration and a briefing in Aylesford, before setting off in our guided groups and riding through the Garden of England, passing charming villages along the way. There will be 3 refreshment stops along the route, offering us the chance to refuel and rehydrate. After the afternoon stop, we’ll descend into Folkestone and ride along the seafront with the English Channel beside us.
On arrival into Dover, we’ll board the ferry for the short journey to Calais. Dinner will be on the ferry before we disembark. It’s then just a short ride to the hotel, where everyone can rest up for the night.
Day 2 – Calais to Ypres
Breakfast is taken at the hotel before we head off in our groups for Ypres. Our route takes us through France and Belgium, passing many historic and famous battlefields along the way. There will of course be time to pause to pay respect to the fallen soldiers.
We pass under the Menin Gate as we arrive into Ypres and onwards to our hotel. The Last Post is sounded each night at the gate, following which we will celebrate our achievements of the past few days at a wonderful celebration meal.
Day 3 – Return to the UK
There will be time to visit the shops and Museum in the historic town of Ypres. We will then board a coach for our journey to Calais to catch Le Shuttle for the journey back to Aylesford. Our support crew will drive ahead of the group, transporting the bikes ready for our arrival.