Cycle Poland 2011 - a 1000km charity cycle challenge - raises £15,000 for medical equipment
Our 20 brave cyclists from Britain and Poland have now completed their journey of over 1000km from the south border to the north coast of Poland. There are plenty of photos and stories on our blog and our facebook page.
Our aim was to raise funds for equipment that will be used to provide care for terminally ill patients, and to raise awareness of the wonderful work of these organisations. We have had fantastic press coverage, and we have raised almost £15,000, which has already been used to provide equipment for hospices across the country - anti bed-sore mattresses, pulse-oxymeters, dressings, life support equipment and other medical supplies. We visited 10 hospices and voluntary palliative care organisations along the way, where we received a fantastic welcome and were able to learn more about their work and to see how equipment donated by the Foundation is being used. Almost 500 people took part in Cycle Poland 2011 - 20 for the whole 1000km, others for just one day or a few km. We are incredibly grateful to everyone for taking part, and helping make our journey such a wonderful experience. You can find out more about our cyclists here and a map of our route is below. And of course it is never too late to sponsor our riders by clicking donate below. Any donation is hugely appreciated. |
Thank you to our generous sponsors and partners for Cycle Poland 2011:
Our itinerary
Fri 8 July: fly to Katowice
Sat 9 July: Bielsko Biała - Cieszyn 64 km map
After visiting the local hospice (http://www.hospicjum.bielsko.pl/) and a press conference we set off towards the rolling green Beskidy hills. For the adventurous - a climb to the top of the local ski resort, and for those who wish to take it easy - a flatter detour, or a lift in the van to the top of the hill for a breathtaking descent. For part of the day we will be joined by riders from local schools and hospices.
Sun 10 July: Cieszyn - Świerklaniec 110 km map
We start off from the border crossing on the southern edge of Poland and after an official send off from the local hospice start heading north, to visit two more voluntary organisations along the way.
Mon 11 July: Świerklaniec- Dobroszyce 114 km map
Stopping en route to visit the Monastery of Jasna Gora - Poland's national shrine and a great place to people watch, as well as the local hospice.
Tue 12 July: Dobroszyce - Łódź - Aleksandrów Łódzki 116 km map
An opportunity to meet voluntary groups in Łódź, Poland's third largest city, and visit one of our sponsors, Fujitsu. Łódź has a population of 1.5m but no residential hospice - we hope our ride will raise the profile of the campaign to change this.
Wed 13 July: Aleksandrów Łódzki - Gołaszewo (Włocławek) 134 km map
One of our longest days - but luckily mostly flat or even downhill!
Thu 14 July: Gołaszewo (Włocławek) - Toruń 135 km map
Time to explore Toruń, a medieval city full of Gothic architecture whose Old Town is part of Unesco's World Heritage list. It's also the birthplace of Copernicus, and is the home of Poland's iconic gingerbread (pierniki). We will visit a hospice in Wloclawek in the morning, and one in Toruń in the afternoon.
Fri 15 July: Toruń - Gniew 129 km map
En route is the old Teutonic Knight town of Chelmno, and vistas of the Vistula river.
Saturday 16 July: Gniew - Sałkowice (Elbląg) 114 km map
A couple of ancient castles to spot en route, and Poland's lowest point (1.8m below sea level). A visit to the Elblag hospice to see the rehabilitation room, one of the projects funded by Cycle Poland 2010.
Sunday 17 July: Sałkowice - Elbląg - Gdańsk 122 km map
Along the Baltic coast to the end of the Vistula river - and Gdansk, a beautiful vibrant city, which is the perfect finale to our journey. Time for a final hospice visit, a press conference and a well earned beer!
Fly home on Monday 18 July.
Sat 9 July: Bielsko Biała - Cieszyn 64 km map
After visiting the local hospice (http://www.hospicjum.bielsko.pl/) and a press conference we set off towards the rolling green Beskidy hills. For the adventurous - a climb to the top of the local ski resort, and for those who wish to take it easy - a flatter detour, or a lift in the van to the top of the hill for a breathtaking descent. For part of the day we will be joined by riders from local schools and hospices.
Sun 10 July: Cieszyn - Świerklaniec 110 km map
We start off from the border crossing on the southern edge of Poland and after an official send off from the local hospice start heading north, to visit two more voluntary organisations along the way.
Mon 11 July: Świerklaniec- Dobroszyce 114 km map
Stopping en route to visit the Monastery of Jasna Gora - Poland's national shrine and a great place to people watch, as well as the local hospice.
Tue 12 July: Dobroszyce - Łódź - Aleksandrów Łódzki 116 km map
An opportunity to meet voluntary groups in Łódź, Poland's third largest city, and visit one of our sponsors, Fujitsu. Łódź has a population of 1.5m but no residential hospice - we hope our ride will raise the profile of the campaign to change this.
Wed 13 July: Aleksandrów Łódzki - Gołaszewo (Włocławek) 134 km map
One of our longest days - but luckily mostly flat or even downhill!
Thu 14 July: Gołaszewo (Włocławek) - Toruń 135 km map
Time to explore Toruń, a medieval city full of Gothic architecture whose Old Town is part of Unesco's World Heritage list. It's also the birthplace of Copernicus, and is the home of Poland's iconic gingerbread (pierniki). We will visit a hospice in Wloclawek in the morning, and one in Toruń in the afternoon.
Fri 15 July: Toruń - Gniew 129 km map
En route is the old Teutonic Knight town of Chelmno, and vistas of the Vistula river.
Saturday 16 July: Gniew - Sałkowice (Elbląg) 114 km map
A couple of ancient castles to spot en route, and Poland's lowest point (1.8m below sea level). A visit to the Elblag hospice to see the rehabilitation room, one of the projects funded by Cycle Poland 2010.
Sunday 17 July: Sałkowice - Elbląg - Gdańsk 122 km map
Along the Baltic coast to the end of the Vistula river - and Gdansk, a beautiful vibrant city, which is the perfect finale to our journey. Time for a final hospice visit, a press conference and a well earned beer!
Fly home on Monday 18 July.