Cycle Poland 2012 - a 1000km charity cycle challenge - from the mountains to the sea
9 - 17 July 2011
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An amazing challenge - ride from the beautiful Polish mountains in the south to the Baltic Sea in the north in 9 days and help to raise funds for Polish hospices.
The team will include Polish and British cyclists, and a support van (so no carrying heavy packs). We will cycle around 110km each day, over generally flat terrain. 110km a day is a great challenge and the perfect motivation to get fit - but eminently doable even for those who have not cycled before. We will visit several hospices en route so that you can see first hand the work that they do, meet patients and talk to staff and volunteers. You'll be able to see the work you are supporting, and of course sample some traditional Polish hospitality. The route will take us off the beaten track to see parts of Poland your average tourist would never experience as well as some of the country's classic sights: a breathtaking descent through the Beskidy mountains, exploring the ancient city of Torun, soaking up the atmosphere in Czestochowa monastery, drinking vodka with the locals or simply cycling through beautiful countryside. Cycle Poland 2010 was an amazing success, and we hope to make Cycle Poland 2011 the best cycling challenge in Europe. Come and be part of it! If you're interested in being part of Cycle Poland 2011, or just have any questions: email us. To see a film about the 2010 ride, please have a look here. |
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Our itinerary
Fri 8 July: fly to Katowice
Sat 9 July: Bielsko Biała - Cieszyn 64 km map
After a hospice visit 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 a hospice visit 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.
