Mallory Park to Monaco - 1000 miles - 3 men - 9 days

[norclaj]

On the 15th May 2012, myself and two other guys will be setting off from Mallory Park (Leicestershire) and attempting to bike nearly 1000 miles to Monaco (in time for the GP as it happens).
Why would we be doing this ? To raise money for charity that's why.

Ill be riding for the Stroke Association as Stroke is something that has affected my family's life in so many ways and my fellow riders are raising money for separate charities, all with very valid reasons.

The target if possible would be £10,000 although were under no illusions of how difficult this would be.

So were in the early stages of planning but we really could do with as much advice as possible, so if anyone here has any knowledge / experience of any of the following then we would greatful to hear from you :

Route Planning (a critical element i know)
Training regimes
Diet Requirements
Sports nutrition (anticipating burning 4 - 6000 calories a day so need to replenish that some how ... )
Gaining sponsorship from company's

And also if there is anyone on here or that you know of that has done something on this scale then we would love to hear of their experiences.
We'll be doing the ride supported with 1 van + driver so this will carry all the spares, tents, food etc. As for the bikes we'll be riding off the shelf sub £1000 road bikes.

So thats it ... 9 months from now, were going to put ourselves through (expected) hell, but all for a good cause.

Thanks for reading.

Andy.

p.s. anyone got any links to an F1 team ? Hospitality passes for the GP would be good. lol.

 

[vernon]

For training you need to get your hands on Simon Doughty's Book: The Long Distance Cyclists' Handbook

It has all the anwsers to training and nutrition.

Sponsorship - that's generally an arid area for folk.

Sponsorship is no longer a guaranteed altruistic act for companies and organisations as there's not a lot of spare cash around. You are unlikely to get big ticket items donated and are more likely to be offered discounts on products. You need to be able to increase the exposure of the company names through publicity - what publicity can you offer them? When looking at approaching larger organisations you need to remember that they receive lots of approaches for sponsorship - why should they respond positively to your bid in preference to other bids - you'll need a unique selling point. Long distance bike rides are quite common so for your group you might be better off chasing local companies as your ride is of local interest and your publicity is likely to be confined to local media.

You might consider organising fund raising events prior to ride and seek goods from sponsors to raffle give out as prizes.

I also think that you need to be transparent:

Who is paying for the ferry, van, driver, bikes, tents and food?

If there's any suggestion that the costs will be deducted from the money raised, wallets will stay firmly closed.
If there's any doubts about the funding of the trip, donations will be smaller or non existent.
Folk will willingly donate to charities but are reluctant to pay for what could be perceived as a group jolly with the left over money going to charity.

 

[superbadger]

Lots of very very good points raised by Vernon. For the fundraising part... If any of you have kids approach the schools and ask them to do a Non-uniform day for a £1 a pupil and you split the monies raised. In return you guys could do a talk at an assembly with pictures about your journey once you are back.... Yea that is small scale but lots of 'big companies' sign with a given charity each year.... I swear they do it so when ppl like you ask they can say 'we are already commited.. sorry!'.... Thats how it is unfortunatly?

To do with the GP. Try contacting independant race teams and you may get a result? Or try the sales stalls companies,i used to sell bike leathers at all the Superbike meetings and could always get tickets for friends etc....

Diet- Well you should experiment with that and what you all feel comfortable with; There is a raft of products out there but a good meal at the end of each day is a given. Try and enjoy and chill the last leg of each day too; I used to finish a leg and i was still so 'switched on' it took forever to 'switch-off!' Mine are always solo so that could be the reason? I chill now on the last 10 mile so i can just get a good sleep for next day. Cereal bars are a must and some energy drink(but go easy on that stuff!).

Route- You guys should be able to work that between you.. Take in some sights,don't just make it a hard slog or you wont enjoy it!!!

Training- Yes i know its an endurance event but anyone can spin the pedals all day!!!! If you can all train 2gether thats great.... set a course that has a few hills in and do the odd sprint stuff between you too. Hills are the one to concentrate on though.... Just coz Monaco South that doesnt mean its all downhill . I would try and get to a stage in training that is beyond what you need to achieve each day..... Then it will all seem easy. Towards the end your legs will start 2 say 'What the hell are you doing 2 me?' but as a group you will get through that!

Thats it i guess? Oh and take lots of pics.... capture every moment. Good luck guys.

 

[norclaj]

For training you need to get your hands on Simon Doughty's Book: The Long Distance Cyclists' Handbook

Ill see if i can pick up a copy. Ta.

I also think that you need to be transparent:

Who is paying for the ferry, van, driver, bikes, tents and food?

We'll be paying for the tents, food etc, and we have use of a van with willing drivers so thats not needed which makes things slightly easier.

Our daughter just started primary school but we do have family members in the high school so will look into that...great idea.

To do with the GP. Try contacting independant race teams and you may get a result? Or try the sales stalls companies,i used to sell bike leathers at all the Superbike meetings and could always get tickets for friends etc....

I think this is going to be the tricky one...It would be a nice ending to the trip but if has to come out of own pockets then so be it ... it'll probley never happen again. lol.

I think the diet should be ok. None of us particully overweight, im only 11st 3 and 5'10 so i haven't got a great deal of fat, but nor do i have a great deal of muscle so need to work on the exercise of fitness.

We now have a (loose) route sorted and will post it up ... when i can remember it - it was discussed over the phone after a tough day at work. lol

My training is going to consist of cycling - lots of. Plenty of long hours turning the pedals both on the road and in the garage on the trainer through the winter months. Swimming, weights and maybe a pliates class for the core and lower back. Hopefully nine hard months with all that should get us in shape.

Thats it i guess? Oh and take lots of pics.... capture every moment. Good luck guys.

Thanks for the advice guys ... the whole experience is going to be tough but the biggest achievment ive certainly ever had ... that is if we finish.

 

[Modo]

Don`t be afraid to contact local businesses...... I did as I am doing a solo 1800 mile ride from Uk to Austria. Find a fitness trainer willing to offer their time to build you a fitness program. Get some t-shirts made so you can put your sponsors name on it, great for when you are training in your local community.

Also contact web design companies local to you maybe you can get a free website as a form of sponsorship. You will be suprised just how willing people are to help, your not asking them for money just a little of their time. Take a look at my site and look at the list of sponsors I have, they are all LOCAL to me. hopefully this may give you a few ideas Charity cycling trucker

 

[norclaj]

Nigel. Thanks for the reply. What you are doing there is amazing, not only the weight loss but to be doing the ride solo is impressive.

I had a look at your site and im impressed with what you have managed to get from the local businesses,we will most definatley be trying your approach.

Once again, thanks and good luck for your challange.

 

[Jon Parker]

Hi Andy.

Coincidentally, we are also doing almost the same ride (3 of us) from Silverstone to Monaco setting off on the 14th May. Would be good to get in touch, share experiences, etc.

Our website is www.monaco1000.com or www.facebook.com/monaco1000

I am on jonp@bback.com or 07968 107764

I look forward to hearing from you

Jon