2016 Hospice Cycle - Roussillion to Barcelona

Mercian Pro

The route for this year's Hospice Cycle has been announced and the official brochure launch by Paul Kimmage should happen in the next few weeks. A good few of us who have been on previous outings in France, Spain and Italy are signing up and expect that Roussillion to Barcelona will be a really good mix of coastal and "hilly" cycling.

As before, the route and logistics are arranged by Cycling Safaris and there will be less arduous options some days to suit less experienced cyclists. I can strongly recommend it even though the training and fund-raising are likely to be quite a challenge too. Funds raised go to the Nurses for Night Care service which provides free night-time nursing care in the home for those at end of life.

More info on the IHF site at http://hospicefoundation.ie/fundraising/events/the-kingspan-ihf-cycle-challenge-2016/

WakeyTyke

Must give a big shout out for the IHF cycle. The planning and preparation that goes into the week is second-to-none. The sheer joy of having to do nothing but ride a bike is blissful

Mercian Pro

Mercian Pro wrote: »

The route for this year's Hospice Cycle has been announced and the official brochure launch by Paul Kimmage should happen in the next few weeks. A good few of us who have been on previous outings in France, Spain and Italy are signing up and expect that Roussillion to Barcelona will be a really good mix of coastal and "hilly" cycling.

As before, the route and logistics are arranged by Cycling Safaris and there will be less arduous options some days to suit less experienced cyclists. I can strongly recommend it even though the training and fund-raising are likely to be quite a challenge too. Funds raised go to the Nurses for Night Care service which provides free night-time nursing care in the home for those at end of life.

More info on the IHF site at http://hospicefoundation.ie/fundraising/events/the-kingspan-ihf-cycle-challenge-2016/

I am always suspicious of foreign fundraisers, as I feel that the organising companies are only in it to profit themselves.
If you want to raise funds, why not do a cycle here in Ireland? That way ALL the money raised would go to the deserving cause.

koutoubia

Would love to do this but will be on holidays.
Must mark it down for next year.

wanderer 22

Deleted User wrote: »

I am always suspicious of foreign fundraisers, as I feel that the organising companies are only in it to profit themselves.
If you want to raise funds, why not do a cycle here in Ireland? That way ALL the money raised would go to the deserving cause.

Does your suspicion raise much money? Looks like a great event.

Mercian Pro

Deleted User wrote: »

I am always suspicious of foreign fundraisers, as I feel that the organising companies are only in it to profit themselves.
If you want to raise funds, why not do a cycle here in Ireland? That way ALL the money raised would go to the deserving cause.

In signing up to the Hospice cycle, participants commit to paying the travel, accommodation, food, support, etc costs themselves and also to fundraise a target amount for the Hospice Foundation. All the fundraising goes to the Nurses for Night Care service and many people have raised considerably more than the minimum amount. There is no question of the Hospice Foundation being in it to profit themselves.

A five day charity cycling event in Ireland will naturally have costs as well. Most charity Sportives (as opposed to commercial ones) will have costs that must be met from the entry fee. I have heard of people fundraising for walks in China and South America where a substantial proportion of the fundraising goes on costs and not the charity. That is certainly not the case here.

colm18

colm18 wrote: »

Does your suspicion raise much money? Looks like a great event.

Yes, Hundreds every year, actually. All raised locally for local causes, including Hospice, with ALL money going to the good causes with no travel groups or other organisers making a penny from them.

WakeyTyke

Deleted User wrote: »

Yes, Hundreds every year, actually. All raised locally for local causes, including Hospice, with ALL money going to the good causes with no travel groups or other organisers making a penny from them.

I have done the Hospice cycle 6 times and raised over €20,000 and every cent went to the IHF because I paid all the expenses (and a good bit more besides) myself for each event. For me it is also a fantastic cycling holiday on great roads, with beautiful surroundings, in glorious weather and with wonderful company.

Every year I also participate in countless Irish charity cycles in wet, windy weather on appalling roads. I know which I prefer :rolleyes:

trek tom

Have to echo those sentiments . Costs are clearly quoted along with fundraising target. The proof of the success of the IHF cycles is the number of cyclists (of all levels) who come back year after year . I'm hoping to do number 6 this year and renew acquaintances with participants, guides and IHF support crew who I now regard as friends

Mercian Pro

Sixty two currently signed up for this year's cycle and room left for just a few more. Wouldn't really recommend joining at this late stage unless you have been doing a reasonable amount of training over the last few months.
The route has also been tweaked a bit by Cycling Safaris and should be even better. Really looking forward to heading off to France/Spain in a months time.

Wishbone Ash

Deleted User wrote: »

I am always suspicious of foreign fundraisers, as I feel that the organising companies are only in it to profit themselves.
If you want to raise funds, why not do a cycle here in Ireland? That way ALL the money raised would go to the deserving cause.

Many cyclists would be very interested in cycling abroad where there is a much greater abundance of spectacular mountainous routes than available at home but they may not have the wherewithall to organise a multi day cycle for themselves which includes mechanical back-up, luggage transfer, broom wagon etc. Sure, you could organise one at home, but there would be much less interest in it and therefore less money raised.

(Weather is another factor. I cycle abroad several times per year and can only recall one day of rain in all those cycles).