Charity Cycle to Normandy

Charlie Bladon (C1 1984-89) and Green Jersey Cycling Tours are organising a cycle ride in aid of ABF The Soldiers’ Charity to Normandy from 5-10 August 2019. This is the fourth ride they have done for them and the first three incarnations have raised £280,000 for this very worthwhile charity, which coincidentally was founded in 1944. So far they have ridden to Compiegne, to the Somme and from Verdun but it was appropriate given the 75th anniversary of D Day to turn their attention to WW2. 

The route will follow the whole Battle for Normandy from the D Day landing beaches to the closure of the Falaise pocket in late August 1944, and with an historian on hand to explain the landscape and the history, it will be extremely interesting, especially as many tours and events tend to concentrate solely on 6 June and not the remainder of the 100 day battle. It will be a challenge, but an achievable one with distances of +/- 70 miles a day. The historian has specifically requested details of riders’ relations who may have fought in Normandy, to work into his talks along the way.

Riders pay a registration fee of £250 which Charlie and Green Jersey Cycling Tours are prepared to reduce to £200 for OMs, their friends and families; you need only alert them to your connection. You must then commit to raise £1,250 for the charity in addition to this. Many people who shiver at the thought of raising money take the view that for a week of cycling with the historian and support offered, that they will just pay this themselves and look on it as a holiday. There is no minimum age if OMs or parents wish to bring children; all they ask is that if your child is under 18 you are confident that the child can complete the ride and that you will ride with them. This could therefore be an excellent educational opportunity.

Full details can be found on their website and on The Soldiers’ Charity website, both of which have a link to the registration form.