Big Heart Bike Ride
Summary
Two Big Heart Bike Rides in Cuba and India have already raised many thousands of pounds to fight heart disease. The third Big Heart challenge took place in the Sinai triangle, twice the size of Belgium, and part of the Sahara Belt. There was a huge amount of fun and friendship as the group cycled more than 400kms through desert landscape past rugged granite mountains, wadis and canyons, camping out in Bedouin tents along the way. Their journey finished on the shores of the Red Sea. Highlights of the challenge included a visit to the magnificent pyramids at Giza before the start of the ride and a sunrise climb of Mount Sinai.
This event is only possible due to the dedication of our wonderful riders and the many people who sponsor and support them.
Past and Present Big Heart Bike Rides
1: Cuba 2007 | 2: Rajasthan, India 2008 | 3: Sinai 2009 | 4: Tanzania, Africa 2011 (more details)
The 1st Big Heart Bike Ride, Cycle Cuba (14-23 April 2007)
This 370 km cycle ride across the extraordinary island of Cuba visited several key sights, including Havana (one of the oldest cities in the Americas), Bay of Pigs, UNESCO World Heritage town of Trinidad with its Spanish architecture, Santa Clara (Che Guevara's statue) and the Sierra del Escambray mountains.
Report: The riders returned from Cuba late on Sunday evening after a hugely successful challenge with lots of enthusiasm and commitment. The cycling was a real challenge for everyone – including some very good cyclists – with lots of hills and a mountain
on day 3, but the group really bonded and everyone felt they fully deserved all the sponsorship funds they have raised so far and determined to go out and raise more.
Itinery: Day 1: London to Havana | Day 2: Bay of Pigs | Day 3: Cienfuegos | Day 4: Trinidad | Day 5: Topes de Collantes |
Day 6: Santa Clara | Day 7: Cienfuego - Havana | Day 8: Havana (tour) | Day 9/10: Havana - London
Tiny Tickers was one of 5 heart charities taking part in the ride, arranged by Classic Tours & ActionForCharity.
More pictures: www.actionforcharity.co.uk (see Overseas Events: "The Big Heart Bike Ride - Cycle Cuba")
The 2nd Big Heart Bike Ride, Rajasthan, India (15-25 Nov. 2008)
A spectacular 370km journeythrough Rajasthan, the Land of Kings and India at its exotic and colourful best, staying in accommodation ranging from campsites to an Indian palace.
Report: "It was a brilliant event and everyone completed the challenge. It was an amazing challenge and all the participants were fantastic. One participant Gary who had a heart attack in February really amazed everyone that he got fit enough and raised the money in such a short space of time. He was an inspiration to everyone on the event."
Itinerary: Day 1: London - Delhi | Day 2: Delhi - Agra (Overnight at Laxmi Vilas Palace Hotel outside Agra) | Day 3: Taj Mahal | Day 4: Agra - Khanua |
Day 5: Bashawar - Bhandarej (Bhandarej village; overnight at atmospheric Bhadrawadi Palace) |
Day 6: Bhandarej - Tahela Camp site (c. 700 year old Abhenrai temple complex, Chand Baori (incredible step well - about 11 visible levels of zigzagging steps). Camp by Seriska Tiger Park) | Day 7: Tahela Camp - Doela camp site (Ancient city ruins, Overnight at spectacular camp site in sand dunes next to Doela village with two ancient forts on th
e background hills) | Day
8: Doela Camp - Lal Mahal - Jaipur (authentic villages; beautiful lake - overnight at the Jaipur Palace Hotel) | Day 9. A day in Jaipur (the "Pink City" due to the salmon coloured facades of older buildings) | Day 10. Jaipur - Delhi | Day 11: Delhi - London
The ride was organised by Classic Tours & Action for Charity, who organised the first, very successful Bike Heart Bike Ride.
The 3rd Big Heart Bike Ride, Sinai (7-15 Nov. 2009)
An amazing experience in an ancient and historic land, taking in the Pyramids, Red Sea, Hot Springs, St Catherine’s Monastery and Mount Sinai ...
(In 2009, Sinai was featured in National Geographic).
Report: This Bike Ride was both a tough challenge and a magical and moving experience. Our adventurous cyclists survived a tough five-day cycle challenge across the Sinai Desert in Egypt to raise funds to fight heart disease. The Big Heart Bike Ride in the Sinai was an opportunity for 31 fundraisers to challenge themselves for a great cause in an amazing location. Funds raised, expected to be in excess of £40,000, will be divided equally between four charities: British Heart Foundation, Cardiac Risk in the Young (CRY), Tiny Tickers and Heart UK.
Itinery (organised by the very experienced team of Classic Tours & ActionForCharity):
Day 1: Flight - London to Cairo. | Day 2: Morning visit to the Pyramids at Giza.
Day 3: Ras Sudar - Hamam Faroun Hot Springs (50km approx.) - Along the Gulf of Suez, a rift basin dating back some 40 million years. Camp overnight by the Red Sea at the hot springs of Faroun & bathe in the healing waters.
Day 4: Hamam Faroun Hot Springs - Wadi Feiran (120km approx.) - Cycle along the Red Sea past several villages, turning east to begin the ascent towards Mount Sinai through Wadi Feiran.
Day 5: Wadi Feiran - St Catherine’s Monastery (77km approx.) - Uphill through beautiful scenery with trees, shrubs and water flowing from the Feiran oasis, climbing from 300m to 1,500m to St Catherine’s Monastery, one of the oldest in existence, dating back to 337 AD. The Byzantine Empress ordered the building of the chapel around “The Burning Bush”, which was already a focus for hermits and pilgrims. Preparation for a sunrise climb of Mount Sinai on Day 6.
Day 6: Optional Mount Sinai Climb (4-5 hours), then St Catherine’s - Nuweiba (115km approx.) - An early start to reach the
2,265 metre summit of Mount Sinai at sunrise. Also known as Jebel Musa and considered the spot where Moses received the Ten Commandments. After breakfast, a beautiful day cycling up and down the wadis that criss-cross this part of the Sinai desert, then 13km down to Nuweiba on the Red Sea shore.
Day 7: Nuweiba - Ras El Naqeb (60km approx.) - The last day of cycling, north along the coast between the sparkling Red Sea and rugged Sinai mountains, passing a beautiful small fjord.
Day 8: Red Sea to Cairo - Morning on the shores of the Red Sea, then transfer to Cairo.
Day 9: Morning flight: Cairo to London.
More pictures from the Bike Ride: http://www.actionforcharity.co.uk/Gallery/9/med/BIGHEARTCIMG0069.htm