The updated 2010 Help for Heroes route has just been published - 315 miles over 5 days from Le Havre to the famous Second World War port of Dieppe then inland through the historic First World War battlefield regions of Amiens, Arras and Ypres before finishing at Dunkirk to coincide with the 70th Anniversary of the evacuation of our troops in 1940. A spectacular route - and from the itinerary quite a few more undulations than last year! To quote the organisers: "This will be a great physical challenge and also an amazing emotional journey".
The full route is:
Day 1: Portsmouth - Caen
We will have a great send-off from HMS Victory in Portsmouth’s Naval Dockyard. After a spectacular parade we will cycle to the ferry terminal and catch the evening overnight ferry to Caen. We are allocated our cabins and have a good night’s sleep – ready for an early start and a challenging day tomorrow!
Cycle 2 miles
Day 2: Le Havre - Dieppe
We arrive in France at around 7am local time. We shall transfer directly onto buses and make the short journey by coach to our starting point in Fecamp, a coastal fishing town outside of Le Havre. Here we will mount our bikes and begin cycling eastwards to Dieppe. We make our way to St Valery-en-Caux where the 51st Highland Division, part of the British Expeditionary Force, attempted to evacuate Northern France in June 1940. The attempt failed due to fog. We will walk to the cliff-top memorial to the soldiers that died, which overlooks the small coastal town and beach. Our cycle continues along the beautiful, but hilly coastal road to Dieppe with stops at several other points along the route where there are memorials to the events of both the D-Day landings and the earlier BEF evacuations. Cycle approx 50 miles
Day 3: Dieppe – Amiens
From Dieppe we cycle inland, gradually climbing away from the coast along country roads, passing through hamlets and small towns, stopping maybe for a cool drink in a typical village café. The terrain becomes testing and undulating as we head into the French countryside where the aftermath of the First World War remains apparent by the small military cemeteries dotted around the landscape. We will stop at two of these en route, the first at Grandcourt, where 29 British and Commonwealth soldiers are buried. In addition we visit the Cauillon and Crouy British Cemetery. The route we take is beautiful; through rolling farmland and woodland. We spend the night in Amiens, relaxing after a long day in the saddle. Cycle approx 75 miles
Day 4: Amiens – Arras
Today is our most thought provoking ride as we explore the tragic battle sites of the First World War. We leave Amiens following the River Somme heading north east through small villages towards Albert. As we progress, the cemeteries and memorials become ever more frequent as we ride on into the heart of the Somme. We cycle on to Thiepval, which is the main memorial to the lost French and British soldiers who gave their lives during that terrible time. After exploring the area, including the Beaumont Hamel trenches, we carry on cycling north-east, finally finishing in the town of Arras with a visit to the underground tunnels that housed the Allied Troops.
Cycle approx 70 miles
Day 5:. Arras – Ypres
Leaving Arras behind us we head directly North on a tough cycle via the Canadian memorial at Vimy Ridge and on to the smaller cemeteries such as those at Vermelles and Festubert. Fromelles is where the most recent WW1 burial ground was found, so we shall remember those who fell here at the brand new memorial built in 2009. Heading north of Armentieres there is the opportunity to hear our Battlefield Guides talk at Ploegsteert and to visit the memorial which commemorates nearly 11,000 servicemen who died in WWI mostly during day-to-day trench warfare. From here we complete the final stretch into Ypres, an immensely historic town where we shall join the evening ceremony held daily at the Menin gate. Cycle approx 70 miles
Day 6: Ypres – Dunkirk
Our penultimate day will see us traverse the flatter lands of the Belgian/French border to join in a spectacular celebration with the townspeople of Dunkirk to commemorate the 70th Anniversary of the evacuation of both French and British troops. We will start early and head up towards the port town on this special day, following the route taken by many soldiers who were on foot. Cycling along the coast towards Dunkirk we will arrive at the beach memorial to those soldiers who lost their lives so close to being free, and witness a special ceremony to remember those who fought here. The Association of Dunkirk Little Ships will welcome us with 50 small ships which were active in the evacuation taking our men to safety 70 years ago. After the ceremony we will take time for lunch away from the bustle and hear the story of Dunkirk from our Battlefield Historian guides before returning to the centre of Dunkirk to watch the parade of veterans march past the Town Hall; a moving spectacle. From here we shall take our bikes for a final pedal, from the town to the port area were we will end our cycle in style. The bikes will be packed away and we shall enjoy an early supper before we head out to HMS Largs Bay, where the Royal Navy is hosting us on board off shore from Dunkirk for the night. Cycle approx: 50 miles
Day 7: Dunkirk - Dover
We will have the chance to reflect on the Dunkirk evacuation from the deck of HMS Largs Bay as we hold our final wreath laying ceremony out at sea looking back on the historic town. We will then be transported over the Channel by the Royal Navy, subject to operational permissions, to land at Dover on the beaches mid afternoon. (Please note: this is subject to change and may be replaced by a Calais – Dover passenger ferry crossing). We will be taken to our hotels in Dover to freshen up before boarding a coach and driving to a well earned celebration at the Duke of York Royal Military School in Dover. We will be welcomed by a Military Band before being well fed and watered. This will be a chance to reflect and congratulate ourselves on our huge achievement, before enjoying a good night’s sleep.
Thursday 18 February 2010
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