|
This is where things get a little crazy, as we take a left turn north from Slovenia, back over the splendiferous Alps, and into Austria and Slovakia.
We’ll ride through three countries that are basically one ginormous national park so prepare to get blown away by stunning snow-capped peaks and endless fairy-tale forests. This week is perfect for anyone who wants the challenge of the Alps without the stupidly long miles of Week 3. But don’t be fooled into thinking it’ll be easy - one of the climbs is so high that it’s got its own ski resort! As always, adventure comes as standard. |
|
|
|
GREAT! HOW MUCH WILL IT BE?!
Not one or two but FOUR pricing options. For all options, you can pay in one transaction or two equal, monthly instalments. 1. The standard = £385 Straight up! 2. I can and I will! = £385 + whatever you want The gift economy! Most tours like ours are double the price. We choose to keep the price lower than most so that we have a fun mixture of people from different backgrounds and lifestyles. If you can afford anything from one to one million pounds extra, you’ll make our day, and make it much more likely Thighs will continue for another year! 3. Low income place = £250 4. No income place = £0 Previously the low and no income places have been given to people that spend lots of time volunteering and people out of work, particularly if you are a migrant and don’t have the right to work. If this is you, please get in touch with us at [email protected] This money covers the costs of the trip, the £500 fundraising is separate and goes directly to Help Refugees. Scroll down to find out more about the fundraising. |
|
This week starts with a bang. No, not punctures (we hope) - the Kamnik–Savinja Alps! For the first time in Thighs history, we’re crossing the Alps twice and on our very first day, we’ll be climbing to over 1,200m. Day Two climbs even higher - up to a freakin ski resort!
What goes up must come down - usually with squealing yells of utter joy. After ticking off the Lavanttal Alps, we jump on a rollercoaster through the undulating peaks of Styria. Expect a heck of a lot of trees: nearly two-thirds of the Styrian countryside is forest. Lush. Powered by a triumphant descent from the mountains, we’ll swoop over the Danube into Bratislava and a hard-won parené buchty - sweet-filled dumpling. Success never tasted so good! We’ll be wild camping in a collection of beautiful/hilarious/weird places during the week. Each day, the core team in the van goes ahead and knocks on doors and tries our very, very hardest with charades and charm to get permission for us all to camp somewhere nearby. As ever, expect lakes and streams to be nature’s luxury baths and showers. |
|
By coming on a week of the ride, you’re committing to fundraise a minimum of £500 for awesome grassroots refugee organisations. Together, we’re hoping to raise £60,000 for Help Refugees. Every penny of this will be given to projects such as Khora, who are supporting refugees to move forward under exceptionally difficult circumstances. We're confident you won't find it too tough to raise £500, to give you a head start, here's a load of ideas and tips from Thighs cyclists who've fundraised gazillions in the past. We're always around to help you come up with new ideas as well - drop us a line if you’re worried. Read more about your incredible impact as a Thighs cyclist on The Reason page |
|
|
- 615km of downhills.
- A bike. ( BUT! We have two bikes available for hire for £70. Let us know in your sign up form if you need one)
- A luxury week away. We'll rotate all the jobs that need to be done to make communal life a dream. Be ready to cook, do the washing up, and put your own tent up and down as required.
- A daily shower. There's no guarantee. More often than not we simply head for the nearest body of water, or tip a water bottle over our heads!
- Most days we’ll have a quick break at a café, bakery or a shop so that you can stock up on caffeine and carbs. Sometimes, depending on the group vibe, we might get lured into a fantastic-smelling restaurant en route. For all of these, you'll pay your own bills.
- Your journeys to the starting point and then homeward after the trip. We strongly recommend that you book travel as early as possible to get a decent price.
- Insurance. Boring but essential!
SATURDAY 25 // At 7pm we’ll all come together, have dinner and chat about the week ahead. Then rest our excited nervous heads! We suggest arriving at 5pm so that you have time to put your bike together first. You’re welcome to arrive even earlier than that, to have a bit of time to explore the city and prepare for the week ahead.
See this page for more important arrival info, including airport pickups where necessary.
SUNDAY 26 // We start the week with a cracking climb back into the Alps, crossing the Kamnik–Savinja Alps and celebrating the highest point of the day with a new country - Willkommen in Austria!
MONDAY 27 // Today we push ourselves even higher, up over 1,600m - it’s so high that there’s a freakin ski resort up here. Still, that might mean a decent hot chocolate!
TUESDAY 28 // One more short, sharp 1,500m peak before we bid farewell to the Lavanttal Alps and follow the gentle meanders of the river Mur.
WEDNESDAY 29 // It’s back into the hills today as we cycle really far, enjoying the undulations and luscious pastures of Styria and glorious views of the Ybbstal and Türnitz Alps as we whizz past..
THURSDAY 30 // You’re getting the drill by now - we cycle really far, eat our body weight in carbs, and find somewhere to sleep!
FRIDAY 31 // The last day is never easy, but this one will at least be kinda flat in comparison to what you’ve just climbed. We zoom through the country lanes of Lower Austria before crossing the Danube in triumph - Bratislava!
SATURDAY 1 AUGUST // Wake up, a mixture of tired and elated, wander around the city in a happy daze. Set off home with Thighs a little steelier.
* NB: All the above details are loosely collated from our route planning, the internet and our imagination. What we do know for sure is that this is a real adventure and that plans and itineraries mock you in retrospect.
See this page for more important arrival info, including airport pickups where necessary.
SUNDAY 26 // We start the week with a cracking climb back into the Alps, crossing the Kamnik–Savinja Alps and celebrating the highest point of the day with a new country - Willkommen in Austria!
MONDAY 27 // Today we push ourselves even higher, up over 1,600m - it’s so high that there’s a freakin ski resort up here. Still, that might mean a decent hot chocolate!
TUESDAY 28 // One more short, sharp 1,500m peak before we bid farewell to the Lavanttal Alps and follow the gentle meanders of the river Mur.
WEDNESDAY 29 // It’s back into the hills today as we cycle really far, enjoying the undulations and luscious pastures of Styria and glorious views of the Ybbstal and Türnitz Alps as we whizz past..
THURSDAY 30 // You’re getting the drill by now - we cycle really far, eat our body weight in carbs, and find somewhere to sleep!
FRIDAY 31 // The last day is never easy, but this one will at least be kinda flat in comparison to what you’ve just climbed. We zoom through the country lanes of Lower Austria before crossing the Danube in triumph - Bratislava!
SATURDAY 1 AUGUST // Wake up, a mixture of tired and elated, wander around the city in a happy daze. Set off home with Thighs a little steelier.
* NB: All the above details are loosely collated from our route planning, the internet and our imagination. What we do know for sure is that this is a real adventure and that plans and itineraries mock you in retrospect.
A WEEK NOT ENOUGH?
After one week, most people are seeing showers as mirages on the horizon and are shuddering at the sight of a bicycle, but not you! You’re craving adventure and muscle ache, and god damn it, you will not be stopped after a measly week! You may be wild enough to be considering 3 or 4 or ALL of the weeks, but because places on the ride are limited, we only allow people to come for a maximum of 2 weeks so that as many people can come as possible, and therefore fundraise as much as possible. It's possibly obvious, but you’ll pay £385 for each week, and fundraise £500 per week too. To sign up, you have two options: 1. Fill in the sign up form on each of the weeks you want to join for e.g. sign up on weeks 2 and 3. This is the quickest way. 2. If you'd like to pay in 4 monthly instalments to spread the cost, email us at [email protected]. We'll reserve you a spot on both weeks if there space and then set up a payment plan with you. BIKE-LESS BUT WANT TO JOIN US?
This year we have not one but two spare bikes for you to borrow. The aim of the game is to make overland travel easier and encourage people who want to avoid flying - but we understand how hectic life is and welcome all-comers. The cost of hiring a bike is £70. The first bike will fit a human 5’5” - 5’9” (166cm - 175cm) tall. The second bike will fit a human 5’9” - 6’1” (175cm - 185cm). If you would like to reserve one of the bikes, let us know when you sign up. Note: We will provide lights, a day bag for your lunch, a variety of pedals Please bring your own helmet and 2 inner tubes. Bring your own saddle if you have a favourite one, otherwise we have a few to choose from. WHAT WILL I NEED TO BRING?!
What on earth do you bring on this trip!? Don't panic! We have a kit list for everything you need, HERE. We're fans of doing things as cheaply and greenly as possible, so there's not much on our 'essentials' list. We really recommend asking buddies and pals to borrow bits and bobs to save on buying new! TRAVEL & LOGISTICS HELP!
We understand travelling is a bit of a logistical puzzle sometimes! SO...we've researched the routes and the best ways to get there! Head here to see how! |
