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GBI Europe 2017

We will celebrate the 10th anniversary of the Global Biking Initiative with a re-run of the very first GBI Europe tour, but in reverse direction. From London we will cycle through the Benelux countries in six days to Dusseldorf.

Celebrate with hundreds of like-minded people from all over the world the GBI anniversary on the bicycle!

July 2 - 7, 2017

Check out our tour pics!
General information

The traditional cycling tour with up to 400 participants from all over the world will lead us from London to Dusseldorf. We offer a broad range of services to provide you a very special experience. Even not well trained cyclists could manage to ride the daily distances. And if you really need to finish a stage earlier, our pickup service will bring you and your bike to the daily destination.

The mixture of different languages, nationalities and cultures creates the special GBI spirit. And even GBI rookies will perceive this spirit not later than the second day.

Let's inspire you and cycle with us through Europe. You will love it!!!

More information needed?

There might some things missing on our event page or you have some specific questions?
Feel free to contact us.

Michael Leuenberger
General tour organisation, route, accommodation, etc.

Send a mail

Anja Richter
Administrative issues, invoices, payments, change of your booking

Send a mail

Charity

As the GBI is a charity ride, you have to register for a GBI country (typically your home country) and raise funds in addition to the participation fee for the local supported charity in this country. The minimum amount depends on your country and its Gross Domestic Product per capita (GDP):

150 €
Minimum

  Czech Republic
  Egypt
  Ghana
  Greece
  Hungary
India
Iran
  Jordan
  Morocco
  Mozambique
  Poland
  Portugal
  Romania

150 €
Minimum

  South Africa
  Spain
Turkey

200 €
Minimum

France
Germany
Ireland
Italy
Netherlands
United Kingdom

250 €
Minimum

Bahrain
Canada
Luxembourg
  Norway
Oman
  Qatar
Saudi-Arabia
  Switzerland
United Arab Emirates (UAE)
United States of America

No clue how to raise funds?
Uncertain how and who to ask for donations?
Check out our tipps for your fund raising activities!

More information
Services & prices

Participation

The participation fee for this tour depends on the date of registration. We offer reduced Early Bird fees for registrations until December 31, 2016.(1)(2)(3)

For this tour we offer two different tour packages, one for the complete tour (London - Düsseldorf) and one with an intermediate start from the ferry harbour in northern France. For the second package the service descriptions may vary (please check the service descriptions below).

Unfortunately changes of existing bookings result in high manual efforts, so we need to emphasize (!!!) that you are requested to book all necessary options together with the online tour registration!

(1) The registration fee has to be paid within 10 days after receipt of the invoice. If we receive no payment within 10 days, we'll have to cancel your registration.
(2) Please note, that the registration fee does not include accommodation and breakfast. This can be booked separately (see optional services).
(3) There are different registration periods (early bird, regular and late booking) with different participation fees. For late registration the participation as well as optional services are subject to availability. In particular the hotel accommodation might be not available due to the limited number of available rooms.

Participation
399 €
Participation at the GBI Europe 2017

The basic participation fee includes all services listed below in section 'What's included'. For this tour we offer two different packages, the 'Tour (complete)' package and the 'Tour (without UK)' package.

1) Tour (complete): Participation of the complete tour from London to Düsseldorf.

2) Tour (without UK): For those participants, who want to step in at the ferry harbour in northern France. Instead of the first night and the ferry you can choose the (optional) shuttle bus & bike transport from Düsseldorf to the intermediate start for reduce prices (see options).

What's included

When you join the GBI Europe 2017, the following services are included in the participation fee:

Quick and easy online event registration
Detailed and up-to-date event information on the website & mobile app
GPX tracks of all days and routes for download
Onsite registration at the start location
Official starterbag
Welcome letter containing helpful instructions
Official tour jersey with your name and stars, for late registrations (from 1st April) you will get the official tour jersey without personalization
 Tags for you, your bike & your luggage
Route information and daily news
Further useful give aways from our sponsors like bike bottles, scarves, multi-tools, etc. (subject to availability)
Opening ceremony
Fast, intermediate & leisure speed groups to suit all abilities & preferences

Experienced teamleaders with GPS routing devices
Online team tracking possibility
Nutrition point in the morning and on the track (with energy drinks, bars and fruits)
Technical bike support at all destinations (only spare parts to be paid)
Medical support with mobile paramedics on the tracks
Physio support/sports massages (with costs)
Mobile tour office with info center
Mobile media office offering daily press service
Service busses along the route for pick-up service, if participant cannot complete the stage due to physical or technical problems
Media and marshal service along the track for media documentation services and guidance
Arrival and departure area with arrival arch

Ferry ride (UK-F)
Luggage transport each day (camp to camp)
Shower and toilet facilities at arrival venue (male and female separated)
Separate prayer rooms
Refreshments and barbecue at reasonable prices at the GBI Camp
Charging stations for electronical devices
Secured bike park
Closing event with music, donation cheque handover and great welcome party
Participation certificate
Event memorabilia (e.g. official tourbook) available for sale
A lot of fun, unforgettable moments, great international and cross-cultural companionship, challenging moments and radiant eyes

Optional Services

GBI Camp
149 €
Group accommodation with breakfast

5 nights (July 2 - 6, 2017) in group accommodation (e.g. gym halls, tents, hostel) with breakfast included. We will provide you with a comfortable foam matress (200 x 90 cm) for the duration of the tour.

The package 'Tour (without UK)' contains only 4 nights of accommodation!

Hotel
from 480 €
Hotel accommodation with breakfast

5 x accommodation (July 2 - 6, 2017) in hotels (min. 3* standard) with breakfast, incl. transfer between GBI Camp and hotel (evening & morning).

Please note, that hotel rooms are subject to availability. If we cannot offer hotel accommodation we will inform you as soon as possible.

Double bedroom (Tour (complete)): 550 €/person
Single bedroom (Tour (complete)): 740 €/person

Double bedroom (Tour (without UK)): 480 €/person
Single bedroom (Tour (without UK)): 680 €/person

The package 'Tour (without UK)' contains only 4 nights of accommodation!

Pre-night
from 109 €
Extra night in London

1 x accommodation (July 1, 2017) prior to the tour start in a hotel (min. 3* standard) with breakfast in London. This includes also the transfer of cyclist and bike (must be packed in a bikebox, etc.) to the GBI start location.

Please note, that offering of hotel rooms is subject to availability.

Double bedroom: 109 €/person
Single bedroom: 169 €/person

Bus
79 €
Bus transportation Duesseldorf-London

One-way transportation in a convenient bus from Duesseldorf to London.

Check the exact dates and times in section 'Schedule'.

Only participants, who want to cycle the complete tour from London may (optionally) book this service. Participants of package 'Tour (without UK)' may choose the alternative bus service to northern France.

Bus
19 €
Bus transportation Duesseldorf-Northern France

One-way transportation in a convenient bus from Duesseldorf to northern France.

Check the exact dates and times in section 'Schedule'.

Only participants of the package 'Tour (without UK)' may (optionally) book this service. Participants of the complete tour may choose the alternative bus service to London instead.

Transport
20 €
Bike transport

One-way bike transportation from Duesseldorf to the start location in London.

Bike handover either at the GBI warehouse in Neuss (during the week prior to the tour) or at the bus stop (only for bus people). Check the exact dates and times in section 'Schedule'.

Only participants, who want to cycle the complete tour from London may (optionally) book this service. Participants of package 'Tour (without UK)' may choose the alternative bike transport to northern France.

Transport
10 €
Bike transport

One-way bike transportation from Duesseldorf to the intermediate start location.

Bike handover either at the GBI warehouse in Neuss (during the week prior to the tour) or at the bus stop (only for bus people). Check the exact dates and times in section 'Schedule'.

Only participants of the package 'Tour (without UK)' may (optionally) book this service. Participants of the complete tour may choose the alternative bike transport to London instead.

Bicycle
from 99 €
GBI Rental Bike

In 2017 we have expanded our rental bike fleet. From now we can offer high quality road bikes in addition to the mountainbikes.

MTB 'Standard' (Conway MC 400, male or female geometry): 99,- €

MTB 'Premium' (Conway MC 427): 149,- €

Roadbike (Cannondale CAAD Optimo): 200,- €

The rental fee covers the complete duration of the GBI tour, incl. transport to the start location and from the finish location and technical maintenance. The hirer must bear the risk of damage and burglary. We recommend you to sign a private insurance.

For more details and specification see also our rental bike flyer.

Excluded Services

Everything not explicitely listed above incl. entrance fees, public transportation, transfer to individually booked hotels, lunch & dinner, accident insurance, etc.

Tour description

Currently we are working hard to design the most suitable route for you. As soon as we have confirmed locations, we will update this page immediately.
The final tracks and the GPS files will be available by mid of June.

 

Overview of the route

Day 1: London - Canterbury
Right after the tour start in the London Docklands we have to cross the river Thames in a pedestrian tunnel (please walk your bike) to Woolrich. Right behind Dartford the cycle way follows the motorway in striking distance (please keep on the cycle way, do not enter the motorway!!!). We cycle through some larger villages and finally we end up in Canterbury.
Track 2 detours to Whitstablethe at the Thames Estuary, well known for the delicious oysters.

Day 2: Canterbury - Poperinge
From the GBI Camp the route leads directly throught the city center of Canterbury, passing the famous Canterbury Cathedral. We cycle through the beautiful countryside of southern England and leave the UK at Dover with its white cliffs. After the ferry ride to Dunkirk in France we leave northern France and head to Poperinge in Belgium, where we stay for the night.
The track 2 cyclists detour right behind Canterbury to Herne Bay at the Thames Estuary and via Sandwich to Dover.

Day 3: Poperinge - Ninove
From Poperinge we cycle on minor roads to Ypres. After leaving Kortrijk the hills will get more and more challenging and more frequent. The last 15 km we cycle all the way down to the valley of the river Dender, where our destination Ninove is located.
Track 2 heads from Kortrijk to the north to the famous city of Gent. Gent is well known for its beautiful city canals (Grachten) and churches. Beware of the tram rails on the street (risk of falling!). From Gent the route leads directly to the daily destination in Ninove.

Day 4: Ninove - Aarschot
Although the belgian capital is not far, we will skip Brussels and rather cycle northwards to Mechelen. From here we follow the river Dijle and reach Aarschot on minor roads.
Track 2 leads the cyclists towards the dutch border. At the northmost point you will meet a canal you will follow to Turnhout. From there the route will head southwards to Aarschot.

Day 5: Aarschot - Roermond
The route lead us through the western part of Belgium with almost flat terrain. The only challenging hill of the day begins right after passing the Albert channel. Later we leave Belgium and cycle along the Maasplassen (lakes of the Meuse) to our destination Roermond.
This day is the queen's stage for track 2 cyclists. Not only the distance of almost 200 km is very challenging, but several hills in southern Holland including the Vaals Mountain at the border of Germany, Belgium and the Netherlands and highest point of continental Netherlands (323 m), as well as other well known hills like the Cauberg, finish of the Amstel Goldrace, will push the cyclists to their limits.

Day 6: Roermond - Neuss
Right after the start of the final tour day we cycle on minor roads to Melick and Herkenbosch and cross the forest and national park De Meinweg.
Track 2 detours a last time via Brüggen to Kempen and Moenchengladbach.
In the heart of Moenchengladbach all teams gather for the final group cycling to the final destination in Neuss.

Day Route Track Distance Climb
Day 1 - July 2 London - Canterbury 1
2
95 km
112 km
910 m
920 m
Day 2 - July 3 Canterbury - Poperinge 1
2
94 km
130 km
660 m
790 m
Day 3 - July 4 Poperinge - Ninove 1
2
108 km
133 km
810 m
830 m
Day 4 - July 5 Ninove - Aarschot 1
2
77 km
163 km
400 m
740 m
Day 5 - July 6 Aarschot - Roermond 1
2
108 km
194 km
560 m
1780 m
Day 6 - July 7 Roermond - Moenchengladbach 1
2
44 km
88 km
300 m
530 m
Day 6 - July 7 (Group Cycling) Moenchengladbach - Neuss Group Cycling 19 km 100 m
Total London - Neuss 1
2
552 km
846 km
3740 m
5690 m

The tracks of the different stages differ in general regarding their length and the climb as well as the surface.
A detailed description can be found here:

Track 1

Recommended for all kinds of bikes including road bikes. Only paved roads on the track. Shorter and less challenging than track 2.

Track 2

Recommended in particular for road bikes, the distance is longer and more climb than on track 1.

Venues

Day 0 - Pre-night London

London
Ibis Hotel Excel London, 9 Western Gateway, E16 1AB London, UK

The night prior to the tour start we will stay in a 3* hotel with breakfast in London. The shuttle bus will bring the participants and their bikes to the start location on sunday morning.

This option (accommodation and shuttle) is only valid for those participants, who have booked this service additionally. It is neither part of the basic participation fee nor of one of the accommodation services (camp or hotel)!

London

Day 1 - Tour start

London
The Royal Docks Community School, Prince Regent Lane, Custom House, E16 3HS London, UK

The official tour start is at a school very close to the London Docklands.

London
London

Day 1

Canterbury
University of Kent
University of Kent B&B, Canterbury

We will stay in student apartments on the university campus.

Canterbury
Canterbury

Day 2 - Intermediate start

Dunkirk (F)
tbd

Start location for the participants of package 'Tour (without UK)'. Here they will meet their teams and start cycling together.

Participants with individual arrival should be at the location at 1 p.m. at the latest.

Dunkirk (F)

Day 2

Poperinge
Ouderdomseweg 3, 8970 Poperinge, Belgium

We will stay the night in a modern sports hall in Poperinge.

Poperinge
Poperinge

Day 3

Ninove
Provinciaal Technisch Instituut (PTI), Centrumslaan 160, 9400 Ninove, Belgium

Accommodation in a sports hall.

Day 4

Aarschot
Stadsfeestzaal, Demervallei 14, 3200 Aarschot, Belgium

We will stay at the municipal hall of Aarschot. Showers can be used in the neighboring public swimming pool, where the participants can also go for a swim.

Aarschot
Aarschot
Aarschot

Day 5

Roermond
Jo Gerrishal, Achilleslaan, 6042 JV Roermond, Netherlands

Group accommodation in a large sport hall.

Roermond

Day 6 - Start Group Cycling

Mönchengladbach
Kapuzinerplatz, Mönchengladbach

In the city center of Mönchengladbach the teams unite and start for the group cycling with police escort to the tour finish in Duesseldorf.

Mönchengladbach

Day 6 - Tour finish

Neuss
Jahnstadion, Jahnstrasse 79, 41464 Neuss, Germany

UPDATE!!!

After the group cycling we will arrive at the Jahnstadion in Neuss and celebrate the GBI welcome party.

Shuttle busses will bring the participants to Neuss main station, which is linked very well to Duesseldorf Airport, main station as well as to Vodafone Campus in Duesseldorf.

Downloads

The GPX files are available per day and track. On the second and last day the are split into two parts and on day 1 the route from GBI hotel to tourstart is available as a separate track.

After uploading them to your GPS device the name convention is as follows: GBI 2017: [day, e.g. D1] [track, e.g. Tr1] [optional: part, e.g. part 1]

If you are not experienced in uploading GPX tracks on your device, please check your user manual. And make sure that you have the right maps on your device. Please avoid to ask the support team for technical issues regarding your device or app, as you might know, close to the tour we have very limited time and a lot to do.

GPX Tracks (day 2 & 6 updated on 28.6.2017!!)

  • GbiEurope2017Day1HotelToTourstart(final).gpx (7.9 KiB)
  • GbiEurope2017Day1Track1(final).gpx (351.7 KiB)
  • GbiEurope2017Day1Track2(final).gpx (410.3 KiB)
  • GbiEurope2017Day2Track1Part1(update).gpx (101.1 KiB)
  • GbiEurope2017Day2Track2Part1(update).gpx (175.0 KiB)
  • GbiEurope2017Day2Track1_2Part2(final).gpx (102.2 KiB)
  • GbiEurope2017Day3Track1(final).gpx (316.1 KiB)
  • GbiEurope2017Day3Track2(final).gpx (263.0 KiB)
  • GbiEurope2017Day4Track1(final).gpx (213.5 KiB)
  • GbiEurope2017Day4Track2(final).gpx (244.5 KiB)
  • GbiEurope2017Day5Track1(final).gpx (242.7 KiB)
  • GbiEurope2017Day5Track2(final).gpx (374.2 KiB)
  • GbiEurope2017Day6Track1Part1(final).gpx (105.6 KiB)
  • GbiEurope2017Day6Track2Part1(final).gpx (64.6 KiB)
  • GbiEurope2017Day6Track1_2Part2ToNeuss(update).gpx (22.8 KiB)

GBI Europe Participant Guide

  • GBI Europe 2017 - Participant Guide v1.0 final (low resolution).pdf (3.7 MiB)

GBI Europe Eventflyer 2017

Flyer GBI Europe 2017 EN komplett_klein.pdf (2.3 MiB)
Sponsors

A GBI would not be possible without the strong support of our sponsors! A great thank you to those, who make this event happen!

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