On booking the Geneva to Nice Cycling Challenge, you’ll receive the recommended flight details plus all the exciting trip info via our free mobile travel app. You’ll have access to your itinerary, training guide, countdowns, live updates, contact info, weather forecasts, kit lists and much more at the touch of a button 24/7 via your mobile phone. No more unnecessary use of reams of paper and the need of carrying around documents with you. The app is free to download and all info is customary to your cycling trip ahead. A’ppy days.

With being a small family business we pride ourselves with providing personal, professional and friendly service for your Geneva to Nice Cycling Challenge. We’re here to help you every step of the way from the moment you join the team all the way through to completing the challenge and beyond.

Flights
Flights to Genève Aéroport and from Nice Côte d’Azur Airport are not included. Direct flights to Geneva and from Nice are available from Edinburgh. Once you’ve booked, we’ll provide you with flight details.

Transfers to and from Geneva and Nice Airports
You are responsible for arranging your own transfers to and from the airports in Geneva and Nice. If needed, we can offer travel recommendations to assist with your planning.

Travel Insurance

Travel Insurance is an important part of any booking. It is compulsory that everyone who travels with us has taken out adequate travel insurance which includes, among other things, cover for the full value of your trip, medical (emergency, evacuation and repatriation) arrangements, personal liability, cancellation, curtailment and loss of luggage, flight delays and personal effects and pandemic travel cover.

For UK residents we have partnered with Campbell & Irvine Direct to provide you with a travel insurance. If you would like to obtain cover for your trip please feel free to contact specialist Insurance Brokers, Campbell Irvine Direct for a quote.

Bicycle Insurance

We strongly recommend that you obtain suitable bicycle insurance to cover your bike and equipment during transportation and on the cycling challenge itself. Please feel free to shop around or obtain a direct quote from Cycle Guard or Bikmo. 

All nationalities require a full passport. For the latest information, please refer to the links below:

Switzerland and France follows Schengen area rules. Your passport must:

• have a ‘date of issue’ less than 10 years before the date you arrive – if you renewed your passport before 1 October 2018, it may have a date of issue that is more than 10 years ago
• have an ‘expiry date’ at least 3 months after the day you plan to leave the Schengen area.

British nationals do not require a visa to enter Switzerland or France for the purpose of tourism for up to 90 days.

You can travel without a visa to the Schengen area, which includes Switzerland and France, for up to 90 days in any 180-day period. This applies if you travel: 

• as a tourist
• to visit family or friends
• to attend business meetings, cultural or sports events
• for short-term studies or training

For the latest entry requirements, please visit the F&CO website and also check Brexit advice for travelling to Europe.

Adventurous Ewe puts the safety and well-being of you, our leaders & crew and the communities we visit at the centre of all our operations, always. Your safety and well-being is our top priority. The Geneva to Nice Cycling Challenge is designed to take you out of your every-day comfort zone and achieve something great with undertaking this self-powered journey. Rest assured we have a thorough Safety Management System, indepth risk assessments and risk management systems in place. Your crew will be equipped with communication devices (eg phones and radios) and medical kit. 

Here are a couple of important points for your consideration:

• Be prepared. The terrain on the challenge is often undulating, with some big hill climbs, so
• please be prepared for some long and tough days consecutively in the saddle.
• Pack for all weather. The weather during the challenge can be unpredictable so we would recommend checking the weather forecast beforehand and pack the appropriate clothing.
• Familiarise yourself with the cycling code and regulations for both Switzerland and France before you go. Please note that new cycling rules were introduced in Switzerland as of 1 April 2024.
• Debris on the roads. The roads in the high mountains take an absolute battering. They’re covered with snow for much of the year and the freeze-thaw process takes it toll. Rain washes gravel into the roads. Rockfalls mean you can come across large chunks of rock in the road! Remember this and do take care, especially on the downhills. 
• Review the route. You’ll receive a GPX file of your cycling route prior to your departure. Spend some time getting to know the route. It’s important to know what to expect before you set out. Consider how long each climb should take, where you plan to refuel (outside of any dedicated water-stops) and take note of any important sections. You never know what’s going to happen out on the road, so it’s good to be self-reliant. 
• Lights, phone, ID and money/cards. Keep a small rear light fitted to your bike in case you come across a tunnel or get caught in bad weather. You may want a front light too for added safety. And make sure you have money/cards, ID and your phone on you at all times! 
• Remember it’s a marathon not a sprint! At the beginning of a day/week of cycling, it can be easy to spin off quickly at a pace you can’t sustain. Italy’s mountains are some of the toughest cycling climbs in the world – take it easy and try and remember it’s a team challenge so look out for one another!
• Long days in the saddle. 8+hours of cycling each day is long time to spend in the saddle, so please ensure your prepare accordingly and that you fuel your body correctly at the water stops and during breakfast and lunch. 

We strongly recommend that you have your bike serviced to guarantee it is in perfect working order before your cycling challenge. If you are not mechanically minded, get your local bike shop to service it for you such as Chapeau Cycles. Areas of particular importance are:

1. To begin with check our rims and if they are worn, cracked, or badly dented replace them with new rims or a complete wheel.

2: Check and if required replace brake blocks.

3: Check that your wheels are “true” and spoke tension is correct.

4: Check and if required, adjust, grease, or replace ALL bearings and quick release skewers.

5: Check and if required replace brake and gear cables.

6: Check and if required tighten all bolts (esp. crank, bottom bracket, headset, stem, and handlebars.

7. Finally, check the chain, cassette, and chainrings for wear.

You should familiarise yourself with some basic repairs before your cycling challenge, like changing an inner tube and fixing a puncher. A member of our team will always be on hand to help, but having these basic skills will help keep delays down to a minimum.

You will be accompanied by certified Adventurous Ewe Cycling Leader/s, Bike Mechanics and Crew. Our Leaders are first aid qualified and have extensive experience in leading cycling trips. They will be ultimately responsible for the running of the itinerary and the safety of your group.

Leaders and Crew will carrying full safety equipment and first aid kits with larger first aid kits located in the support vehicle. Please note, these kits are for emergencies only so please come prepared with your own personal first aid items. The Leaders and Crew will also be in constant radio communication with the vehicle drivers throughout your adventure.

The crew will be looking after every aspect of your trip with transporting your luggage, helping you with GPX route files, a friendly & supportive face at checkpoints and sorting out any mechanical problems. Support vehicle will be at the checkpoints and there will be a cycling leader accompanying the team during the ride. 

The Geneva to Nice Cycling Challenge is a team adventure and not designed to be an individual competitive race. The route will be supplied as a GPX file and therefore there will be no route marking by way of directional arrows (helping us to reduce our carbon footprint). 

There will be two Cycling Leaders accompanying the group. There will be a support vehicle available which you will see at each checkpoiint and lunch stop plus it is available for any emergencies. We encourage team spirit and support of each other to ensure everyone has the best opportunity to complete the challenge and enjoy the journey along the way too.

All luggage and bike spares will be carried in the support vehicle. Please ensure you carry your own puncture repair kit and spare inner tubes.  

The Geneva to Nice Cycling Challenge is graded as Tough. It is a strenuous challenge which will allow people to push themselves out of their comfort zone with considerable hill climbs and descents and long days in the saddle.

For logistical and safety reasons we sometimes need to re-group, so the front-cyclists may find themselves waiting for the slower ones. Please relax, and remember that this is a team effort that enables people to achieve their personal goals.

We highly recommend that all participants on this trip are able to meet the following:

• Cycle at least 100 miles per day at an average pace of 20km per hour, over an undulating route. Failure to do so may result in receiving significantly less support from the Cycling Leaders
• Completed previous multi-day cycle trips
• Confidently and efficiently fix a puncture by replacing the inner tube 
• Confidently navigate whilst riding using a Garmin or mobile phone app
• Ridden a Category 1 or HC (Hors catégorie) climb before and have the right gear set up for this – note, this may mean having a climbing cassette fitted to your bike
• Must be able to carry adequate clothing to cope with mountainous weather – jacket, arm and leg warmers, gloves and under hat, water, electrolytes and nutritional fuel
• Must be able to confidently descend using drop handlebars or have your bike set up with secondary brakes.

A full kit list will be provided when you join the team for the Geneva to Nice Cycling Challenge. Good kit can make the difference between a fantastic two-wheeled and an uncomfortable one.

We strongly recommend that the bike is serviced the week before your challenge to ensure that the brake and gear cables along with brake pads haven’t been to worn out during your pre-challenge training.

Whilst we plan our trips around the optimal weather conditions, you could still be exposed to wet & windy or hot & humind weather at any time. It is important that you are prepared for all conditions.

Despite this trip being held at the start of Autumn, the weather can change rapidly in the mountains so it is essential that you are prepared for all conditions including rain, wind and heat. In the week leading up to your trip we recommend monitoring the weather forecast and you will also receive weather updates via our mobile travel app, Vamoos.

Pack for all weather. At any time of year, take a jacket on your ride. It might feel over-cautious when it’s sunny and warm as you set out, but you’ll be grateful at the top of the pass. 

If the forecast suggests poor weather, you’ll need to pack kit in addition to a jacket: arm and leg warmers and long-fingered gloves, possibly overshoes too.  

Heatstroke. Use sun cream and drink plenty of water. One great thing about riding in Italy is that there are generally a fair few water fountains around. However it’s still important to carry plenty of water and remember to drink it. Heatstroke can strike quickly and is very unpleasant and can be very serious. Try to rest in the shade wherever possible.

Cramp. This is a common complaint and is often due to the fact you’re sweating and not replacing the electrolytes. Ensure you take electrolyte tablets for your water bottle and use them to help stave off cramps.

Please note, the Leader/s reserve the right to change the itinerary at any time should the conditions require it as your safety and wellbeing is our top priority at all times. In these circumstances we will make the best alternative arrangements possible that maintain the integrity of the original itinerary.

We have aimed to stay in 3* star hotels or above on this challenge. Standards may vary between the hotels but they are generally comfortable and convenient for your route. Most night’s accommodation is on a half board basis (dinner, bed & breakfast included).

Rooms will be used on a twin share basis & all rooms will have their own bathroom.

All meals outlined in your itinerary are included.

Breakfast is typically a continental-style breakfast. Lunches will either be picnic-style or in a local cafe, while dinners will be enjoyed at your hotel or a nearby restaurant.

Water and snacks will be available at checkpoints along your cycling route. It’s important to eat enough to maintain your energy levels throughout the challenge. We highly recommend bringing your own high-energy snacks and electrolytes that your body is accustomed to, ensuring you’re properly fuelled for this demanding journey.

If you have any dietary requirements or allergies, please inform us during the booking process or through the link we’ll provide.

Deposit: £395 per person is required on booking and is non-refundable.

Sponsorship pledge: £4,600 per person for Macmillan Cancer Support. This money is to be sent directly to Macmillan. 80% of your sponsorship (£3680) must be received by Macmillan no later than 5 weeks prior to departure. The remaining 20% (£920) must be received by Macmillan no later than 4 weeks of the completion of your challenge. On receipt of this sponsorship, Macmillan will then pay your trip balance of £2,300 per person. This also includes the Team McKeown drivers accommodation and meals during the trip.

Your details will be shared with Macmillan Cancer Support who will provide you with plenty of fundraising support, tips and advice. Should you have any questions regarding your fundraising, please contact Amy Clark at AClark@macmillan.org.uk. 

We’ve got you covered – financial protection 
If your adventure needs to be cancelled for any reason, like say a global pandemic, you won’t be left stuck and you’ll be offered plenty of alternative options thanks to our financial protection arranged by IPP .