Bigfoot has been invited to join De Ver bike club of Streatham, along with a Swiss club, for a week's training camp in Lanzarote from April 18-25th 2010. There will be approx 15 from each club and I guess the same from Bigfoot, making 45 cyclists in total.
There will be levels for everyone from 40 miles to 70 miles each day. Both Maurice Burton and Roman Herman are ex-professional racing cyclists and guides. They have both taken groups to Lanzarote in April, this year. There will also be an MTB option.
The price will include full board and drinks, travel and return to Gatwick including transfers in Lanzarote. We will take our own bikes on the plane. Allow £575 per person until deals have been finalized with the hotel and airline. At the end of October we will know the exact cost.
The weather in Lanzarote in April is 25C and the sea is 18C. Therefore take two water bottles for your bike and sunglasses.
Lanzarote has a population of 130,000. This includes 100,000 Spanish, 6,000 British, 4,000 German. The island is 60km x 25km and has a peak of 650M. The island has no vegetation as it is covered in volcanic lava. The prominent designer and architect Cesar Manrique campaigned for buildings to be in sympathy with the environment and no high rises. Our base in Lanzarote is in Costa Teguise. This is an area that caters for tourists on the Eastern side of the island.
I would be interested in coming (assuming there is no Italy trip) but would not be able to know till March so would probably have to be a reserve in case of any drop outs.
From Maurice Burton
The training camp will take place from Sunday 18th April to Sunday 25th April, 2010.
After making your own way to Gatwick, the total package is all-inclusive and consists of:
Return flights from Gatwick to Lanzarote,
plus 1 piece of luggage in hold, plus 1 bicycle.
Transportation from Lanzarote airport to hotel
and back to airport.
Accommodation at Lanzarote Bay Hotel,(2 people sharing)
All inclusive food and drinks for 7 nights.
Group cycling every day.
Total price is £525.00.
Deposit of £200.00 by end of November.
Balance of £325.00 before 31st January.
Please note Hugh that there may be an increase if deposits are taken after this month, due to cost of flights.
I will be happy to join you on 24th November.
........................................
From newspaper articles
The base for the training camp is the Lanzarote Bay Hotel in Costa Teguise, which was fully refurbished earlier this year. Maurice explained that only a few of the cyclists who come on the camp actually race, most of them just enjoy cycling especially in the company of other like- minded individuals.
Maurice won the following British titles during his career:
British Junior Sprint Champion 1973
British Senior 20km Champion 1974
British Team Commonwealth Games 1974
British 4km Team Pursuit Champion 1975
Maurice then moved to Belgium and raced on the 6 day circuit from 1977 to 1984. His biography is an interesting one. As a boy he was forbidden to ride a bike by his father as it was considered too dangerous. During his career, he’s recovered from two serious accidents and got back on his bike again. April 2010 will be the highlight of his career when he takes Bigfoot riders to his Lanzarote training camp
..................................
At present, we have 10 riders interested, who will join the 30 from deVer and Belgium. Maurice will be coming to our meeting on November 24th at The Two Doves. He can answer any questions then.Payment details will be provided before 24th November.
At the Two Doves pub, Maurice took 6 deposits for the Lanzarote trip with 4 more bookings expected this week. His own club DeVer bikes of Streatham will take 20 riders and the Swiss club are expecting 16.
Maurice emphasised that although it is a training camp for some, it is also a cycling touring holiday for others as in the week we cover the whole island. The DVD showed the smooth and clean road surface with light traffic. Maurice is also organising an MTB programme.
I am booked. Please post when you are booked and we can gather a list of Bigfoot names.
If you do not have a bike bag, Mark at the Bigfoot shop offered to supply bike boxes, that the new bikes arrive in, for the transfer of your bike. Mark can also help with advice on how to remove your pedals, wheels and turn your handlebars to fit. In Lanzarote, there will be a number of club members who can help with fitting your bike back together again.
I have an extra bike bag from Decathlon that anyone is welcome to use for the trip. I've used it to travel around the world with my bike a few times so it's a bit tatty but never had any issues with the bike arriving broken!
Hugh, I have now managed to sort out childcare so can come and am really looking forward to it. I have just sent an electronic payment to Maurice tonight but I have not flagged my interest in coming until now. Do I need to email Maurice to let him know to add me to the list (and to look out for the extra payment) or will you sort this? If you would like me to contact him directly please can I have his email address?
Sunday 18th April London Gatwick North to Lanzarote Arrecife
Easyjet Flight No 8683 departs 15:50 arrives 20:00
Check in opens 13:50 closes 15:10
Baggage allowance: 20kg and 1 bicycle
Sunday 25th April Lanzarote to Gatwick North
Easyjet Flight No 8684 departs 20:40 arrives Mon 26 Apr 00:30
Baggage allowance: 20kg and 1 bicycle
The Columbia team were training in Lanzarote last week. Next April, we take their place.
There are now 50 people booked on the Lanzarote trip. DeVer from Streatham has 19, from Liechtenstein 20 are coming and Bigfoot has 11. As more are expected, the total may be 60.
Bigfoot bookings are:
John Griffiths
Michael Robson
Sandra Godwin
Martin Godwin
James Stewart
Neil Morgan
Nick Allen
Hugh Grainger
Matthew Schneller
Michael Williams
Hugh Webb
All three clubs will mix and create three levels for different abilities. The distances will vary each day. As a guide, here are the groups:
You can choose a group and swap between the groups on any day. To help you choose a group, on the first day we all cycle together for 25km and then split into a group that suits our own comfort zone. The idea is to build up during the week ready for the final day when all groups tour the whole island. On this final day, the distance is 165km or 103 miles.
During the week, the rides will be steady not fast as we have to ride the next day. The group of 60 riders consists of Etape, Sportive and holiday cyclists. However there are 6 racers booked.
We need to know how many MTB riders would like to come. Then Maurice will organize the routes and guides for the off-roaders. Please post if you are interested in an MTB option. The cost is the same.
If you wish to book, please note that the cost has risen to £560 for the week due to the cost of the airfare increasing. The initial cost of £525 was held until November 30th. A deposit of £200 is needed to secure a booking. Send an email to Maurice: devercycle@aol.com and transfer your deposit to
Mr M J Burton sort code 40-35-01 account number 51174258
Hi Guys, The Lanzarote trip is getting closer. Maurice will be there from April 1st. You can find a link from Bigfoot front page to all the planned rides. It's time to make that final payment. 4 Bigfoot riders still to pay - we don't want to leave home without you. Here are the payment details. Send me a note if any questions, or email hugh@foldersgalore.com
Balance of £325.00 before 31st January.
Direct transfer payments to this account:
Mr M J Burton sort code 40-35-01 account number 51174258
Cheque payments made out to:
Mr M J Burton,
De Ver Cycles
632 - 634 Streatham High Road,
London, UK SW16 3QL
Hi Guys,
We've gone. we've flown. We've left without you!
Maurice has to pay the hotel on Tuesday 30th March. He flies out on Tuesday with all our money but missing the 3 Bigfoot riders who haven't yet paid the final payment. You have paid the deposit - the initial £200, but not the final payment of £325.
The Swiss from Lichtenstein have all paid. De Ver from Streatham have all paid. I know it's tough out there, but don't loose your deposit. Three Bigfoot riders still to pay. I've cycled shoulder-to-shoulder in Level 3 with you three guys -in the cold, in the rain, but never in the heat we will have out there. Pay today, pay tomorrow or pay even after the clocks have changed on Sunday. But don't pay later than Monday 29th March. That's the final day to pay.
I thought I was going to sleep well; ready for the VO2 on Sunday. But with 3 friends close to loosing their deposits.....
Make my day, make your day, make Bigfoot's day and get that final payment to Maurice. Payment details in the post above.
I want to order: Tres cervecas por mes tres amigos, por favor. But will you be there???
Here is our Easyjet flight information. Baggage includes one hold bag @ 20kg and one bike bag. Let's meet at the Easyjet check-in at Gatwick North on Sunday 18th April at 2pm.
Sunday 18 April: Check in opens Sun 18 Apr 13:50
Closes Sun 18 Apr 15:10
London Gatwick (North) To Lanzarote (Arrecife)
flight 8683; dep. Sun 18 Apr 15:50
arr. Sun 18 Apr 20:00
Sunday 25 April, 2010
Lanzarote (Arrecife) To London Gatwick (North)
flight 8684; dep. Sun 25 Apr 20:40
arr. Mon 26 Apr 00:30
Looking at the Easyjet website, it is far from clear but my interpretation of the baggage allowance is slightly different. I make it that your TOTAL BAGGAGE ALLOWANCE, including your bike and bike case and up to two additional pieces of checked luggage is 32KG. If, like, me you have a bike box that is actually heavier than your actual bike (and I am not talking carbon frame here - more's the pity) you need to factor this in because I make it that my Trek plus DHB bike box comes to about 21KG, which leaves me 11 KG for the rest. This is not going to be a problem for me but I just wanted everyone to be aware.
Anyway Hugh's frame and wheels are so light that any excess could probably be traded against his allowance :)
Yes you are right; 32kg in total; it is a cheap way of buying excess baggage. And no you cannot trade each other's allowances.
My only experience with Easyjet though is that if they have too many bikes for the plane it is pot luck whether or not the bike gets on the plane or not (oh and checking in early is no guarantee of the bike flying).
I was planning to get a taxi there and back, making sure that it was an estate car so that I could get the bike box in! We might be able to share if you like since we are over the same way? If so, I'll see if they have a car that can manage this.
When I went to Majorca recently on easyjet I stuffed clothes and everything else into the bike box and just had hand luggage. There were around 20 cyclists on the flight and no one had their boxes weighed - they just guessed about 30kg. All the bikes made it on to the plane, though to balance the load some larger people at the back were asked to sit up front.
Matt, John, I would like to share a taxi too if possible. I wonder if one of those minivans that some of the taxi companies run would do the trick? I could check with Hayes and West Wickham Cars but maybe it would make more sense to check with a taxi firm local to you two first? Let me know if you me to check with ones local to me.
I will probably drive down and park in the long stay car park (currently £48). Does anyone want to share the cost? I can probably get three bikes and luggage in the Espace.
Here are some numbers:
DeVer cycles 020 8679 6197
Maurice home in Lanzarote 0034 928346092
Hugh Webb 07768 382 050
Maurice email is devercycle@aol.com. He receives all emails.
Maurice has all the relevant booking reference numbers. If you want to cancel at anytime, contact Maurice as it it his credit card that will get the refund for the flights. Therefore only Maurice can go onto the Easyjet site with our reference numbers and his password. This will keep him in touch with all movements.
37 people are booked. The Swiss flight also cannot go.
Today on the Saturday morning ride, we thought we would organise rides until the situation changes. The next info statement is at 7am on Sunday. If planes cannot fly, we are leaving at 9am from Bigfoot bikes for a Level 3 ride.
Please post your thoughts and ideas here, so we can decide as a group what we wish to do as none of us this morning wanted to go to work on Monday. One person is suggesting driving to the Pyrennes as an alternative. That's just way too ambitious for me. Two mile rides up to the White Bear pub may be all I will manage unless you know differently.
Any thoughts? To start, want to post your phone numbers here?
Hi, Martin is 07774 863 653. I am 07887 564 607 (Sandra). Our e-mail is sandragodwin@btinternet.com. Pyranees is out for us too. we're well fed up.... :(
Whatever happens, gotta ride. Not tomorrow though. My Plan B:
Monday - Surrey hills (Legs of Steel route - cycle to East Croydon, train to Dorking)
Tuesday - Falling leaves route (start/finish at Hayes)
Wednesday - some reps up and down Toys Hill, then drive to Cardiff (stay with my mum)
Thursday - Dragon ride route (not sure how much of it yet!)
Friday - 40k baby dragon then drive home
Saturday - Club ride
I'll be hiring a car to get to Cardiff, but if anyone wants to come too and drive me down there then they are welcome and can stay at Griffiths Towers.
I have said to Maurice that if there was any chance of getting away on Tuesday/Wednesday then I would still go out. But that is probably negligible. Pyrennees would be good, but is a step too far for me.
Looking extremely unlikely for tomorrow in my view but you never know... My mobile is 07967 637456. I am up for joining the level 3 tomorrow and then taking-in John's Legs of Steel and ROFL plan if we still cannot fly.
Sorry but the Pyrennees is too much additional cost for me.
Nick
1) Monday 19th. Drive to Cowfold car park on A272. Ride 45 miles. Ride circular route around country roads including Ardingley reservoir, Bluebell railway, Horsted Keynes pub, Hurstpierpoint, Cowfold. Return home by car. Car park is free with toilets and wash basins.
2) Tuesday 20th. Cycle to Rye from Bigfoot. Ride 60 miles. Stay the night at
4) Thursday 22nd. Cycle Brighton to Bigfoot home. Ride 48 miles
I will pay for a taxi to cart one overnight bag for each person around. Also I will pay for the overnight stays including breakfast for all Lanzarote riders. Others welcome too but with small cost
The reason is I am doing the England FA packs for the 2018 world cup bid. They approached me due to a recommendation, I gave them a price and they sent an order with an extra £500 to cover contingencies. Not sure what that means, but let's use it up.
Are you up for this programme if Lanzarote is a no go?
Sounds like a good alternative and a generous offer Hugh. It would be good to do something as a group. Might still go to Wales and tame the Dragon on Friday........
Hugh, this sounds very interesting, thank-you. Messsage to other level 2 riders booked on the trip (are there any?) would you be interested in cycling these days with me? Sandra (our flight is now cancelled)
Good. Let's all meet after this Sunday morning's ride for a coffee at the George at Hayes at 12.30pm today. Better than a taxi, if we could get a volunteer driver from the club. Their overnight accomodation will be paid for too as there are 9 of us and we need 5 twin rooms. Any other club riders free this week and want to join?
Regarding our refund, here is Easyjet's reply to Maurice. It's going to be some time before we get the flight refund. Will ask about the hotel refund now
Dear Customer,
We are aware that you have requested some assistance from our customer services team at easyJet.
From our records, we have seen that we have not yet responded to your request and this is significantly below our usual next day standard.
We sincerely apologise for the delay.
Our Contact Centres have received an unprecedented number of requests and enquiries over the last few months following the heavy snow related delays in December & January, and now the recent volcanic ash cancellations in April. In response we are in the process of adding over 600 customer service agents to the team, an increase of nearly 300%. Unfortunately the level of contacts that the team is dealing with has also increased significantly too.
To help us respond as fast as possible, can we please ask you to not send any follow-up emails to check the status of your initial contact? We are aware of your original request. Further emails increase the backlog that we need to deal with, slowing down replies overall.
We sincerely thank you for your understanding. Please be assured that we will answer as soon as we possibly can.
Yours sincerely
easyJet Customer Experience Team
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24th June 2010
Maurice, of DeVer cycles, is on the verge of getting the refund from both Easyjet and the Hotel. Both will be full refunds. We can expect a payment in July he assures me.
For her insurances, Sandra needs paperwork from Maurice which he will do. If anyone else needs to contact him, here are the details
Maurice Burton
De Ver Cycles
632 - 634 Streatham High Road,
London, UK SW16 3QL
phone 020 8679 6197
email: devercycle@aol.com
I will keep on top of this and contact Maurice weekly now
1) Maurice has received the hotel refund of £325 each and has it ready to refund to us.
There are nine of us due refunds. Please send your account details to Maurice. email: devercycle@aol.com and get the hotel refund first. To keep check that all nine have applied for our refund, could you cc your email to hugh@foldersgalore.com with the subject Lanzarote refunds
Nine due refunds
John Griffiths
Michael Robson
Sandra Godwin
Martin Godwin
James Stewart
Nick Allen
Hugh Grainger
Matthew Schneller
Hugh Webb
2)Easyjet is transferring £200 each to Maurice account within the next 20 days. When it arrives he will make a further transfer. But don't wait, take the hotel one NOW.
Hugh, with the refunds imminent I would like to let you have back my share of the Tour de Sud costs. Can you let me know how much and how you would like the money.
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