Last June the Badgers took part in their 8th Action Medical Research challenge, Il Giro di Sardegna. Starting on the east coast they cycled the impressive limestone ridges through the middle of the island taking on the Monte Albo mountain range and several GPM climbs as they made their way to the west coast for a spectacular finish in Alghero.
This was an exceptional year for the Badgers who have now raised £1 million for the charity - a phenomenal amount to help us save and change the lives of babies and children.
Hot on the trail of their success, we are heading to France for the 9th Badgers Tour; Le Tour des Alpes-Maritimes. Starting in Saint-Maximin-la-Sainte-Baume, we are heading east through the Cote d’Azure, taking on UCI Race Stages, cat 3, 2 and 1 climbs, as well as Lance Armstrong’s favourite training climb. We pass through Monaco and finish with a spectacular coastal ride in to Nice.
For those of you who haven’t yet experienced a Badgers’ event, there are three groups to choose from; the Barking Badgers, who’s name needs no explanation; the Badgers, for those that like a challenge; and the Singing Badgers, for those who want to take things a little easier. Whichever route you choose, there’s a challenge for everyone including a 100-mile day in the saddle for all groups.
To secure your place on La Tour des Alpes-Maritimes, simply complete the online registration form and pay a £250 registration fee and agree to raise a minimum of £2,500 for Action Medical Research. £1,500 will cover the cost of your trip, including accommodation and food. Bike freight, flights and cycling kit have been kindly paid for by the trip sponsors ensuring a minimum of £1,250 will go to Action Medical Research.
There are limited places available on this tour so don’t miss your chance to take part in this once-in-a-lifetime trip!
The itinerary…
13 June
Day 1: Warm up loop
Departing from London we’ll fly to Nice for our transfer to Saint-Maximin-la-Sainte-Baume. Here we set up our bikes and set off on one of three warm-up loops to stretch our legs ahead of the next few days’ riding.
14 June
Day 2: Saint-Maximin-la-Sainte-Baume – Fayence
The 100-mile day! The Barking Badgers and Badgers head off south this morning for their first climb of the day along the Colle Noire and pick up the Tour de France route before joining the Singing Badgers who will have a slightly flatter route north via Varages in the morning. This afternoon we’ll all cycle part of the Paris to Nice route and take on a cat 2 and 3 climb before finishing with a well deserved dip in the pool at our resort in Fayence.
15 June
Day 3: Fayence – Vence
Today the Singing Badgers head south to Sommet des Malavettes before turning east to pick up the stunning coastal road through Cannes and Antibes, to Cagnes-sur-Mer where they head north for the final climb of the day. The Badgers and Barking Badgers head straight into the mountains in the north with Barking Badgers having the option of taking the longer, hillier route via Montagne Thiey and two cat 1 climbs. Once in the mountains the terrain flattens out and there is a fantastic descent into Vence where all groups meet for the evening.
16 June
Day 4: Vence – Nice
The final day has everything you could wish for; and plenty of options to boot. Whether it is straight down from Vence to the coast or inland for Lance’s Training Climb or the option to take on the Col de Braus or the Col de Madone, all of us will wind up on one of the most scenic roads in the world: the Grand Corniche. We will no doubt turn a few heads away from the fur coats and Ferraris as we cycle through Monaco on to our finish in the French Riviera’s cosmopolitan capital city, Nice, which Lonely Planet describes as naughty, nice and everything inbetween! Here we’ll celebrate the week’s achievements looking out to the stunning azure sea.
17 June
Day 5 – Fly back to London
