Sportive – Rainbow Riders

Join us on our first touring holiday across The Netherlands 03 August 2023 – 11 August 2023

Fancy a cycle holiday in The Netherlands? We’re not planing a huge cycle fest, but there are a couple of longer days. Accommodation is currently a hotel in Leiden, followed by 4 person en-suite rooms in Stayokay hostels in Amsterdam (2 nights), Utrecht (2 nights) and Rotterdam (1 night).

Depending on filling all 8 spaces the price for all accommodation and return ferry journey will be around £500 (excluding food and drink) sign up on our spond account.

The rough outline for our first touring holiday is to sail overnight on 3rd August from Hull to Rotterdam and cycle at a reasonable and leisurely pace to several destinations. While we want to get to each location with time to relax and enjoy the sites, the journey and the sights along the way form a huge part of a cycle tour, so we wont be smashing it from place to place.

Leiden

Leiden is a city in the Dutch province of South Holland. It’s known for its centuries-old architecture and for Leiden University, the country’s oldest, dating from 1575.

The university houses the Hortus botanicus Leiden Botanical Garden, founded in 1590, where the tulip was introduced to Western Europe. The Museum de Lakenhal displays works by the Dutch Masters including Rembrandt, who was born in Leiden.

Amsterdam

Aiming to leave early in the morning for a short ride to Amsterdam will give us plenty of time to explore as much of this beautiful Capital as possible. Known for its artistic heritage, elaborate canal system and narrow houses with gabled facades, legacies of the city’s 17th-century Golden Age. Its Museum District houses the Van Gogh Museum, works by Rembrandt and Vermeer at the Rijksmuseum, and modern art at the Stedelijk. Cycling is key to the city’s character, and there are numerous bike paths.

We plan to stay for two nights giving us virtually two full days in the city and a night to relax and unwind.

Utrecht

Known for its medieval center and tree lined canals, the city is famous for The Treaty of Utrecht, one of the first significant international peace negotiations at the end of the 18th century.

Utrecht is the lively, beating heart of Holland, built around the Dom Tower, a historic bell tower dating back to the 14th century. Utrecht also has a vibrant nightlife.

Rotterdam

After being almost completely reconstructed following WWII, Rotterdam is now known for bold, modern architecture, art-dominated streets. As popular for its vibrant entertainment as it is for its many fine museums, splendid architecture, and maritime tourist attractions.

The Maritime Museum’s vintage ships and exhibits trace the city’s seafaring history. The 17th-century Delfshaven neighborhood is home to canalside shopping and Pilgrim Fathers Church, where pilgrims worshiped before sailing to America.

Join the Rainbow Riders team and cycle the Tour de Manc on Sunday 30 April 2023.

We have created a team name, Rainbow Riders, and you can chose one of four routes ranging from 50km to an eye watering 200km! There are some tough hills on each of the routes, but you’ll be rewarded with some of the best views in Manchester

It is technically a sportive, but that is just a fancy name for an organised, mass-participation cycling event.

The Tour de Manc is not all about the fastest time and it is not a race – the organisers award spot prizes for grit and determination too and there’s a great camaraderie among participants.

It is really well organised with great food stops along the way. Check out the routes options below and sign up.

Here is a link to the Rainbow Riders team should you wish to join it: https://app.realbuzzregistrations.com/events/tour-de-manc-ltd/tdm-2023/?team=51813705-4d8f-45bc-bcb8-c2fe3caf4bbd

There is currently a discount code if you book two places in one order using the code ‘ILOVEMYBIKE’ and this should give you a 14% discount and is valid until 28/02/2023

The Northern Quarter

2 boroughs | 50 km | 2,000ft of ascents

Aimed at new cyclists who want an achievable ride, The Northern Quarter still tackles a couple of tough hills and will offer one of the best views of Manchester and the Pennine hills.

Start time is 8am

The provisional route can be found here: https://ridewithgps.com/routes/35381029

The Manc Challenge

3 Rainbow Riders signed up so far

4 boroughs | 100 km | 5,000ft of ascents

This is a tough challenge for the fit occasional rider. This route is not a flat procession, but an achievable challenge, which you will enjoy.

Start time is 8am

The provisional route can be found here: https://ridewithgps.com/routes/40683892

The Classic Manc

9 boroughs | 100 miles | 7,000ft of ascents

This route is not for the unprepared or faint hearted. It’s a challenge, epic and based on previous rides feedback you’ll be “Mad ‘fer it”.

Start time is 7am

The provisional route can be found here: https://ridewithgps.com/routes/40683849

The Mad Manc

10 boroughs | 200 km | 10,000ft of ascents

The Mad Manc is the toughest challenge, as well as the challenge of 200km distance and a LOT of climbing, there is a time limit too, too slow and you’ll be diverted onto one of the shorter routes.

Start time is 7am

The provisional route can be found here: https://ridewithgps.com/routes/40541676