Tour of Flanders Sportive 4th - 6th April 2008

Introduction

I am pleased to confirm that the trip is definitely on. It is open to all sporting cyclists’ not just TMK members.

I am working with good friends of mine at Nirvana Travel who for many years have organised the British Triathlon European trips. 

Contact: Nirvana Europe Ltd, Saville Exchange, Howard Street, North Shields,

Tyne & Wear, NE30 1SE.

Tel: 0191 293 6592, Fax: 0191 293 6593 – website www.nirvanaeurope.com

Russell Eastlake or Stephanie Thompson.

Itinary

In order to keep costs down to approximately the level originally discussed there are some changes to the final itinerary which are set out below;

Friday 4^th April : Depart Milton Keynes City Centre at 9 a.m. by luxury coach via Channel Tunnel to Brugge - arrive mid afternoon.  Remainder of day and evening spent at leisure in Brugge soaking up the atmosphere of the event.  Hotel Ibis Brugge Centrum – twin room accommodation, bed & breakfast (very close to the start). 

Saturday 5^th April : Start of the Sportive from the Market Square, Brugge City Centre from 7 a.m.  Three choices of distance; 256k, 140k and 75k.  Finish of the event in Ninove and transfer to 2^nd hotel Ibis Aalst Centrum (bed & breakfast) for Saturday evening festivities and celebrations.

Sunday 6^th April : Via the coach pick-up at least 1 or maybe 2 sections of the Tour of Flanders itself and watch the best in the world show us how to do it or not!!!  Return Sunday p.m. targeting an early evening arrival at Milton Keynes City Centre.

Whats Included

The trip includes the following:

• Coach travel to and from MK.
• Hotel bed & breakfast as the above.
• Separate bike transfer (cargo vehicle) which will follow and return with the coach (bikes must be bagged or boxed for transit)
• Nirvana Europe ground support throughout the trip.
• Cost of entry to the event is included but you will be individually responsible for making your own entry to the event via the organisers’ website, this will make sure you have got your entry without any possibility of problems occurring.  You should enter on website www.sport.be/cyclingtour/rondevanvlaanderen  There are 3 distances 75k, 140k, 256k (choose your distance) entry fee of  €13, €14 & €15 will be reimbursed.  Please make sure you submit your online entry SOONEST.

Whats Not Included

Not included in the trip are:

• Insurance (for you or the bike) if you are a BCF or BTF member you should have this already with your membership but check and if not organise your own cover – Nirvana will be able to help on this.
• Meals and refreshments other than breakfast.

If you want to go

A list of current confirmed participants is attached, you should check your name is on the  list and ensure that full payment of £165 per head is made payable to Nirvana Europe Ltd (not to Clive) by no later than 11^th January.  We will open up a 2^nd list to fill the balance of the places and will try and hold the price but reserve the right to levy a small increase but it won’t exceed a further £10 per head. 

Anybody wishing to reserve a place on the 2^nd list MUST e-mail or telephone Clive 07775 763926 or cfa...@abbeygate-dev.co.uk and places will be allocated by Clive on a first come first served basis.

Soonest after 11^th January we will confirm your 2^nd list reservation is accepted and you will be asked to pay in full to Nirvana.  Clive will be out and about over Christmas and happy to talk, copies of this info will be available at Phil Corley’s and Body Limits.

Clive