Please reach us at j.phelan@bigpond.net.au if you cannot find an answer to your question.
Yes, that is possible. While the main group rides from site to site, there is a support van that comes out most days that a non-rider can use. There are some sites that the van doesn’t get to, due to timing or access issues.
Yes, there certainly are. Our tours aren't all about cycling. While our Spring Classics Tour for 2025 is for the cycling enthusiast, the other tours have just a couple of days of easy cycling and if doesn't work for you, you can still take part while travelling in our van instead.
Guest numbers are limited to 6 or 7 and there will be 2 or 3 staff, depending on the tour. The total number includes any non-riding partners.
There are a few accommodation venues that we have used prviously. This helps to make this experience a memorable one for the right reasons and this starts with quality accommodation. In Ypres, for the cycling tours we stay in quality hotels in the centre of town. On the Somme we use either a rural chateau, a very luxurious 100-year-old house in a large village or for a very small group, a hotel.
Please reach us at j.phelan@bigpond.net.au if you cannot find an answer to your question.
In a word – yes. The British Army, including dominions such as New Zealand, Canada and Australia, held the part of the Western Front from Ypres in Belgium to around the Somme, a distance of about 150 km, so it is easy to visit most areas. In many cases the different national divisions fought side-by-side. For example, the New Zealand Division fought beside the 3rd Australian Division at both Messines and Broodeseinde in 1917.
In most cases, yes. Firstly we go to the Commonwealth War Graves Commission website (https://www.cwgc.org/find-records/find-war-dead/) and find the cemetery that he is buried in. There are literally hundreds of CWGC cemeteries, so it might be that the cemetery that we are looking for is close to our usual itinerary. If not, I can take you there in our van. The exception might be if he is buried in a cemetery near the coast. There were many hospitals at the big camps at Le Havre and Rouen and many soldiers died from wounds in these hospitals and are buried nearby.
Visiting First World War cemeteries is crucial for honoring and remembering the immense sacrifices made by soldiers. These solemn sites provide a tangible connection to history, allowing us to pay respects and reflect on the profound cost of conflict. Walking among the graves helps preserve the memory of those who served and reinforces the value of peace and reconciliation. Such visits foster a deeper understanding of the war's impact on individuals and societies, ensuring that future generations remain aware of the horrors of war and the importance of preventing similar tragedies. Ultimately, it’s a gesture of gratitude and remembrance that upholds historical integrity.
April can be ‘cool to cold’ especially for Australians. Evening temperatures are typically below 10 degrees and daytime temps range from 10 to 18 degrees. With the right kit, this is not a problem. September is warmer and very pleasant conditions for cycling or walking. If it’s raining heavily at the start of the day, I will adjust the program and take the van for the day.
For tours based in Ieper, guests are collected from Ieper railway station (also written as 'Ypres') on the afternoon of the first day. From Paris Charles de Gaulle airport take the TGV north. You will need to change trains twice; in Lille and either Armentieres or Courtrai (Kortrijk). For the tours starting on the Somme, take TGV to Haute-Picardie TGV Station or the slower train to Amiens. From there I will pick you up and it's a short drive to our base in Corbie or Contay.
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