Children’s hospitals are crucial in providing specialized medical care to children with complex and often life-threatening health conditions. These facilities offer a wide range of services, from routine checkups and vaccinations to highly specialized surgeries and treatments for rare diseases. Unlike adult hospitals, children’s hospitals are designed with a child’s unique needs in mind, offering a supportive and nurturing environment that is welcoming to young patients and their families. In addition to medical care, children’s hospitals often provide a range of educational, emotional, and social services to help families cope with the challenges of illness. These hospitals play a vital role in providing hope and healing to families facing difficult times.
There are many children’s hospitals throughout the world that are dedicated to providing exceptional care to young patients. One such hospital is the Alder Hey Children’s Hospital, located in Liverpool, UK.
As one of the largest children’s hospitals in Europe, Alder Hey provides a wide range of medical services to children and their families. To support their mission, the hospital hosts a number of fundraising events throughout the year, including the upcoming London to Amsterdam cycling event in 2024.
What links London to Amsterdam… You do! On your bicycle that is. This short yet fantastic cycling challenge sees us cover 355 miles in just 4 days through 4 countries!
5 Day Itinerary
Day 1
After registration at the start point in Croydon, we start early at approx. 7am to avoid the hustle and bustle of the London traffic. It’s not too long before we’re cycling to the outskirts of London and hitting the countryside of Kent. It’s a long cycling day today but upon reaching the port of Dover and witnessing its famous white cliffs, we’ll experience a great sense of achievement. We then board the ferry to Calais and have dinner whilst on board. Upon reaching Calais it’s just a very short push onto our hotel, where we have a much deserved rest and get our heads down for the night. Cycling distance – approx. 85 miles
Day 2
After breakfast at our hotel, it’s straight back into the saddle for day 2 of our adventure. Today’s destination is the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Bruges. Famous for its canals, Bruges is often referred to as “Venice of the North”, as they surround the many medieval buildings that make this place so charming and interesting. We overnight in our hotel – a perfect end to a great days cycling. Cycling distance – approx. 80 miles
Day 3
Our route today continues East through Belgium as we cycle towards the country’s largest city, Antwerp. To avoid getting caught up in the city traffic we head around the outskirts of the city as we make our approach to Holland. We cross the border into the Netherlands mid-afternoon and arrive at our hotel in the wonderful historic city of Breda early evening. Cycling distance – approx. 90 miles
Day 4
This morning we leave Breda and head north towards Rotterdama our final destination today, Amsterdam! From Rotterdam our route hugs the coastline and winds its way along typical Dutch cycle lanes passing famous landmarks of the country – windmills! Leaving the coast and heading inland towards the capital we eventually reach the heart of the city. Amsterdam is the world’s capital of cycling and is a fantastic place to end our European cycling extravaganza! This evening we enjoy a meal together as a group before opting for either a quiet night of relaxation, or the hustle and bustle of the Amsterdam nightlife! Cycling distance – approx. 80 miles
Day 5
After breakfast we are free to enjoy the sights and sounds of Amsterdam. Around lunchtime each participant will be responsible for getting themselves to Amsterdam Centraal in order to catch the Eurostar back to St Pancras. Bicycles will be transported back to London in the support vehicle and upon our arrival; we can catch our short transfer back to the starting point in Croydon, for farewell and goodbyes. Alternatively, you can be reunited with your bicycle at St Pancras. Please note, this is a complex itinerary and is subject to change.
Cycling across beautiful Kent countryside, from France into Belgium for an overnight stay in Bruges and then pedalling along sleepy coastal Dutch lanes will give us a great European cycling experience.
Upon reaching our finish in Amsterdam we celebrate our achievements and enjoy a little ‘Dutch courage’, albeit a little late.
Join us for the London to Amsterdam cycling event and help raise funds for Alder Hey! Register here.