Frequently Asked Questions
Can I sign up for Cycle India 2012 now?
Yes, we are keen for people to start signing up now. The earlier you sign up the more time you have for fundraising and getting yourself fit for the ride. To register and secure your place click here.
How fit will I need to be?
The people who have taken part in the last two Cycle India events have been a broad range of ages (from 18 to 65) and levels of fitness. We highly recommend you train for the event, and those who have prepared have generally found the cycling far easier than those who haven't. Our event in Kerala is manageable for anyone who has a reasonable degree of fitness and is ready for a challenge!
How long is the event?
For those taking part from the UK we intend to book flights for January 20th, 2012 and then we will fly back into the UK on 30th January, 2012. The cycling takes five days and then we will be travelling to and visiting the children at the Heal Village. Anybody taking part from other parts of the world will need to arrange their own travel plans and co-ordinate with the organiser Matthew Glover by emailing him at matthew@conservatoryoutlet.co.uk.
How much fundraising will I need to do?
We request that you firstly pay your own costs of £1000 to Heal at least 3 months before the event, and pay a £250 registration before then to secure your place.
You will then be required to raise at least £1500 for Heal through your own fundraising activities. We can help you with advice, and the sooner you start fundraising the better. In previous events, some people have found this more difficult than the cycling, but if you are a couple of hundred short you can always make up the difference yourself. Others have found the fundraising far easier and raised over £10,000 for Heal. If you don't like the idea of fundraising, you can just pay the full amount yourself £2500 and treat Cycle India as a fantastic adventure holiday (which it is!) where you are actually doing something great for orphaned and destitute children.
How many miles will I need to cycle?
We will be cycling around 341 kilometres over five days. This is challenging yet manageable for most reasonably fit people who have done some training beforehand. We must stress Cycle India is not a race. If a hill is too tough, you can walk for a bit. And, if the going gets too tough, we have support vehicles.
What will the accommodation be like?
Here's links to some of the hotels / lodges we will be staying:
Lotus 8, Cochin - http://www.lotus8hotels.com/
Greenberg, Kulamavu - http://www.greenbergresorts.com/
Ranger woods, Thekkady - http://www.rangerwoodperiyar.com/
Summer Sands, Vagamon - http://www.summersand.in/
Houseboats: http://www.riceboatskerala.com/
Turtle Beach, Marari - http://www.abadhotels.com/mararibeach/
There may be the requirement for people to share rooms, and depending upon numbers taking part there may be camping required for some of the gentlemen.
What will the food be like?
We will be eating mainly freshly cooked Indian food, and will be supplied with fresh fruit and energy foods for during the cycling. There will be plenty of vegetarian food available. If you have any specific requirements then you will need to let us know.
How much will I need to raise if I'm not from the UK?
We have had a number of US citizens taking part in the last two Cycle India events. For US citizens, we would ask that you sort your own flights and then pay £250 ($400) registration fee then £500 ($800) towards costs and then fundraise (or pay) £1500 ($2500). This principle would be applied to people from other parts of the world wishing to take part.
Any Indian citizens wishing to take part will also be required to get themselves to and from Kerala for the event, and then raise (or pay) 1 lakh rupees paid directly to the Heal India account.