Grand Tour Spain: "Ride Every Kilometre" Week 3 Castilla y Leon to Madrid

• Intermediate to advanced cycling abilities and skills.
• Good experience on big mountain climbs and descents, long distance riding, and back-to-back days on the bike.
• Adequate training in advance of the trip … you will be attempting to ride several stages of a pro race - it is achievable when you have trained well.
• Time is an important factor on this trip. In order to achieve our goal of riding every kilometre before the pros, we must stick to a strict timetable. This includes starting early in the morning as instructed and adhering to the time allocated for our food breaks during the ride.
• If for some reason you are behind the group due to fitness or mechanical reasons, you may be asked to jump into the van to catch up with the rest of the group.
• Vice versa if you are too fast and ahead of the group … you may need to wait for the group.
• The guides will set clear parameters such as road rules, food breaks, and waiting at the top of a pass. His/her instructions must be followed at all times.
• The safety of all our team members is our first priority. You are required to ride safely, respect all road rules, and follow the instructions of our guides and of any officials, for your benefit and for the other team members.

• 6 nights in charming hotels hand picked by our experienced team
• Meals : breakfast & dinner
• Picnic lunch during rides
• Energy nutrition
• Knowledgeable and experienced guide(s)
• Fully supported tour with vehicle and mechanic
• Cleaning kit and tool kit available for use
• Grand Tours Project cycling kit
• Road book including all the details you need to know on your trip
• Gpx files - for Garmin device upload
• Transfers from and to a designated airport, within a predefined time window

What’s Not included ?

• Flights / transportation to the defined pick-up/drop-off locations
• Travel insurance
• Alcoholic drinks
• Bike rental (Bianchi Infinito CV, carbon frame and Shimano Di2 Ultegra, Disk) available on request

What an extraordinary experience ! Riding the first nine stages of one of the crown jewels of cycling - the Spanish Grand Tour La Vuelta, in 2018 - was one of the best sporting experiences I’ve ever had. Unforgettable. I have participated in several other challenging races, such as Haute Route or L'Ardéchoise. Yet the possibility of riding La Vuelta just few hours before the professional cyclists hit the road to compete, added another dimension. A big thank you to all of those who rode with me and to Grand Tour Project for the perfect organisation. Special thanks to Uri, our guide, and Joel, the driver, for their professionalism and kindness.

Christian , Grand Tour, Spain: Ride Every Kilometre tour 2018

This tour is being hosted in conjunction with the "Ride with Mike" project. Mike Navybox, from Australia, has the goal of riding all 3 Grand Tours in one year, to raise awareness and support for a cause very close to his heart. In 2011, Mike was diagnosed with Renal Cell Carcinoma – kidney cancer. Mike underwent emergency surgery to remove the cancerous malignant tumor as well as his right kidney. Mike sought treatment locally and internationally, traveling to Paris to receive cutting edge ISET blood tests, an amazing blood test that identifies circulating malignant tumor cells. Upon returning to driver training work in 2013, Mike was involved in a very serious accident whilst in the passenger seat of a high performance car. He sustained bleeding on the brain and serious neck injuries. Mike underwent major surgery that included three vertebrae being fused together. Not surprising, Mike was clinically diagnosed with Depression and Post Traumatic Stress Disorder.

Mike has currently raise AUD$479,000 for the National Institute of Integrative Medicine (NIIM), a not for profit organisation conducting research in Integrative Medicine, and facilitating its practice at the NIIM Clinic.

All profits from Grand Tours Project’s Ride Every Kilometre cycle trips will be donated NIIMs.