Ganet’s North Downs Adventure: FAQs

We have included below answers to some of the more frequent questions about our sponsored bike ride on 24 June 2012. If you have any other questions, please email bikeride@ganetsadventureschool.org

The entry form to the ride can be found here

What is Ganet’s Adventure School?
The school is located in Mkondezi village, 5km west of Nkhata Bay, Northern Malawi. The school was established in 2004, and currently has an enrolment of around 200 pupils aged between 4 and 16, who walk up to 5 miles each day to get to school, which gives a good indication of Malawians’ enthusiasm for education. Lessons are taught in English and Chichewa, and cover a wide curriculum including maths, science, French, music and P.E. The school has very basic classrooms and is located in a bustling village. Books, equipment and facilities are limited. In spite of this, the school football team is a force to be reckoned with in the area!
Read the latest school news here

How do I set up a fundraising page?
We ask all riders to use the Virgin Money website as this is not-for-profit and so has lower charges to the charities that use it.
Here is a link to the event page, from which you can set up your own fundraising page:
http://uk.virginmoneygiving.com/charity-web/charity/displayEventDetails.action?eventId=10661&charityId=1001479&invocation=don0060

Don’t forget to include a personal reason why you think Ganet’s Adventure School is worth supporting, and why you’re joining our cycling adventure!

How is the day going to work?
Here is a brief outline of the day:
7.45-9.00am (depending on  your allocated start time)  Arrive at: Molesey Lock, East Molesey, Barge Walk, East Molesey, Surrey KT8 9AW
(Nearest train station is Hampton Court)
Check in/register and briefing
Have bike checked over (brakes working, tyres properly inflated etc)
8.00-9.30 groups will depart at 10-15 minute intervals
12.30 – 1.30: Lunch
3.00-5.00: Finish Back at Hampton.
3.00 onwards: Food and drinks to be had at: The Bell Inn, 8 Thames Street, Hampton, London TW12 2EA. Friends and family are welcome, but please let us know in advance so we can ensure there is enough space for everyone.

Where are we going to go?
The 46 mile loop starts and finishes close to Hampton Court, location of this year’s Olympic cycling time trial, and we will also ride up Box Hill, along a section of the Olympic road race route. From Hampton Court we ride through Esher and Cobham and out into the Surrey Countryside. We pass along the North Downs through picturesque villages, and we’ve also arranged special permission to ride up the famous Zig Zag Road to Box Hill – you’ll certainly feel you’ve earned your lunch! From there it’s a gentle route back via Epsom and Kingston.

We finish by coasting along beside the Thames and past the world famous gardens of Hampton Court Palace. We’ve arranged to finish at The Bell Inn beside the river where we can all get together and share stories of the day’s exertions over some well-earned refreshments!

What type of Bike do I need to have?

A road bike or hybrid will be best suited to the day’s ride which will be on sealed roads apart from a couple of miles on a well-surfaced cycle path by the Thames. Mountain bikes are fine too, change on to road tyres if you have them.

What Training should I do?

You should be comfortable doing 40 miles or so. We will be making regular stops as necessary and a longer stop for lunch.

What do I need to bring?
Equipment needed:
Helmet (Compulsory)
Cycling gloves
Padded shorts
Eye protection (Sunglasses or clear ones)
Small Pannier/Rucksack
Spare inner tube
Tyre levers
Pump
Multi tool
Spanner (if your bike doesn’t have quick release wheels)
Bike Lock
Water bottle
Snacks/Chocolate bars/Fruit
If cold: Windproof Jacket and a warm base layer
If sunny: Suntan lotion
Mobile Phone