Last year we rode the Loire Challenge for Wessex Heartbeat. This year we're riding through the Burgundy region of France in order to raise money for Wessex Cardiac Trust and The Joe Glover Trust.

Thank you for visiting our fundraising page - please dig deep and sponsor us online.

Donating through this site is simple, fast and totally secure. It is also the most efficient way to sponsor us: Wessex Cardiac Trust, and The Joe Glover Trust, will receive your money faster and, if you are a UK taxpayer, an extra 28% in tax will be added to your gift at no cost to you.

About the Wessex Heartbeat Challenge

The Heartbeat Cycle Challenge is not a race. It is an annual 3 day relay event in France for teams of 4 riders covering a distance of 500 miles. Using almost entirely quiet, well-surfaced country roads, the teams will encounter a wide variety of terrain and pass through some of the country’s most picturesque scenery and villages. The route is marked and continuously supervised by teams of experienced marshals. Each team will need to provide a suitable vehicle to carry 4 people plus bikes. This may be a car with roof or rear carrier (or both) or a van.  Road bikes are much the best but lightweight mountain bikes with slick tyres, a suitable gear ratio, and a fit rider, will be OK.

As well as a substantial physical test, the Challenge is also a major fundraising event. Teams are required to raise at least £1,000 in sponsorship (many raise very much more), half of which is donated to Wessex Heartbeat, the organising charity, to support the work of the Wessex Cardiac Centre; half can be donated to another registered charity of the team’s choice (The Joe Glover Trust)

THE ROUTE

Day 1 will go due south through some of the most picturesque countryside in Normandy to finish just south of the River Loire at La Pommeraye, near Angers.

Day 2 is a long ride east through the vineyards south of Saumur; into Chinon; along the banks of the River Indre passing the chateaux at Usse, Azay le Rideau and Chenonceau, before entering the Sologne region, an area rich in wildlife, dotted with forests and hundreds of small lakes. The end of day 2 will be in Nouan-le-Fuzelier.

Day 3 Continuing south east through the town of Aubigny we cross the Upper Loire just north of Sancerre, climb through the vineyards of Pouilly Fume, into the Morvan National Park. Known in the Burgundy Region as Little Switzerland this last part of the Challenge will live up to its name with plenty of climbs and long descents before finally reaching our destination, the centre of the world famous Burgundy wine growing area, the beautiful town of Beaune.

Hopefully Team QGate will still be in one piece by the time we reach Beaune, shattered but satisfied in the knowledge that our efforts are rewarded.

Thanks again for your generosity. 

Our nominated Charity, The Joe Glover Trust, believes that no child suffering from cancer, or their family, should ever feel alone. They provide ongoing practical, emotional and financial assistance to children, and their families, whose lives have been changed forever by this life threatening disease. They also support the health professionals that treat children with cancer across the South of England.