They're off again!
AS the saying goes, failing to plan is planning to fail. However, we believe that one of the reasons why the Paris to Hayling has been such a success and why riders have returned year after year, is precisely because we have been pretty good at planning.
With a total change of route and with the move from Paris to the Loire Valley, planning has been more important than ever in 2008.
We started figuring out parts of this year's route as long ago as 2006 and we have invested an enormous amount of time in this year's arrangements.
The best part of 100 hotels in 10 different locations were contacted, before we settled on the 31 being used in six towns and these have all been checked and rechecked.
Wayside stops for morning coffee, lunch and that vital afternoon beer have likewise been closely vetted and we have carefully plotted the route, trying to find the right balance between hills, distance, traffic load and scenery.
More than half the bike ride committee has been in France at some time in the last year to work on these important details.
We feel confident riders will enjoy the event and appreciate the investment in organising a completely new route.
Moreover, based upon past experience and the number of riders entered - 20 more than last year - we are reasonably confident that we will again raise in exces of 100,000, adding significantly to the 1,025,000 collected so far.
The Paris to Hayling was the first regular charity cycle ride from the French capital and now with our Loire Valley destination we again have a unique concept.
But although Le Tour de Tours has a certain ring to it, we intend to maintain the Paris to Hayling "brand" for the foreseeable future!
Corporate sponsorship, whether in money or in kind is key to the ride. Contributions from this source, coupled with the fact that, unlike with most other charity cycles rides, riders pay their full travel and accommodation costs, have helped us ensure that no personal sponsorship money is used for ride costs.
We are delighted that software company QlikTech (www.qliktech.com) has agreed to support us in 2008. With its award-winning business intelligence product QlikView, QlikTech is quite possibly the fastest-growing software company in the world.
By PETE MCQUADE
President Paris to Hayling charity cycle ride
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Weather for Hayling
Friday 25 May 2012
Today
Sunny
Temperature: 13 C to 25 C
Wind Speed: 22 mph
Wind direction: East
Tomorrow
Sunny
Temperature: 13 C to 23 C
Wind Speed: 24 mph
Wind direction: East
