Yesterday a new multi-sensory garden at LauraLynn was unveiled which was the direct result of fundraising from Tour De Picnic 2012.
This year Tour De Picnic is adding a 10K charity run to the picnic alongside the 80k cycle to give people more options to participate and raise money for a good cause. The beneficiaries of this year’s Tour de Picnic will be Thank You Crumlin, Love Mia and Laura Lynn House, Irelands Children’s Hospice.
For both the 80km cycle and the 10km run Tour De Picnic have set minimum fund raising requirement of €380 (including a €50 deposit) but it’s your choice with how far you can take it! And for those of you who have already purchased their Electric Picnic ticket need not panic as they can still partake for the reduced fundraising amount of €230. Tour De Picnic is officially open for anyone to register and secure your spot to be a part of what is fast becoming a fantastic movement.
So here’s the details of the entire thing. Don’t blink.
Inaugural TDP 10km Run
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Fundraising requirement: Fundraise €380 (including €50 deposit)
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Already a ticket holder: Fundraise €230*
Participants in the 10km run will be bussed from the Tour De Picnic starting point in Tallaght Stadium to Athy, Co. Kildare. Once in Athy they will run to the gates of Stradbally escorted by a fleet of Harley Davidsons!
In return for your fundraising efforts you will get…
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A full weekend camping pass to the Electric Picnic festival
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Bus from Dublin to Athy
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Full Tour De Picnic running kit
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Food, drinks and goodies at finish area
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Baggage transfer to the festival
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Bus ticket home
10km itinerary Friday, 30th August 2013
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8am | Check in and baggage drop in Tallaght Stadium, Tallaght Dublin (your baggage & tent will be transported to the festival)
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10am | Bus departs from Dublin with runners on board
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11am | Bus arrives in Athy, Co. Kildare.
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11:30am | The 10km run to Stradbally commences!
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Arrival at EP is dependent on pace and ability. Runners expected to cross the finish line any time after 1pm.
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Tour De Picnic 80km Cycle
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Fundraising requirement: €380 (including €50 deposit)
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NEW ‘Student Special’: €290 (including €50 deposit)
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Already a ticket holder: Just fundraise €230*
The route has changed slightly since last year and the first rest stop is going to be a fruity affair with a picnic before the Picnic in the gardens of the beautiful Country Kitchen Show rooms at Ballymore Eustace. Tour De Picnic guides are on hand to help every step of the way. They are backed up with support vehicles equipped with bicycle mechanics and first aid personnel.
Student Special
For all students out there, Tour De Picnic have teamed up with CollegeTimes.ie to rally the students of Ireland to come out in force for this year’s cycle and have created a very special ‘Student Special’. All students wishing to partake have to raise €290 (including an initial deposit of €50).
In return for your fundraising efforts you will get…
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A full weekend camping pass to the Electric Picnic festival
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Fully supported 1st class cycling experience
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Full Tour De Picnic cycling kit
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Food, drinks and goodies at rest stops and finish area
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Baggage transfer to the festival
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Bus ticket home
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Bike transfer back to Dublin
Cycle Itinerary Friday, 30th August 2013
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8am | Check in and Baggage Drop in Tallaght Stadium, Tallaght, Dublin (Note: Upon arrival TDP will tag and check in your baggage. Your baggage and tent are transported to EP).
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Cycle Departs straight away
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Rest stop 1 | Ballymore Eustace, Co.Kildare – Fruit and snacks will be provided
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Rest stop 2 | Athy, Co Kildare – Lunch and tunes at the GAA club
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Arrival at EP is expected any time after 1pm… depending on pace and ability!
Step 1 … Cyclists depart Dublin for Stradbally!
When all have arrived in Tallaght Stadium the atmosphere builds and the countdown will commence. Departing in groups of the same ability we roll out two by two.
Tour de Picnic takes the quiet back roads to Stradbally. Starting in Tallaght Stadium we roll out the N81 to Blessington. We ascend into Wicklow leaving the backdrop of the city over our shoulders passing the beautiful Polaphuca lake and then move onto narrow country roads, which are carefully sign posted so nobody will get lost en route.
Every turn on the route is sign posted and there are markers every 10km for your convenience. Our safety marshals are dotted along the route to make other road users aware and to cheer you on.
Step 2 … Rest Stop, Ballymore Eustace at the Country Kitchens Show rooms | 25.7km
This intimate section of the cycle winds around the scenic stud farms and will bring you to the first rest stop at the Country Kitchens Show rooms in the leafy village of Ballymore Eustace. Here all cyclists will be treated to a fruit party provided by The Fruit People . The rest areas are fully equipped with free wi-fi, toilets, snacks, water and music.
Step 3 … Lunch Stop, Athy GAA grounds | 61km
We will then hit the open road cutting through the midlands on to Athy. When we arrive into Athy town we will make our way to Athy GAA field where more substantial snacks and sandwiches will be available. to all before taking off on the last 13km to Electric Picnic.
Step 4 … Tour de Picnic Welcome Area & Recovery Zone | 74.3km
The last slice of the cycle is flat farmland which is home to the National Ploughing Championships but to the Tour De Picnic regulars has become known as the ‘lap of honour’. It consists of a final approach across the tiniest of lanes sneaking around the back of the festival site up the Cork Road. *** location of Welcome Area ***
It’s when you turn through the gate and under the gantry that you realise that you have arrived in paradise and a weekend of wonder and amazement awaits after a simple adventure by bicycle. Sitting at 80m (266ft) Stradbally is pretty much on par with Kilcullen.
Welcome staff will be waiting with a smile and will carefully rack your bike whilst you take in your achievement. They will also load up your bike and bring it back to the origin where it will await you on the rack.
Welcome Area
At the Welcome Area, Tour De Picnic’s massage team will be offering a fully body rub down to help all participants, cyclists and runners, body adjust for the wonderful weekend ahead. There will be ice baths and fresh towels that will leave you energised and ready to eat.
Your bags are waiting for collection and you will be presented with your full weekend pass to Electric Picnic, a medal and a bus ticket home.
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Since Tour de Picnic’s 5 years ago, they have raised over €500,000 for children’s charities. They would like to thank everyone who participated and helped raise funds over the past 4 years and hope that this year will surpass all previous efforts. So go raise some money, get a ticket to the picnic and enjoy a weekend of great music while doing something good for charity.