5 days, 290 miles: Dorset to Mont-Saint-Michel, France
Join Weldmar for an extraordinary adventure on two wheels! Tour de Weldmar is our fully supported and bespoke cycle from our hospice in Dorchester to Portsmouth, across the channel to France and finishing at the stunning UNESCO World Heritage Site, Mont-Saint-Michel in Normandy.
Dates: Tuesday 21st September to Saturday 25th September 2027
Location: Dorset, Hampshire, Normandy
Distance: 290 miles (approx)
Application deadline: 28th June 2027
Difficulty: Training required. You will cover sizeable distances with reasonable elevation, with days of back-to-back cycling. You will need to train to become a competent cyclist and able to average approximately 10mph as a minimum. This is very achievable with training, and we will support you every step of the way!
Fees and sponsorship requirements: £99 registration fee plus £1,990 minimum sponsorship OR £99 registration fee plus £995 and set your own fundraising target
Are you ready for an incredible cycling challenge?
Join Weldmar for our first bespoke overseas cycle taking place over five days in September 2027! Your adventure will take you from the hospice grounds in Dorchester, through the wilds of Dorset ready to catch the overnight ferry out of Portsmouth. Freshly off the boat the next morning on shores of Normandy, three fantastic days through the beautiful countryside of France await, before arriving for your finale at the incredible UNESCO World Heritage Site of Mont-Saint-Michel.
Need more details? Here’s the plan.
You will spend four days in the saddle, cycling about 290 miles. Your journey begins from our very own hospice in Dorchester, where friends, family, staff and our patients will see you off on this huge adventure.
The day ahead involves navigating the Dorset countryside and a jaunt past Corfe Castle before safely heading to the ferry. Once on board, a good night’s sleep awaits before we disembark in Ouistreham (Caen). Once on the bike, you will snake through picturesque Normandy and Brittany, as we cycle for three days through quiet French country lanes, where you will envy the French for their road building skills!
You’ll pedal through traditional market towns to see some of the best northern France has to offer with a mix of stunning countryside before we arrive in the wonder of the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Mont-Saint-Michel, as you complete this cycle challenge. We promise camaraderie and achievement in a welcome trade off for those days in the saddle.
Key points about Tour de Weldmar
- Challenge duration: five days
- Days in the saddle: four days
- Distance: 290 miles (approximately)
- Difficulty: Moderate – a good level of fitness is required for this challenge. We expect you to train for it, however, remember that although the distances are significant, you have all day to do it! We do require you to maintain an average speed of at least 10mph to ensure we meet checkpoints, mealtimes and ferry crossings!
- Accommodation: Overnight ferry and hotels (twin room occupancy)
Tour de Weldmar Entry Options
There are a number of options available in how you fund your trip and raise money for Weldmar.
Fundraising option: Registration fee £99 (non-refundable) + minimum sponsorship £1,990
The cost of this challenge per cyclist is £995, so you will raise £995 towards our care, with anything over the minimum target also funding our clinical teams. This option means the cost of your challenge is met through raising a minimum sponsorship.
Own target option: Registration fee £99 (non-refundable) + self-funding fee £995 + own fundraising target
This option gives you the freedom to set you own fundraising target, by paying for the cost of your challenge yourself. This way, you are in control of your goals.
Additional single supplement option: £295
Offered on a strictly limited availability, please request using the online form when you register.
Full details, including deadlines for payments, are available in the event terms and conditions.
Your Tour de Weldmar itinerary
Day 1 – Weldmar to Portsmouth Harbour
Registration will be early for a 7:30am departure (to be confirmed). An exciting first day immediately takes you out into the countryside across Dorset, heading steadily east. You’ll be safely navigated around Bournemouth, Southampton and Portsmouth, ready for a hearty meal before a night aboard the ferry.
Distance: 87.5 miles / 3,771ft in elevation gains
Route Map Day 1: Weldmar to Portsmouth Harbour (link to follow)
Day 2 – Ouistreham Harbour to Flers
Breakfast will be on the ferry, before we disembark at Ouistreham (Caen). We then head south where you will get your first taste of cycle in France with their wide and smooth roads. We take in the stunning French countryside before arrival in Flers, Normandy.
Distance: 73.9 miles / 4,410ft in elevation gains.
Route Map Day 2: Ouistreham Harbour to Flers (link to follow)
Day 3 – Flers to Fougères
Today you will cycle from Flers to Fougères. The day with the highest elevation gains, make sure you have some energy left in the tank! Today we enter Brittany and finish on the outskirts of the medieval town of Fougères –
Distance: 75.6 miles / 4,809ft in elevation gains.
Route Map Day 3: Flers to Fougères (link to follow)
Day 4 – Fougères to Mont-Saint-Michel
Your final day in the saddle and a shorter day too! Today’s route takes you north as we start to see a flatter route as you head towards the coast. Beautiful scenery will accompany you as we meet at the final rally point, before we head up to Mont-Saint-Michel as one big group. Cue the champagne in the shadow of this incredible wonder! This evening we will host our celebration meal, where your supporters will be welcome to join us (there will be additional cost for this).
Distance: 54.9 miles / 2,136ft in elevation gains.
Route Map Day 4: Fougères to Mont-Saint-Michel (link to follow)
So, ready to join Team Weldmar? This is what happens next:
- Sign up today using the ‘Sign Up’ button and choose your preferred option of either the Fundraising Entry or the Own Target Entry.
- You will receive an automated confirmation email of your booking and shortly afterwards, we will call you to welcome you to the team and then send your event pack.
- We will keep you regularly updated with fundraising information and training support.
- We are on hand to help with any fundraising support you need, and we will aim attend any events you put on.
- We will invite you to join us on a fully supported spring/summer training ride (date and location to be confirmed), which will also offer the chance to meet fellow cyclists.
- In late summer 2027 you will be invited to tech evening to answer any questions you might have about final plans, nutrition and mechanical support (all cyclists are expected to know how to conduct basic repairs such as changing a flat tyre).
- Well in advance of departure you will receive your final information pack, with everything you need to know to keep you safe, to ensure you have a fantastic time, and all the logistics for delivery.
- Before departure you will need to provide proof of travel insurance and complete a medical questionnaire, this information will be held securely by Weldmar and used solely for the purpose of keeping you safe whilst undertaking this challenge.
- Nearer departure date and once any adjustments to the route have been finalised, we will provide rough estimates if friends and family wish to cheer you on from certain points in the UK or in France.
- Finally enjoy Tour de Weldmar! Your fundraising will be almost complete, and this incredible adventure will be rolling past as you pedal every mile.
Our Event Experience
Weldmar’s Fundraising team has decades of combined event experience. Colleagues having acted as race directors for large half marathons, to being event leads of multi-day sports festivals, and led domestic and international treks and cycle events.
In short, you will be in safe hands!
Useful Downloads
The important information you need to know
Details of mandatory and optional kit
See what’s included – and what’s not
Frequently Asked Questions
I’m concerned about my fitness, can I do it?
Yes you can! With the right training plan, of which our Fundraising team can provide you with, you will get to a good level of fitness required to take part. A key tip – make sure you can ride bigger distances back-to-back across two days. Remember though, when training, you will be doing so around the usual commitments of life, on this cycle we take care of most of your meals, your baggage and all the planning; you only have to focus on pedalling and having fun!
I’m concerned about the fundraising target, can I do it?
Fundraising can feel daunting at first, but once you share what you’re taking on, you may be surprised by how eager friends, family and colleagues are to support you. Sharing your JustGiving page on social media is a simple and effective way to start building momentum.
Our dedicated Fundraising team will be on hand to offer guidance, ideas and encouragement throughout. From quiz nights and bake sales to dress down days and raffles, there are plenty of fun and achievable ways to reach your sponsorship target and even exceed it. Please get in touch to find out how we can help.
If you ever feel concerned about reaching your target, please contact us. We are here to support you every step of the way, so you don’t have to do it alone.
Why do you need my mobile number?
We will use your mobile number to join a private and controlled WhatsApp group to be able to share updates and details throughout the cycle, such as dinner times for the evening ahead on each of the evenings.
Can my friends and family join me in France?
Yes! They will need to sort their own accommodation and travel, but we can share details with them nearer the time. We expect to able to invite friends and family to join us for the celebration meal at a small cost to cover their food in Mont-Saint-Michel.
Do I need a passport?
Yes, and you will a least six months beyond the date of our return for it to be valid i.e. circa March 2028. We will ask you for your passport details when we collect your medical information and insurance certificate.
What sort of bike can I bring?
We strongly recommend a road bike over a gravel or mountain bike. Hybrid bikes are welcome too, but please consider how you will charge these as there are no options to so during each day. Preferably those with removable batteries are best as bikes won’t be allowed in rooms on the ferry or in hotels.
Will the route be signposted?
No, and providing your own GPD device is mandatory kit and not provided by Weldmar. You must supply your own device and have uploaded the routes before we depart (we will advise when these are finalised). We suggest you use it during your training, so you are familiar with your device. You may choose to use your phone with an app, such as RidewithGPS but it is useful to know that your phone battery will drain quickly, so travelling with a decent power bank on your bike is recommended.
What sort of accommodation is provided?
On night 1, you will have a cabin on the overnight ferry. On nights 2, 3 and 4, you will stay in hotels, often 2 or 3 stars. All rooms will be on a twin sharing basis unless the single supplement is purchased, however these are offered on a limited availability.
Will I be able to keep up?
Yes, and we would encourage you to cycle at a pace you are comfortable. The only thing we ask is that you train to become a competent cyclist and able to average approximately 10mph as a minimum.
Weldmar’s policy on helmets
We have a strict policy of ‘no helmet, no cycle’ and we insist you always comply with this.
Any further questions? Get in touch
If you have a question that is not answered here, or would like an informal chat with a member of the team, please contact fundraisers@weld-hospice.org.uk or call 01305 261800 in office hours.
We’d be delighted to speak to you.
Sign up for Tour de Weldmar today!
Registration form will appear here
