OTHER FAQs …

What insurance do I need?

All participants must have adequate travel insurance, which covers cycling and multi geography riding.  You will be asked to provide your policy provider and number.

For UK residence, if you have an UK European Health Card (EHIG) it will be valid until the expiry date on the card. Once it expires, you’ll need to apply for a GHIC to replace it.  The UK Global Health Insurance Card (GHIC) lets you get state healthcare in Europe at a reduced cost or sometimes for free.  To apply for a GHIC, click here. However, please note that the GHIC or EHIG do not replace travel insurance.

What about Group 1 & 2 riders?

The men’s competition takes place in Group 1 and the women’s in Group 2, and actively contests the timed sections. In prior years a British Cycling Race Gold or Race Silver membership was required by UK residents. Race licences are not required for 2022.  We do however encourage membership. International visitors do not require their local race licences for 2022.  We also ask Group 1 & 2 riders to ensure their travel insurance covers you for riding in ‘timed’ sections. 

What about group 3, 4, 5 & 6 riders?

British Cycling’s Ride Membership or equivalent is recommended for riders who are UK residents. For international visitors we recommend adequate travel insurance.

Tell me more about the British Cycling packages?

British Cycling memberships run for 12 months and in our view provide the best cover that you can get to protect yourself against unforeseen circumstances related to your cycling activities around the world. Race membership (Silver and Gold level) provides the member with liability cover for training, commuting, and racing. Ride membership is exclusively for non-competitive events, training, and commuting. All the membership packages offer the same high level of customer service and support, as well as a range of exclusive money saving member benefits. Full details of all the British Cycling Legal & Insurance Benefits can be found here: https://www.britishcycling.org.uk/legalandinsurance

Will my group change?

The decision to move riders from one group to another during the ride is at the sole discretion of the Event Director with advice from the ride captains and is based on your speed and/or group riding ability.  If it is found that your ability greatly exceeds your group, you will be moved to a faster group. Of course, the reverse is true as well. Riders must ride in their allocated seeded groups. The exception to this is Group 1 and Group 2.  Men from lower groups than Group 1 will not be able to move up to Group 1 if they have not started in it, and Women from lower groups than Group 2 will not be able to move up to Group 2 if they have not started in it, this is to comply with the French Cycling Federation regulations. 

Who manages the ride?

The ride is managed by the Event Director.  Any decision made by the Event Director is final.

What do I wear?

Helmets complying with international safety standards are compulsory for the duration of the ride. Closed cycling shoes (no fancy sandals), shorts and jerseys are also recommended for your safety. It is recommended that you take three sets of cycling kit and a plastic bag for the dirty clothes. At this time of the year in France the daytime temperature is 15-27 Deg Celsius. Be sure to include a lightweight rain jacket – with global warming you never know. Post riding, (and evening wear) dress is casual, including celebrations in Paris.

What’s this I’ve heard about rolling road closures!?

It is true there will be rolling road closure for France. In the UK we have the support of NEG outriders, however roads are not closed.

Personal stereos and headsets

There has been an increasing prevalence of riding with stereo headsets and ipods. For safety reasons they are not permitted whilst riding.

Luggage service

We operate a luggage service with DHL. The luggage will “ride ahead” of you and you will only see your luggage again in the evening for the overnight stop. If you require items during the day, please use the musettes (day bag) as provided at Sign On. You will be able to access your musette at the lunch stop and the finish of each day. Each rider will be given a luggage label at Sign On, please ensure that this is attached securely to your bag. Every care will be taken to ensure that the bags are safeguarded. However, cyclists are advised not to leave expensive, valuable items in their bags, as the organisers cannot take responsibility for any losses. Only one luggage bag/case per rider is permitted.  We also request no ‘valuable items’ are given to crew members to safe keep. These should be packed within your one luggage allowance and is your responsibility.

Lost property

We will have a lost property box located next to the “Information” flag. Please place or retrieve lost property from here. Lost property will be kept for one week after the event, and thereafter donated to charity. Any postal or couriered returns will be charged for.

Do I need a bike bag or box?

No, please do not bring bags or boxes (unless you are travelling onwards from Paris). These take up valuable space. The support crew will pack the bikes with protection (however you are responsible for insuring your bike against any damage for the duration of the event, including transit). If you are leaving us in Paris and need your bike box for your onward journey, then you will need to select (on your rider information questionnaire) that your bike bag/box (hard or soft) goes onto the DHL trucks at the start.

Do we have mechanics?

Yes, we have full mechanics support for each group. This service is provided by Service Corps and led by Graeme Freestone-King as the Head Mechanic. The service runs from fully fitted vans and thus most repairs will be able to be facilitated. The service is available to deal with bike repairs/failures and problems. There will also be some spare bikes and wheels. We strongly recommend that your bike is fully serviced prior to the event with fresh tyres and tubes.

And what happens if I puncture?

Let’s hope that you do not puncture! Please ensure that you are using new tyres and tubes as this greatly reduces the chance of puncture. Let the group and specifically your ride captains know that you have punctured. The ride captains are in radio contact with the support van and will let them know you have punctured. If you have lost the group, the support van will drop you off with the group again. There may of course be a situation with loads of punctures for whatever reason. Thus, be sure to carry one tube and CO2 canister at least, so that you can affect the repair yourself.

How do I pay for tubes, spares etc used?

Your first tube is on us, however after this and for any other mechanical parts we use a “chit” system. All you need to do is sign for the items and the Service Corps will contact you after the event to sort out payment.

Where do I keep my sun cream, wallet, and other small items?

At Sign On you will be given a musette (day bag). You can keep items that you may wish to access during the day in this bag, and it will be kept in the support van. Be aware that your luggage bags will be well ahead of the peloton, so you will not be able to access this before arrival at the hotel. It might be useful to keep a dry top, arm and leg warmers and long sleeves in the musette.

What about lunch and nutrition on route?

Each day we have a lunch stop of approx. 30-45 minutes. Lunch is included and consists of endurance related foods. Each group’s support vehicle will be well stocked daily with water, bananas, fruit cake and cereal bars. You need to provide your own specific sports nutrition if required. You will be asked to let us know about any dietary requirements on the rider questionnaire. 

Massages

We have a team of sports therapists for the event. They will be available at the start, lunch and hotels in the evenings. You can book these at the beginning of each day with the Massage team. These are complimentary but are very popular so please book.

Where can I stay locally the night before?

If you are travelling from afar and need overnight accommodation the night before the start then we recommend you book some accommodation locally. If you search on booking.com using postcode KT8 or Esher.

Travel Documents

You will require a valid passport and if applicable, visa for travel. You are also required to take out personal travel insurance.

Checklist of what is useful to pack

– Passport (Visa)

– European Health Insurance Card or Global Health Insurance Card

– British Cycling Membership (Gold/Silver) or Ride Cycling Membership

– Cell phone (be sure to enable roaming well before you leave. If you are coming from the USA or Asia, make sure that you have a GSM enabled phone.) Carry your phone on you for app alerts.

– Telephone charger

– Travel adapter

– Cash – Euros for France, Sterling for the UK

– Credit card

– Small camera

– Sun cream

– Sun block

– Chamois cream

– Lip balm

– Pain killers

– Anti diarrhoea

– Anti inflammatory

– Salt tablets

– Warm up and cool down creams

– Baby wipes

– Towel

– Telephone charger

– Travel adapter

– HRM and strap

– Helmet

– Sunglasses

– Plastic bag for dirty cycle kit

– Water bottles (you’ll be given 2 x DHL water bottles at Sign On)

– Gels, drink powders and energy bars

– Fresh legs!

SEE YOU SOON!

If you still have any questions, then please feel free to contact us on the Hotchillee app!  If you haven’t downloaded it yet any updates about the event can be found on the Hotchillee Companion app, where the Hotchillee team will be at your fingertips! Login will be via the same email address and password you use for www.hotchillee.com. Any key announcements will always be found here first.