No, all types of cyclists have successfully completed this cycle, from the experienced racer to people who have just trained for this event.

The Cycle will represent a challenge, even for the fittest, but anyone who prepares and trains for the event will without any doubt complete the Cycle. Nobody to date has failed to finish.

This is a personal choice, but we strongly recommend that you use a racing bike or a sports type road bike. The lighter the bike, the easier it is to cycle.

There will be groups of different ability on the road, and you will be able to join one suitable to your own pace. One of the main reasons for having practice cycles before we go, is to give cyclists the opportunity to find, and become acquainted with a group of their own ability. We do not allow cycling on your own for safety reasons.

They are used to help cyclists gauge their level of fitness, to help cyclists become accustomed to cycling in a group, to get an idea of how many groups will be on the roads in France and to help the backup team become familiar with the duties they will have to perform. They also foster personal friendships. Everyone should attend.

The daily routes are navigated by GPS. Cyclists and Backup Teams use Garmin or other similar bike computers or mobile phone apps. Our Route Crew on the road will, as often as possible, give directions at difficult junctions. At dinner each evening a route map, with direction notes for the next day, will also be supplied.

View cycle route

This varies quite a lot, from 4 to 10 hours depending on distance, weather, and terrain; and of course your fitness and cycling ability. The daily cut off time for all cyclists is 5pm.

View cycle route

7 consecutive days — Saturday to Good Friday. Returning home on Easter Sunday.

View Cycle Route

In most cases it will be 2-3 star hotel accommodation, but in some cases it may be higher. Accommodation is on a sharing basis.

Breakfast in the hotel at 7am each morning; tea stop refreshments served daily on the roadside, and dinner in the hotel or nearby restaurant in the evening.

The Cycle takes place on open roads and bike tracks and safety is our priority. The rules of the road apply in all cases. We cycle on the right-hand side of the road in France. Everyone participating has a responsibility to always act and behave in a safe manner and to observe the rules of the road.

Bikes will be transported by our truck and on ferry to and from France. It will be ready for you at the start of the Cycle. Back home, the bikes will be stored at a central location for you to collect in the following 3 weeks.

Your travel to and from France will be arranged by the Trust. The outbound flight for the Cycle Group will be from Dublin Airport. Your flight back to Dublin will be on Easter Sunday. Volunteers remaining on for the Easter week will return home the following Saturday with their Trust Group.

There are 12 places in the Backup Team. If selected you will be assigned to one of the teams: catering, mechanical, route support, or hotel crew.

Yes, no exceptions! Every person participating in the Cycle must raise their funds.

For our 2026 Cycle to Lourdes – 28th March to 3rd April 2026:

You will pay a personal fare of €950.

N.B. the €250 non-refundable deposit is part of your fare.

You must raise a minimum of €3,000 in sponsorship for the Trust.

Members of the Cycle Group remaining on in Lourdes for the second week as Volunteer carers with their Trust Group are required to:

• Communicate directly with the Trust office

• Fill out and submit a Volunteers Application Form (2026)

• Guarda Vetting

• Pay an additional €300 fare for the second week

The children and young people whom the Trust serve are the direct beneficiaries of the funds raised, as the Trust covers in full the cost of their holiday. All our volunteers, including our Cycle Group, pay their own fare, and this ensures that maximum value is gained from the funds raised, to benefit the young people.