March 2017 | 151
South of France Summer 2017 4 stages from 50km to 200km Free online registration !
For more information & to register visit www . csfcycleforlife . org
One in three people in the western world will suffer some kind of cancer in their lifetime . That in itself is a frightening statistic , but imagine if it was you or a loved one , and the country you live in , didn ’ t speak your main language . Scary indeed .
In 2002 , Cancer Support France ( CSF ) was set-up to help people in exactly that situation , offering both emotional and practical help such as translation , and now has a vast pool of knowledge and resources at their disposal .
In June 2015 , to celebrate life , sunshine and friendship , the Gascony branch of CSF organised a bike ride along the 240 km of the Canal du Midi in southern France . A UNESCO World Heritage Site , this beautiful setting provided a fabulous backdrop to what for some was a big personal challenge , and to all , proved to be a very enjoyable few days . Over 60 people rode at least one day , with an heroic few riding all 5 stages from end to end . Among the riders were survivors , sufferers , supporters and sightseers , some having not cycled for decades .
“ Cycle for Life ” has now become an important annual event to raise awareness for CSF and to acknowledge the fantastic and challenging work that they do for English speakers in France .
Cycle for Life 2017 is open to all and starts in the Medieval city of Carcassonne on 22 June . Over 4 days and in 4 separate stages , the 200km route takes in paths alongside the Canal du Midi , Canal de la Robine and Mediterranean coast before ending in the coastal town of Sête . With a number of sponsors including Freewheeling France , LaFranglaiseWeb , Renestance and VideoProFrance , it promises to be a great celebration of life with the added conviviality that a group of pedal-powered people can generate .
Cycle tour company and sponsor Vie et Vélo is run by Canadians Bruce and Denise who can offer help with bike hire , bike transport or booking accommodation . Denise explains “ We are very excited to be supporting Cycle for Life this year as it not only benefits a great cause , but highlights some of the fabulous cycling to be had in Languedoc . I expect it will be a great event for cycling enthusiasts of all levels . We are here to help make the experience an easy and enjoyable one for all .”
So , if you ’ re expecting a race , epic hill climbs , sprint finishes , or weighing your pasta every evening , this is not the ride for you . If a gentle meander through beautiful French countryside in the sunshine , sharing wonderful lunch stops and some bicycle banter is more your thing , don ’ t think twice about taking part - plenty of fun , food ( and of course wine !) are all part of the experience of a lifetime .
Registration for the event is free . You can join for any of the 4 stages or take part in the full 200km . For further details visit www . csfcycleforlife . org .