Paris is calling, will you pick up?

When Clive Hamilton, our Vice-Chair, came to us with an idea for an outdoor event, we loved it so much we knew we had to be a part of it! So we gathered our multi-talented team and set to work on our next steps. Armed with a bold plan and relentless enthusiasm, we conjured up a whirlwind adventure, and it’s heading your way in July.

Say hello to the Cardiff to Paris Charity Cycle Ride! Our new and shiny event will get you out of the house and into the beautiful countryside as we cycle from Cardiff through to charming English and French towns until we reach our final stop in the breath-taking city of Paris. 

Fun with a purpose

It’s almost time to get your mind and body ready to take on the great outdoors, and we promise it will be an adventure of a lifetime! It’s an opportunity to get fit, challenge yourself, meet like-minded people, build friendships and create memories that will forever put a smile on your face.

Graham Jones, our CEO, said the following:

“As you may know, we at Woody’s Lodge love to have fun while making a difference, and this event is no exception. On the journey, we will pay our respects to those who lost their lives in the Army, Navy and Air Force during the Great War and Second World War. We also hope to raise enough funds to continue supporting Veterans, ex-members of the Emergency Services, and their families.” 

If you’re a cyclist (amateur or professional), supporter, driver or corporate sponsor – let’s go and explore Cardiff to Paris and discover hidden gems along the way! 

Show your support by helping us raise £70k

We understand that not everyone can cycle from Cardiff to Paris, but you can still show your support by helping Woody’s Lodge raise £70k. To get us to this target, you can donate directly to our funding page or start a fundraiser to support the cause. Every penny helps us further our goal of providing veterans and their families with quality services, facilities and so much more.

The Welsh Ambulance Service sends us massive support

Ian Price, an Emergency Medical Technician from the Welsh Ambulance Service and a trustee of Woody’s Lodge, expressed the following:

“We are really proud to be supporting this great fundraising effort and regularly signpost any of our staff who need support into Woody’s Lodge.

“With the backing of our Chief Executive, Jason Killens and Cardiff Locality Manager Rob Brunnock, we have been able to commit our Cycle Response Unit vehicle and two members of staff to support the cyclists with technical and practical help on their journey to Paris in July.

“We would encourage anybody who can donate a few pounds to visit the Just Giving page and help this great cause to continue safeguarding our country’s service personnel and emergency staff.”

Meet your Captains

Leading the way from Cardiff to Paris will be three exceptional Ride Captains who will ensure everything runs smoothly and safely. They are David “Dai” Mathias, Gordon “Porty” Barclay and Gareth Williams. They have not only led many local and international cycling events, but also support several charities such as the British Heart Foundation, Ty Hafan and now Woody’s Lodge!

At the moment, our Ride Captains and participating riders are hard at work preparing for the big event, ensuring they are in tip-top shape to take on this exciting adventure. Check out some of the selfies they captured between their high energy training sessions. 

Restful nights

Cycling for so many days may seem daunting at first, especially if you’re an amateur. But don’t worry, everything has a perfect pace, so you get plenty of rest. Each day, we will do one route and stop once for lunch and every few miles for refreshments. After a long day, we will enjoy overnight stays in three-star boutique hotels, and we even added a cosy cabin to the mix! 

An evening in Paris awaits

We kick off our adventure in Cardiff and make our way to the English towns of Frome and Portsmouth. The highlight on the first leg of the journey is dinner and well-earned drinks in a quaint pub on the ferry terminal. On days three and four, we soak up the picturesque French towns of Caen, Le Neubourg and Magnanville. Here, we will visit the war memorial site known as Pegasus Bridge and the Villez-sur-le-Neubourg Churchyard. This is our opportunity to pay our respects to our fallen heroes of WWII, including Captain Geoffrey Laurence Burgess. On the final day, we make our way to the Trocadero, where we will enjoy an evening in Paris and end our journey in grand style while overlooking the Eiffel Tower.

Awaiting you at the end of the five-day adventure is a:

• Champions Reception
• Three-course Gala Dinner
• Certificate and medal ceremony
• A fun “kangaroo court style” ceremony by your Ride Captains

We would love you to experience Cardiff to Paris with us! The adventure begins from the 5th to the 10th of July. Fill in the form to join or if you have any questions. Our helpful team will get back to you.

Event page 

Are you ready to put your leg muscles to work and get your heart racing? If so, Woody’s Lodge has a great adventure planned. Join us from the 5th to the 10th of July 2022 for the Cardiff to Paris Charity Cycle Ride. With the event almost here, you can still be a part of the excitement as a rider or supporter. We would love to have you in the event, and luckily there are a few spots available for riders. All you have to do is scroll to the bottom of this page to register. For those who would like to show support financially, we have an ambitious goal to raise £70k for Woody’s Lodge. You can help get us there by donating directly to our funding page or starting a fundraiser. Help us reach our target so we can continue to assist veterans and their families across the UK. Our riders are busy preparing for the adventure, and they stopped to take a few selfies along the way. Check out some of the special moments as they prepare to take on the great outdoors.

Expect the unforgettable 

As the name suggests, our adventure begins in Cardiff and meanders through the English towns of Frome and Portsmouth. On days three and four, we soak up the picturesque French towns of Caen, Le Neubourg and Magnanville. On the final day, we make our way into Paris and celebrate in grand style with a champions reception, Gala dinner and an award ceremony for all the participants. 

Leading the way will be three established Ride Captains who are there to ensure everything runs smoothly and safely. But, would this be Woody’s event without a greater purpose in mind? Of course not. On the journey, we will pay our respects to those who lost their lives in the Army, Navy and Air Force during the Great War and Second World War. We also hope to raise enough funds to continue supporting those who need our services the most. 

Our goal for the event is to make a difference while meeting like-minded people, getting fit, visiting incredible places and creating everlasting memories. If you’re a cyclist (amateur or professional), supporter, driver or corporate sponsor – we would like you to join the adventure. It’s an opportunity to give back while having fun!