BIKE PILGRAMAGE
XXXI. World Youth Day with Pope Francis
Prague – Cracow
15. – 31.07. 2016
#Cracow2016 #krakov2016 #BikePilgramage2016
Tour with 10 stages: PRAGUE – Kutná Hora – Čihošť – Žďár nad Sázavou - Jaroměřice u Jevíčka – Kroměříž - VELEHRAD – Sv. Hostýn – Dolní Domaslavice – Auschwitz – CRACOW.
Our services: Accomodation, breakfast and dinner, baggage transport, bik services, t-shirt, participation at WYD in Cracow, translators, possibility to rent a bike in Prague, Prague sightseeing
Registration: till April 30th 2016
Information:
email – info@cyklopoute.cz, tel.: +420 777 623 930.
THE MOST FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS ABOUT THE BIKE PILGRIMAGE 2016 TO KRAKOW IN THE EVENT OF THE WORLD YOUTH DAYS (WYD).
Bike Pilgrimage Introduction:
The Christian sport organization OREL Uherský Brod organizes a bike pilgrimage every year.
We have already organized 11 bike pilgrimages. During 2004 and 2007 the bike pilgrimages were organized to Austrian Mariazell, in 2005 to Cologne in the event of 10TH World Youth Meeting with the Pope Benedictine XVI., in 2008 to Čenstochové (Poland). For the 100th anniversary of OREL establishment in 2009 we rode through the Czech Republic. In 2010 we rode through Slovakia to Hungary and back and in 2011 the bike pilgrimage headed to Santiago de Compostela, connected with the Meeting of the Youth in Madrid. In 2012 we organized the bike pilgrimage to Rome for the event of 1150th anniversary of St. Cyril and Methodius arrival to Moravia. During the general audience we had the privilege to meet the Pope Benedictine XIV. In 2013 we experienced the bike pilgrimage from Thessaloniki to Velehrad (CZ), and also through the Czech Republic. In summer 2014 we organized a bike pilgrimage to Levoča in Slovakia and back. Last year we rode the bikes from Uherský Brod to Svatá Hora near Příbram (CZ).
The objective of 2016 bike pilgrimage is to ride from Prague to Krakow to attend the 31st World Youth Days with the Pope Francis.
For the start of this year pilgrimage we have chosen the heart of the Czech Republic – St. Vitus Cathedral in Prague Castle. The ends of each stage were chosen in a way that the pilgrims come to places connected with the saints or to pilgrimage well known places. They are: Kutná Hora – Číhošť – Žďár nad Sázavou – Jaroměřice u Jevíčka – Kroměříž – Velehrad – Svatý Hostýn – Dolní Domaslavice – Osvětim – Krakow.
What is a common bike pilgrimage day like?
The alarm clock goes off at about 6:45am for everybody, followed by a morning hygiene routine. The Holly Mass starts from 7:30am and is followed by breakfast (8-9am). After the breakfast (8:30-9:30am) everybody packs personal belongings and place the baggage into the escort vehicle available. In groups we set off the actual stage. We recommend having a holder on a bicycle for a small backpack where you can carry a raincoat, a repair set for bikes, i.e. a spare inner tube and patching, a bottle for drinks, some snack, a nut/chocolate bar, etc. The lunch is organized and paid individually on the way. After completing the stage, everybody gets own baggage from the escort vehicle together with a sleeping bag and sleeping pad. It is not recommended to finish the stage sooner than at 6pm as the premises are usually closed and the organizing team is responsible for its opening afterwards. Once the stage is completed and the pilgrims arrive, everybody unpacks the personal belongings, do the hygiene routine, followed by dinner which is usually served between 7 to 9pm. The dinner is followed by a personal free time and from 10.30pm till 6.30am night peace shall be respected.
How is the food organized?
The food is organized from the beginning of the bike pilgrimage in Prague, starting with dinner on Friday 15 July 2016. We provide breakfasts and dinners in the given places: Kutná Hora, Číhošť, Žďár nad Sázavou, Jaroměřice u Jevíčka, Kroměříž, Velehrad, Svatý Hostýn, Dolní Domaslavice and Osvětim. Dinner in Krakow (25 July 2016) will be provided fully by the WYD organizers. As in any other bike pilgrimage realized in the past, the drinking regime will be provided against the payment (draught beer and kofola). It will not be possible to cook individually; therefore you shall not take electric nor gas cookers with you.
Are we riding no matter what the weather is like? (when it is raining, while it is too hot)?
As we are not involved in a competition, but we are taking part in a pilgrimage, “suffering” to some point is expectable, including bad weather. Therefore it is necessary to carry a raincoat, sun cream, sunglasses, and other personal things with you in the backpack on the holder. It is important to have enough of drinks especially while the weather is extremely hot.
What to do if I experience any breakdown beyond repair?
At the introduction presentation each pilgrim will be given a phone number to a serviceman, a medic and the organizing team of the bike pilgrimage. After you dial the number and you send the text message (stating where exactly you are) the serviceman comes and repairs the problem. If the failure cannot be repaired immediately on the way, the serviceman takes the pilgrim to the end of the stage where the repair will be done.
I am „afraid „that I will not be able to ride the whole pilgrimage. Is it possible to get another transport or use the escort vehicle for some stages?
All the stages are organized in a way that everybody, even not so experienced cyclists, is able to manage them. We are trying to help all pilgrims and if possible we transport those who need it. It is also possible to get to the end of the stage by train or bus. Frankly speaking, we will never leave anybody without help in case of any problems.
Is it possible to get some things from the escort vehicle while on the ride?
No, it is not. Please note that because there is much baggage inside the vehicle, the loading and unloading process involved, the baggage can only be handed in at the end of each stage.
In what premises is the sleeping organized?
We use the premises of gyms, sports halls, classes or school corridors. That´s why it is necessary to have a sleeping pad with sleeping bag with you.
How to get to Prague for the start of the bike pilgrimage and when does the presentation take place?
We recommend booking the bike transport from the place of departure in advance if you travel to Prague by train. The presentation takes place on Friday 15 July 2016 probably from 5 to 8pm. The place will be announced. It is likely to take place in a school near Hardpan square. Each pilgrim will be given a tag to fill in their name. The tag shall be worn for all collective meetings (breakfast, dinner, accommodation), and also for the reason to get to know each other better during our pilgrimage J.
Which things to take with me for the bike pilgrimage?
Valid ID (for pilgrims from the EU), a passport and visa for pilgrims outside the EU. A bicycle in good technical condition! Please do not underestimate the condition for your bikes and your safety elements. You shall use the elements for higher visibility on your bike. A helmet, reflexive vest, a bottle for water, a sleeping bag, a sleeping pad, slippers, sufficient amount of personal pills, swimsuit, sun cream and after tan lotion, a hat, sunglasses, off spray, toilet paper, other personal belongings in luggage. It is necessary to have own plastic plate/ bowl, cutlery, a spoon, a teaspoon, a mug, a dishcloth. It is necessary to pay attention to daily intake of liquids. Amount of money in Czech crowns and Polish zloty at everybody´s discretion. Each pilgrim can take one luggage of total weight 15 kg.
Are each stage ridden together or in groups?
During the presentation the pilgrims will be divided into groups (based on personal discretion) and within the groups its members will ride together each stage. The new bike pilgrims will be placed in groups based on their condition before the first stage. A group cannot consist of one pilgrim and on the other hand a group shall not consist of more than 12 cyclists. Each international pilgrim will be placed to a group where he/she will be looked after as far as the language is concerned.
What foreign language do I have to speak to be able to attend the bike pilgrimage?
It is advantage to speak English or German on communicative level to be able to communicate.
Is it necessary to have own maps?
At the presentation the pilgrims will be given maps of recommended ways of each stage which will also be available for downloading on the bike pilgrimage website in time. If possible we will provide the leaders of groups with maps of regions. Yet, we recommend to have own map or navigation in the mobile phone.
What type of bike to chose?
What type of bike to chose is a matter of individual choice of each pilgrim. We highly recommend so called tracking bikes as the stages lead through cycling routes and the third class roads.
How is the spiritual program organized?
The Holly Mass is served each day during the bike pilgrimage. There are priests among the bike pilgrims who are there for you in case you need any spiritual support or sacrament of reconciliation.
Is there a condition to attend the bike pilgrimage to believe in God?
We do not see any difference in people who are faithful, looking for the faith or groping in the dark. However, important is that they accept our values including serving the Holly Mass everyday and the fact that this event is not a competition but a real pilgrimage connecting sports, culture and spirituality.
Is the bike pilgrimage limited by age?
No, it is not. We do not divide people into the younger ones, older ones or elderly ones. If you are under the age, we require you to fill in the Youth Cart, which is always a part of the schedules.
When can I join the start in the Czech Republic?
For international pilgrims we can provide accommodation from 12 July 2016 in a gym as well as sightseeing tour of Prague.
What if I cannot bring my own bike?
For international pilgrims who cannot bring own bikes with them, we will provide a rent-a-bike for the duration of the bike pilgrimage.
For all the information please visit http://www.cyklopoute.cz.
In case of any questions, please do not hesitate to call the main organizer on +420 777 623 930 or via e-mail info@cyklopoute.cz.
Mailing address:
Orel Uherský Brod
Orelský stadion
ulice Lipová 2614
688 01 Uherský Brod
Czech Republic
Contact:
Telephone +420 777 623 930
E-mail: info@cyklopoute.cz
Facebook: cyklopoutě
