Spine Ride 2024: The Pentatour – Five days, five countries.
Each year, World Spine Care Europe holds a fundraising event involving a multi-day cycling trek across Europe. This year, the peloton will cycle approximately 420 miles over 5 days, averaging about 84 miles (135km) per day. The ride will take place 14-19 June 2024, starting in Charleroi, Belgium, and finishing in Zurich, Switzerland.
The crew has been selected and are in preparations. You can support their ride by making a donation.
Next year’s ride will be along the Loire Valley, around the same time of year. Contact WSCE President Adam Wilkey for more information.
Belgium begins
Charleroi and Dinant, Belgium
Named after Charles II of Spain, Charleroi later became an important industrial centre in Belgium and it is here that our journey southward begins early on Saturday morning. A long, hilly day sees our group travel southeasterly through the bumpy countryside on a long 100 miler(wish) to our first stop and semi-camping (in caravans) in the vibrant village of Tintigny - yep, no one else has heard of it either, unless you are an enthusiast of WWI.
Three countries in a day
Luxembourg City
A shorter day but still bumpy, we keep south but a little more easterly we move through Belgium, Luxembourg through forests and villages, and into Germany. Night two is spent in a hotel in Dillingen a relatively small town a short distance from the borders of both Luxembourg and France.
Holiday with a Roman Emperor
The ancient and stunning town of Haguenau on the eastern border of France is our destination on day 3 of the ride. A favourite haunt of Emperor Frederick in the 12 century, this town boasts an island castle in the middle of the river and streets strewn with timbered houses and chocolate box streets. We travel 85 miles but now the days are becoming a little less hilly.
Long and flat
In 2017, we rode along the Rhine finishing at Strasburg. Coincidentally, this year we pick up the Rhine at the exact spot, heading southwards we will race river cruisers waving to passengers as they sip their wine from the local vineyards that cover the surrounding hills and countryside. Into the mobile homes again tonight (but there is a swimming pool onsite) for a restful night to prepare us for the final push.
Slipping between France and Germany
Vevey, Switzerland
Following the river, we slide into Switzerland. Of course, being in Switzerland we will steadily climb snake-like mountain roads followed by descents at breakneck speeds like the TDF pros that we are, all the way into Zurich! Or maybe there just happens to be another river route that we can follow. Let’s see! And if we get there in time, a visit to the Lindt factory to replenish our energy supplies will, of course, be necessary.
