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Ziggurat 2024

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Large group of Ziggurat riders in rider shirts posing on a set of stairs and celebrating finihing the ride
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Ziggurat

The Tour of Tuscany

Pisa to Lucca | 18-22 September 2024

bunch of riders abroad

Key Information

Date: 18 - 22 September 2024

Route: Pisa – Siena – Florence – Lucca

Distance: 235 miles

Climb: 16,713 feet

Registration Fee: £50

Fundraising: £2,400

In the Saddle: 4 days

The bike ride for the construction and built environment sector

Ziggurat - the annual adventure for folk from the constructions and built environment sector who share a passion for cycling and may not be averse to doing a bit of networking from the saddle.

Our 7th Annual cycling networking tour will see around 60 riders going from Pisa to Luca in Tuscany on a fully supported 4 day ride for the construction industry.

Touring Tuscany the route takes in 4 of the most iconic cities in the region. From the leaning Tower of Pisa to the Piazza del Campo in Siena and the Duomo in Florence.

Designed and delivered by the highly experienced Action Medical Research cycling team, Catalyst will ensure you have the chance to network on a cycling challenge that will bring you and your riders memories for life!

We are looking for partners now. If you want a slice of the action, contact Sarah Stevenson on sarahs@action.org.uk and be part of this unique industry ride.

Ziggurat Riders Celebrating
Different landmarks of the route

Route details

Our exciting cycle challenge takes us from Pisa to Lucca on a fully supported 4 day ride, taking in some lovely Tuscan countryside with hilltop towns and vineyards punctuating the landscape.

The proposed event route is a tour of Tuscany, and the taking in 4 of the most iconic cities in the region. From the leaning Tower of Pisa to the Piazza del Campo in Siena and the Duomo in Florence.

The days are relatively short (circa 70-80 miles) but contain a few punch hills to test riders.

Food stops on the ride will consist of a cafe stop in the morning and then a restaurant for lunch serving traditional Tuscan food.

All hotels on the trip are a minimum of 4* and are well located with the Pisa and Siena hotels being very central.

The mix of interest points provides a different tour route to usual and gives different points of focus throughout the trip. It’s also a great chance to network, socialise and meet people from across the built environment industry.

What's Included

  • Guide rides
  • A wooden Ziggurat medal
  • Breakfast in hotels
  • Snack and fluid stops
  • Great lunch stops
  • Medical staff
  • Massage therapists
  • Support vehicles
  • Baggage transport
  • Talented bike mechanics available
  • Maps and GPX files available
  • Training support and advice
  • Celebration 3 course gala dinner in Lucca
  • Accommodation - 4* twin share (single supplement available)

* Note: Riders need to arrange their own transport (return flights) to Pisa

Training Guide

Our challenges attract people of all levels of experience and fitness, all ages and backgrounds. We expect all participants to train hard in advance to achieve this challenge, but we respect everyone’s limits. We design our challenges so that everyone can go at their own pace: this is not a race.

Ziggurat Jersey

The Jersey

2024 Bespoke Ziggurat Jersey

New design in development.

Founding Partner

Brett Group have over 51 locations across the South East of England and is the largest independent construction and building materials group in the UK.

Partners

As specialists in hard and soft landscaping, paving projects, highways and civil engineering their work helps to form the foundations of the towns and cities we live in.

Day Group Ltd handles over five million tonnes of construction materials each year, as well as providing services to the construction, demolition, glass recycling and water treatment industries.

Building the infrastructure of today and tomorrow for more than a century. In, on or near water. We maintain waterways, carry out offshore energy projects, salvage ships, construct foundations and remediate contaminated land.

 

Manufacturer and supplier of sustainable construction and building materials including aggregates, asphalt, cement, and ready-mixed concrete products.

Find out more about becoming a Ziggurat Partner

FAQs

How much do I have to raise?

There is a £50 entry fee for Ziggurat and you will need to commit to raising a minimum of £2,400. This amount of £2,400 does include your trip cost.

What is my route?

Pisa – Siena – Florence – Lucca

Can I request a single room on the trip instead of being in twin share accommodation?

Yes, you can make an additional Single Supplement Payment during registration, if you would prefer to have a single room for the entire trip (and not share with anyone) on a first come first served basis.

The additional cost of this is £350 which can paid as part of the registration process.

Can you book additional accommodation for my friends or family?

Unfortunately not. If you have family and friends looking to join you at the finish in Lucca you will need to book separate accommodation for them.

What happens on the final night in Lucca?

We will celebrate your achievements with a celebratory 3-course gala dinner. Afterwards you’ll have time to sample the delights of Lucca with your new found friends. Friends and Family are welcome to join you. To arrange this please email sports@wmpcreative.com

How does my bike get back to the UK?

The bikes will be transported in trucks back to the UK on Sunday 22 September 2024. It will either meet you back at the start venue or if you want to arrange a courier to send you your bike post-event then you can do so by emailing sports@wmpcreative.com

What if I decide to stay on for a day or so?

We will be transporting your bike back to the UK for collection in outer London the following week. As you are responsible for your own flights, you can extend your stay in Italy and arrange another time for collection, although there is limited availability for this option. Alternatively you can nominate somebody to collect your bike on your behalf.

When do I need to have raised and banked my sponsorship money by?

To secure your place on the Ziggurat we need you to have raised and banked a minimum of £500 by the 31 July 2024. You will need to raise and bank the remainder of your sponsorship, by the 31 October 2024.

How do I know where to ride?

There will be a ride leader to help you navigate your way on the route. In addition, there will be a downloadable GPX for a bike computer and you will get also briefing every day to let you know what to expect and to give you a rough idea of where you are going to be heading that day. Please note that unfortunately, we are unable to accommodate any additional support vehicles that you may wish to bring along. You will also be provided with an emergency telephone number to call if you think you have managed to sneak your way off route!

What kind of bike do I need?

We recommend a road bike which is fully serviced and in good working order. Some riders use hybrid bikes and replace the tyres with thin tyres. We would not recommend a mountain bike for these kinds of distances.

What kind of rider takes part?

This event is open to everyone from beginner to hobby rider to enthusiast. The riding speeds vary from 10mph to 20mph so you will always find someone to ride with regardless of your speed.

Can I get a refund, transfer or defer my entry?

Fighting for babies born too soon

Over 1,000 babies die each year in the UK due to premature birth. Globally, it’s the biggest killer of children under 5.

Action Medical Research is a community of passionate individuals who are committed to fighting for children’s lives. We fight for some of the toughest fights our children face. We know through medical research we can stop the devastation caused by premature birth.