Amicale

To mark the 70th anniversary of the Council of Europe, and to symbolically restate their commitment to the Organisation and its values, staff members have decided to bike from Helsinki to Strasbourg. You are invited to join the ride! 
 

• Departure from Helsinki at the close of the 129th Ministerial Session of the Committee of Ministers on 17 May 2019
• The arrival is expected on 16 or 17 June in Strasbourg

 

The project is being organised in consultation with the Organisation but at participants own costs and under their own responsibility. Broad participation is welcomed: by staff members (active and retired), staff in Permanent Representations and their family members. All it takes is to like cycling and be in good physical condition – or are intent on getting into shape over the coming months.

The route, split into daily rides of 85kms approx. Is available here:
https://www.bikemap.net/en/c/269523/

 

How to participate ?

With a lot of pedalling

You can sign up for the whole trip or one or more of the 5 main sections we have identified:

1. Section A : Helsinki - Riga from 17 May to 21 May (350 km)
2. Section B : Riga - Gdansk from 23 May to 28 May (540 km)
3. Section C : Gdansk - Berlin from 30 May to 4 June (510 km)
4. Section D : Berlin - Fulda from  6 June to 11 June (470 km)
5. Section E : Fulda – Strasbourg from 13  June to 16/17 June (340 km)

(22 and 29 May as well as 5 and 12 June are rest days)

 

We estimate that the number of participants for each section will vary between 3 and 15. When participation in the sections is known, participants will form groups to define in more detail the trip for that section: refine route, select accommodation, identify needs with regard to food, transport (including transporting bikes) etc. bearing in mind affordability.

To pre-register, please fill in the form by 25 January 2019.

 

With a fair bit of pedalling

All are welcome to join the route, alone or accompanied, for one or more days. In this case participants can freely organise themselves to join a daily departure point on the route. It would be good to inform the organisers by email helsinkistrasbourgavelo@coe.int as early as possible so you can be kept informed of the place and time of departure.

 

With a little bit of pedalling

All those wishing to participate on the final weekend, mostly along the Rhine, to Strasbourg are invited to join in on Saturday 15 to Sunday 16/Monday 17 June. These last days will be ridden at a more leisurely pace, in party spirit. Registration for these days will be announced on the Intranet later.

 

With no pedalling at all

The project needs the support of volunteers. If you are willing to accompany the groups along the road in a support vehicle, to look after accommodation or other logistical matters, or contribute in any other form, please contact helsinkistrasbourgavelo@coe.int.

 

If you have any questions, please contact denis.bribosia@coe.int (2222), james.lawson@coe.int (2340) ou yves.winisdoerffer@echr.coe.int (3290)

or helsinkistrasbourgavelo@coe.int