As the Covid restrictions are slowly being relaxed we have decided the time is right to get back on our bikes, raise some money and have some fun.
We are therefore planning that this years COCC ride from St Tropez to Monaco will take place on Sunday 3rd October.
I will be loading application forms shortly but we would like this year to be a record year so would ask that as many of you as possible put the date in your diary and commit to the ride.
Watch this space.
Damian
After a great deal of thought and discussion we have decided that given the current uncertainty over travel and fear of a second wave of Covid we should not hold a COCC ride this year but instead urge everyone to be ready to take part in next years ride which we hope to be able to hold in April 2021 and aim to make it the best COCC ride ever.
Stay safe and hope to see you all soon
Damian
This year’s Cauldwell Children charity ride is a one day event taking place on 25th September and they would love for as many COCCs as possible to take part.
There are two distances available :
Challenge distance 125 km or
Fun distance 85 km
Participation Fee : €500 which goes to the charity and includes :
Caudwell Children special event cycle jersey
Lunch on the cycle route
Snacks & drinking water throughout the cycle
Sports massage if required
On-site bike mechanic
There is no minimum additional sponsorship but participants are encouraged to promote a justgiving page to help raise additional funds for the charity. Cauldwell Children
As they need to order the cycling kits by 1st August, could those of you joining confirm as soon as possible.
In the unlikely event that the ride needs to be cancelled or postponed due to a second wave of Covid-19, they will be providing an alternative date or a full refund of your participation fee if you wish.
For further information contact Modesta Vžesniauskaitė
I hope you are well and that you are adapting to the “new normal”.
We are discussing arranging a late Autumn COCC ride on 4th October this year and are keen to know if there is sufficient interest to take this forward.
We would appreciate your feedback this week indicating whether you would be interested in taking part before we start making more definite plans.
Regards
Damian
The 2020 COCC St Tropez to Monaco Bike Ride was scheduled to take place on Sunday 26th April however as with many other events this has been postponed as a result of the Covid-19 Pandemic.
Last year nearly 100 members of the C.O.C.C. of Monaco took part in their annual St Tropez to Monaco charity bike ride raising much needed funds to support the Princess Charlene of Monaco Foundation.
At the initiative of the Princess Charlene and her brother, on 16th April volunteers of the Foundation have distributed masks made of high performance fabric .
The Princess Charlene wanted to take part in the fight against the global pandemic of COVID-19. At her initiative and that of her brother Gareth Wittstock, the Princess Charlene Foundation gave some 5,000 masks to the Monegasque population. Distribution were carried out at the Condamine market, at the Fontvieille shopping center as well as in other public spaces. The campaign was massively supported and shared by ambassadors of the Foundation on the social network, including by Charles Leclerc and Pierre Frolla.
La Gazette de Monaco
Monaco Tribune
If you want to support the Princess Charlene Foundation at this time please donate by clicking DONATE.
For more detail on the COCC rides visit www.coccmonaco.com
There has been a suggestion that we could hold a COCC virtual ride where everyone does what they can on their turbo trainer and raise funds for the foundation again anyone interested can circulate the link below:
https://www.mygivinggroup.com/g599846/champagne-and-oyster-cycling-club-of-monaco-covid-19.html
In addition to the COCC ride the London Marathon was also to be held on 26th of April.
Mass participation event organisers including parkrun, London Landmarks, Virgin Sport and London Marathon Events have united to support the UK’s charities with the launch of The 2.6 Challenge.
The 2.6 Challenge begins on Sunday 26 April, which should have been the date of the 40th edition of the London Marathon. It challenges the public to come up with an activity based around the numbers 2.6 or 26, and to fundraise or donate to Save the UK’s Charities via The 2.6 Challenge website. It is open to anyone of any age but all activities must follow the Government guidelines on exercise and social distancing.
The full line up of mass-participation events organisers behind The 2.6 Challenge are: Human Race, parkrun, The Great Run Company, Run 4 Wales, Grounded Events, London Landmarks, Virgin Sport, Limelight Sports, Threshold Sports, Running High and London Marathon Events. The design and website has been created by Studio Republic and the social media campaign by LiveWire Sport, with both agencies working pro bono.
The campaign is also supported by the Charities Aid Foundation, the Institute of Fundraising, the Small Charities Coalition, the Office for Civil Society, Sport England, sportscotland, Sport Wales, Let’s Do This, Virgin Money Giving and JustGiving.
Nick Rusling, Co-Chair of the Mass Participation Sports Organisers group (MSO) and CEO of Human Race, said:
“You can run or walk 2.6 miles, 2.6km or for 26 minutes. You could do the same in your home or garden, go up and down the stairs 26 times, juggle for 2.6 minutes, do a 26 minute exercise class or get 26 people on a video call and do a 26 minute workout – anything you like. We want people to get active, have fun and raise money to help Save the UK’s Charities by giving money or raising funds for the charity close to your heart.”
Hugh Brasher, Co-Chair of MSO and Event Director of London Marathon Events, added:
“For many of the UK’s charities, the day of the London Marathon is the biggest fundraising day of the year. One of the founding pillars of the London Marathon was ‘to show how the family of mankind can be united’. We hope that The 2.6 Challenge, which starts on the day our 40th Race should have taken place, will embody that spirit and inspire people, families and communities to fundraise for their chosen charity to help Save the UK’s Charities. Right now, our vulnerable members of society need the help of charities more than ever before. We are asking everyone to create a 2.6 Challenge of their own and raise funds or pledge a donation.”
If you want more info, to donate or participate click here
All the best - stay safe
Damian
I hope that you are all well and coping with the current challenging circumstances.
I have been asked by a fellow COCC who with friends has started a charity to raise funds to assist with the Covid-19 Panademic and to provide some concrete help in Italy and here in Monaco to circulate the details.
They have already applied to the charity commission and everything raised is to be spent for support, no fees or administration charges will be made.
The idea is to cut bureaucracy and buy physically what the front lines need urgently, trying to be smarter and faster that governmental organisations. If at the end there will be money left over they will donate to a Croix Rouge or similar institutions.
The company is Frack Covid & Co Ltd (UK) and details are attached
They have already successfully raised money for 4 ventilators in Italy delivering them directly to hospitals and they have delivered 5’000 mask to the Monegasque Government.
If you want further information please contact Gianfranco Spallarossa at spallarossa@hotmail.it
Keep safe
Damian
Given the uncertainty caused by the current Coronavirus situation we have decided to postpone this year’s COCC ride until later in the year.
We believe that this is the prudent action to take at this time and hopefully people will be able to confirm participation once the new date is confirmed.
We hope that participants are not too inconvenienced by this and that any travel plans can be rearranged once we have advised the new date.
Anyone who has already paid and does not want to take part on the new date will be refunded upon request.
Kind regards
Damian
The COCC bike ride is next month and we are still accepting sponsorships from all businesses looking to support charity in Monaco. On Sunday 26th April, around a hundred cyclists, each equipped with a good bike and an even better sense of humour, will take to the roads to cycle the 140km from St Tropez to Monaco. Below, learn about our incredible cause and how you can get involved.
All funds raised by the COCC charity bike ride will go to the Princess Charlene of Monaco Foundation, an organisation which works to improve water safety for everyone through a range of programmes.
There are an estimated 372,000 annual drowning deaths worldwide, with drowning being the third-leading cause of unintentional injury/death worldwide. What’s more, individuals with increased access to water have a higher risk of drowning.
Our event organiser Damien Crean summed it up nicely when he said: “Anyone who sees what the Princess Charlene of Monaco Foundation does should be willing to help.”
Our happy riders entering Monaco
Each charity bike ride typically raises around 100,000€, but this year we are looking to up our game, calling for more established Monaco businesses to get behind this worthy cause. This could either be by sponsoring our event or donating directly to the foundation - either way, you will be showing your support for charity in Monaco.
If you do wish to sponsor this event, there are a variety of options for businesses to choose between, from pre and post-event representation to sponsoring the start of the race in Saint Tropez, the end of the race at Stars n’ Bars, or the street party.
Riders enjoying a little refreshment at Ma Nolans in Nice
Alternatively, there are still a few spaces for any last-minute participants in the race, although at this stage it would be advisable to only apply if you are fairly fit, with most of our cyclists already having started their training programme. To enter you’ll need to raise 1,000€ in sponsorship, and this covers our professional kit, mechanical backup, insurance, brunch at the halfway point at Ma Nolan’s Nice Port, water and energy supplies, and a contribution to the charity.
We hope you’ll show your support for charity in Monaco by donating to, sponsoring, or joining our charity bike ride in April.
Dear All
Bradley Mitton of Club Vivanova is hosting a lunch at the Hotel La Ferme d'Augustin in St Tropez on Sat 25th April for the COCC – details below.
The price is € 65 including wine - of which € 20 will be donated to the Foundation. There are around 50 places available, if you are interested please let me or Bradley know ASAP.
Details are below
www.clubvivanova.com/events/25apr2020.
There is also a discount available on accommodation at the hotel.
Regards
Damian
The Champagne and Oyster Cycling Club is gearing up to host the 9th annual St Tropez to Monaco bike ride, on Sunday, 26th April.
The ride is in aid of the Princess Charlene of Monaco Foundation, which aims to support and encourage the next generation of young athletes. It kicks off at 8 a.m. from St. Tropez, with riders scheduled to arrive in Monaco at 5 p.m. The event is scheduled to round-off with a street party, featuring a barbecue and live music.
Not only do participants get to ride for a purpose, but the route also takes in some of the most stunning views on the French Riviera.
If you fancy participating in a ride full of fun and stunning views, then make sure to sign up for this fun-filled ride by sending your application forms before the end of February to ensure that we can order your kit. So, while you pedal for a purpose, here are just some of the stunning views on the French Riviera you can look forward to.
COCC Riders enjoying the view in Villefranche-sur-Mer
As you cycle from St Tropez to Monaco, soak up a view of the Gulf of St Tropez, with its wooded hills that gently slope towards the azure blue waters of the Mediterranean Sea. Here you’ll find pretty villages, dreamlike coves, beaches, and marinas. Stunning views on the French Riviera don’t get much better than this one.
This low-lying ravined mountain range hugs the Mediterranean coastal mountain range and, viewed from the race route, is one of the most beautiful views on the Cote d’Azur as the red rocks create a stunning contrast of colours. Filled with hiking routes, this is a popular spot with walkers and those who wish to revel in nature.
Cycling from St Tropez to Monaco, you will enjoy a view of the Bay of Cannes and the Lérins Islands, stunning island retreats just off the coast of Cannes. These tranquil islands boast unspoiled nature, hidden beaches, and vineyards, maintained by the islands’ only inhabitants; Cistercian monks. The islands are surrounded by crystal clear blue waters.
Regarded as one of the prettiest bays in France, the Bay of Angels in Nice is famed for its good looks, making it a pleasure to behold on your bike ride. Its pretty pebble beach curves almost five miles along the bay, and is hugged by a broad walkway, punctuated by pretty seaside restaurants, elegant bars, and grand palm trees.
Enjoy a striking panorama of the St Jean Cap Ferrat Peninsula, which juts out from the mainland into the azure waters of the Mediterranean. This forested peninsula is both glamorous and beautiful - one of the most stunning views in the French Riviera. Remarkably unspoilt, St Jean Cap Ferrat attracts the world’s wealthiest, who are drawn to its old-world glamour and picturesque unspoilt beauty.
Stretching along a particularly peaceful part of the French coastline at the border with Monaco, Cap d'Ail’s rugged coastline is dotted with luxury villas. One of the more peaceful destinations between Nice and Monaco, you will be able to spot its pretty beaches, including the popular Plage Mala, from our cycle route.
One of Monaco’s glitziest destinations and home to a selection of the world’s most extravagant superyachts, Port Hercule is a world-famous destination. As you cycle from St Tropez to Monaco soak up a sweeping view of this spectacular natural bay that is the only deep-water port along the French Riviera. Without question, this is one of the most stunning views of the French Riviera.
So, what are you waiting for? Put your pedal power to the test and participate in April’s St. Tropez to Monaco bike ride for a good cause - your eyes will thank you!
