Festivals are not just about the music and the Tour De Picnic is the best proof possible of this. The world’s first and original festival bike ride is a fundraiser set up to provide much needed funds for charities such as Ireland's Children's Hospice, LauraLynn Children's Hospice and Thank You Crumlin, Love Mia. The festival bike ride is based on the route from Dublin to Stradbally, Co. Laois, where the camping ground is. For those who feel overwhelmed at the thought of an 80km cycle, a more accessible 10km charity run has just been added to the fundraiser. Those who have already bought their Electric Picnic tickets can easily register with the charity to participate for the reduced fundraising amount of €230, while all others can register by raising a minimum of €380 (including a €50 deposit). Founders of TDP, Give2go, exist to support cyclists and fundraisers so no matter what you are doing for Tour de Picnic they are on hand every step of the way.
Tour De Force has raised enough money in previous years to build a new multi-sensory garden at LauraLynn that can be enjoyed by both the child and their family. Newcomers and inexperienced runners and cyclists are welcome to join, with the aim of the fundraiser to both raise money and have all-inclusive fun. ‘Thank You Crumlin, Love Mia’ founder Mia Keaveney is excited to join the run following after receiving a new prosthetic leg following Electric Picnic 2012, announcing that she could no longer stand on the side-lines.
Brian McDermott, co-founder of Tour De Picnic said 'We are delighted that Tour De Picnic is now no longer exclusively for those on two wheels, and all aspiring runners out there can join in, in what’s going to be another great Tour De Picnic! We are hoping to break last year's participation rate of 700 people so are calling on all Picnickers old and young, fit and not so fit, to come join us this year and as always it's for a great cause'. Jane McKenna, founder of LauraLynn Children's Hospice, added 'We want to thank every single person who took part in last year's Tour De Picnic; looking around here today you can now see the fruits of your fundraising which totalled €54,000 for LauraLynn. We hope everybody going to Electric Picnic 2013 will consider partaking in either the new 10km run or the 80km cycle.'
Participants in the 10km run will be bussed from the Tour De Picnic starting point in Tallaght Stadium to Athy, Co. Kildare. At this point the runners will begin the stretch from Athy to Stradbally, accompanied by a fleet of Harley Davidsons, no less. A full weekend camping pass to the Electric Picnic festival will be given in return for your fundraising efforts, as well as coverage for the bus from Dublin to Athy and the bus home, a Tour De Picnic running kit, food, drinks and goodies at the line and Baggage transfer to the festival. Cyclists will receive the same merits, with bike transfer back to Dublin Full, a Tour De Picnic cycling kit and a fully supported 1st class cycling experience also. Music-filled breaks will be provided along the cycling rest stops, and cyclists are encouraged to go at their own pace.
Once finished, Tour De Picnic’s massage team will be on hand to offer a fully body rub down to help all participants, cyclists and runners at the Welcome Area. Consider it a body adjustment for the wonderful weekend ahead. Ice baths and fresh towels will also be offered to leave you energised and ready to eat.Since its beginning five years ago Tour De Force has raised over €500,000 for children's charities. They would like to thank everyone who participated and helped raise funds over the past 4 years and hope that this year will surpass all previous efforts.
