Italian Job Charity Bike Ride

More than just a bike ride; an experience of a lifetime and a great holiday too!

Join our CEO Lisa King as she takes on this unique 'Italian Job' bike ride for Dreams Come True where a team of 20-25 riders will head to idyllic parts of Italy and cycle from Piacenza (60 miles outside of Milan) to Rome, with the support of Bike Where You Like. 

Four days of cycling, covering 390 miles and 25,830 feet of elevation!  This is a test of endurance whilst enjoying an exquisite ride – which will make you fit, be fun, will raise vital funds for Dreams Come True and bring with it many smiles to some of the most deserving children in the UK. We’d love you to join us and Lisa:

“When I turned 50 last year I committed to undertaking a challenge for our fantastic charity - and what could be more wonderful than cycling through the Italian countryside and indulging in the Italian delicacies of coffee, pasta, pizza and ice cream! I'm hoping my friends and close contacts will join me on this ultimate cycling challenge which will be a once in a lifetime experience and a 'first' bespoke cycling event for Dreams Come True". 

Lisa King OBE, CEO of Dreams Come True

The route – a spectacle to behold every day of the ride
Beautiful countryside, rolling Tuscan hills, vineyards, hilltop villages, cathedrals and historic buildings – plus the wonderful cities of Piacenza, Bologna, Orvieto and Rome – are just some of the sites to behold on this picturesque ride.  

The first day is almost totally flat until crossing the rolling hills of Tuscany where you cover the two biggest climbs of the leg.  From there you cycle through Umbria and Lazio into Bologna and finally pick up a cycle path that takes you almost entirely traffic-free to the centre of Rome.

Dates – Arrive the evening of Tuesday 24th September - ride Wednesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday – fly home Sunday 29th September 2024.

We have planned our ride to take place over 25th September - which is our special day, World Dream Day!  

So much is included and arranged in advance:

• 5 nights’ accommodation in a comfortable hotel (twin bedroom)

• All food from dinner on pre-event day to breakfast on day 5

• 2 rest stops each day with fresh fruit, snacks and refreshments

• 2 support vehicles to transport your luggage from each stage to the next and your bike boxes from Piacenza to Rome

• 3 support crew including mechanical and medical 

• All logistics and bookings

• Luggage transfer

• Digital map and .gpx file for mobile navigation devices such as Garmin

• Celebration dinner on the final evening in Rome

• Pre-event support from Bike Where You Like – Zoom call including with a mechanic, training guide, Zwift group and Whatsapp group

• Virtual events with Lisa King to thank all participants and share training news and updates

What is not included?

• Flights (everyone will have different requirements re UK airport location, timings and airline so it’s easier to book as individuals) 

• Transfers (we suggest as many of us as possible travel together, we can arrange this nearer the time)

• Bike, helmet and bike box 

• Extra drinks, alcohol & tips

• Personal travel insurance including cycling cover

Cost and Fundraising
An organised cycling adventure of this type would usually cost £1,800 to £2,050, however we have negotiated a reduced rate of £1,550 per person. The self-funding prices outlined below are per person and based on a group of 20 people:

• Deposit - £250 (non-refundable)

• Final payment for the trip - £1,300 (due by 1 July 2024).  Supplement for a single room - £305 

• Fundraising target - £2,000

Raising funds to make dreams come true

Lisa says:

“We hope as a team to raise £40,000 (£2,000 each) which would be a fantastic contribution to our work and is the equivalent of impacting around 200 children through our Community Dream programme.  Imagine 200 smiles brought to children in the UK who are having it tough.  When I face physical challenges on the ride I'll think of the dreams we have made come true, stories of the children and their families, and I'll know this once in a lifetime opportunity has been more than worth it.  Thank you Dream Makers for reading this - please sign up today, get your lycra to the ready and start looking forward to a trip of a lifetime!” Lisa King OBE, CEO of Dreams Come True

To register - please fill out the application form below, including paying your non-refundable deposit and agreeing to Dreams Come True's terms and conditions plus Bike Where You Like's terms and conditions.