IAESTE Biking Weekend
August 7-8, 2010

We are celebrating 193 years bicycle. For this reason we thought to arrange another iaeste weekend on two wheels. And we ll call it after the motto:

two wheels - two languages - two lakes - and HtwoO

 

We start at the foot of Jura in the picturesque town of Biel/Bienne which is the only swiss town where french and german are spoken side by side at an equal measure. On rented bikes we will conveniently drive southwards all close along the shore of the lake of Biel. We will finally reach the north of the lake of Neuchatel. We will be accommodated at an awsome place  at the shore where we get the possibility to relax and even exchange biking clothes with bathing clothes. The second day we'll continue along the waters, however this time at the lake of Neuchatel. On the way we will stop over in Estavayer Le Lac a small town which is known for its ancient beautiful castel. There we have the option to try trendy watersports such as wakeboarding or simply chill at the sun. We drive on to the cosy town Yverdon where we will drop the bikes and optionally have a beer before we drive back home.

IAESTE LC Zurich invites you to experience all of this!

However: In order to join the weekend you need to be able to savely ride a bike!

Program

Saturday, August 7

  • Meeting point Zurich at 07.45 below the big clock
  • Traveling to Biel/Bienne by train where we pick up our bikes
  • Biking along the lake of Biel with a lunch break at the shore,
  • Spliting up in two groups for a hard and easier tour
  • Arrival at the north of the lake of Neuchatel (both groups)
  • Check in at the accommodation right at the shore
  • Dinner and pure relaxation with the possibiliy to jump into the waters and from the water into your cosy bed.

Sunday, August 8

  • Breakfast at the accommodation
  • Leaving southwards along the shore of  the lake of Neuchatel
  • Stop over for lunch a refreshing swim and optional wakeboarding or waterskiing at Estavayer Le Lac
  • Biking to Yverdon
  • optional chill out at the south of the lake of Neuchatel
  • and travel back home in a nicely tired shape

Participation fees

Please note that your train ticket to Biel is not included in the participation fee

  • With SBB General Abonnement (GA): 75 CHF
  • With SBB half-fare (1/2) and Gleis 7: 75 CHF
  • With SBB half-fare (1/2) but no Gleis 7: 75 CHF
  • Without SBB half-fare (1/2): 85 CHF

If you do not yet have a SBB half-fare card, we recommend you buying one! Check the SBB website!

A surcharge of 30 CHF will apply for participants who are not affiliated with IAESTE or its partner organisations.

The money will be collected at the start of the weekend. Only cash is accepted! :-)

Included in the participation fee

  • Bike rental for two days including helmets
  • Dinner
  • Accommodation
  • Breakfast
  • Packed lunch on Sunday

Not Included in the participation fee

  • Train ticket from your home to Biel and from Yverdon back to your home (look out for sbb's special supersaver tickets that are available if you buy it early).
  • Lunch for Saturday
  • Optional waterskiing or wakeboarding on Sunday (10 to 30 CHF)

If you want to bring your own bike (not recommended)

You may bring your own bike if you wish. In that case choose the corresponding option on the registration. The IAESTE participation fee (written above) will decrease by 56 CHF but 30+10 CHF cost arise in order to transport your bike plus the compulsory reservation for the bike space. We do not recommend to bring your own bike. You'll have to organize the transport yourself and cope with the restrictions that sbb gives you (bike transportation tickets, reservations, biketransport only for less than 10 people a.s.o). So be aware that we may not deal with any kind of complications that might come up, such as sbb may deny the transport of bikes of a group bigger than 10. Therefore read the sbb conditions carefully and yourself.

Moreover, you are fully responsible that your bike is in good condition. If you come across troubles with your own bike we may not assist you or wait, since we have a tight time table. If you bring your own bike you have to bring your own helmet. For those who rent a bike, helmets are included.

Our conclusion: The over all costs will drop slightly. But Renting a bike is much more convenient and worth the money. The bikes to be rent have 24 gears, they are in good condition and convenient to ride.

Cancellation Policy

If you cancel your registration
  • less than 12 hours before the start of the event (that is, 08:00 PM, Friday August 6), you pay the entire participation fee
  • 12-24 hours before the start of the event, you pay 75% of the participation fee
  • 24-48 hours before the start of the event, you pay 50% of the participation fee
  • after confirming but before 48 hours before the start of the event, you pay 25% of the participation fee

Checklist - Remember to Bring

  • Train ticket from your place to Biel/Bienne
  • Train ticket for Sunday from Yverdon back to your place
  • Lunch for Saturday and at least 1 liter to drink
  • Clothes depending on the weather (raincoat...)
  • Closed shoes (no sandals or flip-flops for cycling)
  • sleepingbag
  • Sun protection, swimming suite, towel, sunglasses
  • Cash for the participation fee (please have the exact change ready)
  • Lots of energy and enthusiasm

From Biel, we will give you the opportunity to transport at least the sleeping bag by car. However still make sure you don't take too much luggage, Keep everything in a small back back.

Meeting point and train connections

  • Meeting point is Zurich main station at 07:45 under the big clock.
  • For people comming from Lausanne or Basel we will meet at 09:15 at Biel train station in the main hall. 
  • (People from Lausanne have a coffee so long until the rest of us arrives :) )

From Basel

Train from Basel

From Lausanne

Train from Lausanne

From Zurich

Train from Zurich

To Basel

Train to Basel

To Lausanne

Train to Lausanne

To Zurich

Train to Zurich

For further information on train connections, check the SBB website.

Registration

The maximum number of participants allowed for this event is 26 (including organizers and helpers) and the registration is on a first-come, first-served basis. If your registration is not among the first 26, it will be put on the waiting list.

The online registration closed on Tuesday, 03 August 2010, at 15:00:00.

Check out the list of participants for this event.

Contact

If you have any questions, write to Show e-mail address.