Low-cost airline’s third annual cycling race returns in June 2014.
From 24 – 27 June 2014, the third annual WOW Cyclothon will see keen cyclists from around the world competing to be crowned the fastest team to pedal around Iceland’s Highway 1, a whopping 827 mile ring road that loops around the entire country.
Taking place under the midnight sun, the non-stop relay race is the only one of its kind in Iceland. Usually completed in less than 48 hours, teams consist of one, four or ten riders, who cycle in a relay format non-stop for the entire route, followed by their support vehicle. With the ten rider teams offering the easiest option, this category means less experienced cyclists can take part too and many companies have signed up to the Cyclothon as a team building exercise for their employees.
Starting and finishing in Reykjavik, the challenging route steers participants past Iceland’s most stunning landscapes in the midnight sun, including glaciers, mighty waterfalls, the spectacular coastal line, fjords, national parks and striking volcanoes.
Conceived in 2012 by WOW air’s CEO and founder, Skúli Mogensen, the competition has grown in popularity each year, with 2014 promising to be the most competitive race to date.
As the main race sponsor, WOW air awards flight tickets as prizes for each member of the winning female and male teams. Open to cyclists of all abilities with all types of bikes, registration closes on 20 May and costs £268 (50,000ISK) for teams of four and ten, and £80 (15,000ISK) for a team of one.
“Given the international popularity of cycling and Iceland’s breath-taking scenery, we knew that the WOW Cyclothon was likely to be well-received when we introduced the event in 2012,” says Skúli Mogensen. “I look forward to participating again for the third time, enjoying the unique combination of comradeship, amazing nature and endurance.”
Committed to promoting healthy living and outdoor activities in Iceland, the WOW Cyclothon also raises money for worthy causes. Last year £25,000 was donated to Save the Children, while this year the money raised will be donated to the Department of Orthopedics in the National University Hospital of Iceland.
WOW air’s direct route between London Gatwick and Reykjavik costs from just £69 one way, which includes taxes and hand luggage allowance (one bag measuring 56cm x 45cm x 25cm) plus handbag and duty-free shopping bag.
For more information on the WOW Cyclothon please visit www.wowcyclothon.com. For more information or to book please visit www.wowair.co.uk.
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About WOW air
WOW air is Iceland’s only low-cost airline and the most punctual, with 88% of flights arriving on time in 2013.
WOW air offers the lowest fares, the newest planes with the lowest emissions and the biggest smile; this is the WOW air promise to its valuable customers.
WOW air flies 13 times per week year-round from London Gatwick to Reykjavik. Twice-daily flights depart London on Sunday, Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday with a daily flight on Saturday which departs at 11:15.
The airline flies to London, Paris, Berlin and Copenhagen from Reykjavik all year-round and offers additional winter and summer destinations.
Created in November 2011 by Icelandic entrepreneur Skúli Mogensen, the purple airline flies four Airbus A320 aircraft.
For more information: www.wowair.co.uk.
