THE 'KIWL 500' CYCLE RIDE
KIWL 500 2020: OCTOBER 1-4
Overview
A 500km 4-day cycling tour through Japan for male & female amateur riders of all ages and abilities. The 2020 peloton has been selected with 43 riders from 13 countries participating.
Each day is 100-150kms, some of it flat, some mountainous. It may rain, it may shine, whatever the weather the ride goes if safe. Why do KIWL riders keep coming back? Because it is a significant personal achievement, they experience the emotion of meeting the kids for whom they are raising funds, and they ride through breathtaking scenery mostly on quiet country roads. And get fit while making new cycling friends!
Route
Starting in Echigo Yuzawa, the ride heads 150kms north to Niigata city on day one. Day 2 is a 100km visit to Sado Island. We then cover a very challenging 160kms to Yamagata on day 3, ending on day 4 with a 90km ride to a local Sendai children's care home.
Is The KIWL 500 For You?
You don't have to be an elite cyclist, absolute beginners can do it but must train hard. You just need the will to get fit, and have a functional road bike. It is a challenging endurance ride including significant climbs. Commitment is needed for training.
What Is Expected of a Participant?
The KIWL 500 is above all, a fundraising event. Each participant is asked to raise at least Y100,000 (about US$1,000). This can be self-donated, or colleagues, friends & family can sponsor. Others host their own fundraising events, or bring people to KIWL's other events.
Those who successfully introduce corporate KIUWL kit sponsors are not asked to raise personal funds but can do if they wish. Corporate sponsorships range from Y150,000-500,000 depending on logo position. Companies make a donation to YouMeWe ensuring that 100% goes directly to benefiting kids in care.
Personal Budget for the KIWL 500
Each rider pays for accommodation & meals, their official KIWL kit and other disbursements. About Y100,000 in personal expenses is estimated, plus train travel to the start and return home.
To get a feel for the ride, watch the 2019 KIWL 500 video here, read about it in our blog, and view the gallery above.
A 500km 4-day cycling tour through Japan for male & female amateur riders of all ages and abilities. The 2020 peloton has been selected with 43 riders from 13 countries participating.
Each day is 100-150kms, some of it flat, some mountainous. It may rain, it may shine, whatever the weather the ride goes if safe. Why do KIWL riders keep coming back? Because it is a significant personal achievement, they experience the emotion of meeting the kids for whom they are raising funds, and they ride through breathtaking scenery mostly on quiet country roads. And get fit while making new cycling friends!
Route
Starting in Echigo Yuzawa, the ride heads 150kms north to Niigata city on day one. Day 2 is a 100km visit to Sado Island. We then cover a very challenging 160kms to Yamagata on day 3, ending on day 4 with a 90km ride to a local Sendai children's care home.
Is The KIWL 500 For You?
You don't have to be an elite cyclist, absolute beginners can do it but must train hard. You just need the will to get fit, and have a functional road bike. It is a challenging endurance ride including significant climbs. Commitment is needed for training.
What Is Expected of a Participant?
The KIWL 500 is above all, a fundraising event. Each participant is asked to raise at least Y100,000 (about US$1,000). This can be self-donated, or colleagues, friends & family can sponsor. Others host their own fundraising events, or bring people to KIWL's other events.
Those who successfully introduce corporate KIUWL kit sponsors are not asked to raise personal funds but can do if they wish. Corporate sponsorships range from Y150,000-500,000 depending on logo position. Companies make a donation to YouMeWe ensuring that 100% goes directly to benefiting kids in care.
Personal Budget for the KIWL 500
Each rider pays for accommodation & meals, their official KIWL kit and other disbursements. About Y100,000 in personal expenses is estimated, plus train travel to the start and return home.
To get a feel for the ride, watch the 2019 KIWL 500 video here, read about it in our blog, and view the gallery above.