The RAG hitch hike to Amsterdam is going to be huge, with over 90 people attending the first meeting! Get all the details of the hitch, including rules and advice, right here.

The idea of the hitch hike is for groups of two or three people to get as much sponsorship for the event as possible, and then to get to Amsterdam in the fastest time possible.

Like all activities the RAG Society organises, the money raised from the hitch hike will go to charity. 

The only real restriction is that you can't fly there, and once in Holland, everyone will be congregating in a campsite.

We expect everyone to have arrived safely by Wednesday, and then we will have the chance to explore Amsterdam for a couple of days and share stories of how you got there. Highlights include the Heineken Factory, canal boat rides, Madam Tussauds, beautiful architecture and of course, Coffee Shops!

If you'd like to find out more, contact the Student Support Officer Elle Gray online or on 023 9284 3635. 

The briefing pack

In the pack

• What will happen on the day
• The rules
• Tips
• What to take
• What you need to be doing
• Dates and times
• Inspiration: websites, blogs and photos from hitchhikers and students
• Costs

Amsterdam Hitch Hike 2007: 2nd to 6th April

More info and help: contact Elle Gray (Student Support Officer) online or on 023 9284 3635

What is going to happen on the day

You can leave from 8am on Monday 2nd April, and you MUST sign out from the Sabbatical Office at the Students' Union. The aim is to get to Harwich in Essex by early on Tuesday 3rd April, for the ferry that leaves at 9am. It is only 163 miles from here to the ferry port so you should easily make it in a day and there is a passenger terminal that is open 24 hours when you get there – just make sure you don't fall asleep and miss the 9am ferry!

Once on the ferry it's a 6 ¼ hour journey from Harwich directly to the Hook of Holland. This time is perfect to canvas people for lifts. From the Dutch side, the Hook of Holland Ferry port is only 49 miles from Amsterdam – so you should be able to get to Amsterdam by Tuesday Evening!

We are staying at a campsite called Camping Zeeburg http://www.campingzeeburg.nl/ , just on the outskirts of the city. It is well served by busses and on the end of a tram-line so really easy to find - you can't miss your stop once you're on the right tram! We expect everyone to have arrived safely by Wednesday, and then we will have the chance to explore Amsterdam for a couple of days and share stories of how you got there. Highlights include the Heineken Factory, canal boat rides, Madam Tussauds, beautiful architecture and of course, Coffee Shops!

We're having a meal at the Campsite bar/restaurant and an Award Ceremony on the Thursday evening to celebrate everyone getting there. We have top prizes for 1st,2nd & 3rd place, a wooden spoon (or clogs) for the people who get there last, and 2 tickets to the Bestival for the person that raises the most money in sponsorship....so get raising!

The Rules

• You are not allowed to fly.
• It is a race, so the 1st, 2nd and 3rd groups get a prize.
• You are not allowed to pay for any transport between here and Amsterdam, apart from when you arrive in Amsterdam where you will be allowed to use public transport to get to the campsite.
• Also please try not to do anything illegal, like getting on a train without a ticket. You are likely to be fined and the idea is to hitch.

Tips for Hitching

You must go as a pair or group of 3, and there has to be at least one male in each group – sorry it's not sexist, its safety! Student Union Hitching has a long history of no incidents with this formula so we don't want to change it now.

Which way to go? The route from here to Harwich is really easy. After the M275 out of Portsmouth, A3 to London then onto the M25, A12 on the other side going into the A120 to Harwich Port. Once you get to Holland it's the A4 and the A10 straight to Amsterdam!

Take a sign with where you want to go written on it, not your final destination – not many people will be likely to be leaving Portsmouth for Amsterdam! Start with little place in between like M25 then Harwich etc. If you have space write "For Charity" on as well, it always helps.

Be nice to people who give you a lift, they are doing it out of the kindness of their hearts. Also try to chat to them, they picked you up to make their journey more interesting as well, so its only polite.

When you're on the ferry that's the best time to ask for lifts, but don't harass people. Be knowledgeable about your charities, play the poor student card and use your charm!

It is dangerous and illegal to hitch on motorways so don't do it! The best way to hitch is to get people to drop you off at service stations. Then you have a ready made canvassing opportunity, toilets, food and cover from the elements!

What to Take

• Passport
• European Health Insurance Card (the New E111)
• NUS or ISIC Card
• Credit Cards
• Some loose change in both currencies (useful for phone and food!)
• Map of where you are going
• Waterproofs – umbrella are not the best idea at the side of the road!
• Warm clothing. Thick soled shoes/boots and extra socks in a dry bag.
• Some spare clothes in a dry bag (not that it is going to rain of course!)
• Soft drinks, snack foods and sweets.
• The pack we give you when you sign out (including a letter of what you are doing, phrases etc).
• Small tent & sleeping bag for the campsite

What you need to be doing

• Make sure you have your Passport and European Health insurance card – and check they are VALID!
• Get yourself a buddy
• Ring your mobile phone service provider to make sure your phone works in Holland
• Get as much sponsorship as you can

Dates and times

Wednesday 7th March - Pay your £10 deposit each and sign up in your pair/group of 3. You can pay the Cash Office (reception) 10-4pm, or come upstairs to the finance office 9-5pm. You can pay by Cash, Credit or Debit Card.

Wednesday 27th March - Come to the compulsory safety briefing and pay balance of the trip cost, £20 by this date. You need to give us your t-shirt size and you will also be asked for a £50 Deposit by credit card which we will not charge unless you do not raise the minimum sponsorship of £50.

Have a look at these websites for inspirational Hitchers tales

• Leeds Student Hitchers Diary
• Warwick Student Blog - Pierre Schramm
• Warwick Student Blog - J Sawyer
• Cardiff Student Hitch Tips
• Sheffield "Bummit" to Belgrade (1,800 miles!)
• Bath – Paris Hitch
• Sheffield – Riga

Costs

The cost of the trip is £30, and that includes your ferry cost, full travel insurance, celebratory meal & party once you get there and a 2007 Amsterdam Hitch T-shirt.

We need a £50 deposit but this will only be taken if you don't raise £50 in sponsorship – but that should be easy!

You will need to pay for your accommodation which is why we chose the campsite – it is only 4 euros per night.

As it is the Easter holidays we know that a few of you want to stay longer in Amsterdam so we decided not to arrange a private coach. So you will also need to arrange transport home. National Express Coaches has a European site and you can get a coach from Amsterdam to Portsmouth, door to door for £34.

....And don't forget a little spending money while you are there! There are a wide variety of food choices with lovely febo snack from as little as 1 euro.

You can accept drinks and meals from people along the way but we're not supposed to accept donations – the idea is to get sponsorship before you go.

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