Six days left to register for charity cycle challenge

Pilgrims Hospices charity Cycle Challenge will return on Sunday 6 May 2018.

Kent’s biggest charity cycle challenge is back for its 9th year! Get on your bike and explore the beautiful Kent countryside with friends, family and colleagues. Attracting more than 1,200 riders every year, our Cycle Challenge is designed for cyclists of all abilities.

Event information

• Early Bird entry (closes 18/3/18): £25
• Standard entry (closes 29/4/18): £30
• On the day: £45

This year’s routes

Ride it your way by choosing one of three ride distances and routes:

• The Century: 100 miles – View map
  A circular route connecting all three Pilgrims hospice service areas and incorporating an undulating approach to Dover for the ultimate challenge; always a hit with those looking to test their legs and their lungs to the next level.
• The Challenge: 75 miles – View map
  A circular route visiting our Ashford hospice before turning east through the Elham Valley and onward to the picturesque town of Sandwich. From there, you’ll head through flatter countryside and take in seaside views at Herne Bay before making the final push through the beautiful Thorden Wood.
• The Classic: 45 miles – View map
  A scenic, undulating circular route between Ashford and Canterbury hospices

What’s new?

We listened to feedback from our participants and are delighted to announce some exciting improvements for 2018, designed to enhance your experience further.

All routes will start from, and finish at, our event village at the University of Kentnear Canterbury. It’s more than just a registration area – with trade stands, our renowned Dr Bike mechanics, sports massage, local cycling interest groups, hot food and drinks and much more, you’ll enjoy all the excitement of a cycling festival. Ample free parking is available across the campus as shown here.

We’ve tweaked our popular ride routes to make them even more enjoyable. And for those looking to take their ride up a gear, we see the return of the notorious Stowting Hill. Explore the landscape of east Kent like never before, all the while knowing that, with every pedal, you’re making a huge difference to the lives of local people who are living with life limiting illness.

Training rides

Our popular series of training rides will begin in mid-March to get you cycling fit and to build up your confidence, especially if you’re a novice cyclist.

We cater for all abilities on these rides. We want you to feel good about your cycling and have the best possible experience on the day. The rides are free and perfect for those who have already signed up for the Pilgrims Hospices Cycle Challenge and are looking to train, as well as for those wanting to gain some cycling confidence before registering for the main ride. Guests are welcome to attend the training rides too, although in this instance we do ask that you consider making a donation to Pilgrims Hospices in appreciation for our ride volunteers’ time.

A £10 donation could pay for a patient’s meals for the day. Thank you to everyone who has generously supported the sociable cycling group in 2017.

If you’re on Facebook, you can also join the Pedal for Pilgrims group, which is led by a team of fantastic volunteers who organise regular rides throughout the year while raising money for Pilgrims at the same time.

Download the information sheet for this year’s training rides