Manchester to London Challenge 2016

Sunday 4th September 2016 

To sign up please select the 'Start Registration' button above.

Now in its third year, the Manchester to London challenge will be taking place again on Sunday 4th September. 300 riders will set off from the Manchester Velodrome at dawn, riding down the spine of the country through the Peak District, Midlands and the Chilterns before finishing at London’s Olympic Velodrome. Over the past two years the ride has raised over £300,000 in support of Ambitious about Autism and this year we want you to help us pass £500,000 mark.

A challenge for even seasoned sportive riders, Manchester to London is unique, fully supported, and a celebration of British cycling and culture.

In the lead up to the event, riders will enjoy help with their fundraising and training. The day itself includes a fully signed route, four feed stops serving locally sourced food, timing chips and a fleet of support vehicles and a broom wagon to ensure no rider is left on the road or falls too far behind.

Riders must choose to represent the North or the South in a friendly competition to discover which region will establish the lowest average ride time. For the past two years the South have won, will the North come back stronger this year?

Entry costs £150 and places are limited to 300, and we’re asking each rider to raise £750 for Ambitious about Autism.

Features

• 220 miles of hard British riding
• Support with fundraising and training routes
• Fully signed and mapped route
• Four feed stations serving British fare
• Support vehicles and broom wagons
• Limited edition North and South caps and musettes
• Pasta party at the Rapha Cycle Club Manchester the evening before

Event details

The Challenge starts at Manchester Velodrome, National Cycling Centre, Stuart Street, Manchester M11 4DQ which will be open from 5am.

Registration for the Challenge takes place at the Rapha Cycle Club on Saturday 3rd September between 3pm and 6pm or you can register at the Velodrome on the Sunday morning between 5am and 6:30am.

The Challenge finishes at the Lee Valley Velopark, Olympic Park, London E20 3EL and the venue will be open from 3pm for supporters to welcome riders home.

There is the option of booking a space on a coach that will leave the Lee Valley VeloPark at approximately 00:30 on Monday 5th September to return to the Manchester Velodrome car park. And, yes, this includes your bike!

We're here to help

If you have any queries about fundraising for the event please email jhunt@ambitiousaboutautism.org.uk

If you have any queries about the actual ride please email cheryl@ratherbecycling.co.uk or call 01768 778848.

The route

The route takes riders down the spine of the country, moving through the Peak District, Midlands, and the Chilterns on the way to London. This route offers varied terrain, quiet roads, and stunning views. The feed stations are positioned every 50 miles or so, allowing for regular refreshments on locally sourced food and drink. The final leg of the journey skirts across the northern side of the capital and down into East London, to finish at the Lee Valley VeloPark on Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park, Stratford. The roads are predominately low-traffic country lanes, and are fully signposted throughout.

North vs South

We split all riders into two teams – the North and the South – with riders from the Midlands required to announce an allegiance. The group with the lowest average time will be rewarded with the hosting next year's finish. Last year, the South were the victors by a small margin – meaning the Southerners will enjoy a second year of finishing in London, closer to home.

Fundraising

Our aim is to raise money for Ambitious about Autism. Autism is a lifelong developmental disability which affects 1 in 100 people and the charity is one close to Rapha CEO and founder Simon Mottram, whose son Oscar has autism. The best place to start is with an online fundraising page. It will allow friends, family and colleagues to see what you are raising money for and why, and they will be able to give a donation on the spot. If you have any questions about fundraising, or just need a spot of inspiration, download the fundraising pack from Ambitious about Autism, or contact jhunt@ambitiousaboutautism.org.uk