Pilgrims Hospices Cycle Challenge 2025

Sunday 4 May 2025

Join us for the 15th Anniversary of the Pilgrims Hospices Cycle Challenge!

2025 marks an extraordinary milestone for the Pilgrims Hospices Cycle Challenge, as we’re incredibly proud to celebrate our 15th Anniversary year!

Since 2010, an unbelievable £1,419,809 has been raised to fund the skilled and compassionate care that Pilgrims Hospices provides to thousands of patients and their loved ones each year.

This year, we’re inviting you to celebrate this wonderful anniversary with us, and to make this year extra special we’re introducing some exciting new additions!

Are you ready to make the 2025 Pilgrims Hospices Cycle Challenge the best year yet?

What’s new for our 15th year ?

• A New 15-Mile Route: Perfect for beginners or those seeking a shorter ride. This scenic new route is a fantastic option for families, groups, colleagues and anyone looking to enjoy a fun and rewarding cycling experience together!

• An Exclusive 15th Anniversary Cycle Jersey: Be part of the celebration and ride in style with this year’s specially designed jersey, packed with great features such as a zipped valuables pocket, full-length zip and silicone waist gripper.

• Special 15th Anniversary Medal: To celebrate your success when you cross the finish line, you’ll receive a brand new commemorative medal to mark your fantastic achievement.

• A New Rest Stop: We’re excited to announce that our longer-distance riders will be stopping at Barham Village Hall instead of Barham Business Park, with Biketart remaining our mechanics at Barham. This picturesque stop will be extra special and is designed to keep you fuelled to go the distance, whether you’re tackling 50, 75, 100, or 125 miles.

Check out this trailer that illustrates just how enjoyable riding the Pilgrims Hospices Cycle Challenge can be!

The Cycle Challenge couldn’t raise the fantastic amount it does for Pilgrims Hospices without the kind sponsorship of the following longstanding supporters: Kent Sport – University of Kent, Biketart and Barretts.

What’s on offer?

This fully supported event includes:

Pre-event pack
Regular rest stops with drinks and snacks
Post-ride massage
Bike mechanic support
Fully signed route
Free training app
Event medical support
Recovery vehicles
Special 15th Anniversary medal

This year’s routes

Ride it your way by choosing one of six ride distances and routes.

*NEW* The 15th Anniversary Special: 15 miles – View Map Perfect for beginners or those seeking a shorter ride. This scenic new route is a fantastic option for families, groups, colleagues and anyone looking to enjoy a fun and rewarding cycling experience together!
The Circuit: 30 miles – View map A flatter, circular route taking in the beautiful countryside and charming villages around the Stour Valley and beyond, with a rest stop at Preston. Perfect for those dusting off their bike for their first-time cycle challenge.
The Classic: 50 miles – View map A scenic and undulating circular route between the Ashford and Canterbury hospice areas. Ride through ancient woodland and conquer the notorious Stowting Hill before returning via the beautiful Elham Valley.
The Challenge: 75 miles – View map A circular route passing through the charming village of Wye before turning east through the Elham Valley and onward to the picturesque town of Sandwich. From there, you’ll head through flatter countryside and towards Herne Bay before making the final push through the beautiful Thornden Wood.
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 Epic: 125 miles – View map An epic 125-mile circular route connecting all three Pilgrims hospice service areas that incorporates the fast flats of Romney Marsh before rejoining the 100-mile route; this is the ultimate test of strength and endurance for those ready to step up to the plate.

Riders are allocated 30-minute start waves between 07:00 – 11:00am. Start wave allocation is determined with the longest distance routes starting the earliest. It is always aimed for teams to be given the same start wave, so please let us know your team name when entering.

All riders must have completed the ride and checked back in by 19:00pm, so please consider this when deciding which route to take on.

All routes will start from, and finish at, our event village at the University of Kent in Canterbury. A Drop-off area is available as well as ample free parking for event participants at the Giles Lane Car Park.

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 a life-limiting illness. Join the ride with family, friends or colleagues, and make more friends along the way! When the welcome sight of the finish line comes into view, you’ll be rewarded with a finisher’s medal and a huge sense of achievement.

Entry information

Early Bird Entry: closes 03 March 2025

The 15th Anniversary Special – 15 miles (£25)
The Circuit – 30 miles (£30)
The Classic – 50 miles (£40)
The Challenge – 75 miles (£40)
The Century – 100 miles (£50)
The Epic – 125 miles (£60)

Standard Entry: closes 14th April 2025 (entry will close as soon as capacity is reached)

The 15th Anniversary Special – 15 miles (£30)
The Circuit – 30 miles (£35)
The Classic – 50 miles (£45)
The Challenge – 75 miles (£45)
The Century – 100 miles (£55)
The Epic – 125 miles (£65)

On The Day Entry: (On The Day Entry is subject to Event capacity, so early registration is advised to avoid disappointment.)

The 15th Anniversary Special – 15 miles (£35)
The Circuit – 30 miles (£40)
The Classic – 50 miles (£50)
The Challenge – 75 miles (£50)
The Century – 100 miles (£60)
The Epic – 125 miles (£70)

Age Requirements:

Riders under the age of 18 must be accompanied by a participating adult, and the registration form to the Event must be completed by a person aged 18 years or over.

Participants in the 30, 50, 75, 100, and 125-mile distances must be at least 14 years old on the date of the Event.
Participants aged 12 years or older are eligible to take part in the New 15-Mile Route only.

Participant Packs:

Please note that participant packs will be sent out after Standard Entry is closed on 14th April.

Celebrate the Launch of Our Series 2 Cycle Jersey!

We’re thrilled to introduce our new Series 2 Cycle Jersey, designed to keep you comfortable and stylish as you ride with pride for Pilgrims. This high-quality jersey is packed with practical features, including: A zipped valuables pocket for secure storage, a full-length zip for adjustable comfort and a silicone waist gripper for a secure fit.

Prefer the classic look? No problem! Our Series 1 Cycle Jersey is still available, so you can choose the style that suits you best.

Complete your kit with a Pilgrims Neck Buff, perfect for all weather conditions. Stay warm on chilly days, protect yourself from the wind, or keep cool by shading from the sun.

Every purchase helps us continue providing expert care to thousands of patients and families in east Kent. Order yours today and help us to make a difference!

Cycle Jersey Series 1: £45
Cycle Jersey Series 2: £50
Neck Scarf: £5

Sizes available: S, M, L, XL, XXL

Jersey sizing guide

Order yours today by contacting 01227 782062 (weekdays 9am-5pm) or anytime at [email protected], or buy yours at the Cycle Challenge event on 4th May!

Sponsorship Information. Are you ready to ride for a reason?

Will you help us cross the line to £1.5 million?

This year, we’re aiming to achieve something extraordinary. Since 2010 the Cycle Challenge has raised £1,419,809, but this year we’re hoping to cross the line to £1.5 million!

Every mile you ride and every pound you raise will help Pilgrims Hospices continue to provide our expert and compassionate care to patients and their families. By taking part, you’re directly supporting local people in our community when they need it most.

Will you be the difference that helps us achieve this amazing goal? Open your JustGiving page today!

Get the award-winning Pilgrims Hospices Event App

We’re proud to offer the Pilgrims Event App, available for iOS and Android devices. It’s free to download from the App Store and Google Play and is the perfect companion to enhance your Pilgrims event experience. Keep your training on track by recording your training activities and liking and commenting on your teammates. Receive up-to-date event information, view detailed route maps, earn in-app achievements, and link your JustGiving page to see how your fundraising is going, all in one place.