You must be at least 14 years of age to participate in the Pilgrims Hospices Cycle Challenge and riders under the age of 18 must be accompanied by a participating adult at all times.

• Early Bird entry: £40 (closes 03/03/25)
• Standard entry: £40 (closes 14/04/25)
• On the day entry: £50 (subject to capacity)

Entry to this fully supported event includes:

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

Any participant intending to cancel their place in the Event shall inform the Organiser as soon as reasonably practicable. At their discretion, the Organiser will liaise with the Participant whether the place is deferred to a future Pilgrims Hospices event, or cancelled and the registration fee donated to the Charity or refunded.

The Participant acknowledges that:

• A cancelled place will be made available for resale as per the Event capacity.
• Any refund request must be received by the Organiser prior to the Event’s Standard Entry closing. There will be no refunds after Standard Entry is closed.
• Once your Event place has been purchased, we are unable to refund the price difference if you decide to reduce your distance. Please let the Events Team know ASAP of any route changes at: [email protected]
• If you would like to increase your chosen distance, you must let the Events Team know ASAP at: [email protected]. You will then be required to pay the difference of the route change. The difference will be calculated based on when you purchased your Event place, i.e Early Bird or Standard Entry.

A Participant can defer their entry to the equivalent future Event, provided the deferral request is received before Standard Entry closes. Notice of a Participant deferral must be requested by emailing [email protected] stating clearly the desire to defer their entry.

A Participant cannot transfer their entry to another individual.

It’s the Participant’s responsibility to make the Organiser aware of any changes to the information submitted on the registration form. Failure to do so may impact some of the services made available for you whilst on the Event. This includes informing the Organiser of any change of address, or email address, that will affect the postage of event correspondence. Any change of information should be made to the Organiser by emailing [email protected]

Once your Event place has been purchased, we are unable to refund the price difference if you decide to reduce your distance. Please let the Events Team know ASAP of any route changes at: [email protected] 

If you would like to increase your chosen distance, you must let the Events Team know ASAP at: [email protected] You will then be required to pay the difference of the route change. The difference will be calculated based on when you purchased your Event place, i.e Early Bird or Standard Entry.

Much of the entry fee goes towards running the event and making sure that you have an enjoyable and safe experience. We’d love you to raise sponsorship for your challenge (after all, it’s no easy feat to cycle all that way).

Or, if you'd rather not ask your friends and family to sponsor you, we hope you might consider making a personal donation towards the care we provide. This can be done during the online registration process or at any time on our website, at our hospices in Ashford, Canterbury or Margate, or on the day of the event.

It costs Pilgrims Hospices just over £7,400 per day to care for our inpatients at each of our hospices, and events like these help us to continue caring for local people as they near end of life. Please download a sponsorship form and set up your own online fundraising page with JustGiving. Don’t forget to encourage your sponsors to tick the Gift Aid box if they’re eligible to do so; for every £1 donated, we’ll be able to claim an extra 25p from the Government at no cost to you or your sponsors. It makes a huge difference.

All ride distances will begin from the start / finish HQ at the Sports Pavilion, University of Kent, Canterbury Kent CT2 7SR. 

Please arrive during the allocated start window communicated to you to avoid unnecessary congestion at the start venue. If you arrive outside of this time, you may be unable to enter the venue. 

Ample free parking for event participants is available at the Giles Lane Car Park.

At the start, a dedicated drop-off zone will be available in the Sibson car park, which will be marshalled.

If arriving by train, Canterbury West station is 1.8 miles, and Canterbury East station is 2.6 miles from the start venue.

You will be allocated a 30-minute check-in window and start wave, during which you should aim to arrive at the start venue. Your start wave will be allocated based on your chosen challenge distance. Please note that arriving outside of your designated start wave could mean you are unable to enter the venue and delay your start.

The start waves are as follows:

125-mile and 100-mile route riders

Start wave A: check in between 07:30 – 08:00hrs (no earlier please!)
Start wave B: check in between 08:00 – 08:30hrs 

50-mile and 75-mile route riders

Start wave C: check in between 08:30 – 09:00hrs
Start wave D: check in between 09:00 – 09:30hrs
Start wave E: check in between 09:30 – 10:00hrs

30 and 15 -mile route riders

Start wave F: check in between 10:00 – 10:30hrs 
Start wave G: check in between 10:30 – 11:00hrs 

3 weeks before the event, you will receive a posted participant pack to your address containing all the information you need to prepare for your challenge. Inside, you'll find your unique rider number to attach to your bike's handlebar using the cable ties provided, sponsorship form, and arrival information. Please affix your rider number to the bike’s handlebar so that it is clearly readable from ahead.

On arrival, please give your name to the registration desk volunteer who will check you in.

Even if you've registered in advance, you will still need to check in with our registration team.

Please note: You must bring your helmet with you to the registration desk. No helmet, no ride.

On the day registrations

If you haven't registered in advance for the ride you'll need to visit the 'on the day' registration marquee (subject to the event's capacity). 

On the day prices (subject to capacity):

• 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)

Ride completion

All riders must have completed the ride and checked back in by 19:30pm. Please ensure that your chosen distance is within your ability to complete within this timeframe.

No, the ride takes place on public roads but is on Sunday, so the roads should be a little quieter when you first set off.  We use minor roads wherever possible although there are a few busier sections. We advise all participants to observe the Highway Code at all times and take special care when navigating junctions.

The routes for Pilgrims Hospices Cycle Challenge 2025 are:

• The Epic: 125 miles - View map
• The Century: 100 miles – View map
• The Challenge: 75 miles – View map
• The Classic: 50 miles – View map
• The Circuit: 30 miles - View map
• The 15th Anniversary Special: 15 miles - View map

You can also view route maps from your smartphone with the Pilgrims Hospices Event App, available on the App Store for Apple devices and Google Play for Android.

You can download your chosen route onto your Garmin or other GPS-enabled cycle computer as a TCX file in order to follow the route turn-by-turn. Simply visit the online map link above and click on the TCX file type next to 'Export to device'.

Yes, we will have bright orange way-markers all along each route and there will be a downloadable map file for you to use on Garmin and other GPS devices.

You can also download the Pilgrims Hospices Event App for free so that you have all the route information in one place on your smartphone. Never feel lost again with GPS tracking that shows you if you have gone off course.

The Pilgrims Hospices Event App is available for iOS and Android devices:

App Store

Google Play

East Kent has a fantastic variety of terrain and our rides aim to showcase this as much as possible. This inevitably means there are a few uphill challenges for you to conquer - but remember, this is not a race and it is perfectly acceptable to take your time and even walk up the hills!

There will be a bike mechanic available at each rest stop to help with any bike problems. Our advice is to make sure you have your bike serviced before you take part in the event and to carry with you a small pump, inner tube and puncture repair kit.

If you have any health concerns please consult your GP before taking part. It's recommended that you're able to ride at least 75% of the course distance comfortably beforehand. If there is a medical emergency you should call 999. The emergency services are aware that the event is taking place.

There will be refreshments available on route at various rest stops at approximately 20-mile intervals.

Rest stops for each route are as follows:

• 125-mile route visits rest stops 1, 2 ,3 ,4, 5.
• 100-mile route visits rest stops 1, 3, 4, 5.
• 75-mile route visits rest stops 1, 3, 5.
• 50-mile route visits rest stops 1 and 3.
• 30-mile route visits rest stop 5.
• 15-mile route refreshments will be available at the finish.

Rest stop locations are as follows:

• Rest stop 1: Pilgrims Hospice Ashford, Hythe Road, TN24 0NE
• Rest stop 2: Ivychurch Village Hall, TN29 0AN
• Rest stop 3: Barham Village Hall, Valley Rd, Barham, Canterbury CT4 6NX
• Rest stop 4: St Margaret's at Cliffe Village Hall, Reach Road, CT15 6AP
• Rest stop 5: Preston Village Hall, Mill Lane, CT3 1HB

It takes the help of a large volunteer team to make the Cycle Challenge run smoothly and safely. Event village volunteers, route signage, parking marshals, and refreshment stop volunteers are just some of the roles you can get involved with at each location.

Contact the Fundraising Team on 01227 812609 or email [email protected] for more information. 

This fully supported event includes:

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

Everyone will be given a ride number that identifies them as a participant. You must attach this number to your bike so that you're easily identifiable.

Age Requirements for the Cycle Challenge:

• 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.

Please collect and send in your sponsorship by 15 June 2025 so we can announce the grand total raised by the Cycle Challenge and thank you for all of your fundraising efforts.

You can either hand in your sponsorship at your nearest Pilgrims hospice or send sponsorship to:

• Supporter Relations, Pilgrims Hospices, 56 London Road, Canterbury, Kent CT2 8JA.

Please dress in suitable cycle clothing for the weather and activity. Breathable materials and dressing in layers is advised as you will be sweating and spending a large proportion of the day outdoors.

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 Scarf, 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 One: £45

Cycle Jersey Series Two: £50

Neck Buff: £5

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

Jersey sizing guide

Order yours today by contacting 01227 812609 (weekdays 9am-5pm) or anytime at [email protected], or buy yours at the Cycle Challenge event on 4th May!