Aldi Isle of Wight Cycling Challenge in support of Teenage Cancer Trust

Why book with Charity Challenge?

Charity Challenge has over 18 years' experience of providing world-class challenge events. You will be looked after by the crew from the moment you arrive, until you cross the finish line.

The ALDI Isle of Wight Cycling Challenge in support of Teenage Cancer Trust will include:

• Fully route-marked event.
• High quality waterproof maps and electronic route details provided.
• Support riders roaming the entire route to help and support you.
• Roaming bike mechanics in support vehicles
• Safety checkpoints along the whole route. Food and drink will be available at each checkpoint, along with firast aid assistance.
• The usual high quality Charity Challenge event experience

Difficulty

The ALDI Isle of Wight Cycling Challenge in support of Teenage Cancer Trust is graded as tough. This is the perfect challenge for participants who are of an adventurous spirit and an open mind, who have taken part in other trekking and running challenges and now wish to test themselves in a slightly more extreme environment. You can tell your supporters that on your ALDI Isle of Wight Cycling Challenge you will be:

• Covering a distance of over 100km (105km in total).
• Completing an entire loop of the island.
• Ascending over 1400m across the whole route.

Money

During the challenge there are limited opportunities to spend any money. We would advise you should need no more than £20.00, excluding your joining and returning home travel costs.

Insurance

We don’t offer insurance for our UK trips, as any medical emergencies would naturally be covered through the NHS. If you wish, you could look into your own policy that covers cancellation for travel within the UK.

How will I follow the route?

The route will be fully waymarked with very easy to follow route markings. On top of this you will also be provided with a high quality, waterproof Ordance Survey map of the route. We will also provided written route directions in an electronic form alongside pdf copies of the route and gpx files for those wishing to use GPS technology.

Additional to this, the route will also be monitored by our support riders and all particpants will be required to sign in at each checkpoint.

As well as the support riders there will support vehicles with qualified bike mechanics roaming the route.

We employ experienced and fully qualified cycle leaders to work as support riders. The leaders are first aid qualified and have extensive experience in leading rides throughout Britain and overseas. They will be carrying full safety equipment and first aid kits with them at all times.

Climate

As you know, the weather in the UK can be highly unpredictable and at times erratic, so being prepared is the key! Whilst we hope for warmer, sunnier and more stable weather conditions at this time of year, we all know that this isn’t always the case. Please check the weather forecasts up to ensure that you bring clothing suitable for warm sunny walking weather and also sudden wind and downpours should they occur.

Challenge Timings

Your challenge begins early in the morning and you will need to arrive at the registration point for 7.00am in order to maximise the time available to complete the challenge (precise arrival times and instructions will be sent out 1 month prior to the challenge).

When you arrive you will be able to register and then enjoy a breakfast snack whilst meeting your support team and listening to the safety briefing.

We expect the final people to arrive back at the finish at around 6.00pm. Delays can happen, and the return time will all depend on the speed that you cycle, so please do try and book flexible return arrangements. At each checkpoint we will be imposing cut-off times so that we can safely manage the event. At the finish there will be food available before you depart.

Getting there

ALDI will be arranging your travel to and from the Isle of Wight. If you wish to make your own way there, please note that the ferry transfer is not included in the cost of this challenge and you will be responisble for arranging your own ferry booking. Ferry times can be seen via the Wight Links website.

Charity Challenge will send across all details, plus the address of the registration point, at no later than 1 month prior to the event.

Accommodation

Accommodation is not provided by Charity Challenge on this expedition. ALDI will be sourcing their own accommodation for the duration of the challenge.

We would like to encourage all participants whenever possible to book a few extra nights in the local area to fully enjoy their challenge and to put money back into the local communities. There is an abundance of accommodation options to suit all budgets on the island. The closest hotel is the Travelodge in Ryde should you wish to make your own arrangements. Please book early as these can book up quickly. Please visit visitisleofwight.co.uk for more suggestions and to book somewhere.

Ferries to and from the island depart from Southhampton.

Food & Drink

A simple breakfast will be available at registration, however we would encourage you to see this as an added breakfast and to make sure that you have had a full breakfast before arriving. Lunch will be available at each checkpoint in the form of a packed lunch and pasta salads. Food will also be available at the finish point. The drinking of alcohol the night before the challenge is strongly discouraged for your own health and safety during this tough cycling event.

Toliets

There will be toilet facilities both at the start and end of the ride; however during the challenge such facilities will be limited to the great outdoors!

Clothing and equipment

You will need to bring your own bike. We would recommend a road or hybrid bike.

You will need to bring your own helmet, which is compulsory for you to be able to ride. Gloves are also an essential piece of kit that will relieve strain and abrasions in the event of a fall. You should also bring your own padded cycle shorts, and if you are not wearing SPDs then stiff soled sports shoes are recommended in order to give you just that little extra power! You can see the full kit list here, and when you have booked you will have access to kit discounts through our partners at the Outdoor Shop, Outdoorhire and Cotswold Outdoor.

Safety

Charity Challenge considers the safety of all of our participants and staff to be a top priority, and as such we have set up Challenge Safe, one of the most advanced and thorough safety management systems in the industry. Challenge Safe formalises our ethos when it comes to safety, and brings together the procedures and risk management strategies that we use to audit all aspects of our challenges, from vehicles to accommodation to the challenge activity itself. Your welfare is absolutely paramount!

Here are a couple of important points that you should be aware of:

• Although quiet, the roads are frequented by car users and when cycling around country bends it is difficult to see oncoming traffic. It is important to pay attention to everything around you and stick with your fellow cyclists as much as possible.
• The weather during the challenge may be unpredictable and as such you should pack for all weathers. In extreme circumstances your challenge leader may ask you to return to the vehicle and curtail the day's ride. 
• The UK does have a Highway Code for cyclists and we expect you to adhere to this guidance. This includes regulations such as not cycling on pavements and fitting your bike with a rear reflector. You can read the cycle rules here.
• 8 hours of cycling is a long day for many cyclists. Even if you don't feel like it, you should drink plenty of water throughout and refuel properly at all the water and lunch stops.