Everything you need to know
This page provides you with a variety of information about the challenge that you might find useful.
Why support HEROES?
In response to the Covid-19 crisis, HEROES was founded by NHS workers to support NHS workers on the frontline, with one mission at its heart; Help Them Help Us.
HEROES supports NHS workers in 4 ways;
- Physical Protection: sourcing and manufacturing PPE
- Mental and Wellbeing: providing access to free counselling and childcare services
- Financial Provisions: arranging financial support via grants
- Essential Services: facilitating access to day-to-day products and services
To find out more about HEROES, click here.
Why support HEROES?
In response to the Covid-19 crisis, HEROES was founded by NHS workers to support NHS workers on the frontline, with one mission at its heart; Help Them Help Us.
HEROES supports NHS workers in 4 ways;
- Physical Protection: sourcing and manufacturing PPE
- Mental and Wellbeing: providing access to free counselling and childcare services
- Financial Provisions: arranging financial support via grants
- Essential Services: facilitating access to day-to-day products and services
To find out more about HEROES, click here.
What have HEROES achieved?
As of June 2020 HEROES have:
- Delivered 523,188 units of services, gifts and PPE delivered to the frontline across 49 hospitals in the UK
- Produced 40,873 PPE items such as goggles, masks, visors and hand sanitisers
- Delivered 482,234 lunches, treats and products to key workers with 79,717 NHS staff receiving food
To read more about what HEROES have achieved, click here.
What have HEROES achieved?
As of June 2020 HEROES have:
- Delivered 523,188 units of services, gifts and PPE delivered to the frontline across 49 hospitals in the UK
- Produced 40,873 PPE items such as goggles, masks, visors and hand sanitisers
- Delivered 482,234 lunches, treats and products to key workers with 79,717 NHS staff receiving food
To read more about what HEROES have achieved, click here.
Toilets
Public toilets will be available at various points along the route. Your leaders and support crew will be able to inform you of the next available toilet.
Toilets
Public toilets will be available at various points along the route. Your leaders and support crew will be able to inform you of the next available toilet.
Emergencies
Your leading team are trained to deal with emergency situations in remote areas and will be carrying a mobile phone and radios in case the emergency services need to be contacted. The event is not run as a race and you will never be encouraged to ride at a pace ‘beyond your ability’. There will always be a wide variety in people’s riding abilities which will be carefully managed by the leaders. If we find that you are unable to ride at all, then we will arrange for you to be collected and taken back to the end start/finish.
Emergencies
Your leading team are trained to deal with emergency situations in remote areas and will be carrying a mobile phone and radios in case the emergency services need to be contacted. The event is not run as a race and you will never be encouraged to ride at a pace ‘beyond your ability’. There will always be a wide variety in people’s riding abilities which will be carefully managed by the leaders. If we find that you are unable to ride at all, then we will arrange for you to be collected and taken back to the end start/finish.
Accommodation
No accommodation is provided for this challenge.
The nearby city of Brighton has plenty of accommodation options should you wish to stay the night before or after the ride.
Accommodation
No accommodation is provided for this challenge.
The nearby city of Brighton has plenty of accommodation options should you wish to stay the night before or after the ride.
Challenge timings
Because of the situation presented by Covid-19 we are anticipating having to manage the start of the challenge with staggered start times. These start times will take place between 8-10am on the day of the challenge and you will be notified of your start time 1 month prior to the challenge via your Final Details.
If you wish to start the challenge with another participant, then please complete the appropriate booking question at the time of registration.
We anticipate finishing around 3-5pm (depending on your riding speed of course).
Challenge timings
Because of the situation presented by Covid-19 we are anticipating having to manage the start of the challenge with staggered start times. These start times will take place between 8-10am on the day of the challenge and you will be notified of your start time 1 month prior to the challenge via your Final Details.
If you wish to start the challenge with another participant, then please complete the appropriate booking question at the time of registration.
We anticipate finishing around 3-5pm (depending on your riding speed of course).
Terrain
Both the 50 and 100 mile routes take place on good quality road surfaces. The nature of the location means that both routes have plenty of ascent and descent.
Terrain
Both the 50 and 100 mile routes take place on good quality road surfaces. The nature of the location means that both routes have plenty of ascent and descent.
Weather
This challenge takes place in October and so all participants should be prepared for potentially cooler and wetter weather conditions. Please check the forecast carefully in the week before the challenge and ensure that you bring appropriate clothing for the conditions.
Weather
This challenge takes place in October and so all participants should be prepared for potentially cooler and wetter weather conditions. Please check the forecast carefully in the week before the challenge and ensure that you bring appropriate clothing for the conditions.
Checkpoints and water
The support crew will setup checkpoints throughout the day. Each checkpoint will be approximately every 2 hours of riding. At the checkpoints there will be the opportunity to refill water bottles and take on board some snacks and energy products. You will be provided with a variety of fruit and snack bars to maintain energy levels.
We would advise that everyone bring with them some additional snacks that they can carry with them during the ride. Energy gels can be an excellent way of maintaining your endurance.
At lunchtime one of these checkpoints will supply you with your packed lunch which you will be able to stop and eat.
Checkpoints and water
The support crew will setup checkpoints throughout the day. Each checkpoint will be approximately every 2 hours of riding. At the checkpoints there will be the opportunity to refill water bottles and take on board some snacks and energy products. You will be provided with a variety of fruit and snack bars to maintain energy levels.
We would advise that everyone bring with them some additional snacks that they can carry with them during the ride. Energy gels can be an excellent way of maintaining your endurance.
At lunchtime one of these checkpoints will supply you with your packed lunch which you will be able to stop and eat.
Getting to and from the challenge
Precise details about getting to the start/finish point will be sent to you 1 month prior to the challenge.
The start/finish point is still being finanlised for this challenge. It will be at a location just outside Brighton and you should expect to need to be at the start point at between 8am and 10am, depending upon your start time allocation.
Please note: Whilst we shall do all we can to stick to this finish time, please make sure you book flexible return tickets as delays can happen and we cannot guarantee a precise finishing time or be held responsible for any missed transport.
Getting to and from the challenge
Precise details about getting to the start/finish point will be sent to you 1 month prior to the challenge.
The start/finish point is still being finanlised for this challenge. It will be at a location just outside Brighton and you should expect to need to be at the start point at between 8am and 10am, depending upon your start time allocation.
Please note: Whilst we shall do all we can to stick to this finish time, please make sure you book flexible return tickets as delays can happen and we cannot guarantee a precise finishing time or be held responsible for any missed transport.
Group size
The ride is expected to be from 100 to 200 cyclists with support crew and HEROES staff too.
Group size
The ride is expected to be from 100 to 200 cyclists with support crew and HEROES staff too.
Advice and support from a cycling legend
You’ll receive guidance and advice on fundraising, and some training tips from cycling legend David Millar, who has won four stages of the Tour de France, five of the Vuelta a España and one stage of the Giro d'Italia. He was also the British national road champion and the national time trial champion. David rode for Cofidis from 1997 to 2004 and Garmin-Sharp from 2008 to 2014 and is now an avid anti-doping campaigner.
Advice and support from a cycling legend
You’ll receive guidance and advice on fundraising, and some training tips from cycling legend David Millar, who has won four stages of the Tour de France, five of the Vuelta a España and one stage of the Giro d'Italia. He was also the British national road champion and the national time trial champion. David rode for Cofidis from 1997 to 2004 and Garmin-Sharp from 2008 to 2014 and is now an avid anti-doping campaigner.
What bike equipment do I need bring?
All bike equipment is listed as part of your kit list and you should ensure you read this carefully.
You will need to bring your own bike, puncture repair kit, inner tubes and pump with you in case you get a puncture during the challenge.
All participants must bring with them a helmet, and wear it at all stages of the ride. Failure to wear a helmet will result in you being unable to take part in the challenge.
What bike equipment do I need bring?
All bike equipment is listed as part of your kit list and you should ensure you read this carefully.
You will need to bring your own bike, puncture repair kit, inner tubes and pump with you in case you get a puncture during the challenge.
All participants must bring with them a helmet, and wear it at all stages of the ride. Failure to wear a helmet will result in you being unable to take part in the challenge.
The role of the bike mechanic
The support vehicle will also contain a fully qualified bike mechanic. If you develop any mechanical issues during the ride, then you should contact the mechanic and ask for their assistance.
It is important to understand that the mechanic is on hand to make only basic repairs that can be performed at the roadside. For any more complicated repairs you will need to have your bike repaired at a bike shop. The bike mechanic will not be able to drive individual participants to a bike shop, to have their bike repaired during the challenge. If the repair requires being taken to a bike shop, then this will need to be done after the challenge.
The role of the bike mechanic
The support vehicle will also contain a fully qualified bike mechanic. If you develop any mechanical issues during the ride, then you should contact the mechanic and ask for their assistance.
It is important to understand that the mechanic is on hand to make only basic repairs that can be performed at the roadside. For any more complicated repairs you will need to have your bike repaired at a bike shop. The bike mechanic will not be able to drive individual participants to a bike shop, to have their bike repaired during the challenge. If the repair requires being taken to a bike shop, then this will need to be done after the challenge.
Insurance
We don’t offer insurance for our UK trips, as any medical emergencies would naturally be covered through the NHS. Therefore the main thing that you will not be covered for is cancellation. You can see our cancellation policy within our terms and conditions here. If you wish, you could look into your own policy that covers cancellation for travel within the UK.
Insurance
We don’t offer insurance for our UK trips, as any medical emergencies would naturally be covered through the NHS. Therefore the main thing that you will not be covered for is cancellation. You can see our cancellation policy within our terms and conditions here. If you wish, you could look into your own policy that covers cancellation for travel within the UK.
Safety
All of Charity Challenge's events are organised according to our own in-house safety management system, 'Challenge Safe'.
The route will have been fully checked and risk assessed by our cycling team.
On the challenge your safety will be the number one priority of our cycle leaders and event crew. All leaders are also first aid trained.
We ask everyone who takes part in a Charity Challenge event to respect the advice and decisions made by our event leaders and crew. At times these decisions can be difficult, and contradictory to what individuals may wish to happen. Our leaders and crew will always have your best interests, and that of the whole group, at heart when making their decisions, so please help them by respecting these decisions.
Safety
All of Charity Challenge's events are organised according to our own in-house safety management system, 'Challenge Safe'.
The route will have been fully checked and risk assessed by our cycling team.
On the challenge your safety will be the number one priority of our cycle leaders and event crew. All leaders are also first aid trained.
We ask everyone who takes part in a Charity Challenge event to respect the advice and decisions made by our event leaders and crew. At times these decisions can be difficult, and contradictory to what individuals may wish to happen. Our leaders and crew will always have your best interests, and that of the whole group, at heart when making their decisions, so please help them by respecting these decisions.
Training
Both the 50 and 100 mile routes are a significant challenge and all participants should ensure that they do an appropriate level of training prior to the event. We would recommend that everyone ensures that they are comfortable doing a series of ascents and descents as part of their cycle training.
Training
Both the 50 and 100 mile routes are a significant challenge and all participants should ensure that they do an appropriate level of training prior to the event. We would recommend that everyone ensures that they are comfortable doing a series of ascents and descents as part of their cycle training.
Clothing and equipment
Choosing the right kit could make a huge difference to your enjoyment of the challenge. You will need to bring your own helmet so that the fit will be perfect. You will not be allowed to ride unless you wear a helmet. We recommend you bring your own gloves too. They are an essential piece of kit that will relieve strain and abrasions in the event of a fall. We would also recommend that you bring your own padded cycle shorts, and stiff-soled sports shoes are recommended if you are not wearing SPD shoes. Please refer to the kit list for more details.
Clothing and equipment
Choosing the right kit could make a huge difference to your enjoyment of the challenge. You will need to bring your own helmet so that the fit will be perfect. You will not be allowed to ride unless you wear a helmet. We recommend you bring your own gloves too. They are an essential piece of kit that will relieve strain and abrasions in the event of a fall. We would also recommend that you bring your own padded cycle shorts, and stiff-soled sports shoes are recommended if you are not wearing SPD shoes. Please refer to the kit list for more details.
How do we follow the route?
The route will be clearly marked by Charity Challenge route arrows. Each participant will also be provided with a GPX file that can be used on google maps, Garmin devices etc.
We always encourage all of our participants to see our challenges as a team event, and this challenge is not set up as a race.
All participants will be responsible for following the route. If you are not comfortable with this, then our cycle leaders will be on hand to help you navigate.
All participants will be given the 'event emergency contact number' to call in case they do become lost.
How do we follow the route?
The route will be clearly marked by Charity Challenge route arrows. Each participant will also be provided with a GPX file that can be used on google maps, Garmin devices etc.
We always encourage all of our participants to see our challenges as a team event, and this challenge is not set up as a race.
All participants will be responsible for following the route. If you are not comfortable with this, then our cycle leaders will be on hand to help you navigate.
All participants will be given the 'event emergency contact number' to call in case they do become lost.
Food and drink
On this challenge you will be supplied with a breakfast ‘snack’ at the registration point (choice of fruit or pastry). At each checkpoint there will be water and additional snacks and energy products available. A packed lunch will be made available at the half-way checkpoint for each route.
We would recommend that everyone bring with them additional snacks to take with you on the ride to ensure that you have sufficient energy for the ride.
Food and drink
On this challenge you will be supplied with a breakfast ‘snack’ at the registration point (choice of fruit or pastry). At each checkpoint there will be water and additional snacks and energy products available. A packed lunch will be made available at the half-way checkpoint for each route.
We would recommend that everyone bring with them additional snacks to take with you on the ride to ensure that you have sufficient energy for the ride.
What will happen if the challenge cannot take place because of Covid-19?
We are planning the event with the expectation that the Public Health England (PHE) restrictions on social distancing will be such that the ride can take place. If for any reason, PHE advice would make it impossible for the ride to take place, we will postpone it to a later date to complete the ride.
What will happen if the challenge cannot take place because of Covid-19?
We are planning the event with the expectation that the Public Health England (PHE) restrictions on social distancing will be such that the ride can take place. If for any reason, PHE advice would make it impossible for the ride to take place, we will postpone it to a later date to complete the ride.