The Big Green Bike Ride

FAQs

Who can take part?
How much does it cost?
When does the money have to be in?
How do I set up JustGiving?
What if I'm in a Friends of the Earth local group?
What's included?
What don't you provide?
Do I need to bring my own bike?
What's the food like?
Where will I sleep?
Do I need insurance?
Do I need a helmet?
Where and when does the ride start?
What's the timetable for the weekend?
How do I get to London?
How will I get home?
How fit do I need to be?
How do I secure a place on the ride?

Who can take part?

The ride is open to anyone over the age of 14. If you're under 18 you must be accompanied by an adult. We'll be covering lots of miles each day so you need to be fit and healthy. We strongly recommend that you have a medical check-up before you commit to taking part and follow any advice from your doctor.

How much does it cost?

Weekend ride: £75 non-refundable entrance fee plus £300 minimum sponsorship.

One day: £35 non-refundable entrance fee plus £150 minimum sponsorship.

When does the money need to be in?

All riders must submit 50% of their minimum sponsorship three weeks before the ride, and their remaining sponsorship four weeks after the event.

By 6 April 2013: 50% minimum sponsorship due. Weekend riders must submit a minimum of £150 and day riders must submit a minimum of £75.

By 25 May 2013: Weekend riders must submit all their remaining sponsorship (total event sponsorship is £300 for weekend riders and £150 for day riders).

Please note: The amounts do not include your registration fee or Gift Aid.

How do I set up an online fundraising page?

Simply visit www.justgiving.co.uk/foe and follow the onscreen instructions or see our online fundraising tips.

What if I'm in a Friends of the Earth local group?

Local group recruits and members can request that 20% of your sponsorship money - excluding costs - will go directly to your local group. The rest will go to Friends of the Earth to support our campaigning work.

What's included?

We'll provide pretty much everything you'll need.

Locally sourced food: Lunch and snacks for all riders. Saturday dinner and Sunday breakfast for weekend riders only.

Accommodation (weekend riders only): Tent accommodation in large 8-man tents, split into two 4- man sections.

Riders can use the tents provided, or choose to bring their own.

Riders can choose to upgrade for £15 to luxury shepherd's hut accommodation (bunk style beds, four people per hut).

T-shirts: We'll provide you with a Big Green Bike Ride T-shirt.

Support: Medics, mechanics, and support vehicles will be on hand. We'll provide kit list, training guide and dedicated fundraising support to all riders. Our support vehicles will transfer your baggage.

What don't you provide?

The cost does not include travel to and from the start or personal items such insurance, alcohol and personal spending money.

Day-riders are not provided with dinner or breakfast on the challenge.

For an additional £25 per person, we will provide optional return coach transport from the New Forest to south-west London for you and your bike. Return transport is provided on Sunday 28 April only.

Do I need to bring my own bike?

Yes. You need to bring a roadworthy bike. A road or hybrid bike is best for long distance road cycling.

What's the food like?

We'll provide great wholesome meals, using regionally sourced, organic ingredients where possible. There'll also be rest stops offering drinks and snacks along the route. If you have any special dietary requirements please let us know.

Where will I sleep?

We'll provide shared tent accommodation in large 8-man tents, split into two 4-man sections. Riders can use the tents provided or choose to bring their own.

Riders can choose to upgrade for £15 to luxury shepherd's hut accommodation (bunk style beds, four people per hut).

Do I need insurance?

We strongly recommend that you take out personal liability and bike insurance.

You may already be covered by your bike insurance policy, travel insurance policy or membership of an organisation such as British Cycling, so check before you buy.

Please note that Friends of the Earth cannot be held responsible for damage, theft, or loss to your personal items (including your bike) or personal liability. Participants must bring a bike lock to secure bikes in camp overnight.

Do I need a helmet?

All participants are required to wear cycle helmets on the Big Green Bike Ride.

For everyday cycling it's up to you. But the Big Green Bike Ride is a public cycling challenge and we must follow best practices to protect participants and our organisation.

Where and when does the ride start?

The start location for the Big Green Bike Ride is: The Hawker Centre, Lower Ham Road, Kingston Upon Thames, KT2 5BH.

Registration will be open 7.00 - 7.30am, followed by a briefing, and the ride will begin promptly at 8.00am.

What's the timetable for the weekend?

Approximate schedule for Saturday 27 April:

07.00: Arrivals

08.00: Start

Mid-morning: Rest stop

Lunch stop

Mid/Late Afternoon: Rest stop

18.00 onwards: Finish

Overnight stop venue: New Forest Outdoor Centre, Minstead Manor Estate, Emery Down, Lyndhurst SO43 7GA.

Approximate schedule for Sunday 28 April:

08.45: Registration open

09.30: Start (breakfast will be served prior to this for weekend riders only)

Mid-morning: Rest stop

Midday: Lunch stop

15.00: Finish: Saviours Church Hall, Wilverley Road, Brockenhurst, SO42 7SP

16.00 Coach leaves Brockenhurst (for those who have booked a space)

How will I get home?

We'll provide optional return coach transport for participants and their bikes from the New Forest back to The Hawker Centre in Kingston upon Thames. This transport is an additional £25 and available on Sunday 28 April only.

If you choose to make your own way home, our finishing location is: Saviours Church Hall, Wilverley Road, Brockenhurst SO42 7SP. Brockenhurst Railway Station is half a mile away from this point.

If you are cycling on Saturday, you'll need to get home under your own steam. The closest railway station to the finishing point, the New Forest Outdoor Centre, is Ashurst New Forest. It's roughly 4-miles away.

How fit do I need to be?

It depends what option you are choosing. Weekend riders need to be fit enough to complete a long day in the saddle, followed by a shorter cycling day. One-day riders need to be able to complete the distance they are covering.

Olympic gold medallist Alex Gregory MBE has shared with us his top training tips. And we've put together a comprehensive training guide to help you on your way.

For more details download the Big Green Bike Ride Training Guide