Cycling is a way of life; once the warm air starts feeling chilly, your muscles strengthen, and your mind clears, you know you're hooked. One of the best aspects of this sport is that it is accessible to all. Sure, experience and devotion differ, as does one's capacity regarding details like the travelled distance. But what's for sure is that the competition should be with you and within you! Unless it's for a good cause.
The people in need are the most overlooked, and societies often fail to protect the unprotected. This is where charity comes in, creating initiatives that allow kind people to give back to the community.
Have you considered doing something big and joining a charity bike ride in 2023? They're organised and offer support at every stage of the event.
Here is a guide to choosing your favourite charity bike ride.
Think who you're going to bring with you
In a charity bike ride, you can take your family, friends, colleagues, or join alone. You can even use the “word of mouth” technique if you don't want to go alone.
However, participants only want to ride, help, and create life-long memories, and since you have some fantastic passions in common, having a great time is almost guaranteed.
Consider the route
Charity bike rides are fun, but if you're not confident in your biking skills, research and preparation can improve the experience. Some passages are simple routes on flat land, and others are long, spread over many miles, and can have hill climbs. Route familiarisation is beneficial in either case.
You can check the routes on Google Maps, for example. And before deciding on the event, consider the complexity, length, and number of inclines. The best and largest projects will offer every detail you need about their charity bike rides so you can make the most suitable decision.
Last but not least, check the fundraising type
Charity bike rides have fees to cover expenses and fundraising targets to reach. Nevertheless, the fees are minor compared to the destinations you see and your experiences. There's a tour for any taste.
For instance, with the London to Paris Gravel route, which starts on July 20 and ends on July 23, 2023, you'll spend two nights in Paris after you bike through Esher, Newhaven, Dieppe, and Vernon, and it charges £100. If the route sounds OK, but you'd like more options, you can join another bike ride starting on July 19 and ending on July 23. It is self-funded, meaning there is no fundraising, and takes place in London, Calais, Arras, Compiègne, and Paris.
In the 100-mile RideLondon-Essex starting on May 28, you're offered two different payment options: the traditional fundraising option, here asking for £30, with a fundraising target of a minimum of £400, and the chance to self-fund your place for £350 if the fundraising isn't for you.
You can also choose a 54-mile ride starting on June 18 in London, ending in Brighton, and costing £25. You'll have a target of £300 and be offered both self-fundraising (for £250) and fundraising options.
In a nutshell
When choosing your favourite charity bike ride, consider your abilities and determine your resistance level. Some 50-mile tours take the easy path, and others are hundreds-of-mile routes for adrenaline lovers, like the Castle Ride tour, which highlights Ide Hill's beauty.
Whatever you choose, charity cycling offers once-in-a-lifetime experiences and is a gift that keeps on giving.
