Edinburgh to Manchester Cycle Challenge

Itinerary

Day 1: Pre-Event Meet at designated team hotel in Edinburgh for pre- event briefing and dinner 20:00

Day 2: Approx. 87 miles. Departing from central Edinburgh from the end of the famous Princes Street next to the grand Edinburgh Castle, this ride heads due South through stunning Scottish countryside along the river Tweed via Moffatt where you can try some of the well-known local toffees! The end of the first day of cycling brings us to Gretna – the last town in Scotland before crossing the border.

Day 3: Approx. 72 miles. After a restful night in Scotland we then start the day navigating through the historic city of Carlisle and then straight into the heart of the spectacular Lake District, with the challenge of Kirkstone Pass before dropping down to ride along the beautiful Lake Windemere. Having navigated just out of the National Park, we’ll rest up for the second night.

Day 4: Approx. 76 miles. The final day takes us across the Forest of Bowland with a few final hills including the climb up Blaze Moss, before heading down into iconic central Manchester to celebrate!

Accommodation

We'll be using simple but clean hotels en-route sharing twin rooms - good enough to give you somewhere to get clean, and get a good nights sleep with planned eating stops along the way. Nothing palatial - but not too bad either!

Single supplements are available - please inform us at the time of booking if you would like a single room.

What is a Level 3.5 Cycling Challenge Like?

These challenge rides are either longer, with more ascent, or span several days. In the case of single day events, you can expect up to 10 hours cycling. In the case of a multi day ride, you can expect lower daily durations - but of course - the effort is sustained over a longer period. You need to be a keen cyclist for these events, and to enjoy training, and to ride regularly. If the ride is outside the EU, it is likely to be easier in terms of the physical riding, however, you will need to be more resilient - due to more basic living conditions (in the case of Asia / Africa especially)

How Fit Do I need to be to join a Level 3.5 ‘Bike Ride’?

You need to have good endurance for these events. You must be used to doing long rides in the countryside - 6 hours + . You should be doing regular exercise - with some serious cycle training. Your typical comfortable cycling speed will be at least 22-24 km/hr, and you should be able to cycle at high speed for up to 1 hour or 25 km. You may also be concentrating on other types of exercise - but for longer periods of time (ie sessions in excess of 1.5 hrs.) - however cycling is the best preparation (obviously!)

Medical Issues

Please note, it is extremely important for this physical challenge that you are in good health. If you have any pre-existing medical conditions, please consider carefully whether you should be joining the challenge. Please ensure you fill in the booking form accurately and honestly, this is important. In the case of serious conditions (epilepsy, diabetes, heart conditions, recent illness or operations), please discuss the challenge with your GP. Please also ensure you notify us of any allergies or similar.

It requires stamina and good aerobic fitness - but good willpower will also come in handy! Failure to disclose medical conditions is a serious omission - that could have serious repercussions on any of our challenges.

Included In Trip

Full Vehicle Support and Driver/Mechanic/First Aider.

Pre-event briefing.

Accomodation for 3 nights including breakfasts.

Excluded From Trip

Transport to Edinburgh and return from Manchester.

Lunches, dinners and snacks.

Equipment Required

Bike Items
Road Bike / Hybrid Bike / Mountain Bike (with Touring Tyres) - please call us for guidance on type of bike on a trip by trip basis
Water Bottles (bladder system/cycle water bottles)
Cycling Gloves, Bike Lock, Neck Scarf
Small Rucksack (or small pannier)
Small Holdall (for overnight gear)
Lamps (front and rear, head torch can be worn)
Under Saddle Pouch (recommended - can be used to carry asterik* items)
Duck Tape (small folded piece off the reel)*
Puncture Repair Kit*
2 x Inner Tubes*
Multi-Tool (with allen keys)*
Oil/Lube*
Pump (suitable for your valve type)
Helmet (compulsory)

Medikit
Suncream, Plasters
Vaseline, Painkillers, Sunbloc

Washkit
Pack Towel (lifesystems recommended), Soap (small bar)
Toothbrush, Toothpaste

Warm Clothing
Medium Weight Fleece, Lightweight Gloves, Fleece Hat

Cycle / Overnight Clothing
Lycra Cycling Shorts, Cotton Shorts
Long Cycling Trousers (Tights/Tracksuit Bottoms)
Cotton T-Shirts for evening
Short Sleeve Cycling T-Shirts (Dryflo type material) or Cycle Top with rear pockets
Cycling Shoes (approach shoes suitable)
Sandals / Spare Shoes for after ride
Underwear
1 Set Casual Evening Wear
1 Pair Cotton Trousers

Waterproof Clothing
1 Outer Fully Waterproof Jacket (gore-tex, e-vent) - comfortable to cycle in
1 Pair Outer Waterproof Bottoms

Other
Camera, Memory Card
Wallet, Credit Card, Cash
Sunglasses, Mobile Phone
Penknife, Snacks for Cycling Days (dried fruits, nuts, flapjacks, cereal bars etc)

Important
Make sure you do not ‘over pack’ - bring only what is essential for the trip

A final kit list will be provided in your ‘Final Joining Instructions’ pre-departure..

Safety Information

By nature all activities contain an element of risk.Your leader will be first aid qualified and will carry the appropriate safety kit for the activity, such as mountain safety shelters, walking rope and from time to time mobile radios. Safety equipment carried will be appropriate to trip. The leader's primary role is to ensure your safety, but it is your responsibility to listen to their guidance and instructions.

Weather

Prepare for cold and rain at worst; if we prepare for all conditions then we may be pleasantly surprised! Hats and gloves are also highly recommended for this trip.

Notes on Cycling Events

This is our standard range of Cycling Challenges in the UK, Europe and further afield. However, we offer completely tailormade itineraries to your specification. Call us to discuss! Please note that for overseas point to point cycling challenges we can transport soft cases for bike transport - but not hard cases, due to space limitations on board our support vehicles. On all our cycling events, please pack sensibly and bring a reasonably sized soft holdall type bag. To participate in an overseas Adventure Cafe challenge - you must carry Travel Insurance (to be for the activity you are participating in, and to include repatriation to the UK). Please also note that you should have a good level of cycling experience and be competent to handle your bike. We ride on roads shared with other vehicles - and you need to be able to deal with this safely.

Adventure Cafe Booking Terms and Conditions

To Reserve Your Space on this Challenge