FREE Virtual Cycling Challenge 2020 | Choose from three distances

Can you cycle 50, 160 or even 442 miles in August?

Coronavirus has forced the cancellation of our fundraising cycling events planned for the Spring/Summer, so we’ve gone digital!  Although we will have to wait until next year for the actual events, you can now cycle the distance and 'virtually' go to Brighton (50m), Bruges (160m) or The Pyrenees RAID (442 miles).

Simply sign up and cycle your chosen distance (50, 160 or 442 miles) between 1–31 August (you can split the distance over as many days as you like) and raise money to support our charitable frontline projects in East Surrey. On completion of your event, all fundraisers will receive Certificate of Achievement and commemorative medal and adults raising over £300 will receive a bespoke YMCA Challenge 150 cycle shirt.

How it works

Choose your distance from the options below and complete the challenge ‘virtually’ – by cycling on local roads, or on your turbo or smart trainer (or in a gym if restrictions at the time allow). Riders can complete the challenge at any time between 1-31 August in as many rides as they wish.

On entering, you will have access to our virtual challenge portal (which integrates with Strava and Garmin Connect) where you can upload your cycling mileage and photos. Upload as many photos as you like, share them on Facebook and Twitter using #YMCAVirtualCycle and tag us @ymca_challenge so we can share with the community.

Entry and fundraising

Entry is free but we’re asking that riders set their own fundraising goal to support our charitable work. During the Coronavirus pandemic, we have quickly adapted to continue our charitable projects such as:

• Online counselling
• Activities and support for families with children with disabilities
• Targeted exercise classes through Zoom for those with long-term health conditions
• Virtual youth groups
• Supported accommodation for young homeless people (we have seen a 65% increase in young people presenting as homeless to us compared to the same time last year).

Every penny raised will help us to continue to provide our vital services through this difficult time.

Event options

Virtual Brighton 50 | 50 Miles

The actual Brighton 50 event is still scheduled to take place on 22 August, but will be dependent on Government guidelines at the time. Whether it goes ahead or not, this 50-mile virtual event is good practice or a great excuse to get your bike out.

Suitable for beginners, those new to cycling and families. If you want to enter as a family, get yourself a Team Name to upload your mileage and note that the total mileage will be as a family and not individuals. So if a family of four cycle 5 miles, it will be 5 miles and not 20. However, if the little ones are getting a bit tired, the grownups can make up the difference, and remember you have all of August to do it.

Virtual Cycle to Bruges | 160 Miles

The actual ride we had planned in June would have taken you from Redhill to Bruges via Dover, Dunkirk and Ypres. As this isn’t possible, you can make up your own mind where you cycle and for how long. As long as you get to 160 miles by the end of August – you’ll have covered the distance!

This ride is more suitable for those with a bit more cycling experience.

The Virtual Raid Pyrenees | 442 Miles

This will be the Ultra Challenge of 2021! We had planned to cycle from Hendaye to Cerbere, taking in the mega Pyrenees, so this is one for the committed cyclists. It will be difficult to find such climbs locally, but if you want an extra challenge you could attempt to cover the distance in an elapsed time of 100 hours over 5 days true to the original challenge.

Other cycling events

We are still monitoring guidance as to whether we will be able to hold our Brighton 50 cycle challenge in August 2020.

All other cycling challenges have been postponed to next year and the remaining places will go on sale soon, click here for more details. However, a year is a long way off so we hope you can join us in our summer cycling challenge!