Following the incredible success of our first ride we are delighted to be back in action on the 21st of June 2025 for another great day out on two wheels. Given the popularity of the inaugural ride we are repeating the same ride through the beautiful Kent countryside and really hope that the weather is slightly less biblical in nature! Come on, it’s June!!
And yes, you may have spotted it—the date is the Summer Solstice, so what better way to enjoy the longest day of the year than outside in the fresh air with friends, family, and other like-minded participants?
Once again, we are teaming up with local artisan bike builders Craft Bikes, run by James and Chloe, who have years of cycling experience, leading the ride in a safe, fun and professional way. Together with their awesome bike crew supporting throughout the route on all things mechanical and motivational!
Places are capped at 80 spaces to ensure we can support all participants fully on the 45km route. The ride is available for ages 12+, although we suggest all participants are confident riders and sufficiently trained for the event!
Importantly, you must have a suitable bike. This will need to be a gravel bike (wider / all-terrain tyres) or a mountain bike. Electric bikes are also fine, but they need to support off-road capability.
We’ve removed any fundraising target, you simply pay to enter and then any fundraising you wish to do is purely your choice and totally voluntary.
The Ride
The ride will be an enjoyable and challenging 28 mile (45 km) ride through the beautiful Kent countryside, taking in byways, forest trails, gravel paths and some country roads. A mix of scenery and riding surfaces but nothing too technical.
We’ve carefully chosen (…and test ridden many times) a route that spends as much time off road as possible, the ride will be achievable on a gravel bike or a mountain bike with appropriate tyres. It will take between 3 – 5 hours. It’s not a race but a chance to soak up the fresh air and countryside, conducted in a fun and social way. This event will need good levels of fitness, some bike-specific training, and yes, we will say it again… the right bike!
Entries are just £40pp all inclusive
Tickets are £40 per person/entry and include your participation in the ride with full support, the GPX file of the route (issued a week before the ride), a TEDF water bottle, and for finishers a wood-fired pizza, and a craft beer (or soft drink).
T-shirts can be purchased on the day or are included if you snapped up our early bird offer (entires before the end of February). If you attended the 2024 bike ride and still have your TEDF Big Bike Ride T-Shirt, by all means, re-use this as the design and colour is the same!
The Route
The full route will be well marked (our thanks to Signworx for the signage) but we will also have the crew riding amongst you to ensure everyone is on track and to help with any mechanical issues on the way.
We highly recommend everyone have a puncture repair kit or tubeless tyres, at minimum. Worst case, there is a “broom bus” that will sweep anyone up off the trail if you need it… but you won’t need that, will you?!
So here’s the route. GPX files will be available a week before the ride for anyone who wishes to download the ride onto their GPS/Garmin device. Please take note of the level of elevation and climbing! The route is rolling with a few steeper hills to provide some challenge.
The final route on the day is subject to change as we assess weather conditions, final permissions over the countryside areas, and above all safety, but we expect it to be very similar to the map seen above.
There will be two water stops and a compulsory pit stop at Lyminge Village Hall roughly halfway into the ride to check in on how everyone is doing, refill water bottles and we have a supply of sandwiches, cakes, teas and coffee (for a small charge/donation with the proceeds going to TEDF).
Our thanks to the Forestry Commission for providing permission to take on the fire trails of the wonderful Lyminge Forest and Covert Woods and to Canterbury, Folkestone, and Hythe councils for supporting us once again on this incredible event.
Book your tickets now, and we’ll see you on the trail!
Getting Ready to ride!
Our aim is everyone arrives ready to complete the challenge but more importantly have the base level of fitness to enjoy a lovely day out in the Kent Countryside. Here is a 12 week training plan, ideally starting at the end March / beginning of April. This is just a guide, designed to take you from casual riding to being fit, healthy and ready to ride in June!
This plan is put together by Chloe Griggs of Craft Bikes and Louise Hagger, a qualified fitness instructor and personal trainer. Both have experience of training themselves and clients for day rides, triathlons and multi-day events.
