Frequently asked Questions
Click on the sections below to find the answers to some of the frequently asked questions.
ENTRY
ROUTES
BIKES
FUNDRAISING
ON THE DAY
If you still cant find the information you need, please do not hesitate to contact us on 020 7269 9097, or at londonbikeathon@lrf.org.uk
For press queries, please contact the press office on 020 7269 9019, or by e-mail press@lrf.org.uk
ENTRY
Q: How can I enter?
A:
Online, telephone and postal
entries are now closed. Please feel free to register on the day.
Please note on the day entry prices are as follows. Adults £15 per
person and Children £10 per child.
Q: Can I enter on the day?
A:
Yes, entry will be open at all start venues 30 minutes prior to the start of the ride.
On the Day Entry: Adults £15 per person and Children £10
per child.
Q: What is the last date to enter the Bikeathon?
A:
We will be accepting entries up until Tuesday 11th July. After that you will have to register on the day.
Q: I need to drop out of the Bikeathon. How do I do it?
A:
Either phone 020 7269 9097, or e-mail londonbikeathon@lrf.org.uk with your details and reason for dropping out.
Please note we are unable to refund any entry fees
Q: When will I receive my rider pack and t-shirt?
A:
You will receive a confirmation letter and fundraising pack within 2 weeks after you enter. Approximately 4 weeks before the event you will receive your t-shirt and route details.
ROUTES
Q: Will I be cycling on the roads?
A:
Yes, you will be cycling on the roads along with the usual Sunday morning traffic. Our priority is that you have a fantastic day, and remain safe throughout the ride. When planning the London Bikeathon we consult all the relevant authorities including the police and ambulance services.
We are not allowed to close the roads to traffic, but we do try to keep the route on designated cycle paths where possible. The routes are fully signed, and marshals are present along the routes. Route guides are also sent out prior to the event, and we suggest you read them and try to familiarise yourself with the route.
If at any time you feel unsafe, please walk with your bike on the pavement. There is a help line number on the route guide if you have trouble on the day.
Q: Are the routes suitable for children?
A:
Minimum age for the Scenic and City rides is 14 unaccompanied, or 12 if accompanied by a parent or guardian with acceptance of liability. Minimum age for the Challenge ride is 14 years old.
The Scenic route may be more suitable for younger or less confident riders as it has more off-road riding through Richmond Park and less traffic.
We have a separate fully marshalled circular Childrens Ride, set within the grounds of the Royal Hospital Chelsea for the under 12s. Children can do as many laps of the 500m circuit as they like, and we have special stampers to make sure they dont lose count. All riders receive a medal for taking part. Parents/guardians are unable to ride but are more than welcome to cheer from the sidelines.
Q: Where do the routes go?
A:
Scenic route start at the Royal Hospital Chelsea or Ham Common and cycle through Richmond Park, and along some of the Thames Towpath.
City route start at the Royal Hospital Chelsea or Mile End Park and cycle past some of Londons famous landmarks, the London Eye, St Pauls Cathedral etc. Cycle out to the east of London and around Docklands.
Challenge route start at the Royal Hospital Chelsea only, and combine the city and scenic routes in a new 52 mile ride.
Childrens route a marshalled circular route set within the grounds of the Royal Hospital Chelsea Children cycle round a 500m circuit, and can do as many laps of the circuit as they want.
Q: Are there any hills on the routes?
A:
The routes are mostly flat, but there is a small hill on the Scenic route in Richmond Park.
Q: How fit do I need to be to do the London Bikeathon?
A:
The London Bikeathon is a fun cycle ride it is not a race! You can therefore cycle at a pace that is appropriate to your ability. We do however recommend that you try to cycle a bit in the weeks preceding the Bikeathon, especially if you have not been on a bike for a while
On the day you can decide whether to cycle a 26 or 13 mile route for either the City or Scenic ride. The turnaround points will be clearly marked on your route guide and on the route itself. There are checkpoints on the route that allow you to rest and get refreshments please make full use of them.
Please note that the 52 mile ride is a more demanding route so please ensure that your fitness level will meet the demands of the route.
BIKES
Q: Can I use a road bike / tandem / tag bike etc?
A:
You can use any sort of bike as long as it is roadworthy. The routes are all on roads with some sections on designated cycle paths, or towpaths. Some sections of the Scenic Route are not suitable for racing bikes.
Tag bikes / carry seats can be used for children but liability remains with the parent / guardian.
Please be aware that taking larger than average bikes onto trains can be difficult, as some companies will not carry them. Please check first with the train company for restrictions.
Q: Where can I hire a bike?
A:
The London Bicycle Tour Company
1a Gabriel's Wharf,
56 Upper Ground
SE1
020 7928 6838
mail@londonbicycle.com
www.londonbicycle.com
Prices: Per hour 3.00; 1st day 16.00; next days 8.00; 1st week 48.00; 2nd week 30.00. From 48 a week for cheaper models, to 90 a week for tandems. Children's seats are free, if you hire an adult bike.
Banana Rent
Locations: outside tube stations. Pickup and drop-offs at the same point; although special arrangements may be possible.
07950 294631
info@BananaRent.com
www.bananarent.com
Prices: 7.50 per day booked by phone.
OYBike
Sites in Hammersmith and Fulham. See website for the full list (includes hospitals, hotels, stations and car parks)
0845 226 5751
info@oybike.com
www.oybike.com
Prices: 30p for 15 min, 80p for half an hour, 2 an hour and 8 a day. You must buy 10 credit to use the scheme. Registration is via the web.
Q: Where can I buy a bike / accessories?
A:
Evans Cycles is the official bike retailer of the London Bikeathon. They have 17 shops across London as well as a mail order service. See their website for more details: www.evanscycles.com Use the Evans voucher in your rider pack to receive a 10% discount.
FUNDRAISING
Q: How do I get sponsored?
A:
You will receive sponsor forms and a fundraising guide with tips on gaining sponsorship in your riders pack. You can also set up a personal fundraising page via Justgiving, which you can then e-mail to friends, family, and colleagues.
Set up a Justgiving page.
For more ideas on how to get sponsored see the fundraising tips section of the website.
Q: Where will my sponsor money go?
A:
Your money will go:
- to make sure that every blood cancer patient gets the information they need as soon as they are diagnosed.
- to improve individual diagnosis ensuring that patients receive treatment tailored to their own cancer.
- to research new less gruelling treatments, ensuring that patients can lead normal, healthy lives after successful treatment.
- to translate all of this work from the research lab to the patient with clinical trials.
- to investing in the future of blood cancer research by helping to pay for clinical training fellowships which ensure that the bright young haematologists of today become world leading researchers in the future.
For more information about our work call 020 7405 0101 e-mail info@lrf.org.uk or visit our website www.lrf.org.uk
Q: How do I pay in my sponsor money?
A:
Bank - Take it to any branch of the Royal Bank of Scotland, or National Westminster Bank together with the bank paying-in slip, which will be sent to you directly after the event. Then send your sponsor forms back to us so we can claim gift aid.
Post - Write a cheque, payable to Leukaemia Research for the total amount and send it with your paying-in slip and sponsorship. DO NOT POST CASH.
Telephone - If youve collected the money and would like to pay by debit or credit card just call us on 020 7269 9097.
Online - If you created a personal fundraising page on Justgiving the money will get transferred to us automatically.
Q: Where can I get hold of more sponsor forms?
A:
Contact us by phone 020 7269 9097, or by e-mail on londonbikeathon@lrf.org.uk and we will send some out to you.
ON THE DAY
Q: How do I get to the start venue?
A:
Please see below. You will also be sent this information once you have registered.
The TfL Journey planner website may be useful to plan your journey. http://journeyplanner.tfl.gov.uk/user/XSLT_TRIP_REQUEST2?language=en
Royal Hospital Chelsea
By Tube:
Nearest stations: Sloane Square and South Kensington. Both serve the District and Circle line. South Kensington is also served by the Piccadilly line.
The Metropolitan, Circle, District and Hammersmith & City tubes lines accept bikes.
By Train:
Nearest stations: Victoria and Battersea Park.
By Car:
Limited Parking is available in Battersea Park in the car park nearest to Chelsea Bridge (approximately 4 per day), which is a short ride from the Royal Hospital Chelsea, across the bridge. There is also a NCP car park situated at Semley Place Mscp, Victoria, London, SW1W 9QL, 0870 242 7144. Prices range from 6.90-30 depending on length of stay.
Ham Common:
By Tube:
Nearest station: Richmond. Served by the District line.
By Train:
Nearest Station: Richmond.
By Car:
Parking is available on the surrounding roads. There are also 6 car parks within Richmond Park.
Mile End Park
By Tube:
Nearest stations: Mile End and Stepney Green. Both are served by the District and Hammersmith and City lines.
By Train:
Nearest station: Cambridge Heath or Bethnal Green
By Car:
Parking is available on the surrounding roads.
- The Metropolitan, Circle, District and Hammersmith & City tubes lines accept bikes.
- Chiltern Railways, Connex, One Railway, SW Trains, Thames Trains Ltd and Thameslink will allow entrants to take their bikes with them. (Large groups should check in advance)
We are very honoured to be allowed to use the Royal Hospital Chelsea for the London Bikeathon. Our thanks to the Governor, Commissioners, In-Pensioners and staff for their hospitality.
The Royal Hospital Chelsea has embarked upon a modernisation programme to meet Care Standards legislation and to take account of its increasingly outdated facilities. To fund this development plan, the Chelsea Pensioners Appeal has been launched with the aim of raising 35 million by the end of March 2008.
For more information about the Royal hospital Chelsea click on the link below.
Q: When do the rides start?
A:
The City and Scenic rides start at 10am from Ham Common, the Royal Hospital Chelsea, and Mile End Park.
Cyclists will be allowed out onto the routes until 11.30am.
The Challenge ride starts at 9am from the Royal Hospital Chelsea.
The Childrens ride starts at 1pm at the Royal Hospital Chelsea.
Q: How long will it take to complete the Bikeathon?
A:
Please note the times are approximate. It will depend on how long you stop for at the checkpoints and how fast you pedal!
13 mile 1 2 hours
26 mile 2 6 hours
52 mile 5 8 hours
Q: Do I need to wear a helmet?
A:
It is not compulsory to wear a helmet, but we strongly recommend that you do.
Q: Will there be refreshments available on the day?
A:
It is your responsibility to make sure that you have adequate refreshments for the ride. Limited supplies of free bottled water will be available at all starts / finishes / checkpoints. Refreshments will also be available to purchase at the start / finish venues.
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