International development organisation Transaid is inviting supporters from the transport and logistics sector to take part in its latest fundraising cycle challenge, covering 217km from London to the Isle of Wight next May.
The two-day event, scheduled for 14-17 May 2026, will begin at Box Hill – made famous by the London 2012 Olympics road race – before participants navigate 110km through the picturesque Surrey Hills countryside. The first day's route includes a sustained climb up Leith Hill, Surrey's highest point, before crossing the South Downs National Park to reach the Portsmouth to Fishbourne ferry, with a short final stretch to the hotel.
Day two promises a bucket list experience with a 107km loop around the Isle of Wight, featuring rugged island scenery and challenging climbs through charming villages, chalk coastlines, wooded glens and historic sites.
Maddy Matheson, Head of Fundraising for Transaid, explained the thinking behind the new route: "As our shorter European rides have grown in popularity, we thought it would be a great opportunity to take on a route that is on so many people's bucket list: the Isle of Wight loop. This is a ride that combines demanding ascents with breathtaking views and will offer our riders an unforgettable journey through some of England's most scenic and historic landscapes."
Cycle challenges have become a cornerstone of Transaid's fundraising efforts, generating vital unrestricted funds that can be deployed to test new programmes aimed at improving road safety and access to healthcare in developing countries.
Matheson emphasised the growing importance of such events: "In today's climate, with international development funding under increasing pressure across the charity sector, events like this cycle challenge are essential to sustaining Transaid's work and driving our life-saving programmes forward. We're really excited about this ride, and we are determined to make this one of our most memorable UK cycling events yet."
Both teams and individuals are encouraged to enter. The registration fee is £149 per person, with participants asked to raise a minimum of £1,550 in sponsorship. The package includes accommodation, meals and luggage transport. Single room accommodation is available for an additional £295 supplement, whilst non-cycling guests can share a rider's room for a total supplement of £500.
Coach transfers back to the starting point in Dorking on 17 May have been arranged, sponsored by Lucketts Travel.
For those seeking a more adventurous 2026 challenge, Transaid's Cycle Tanzania event runs from 17-26 September. Participants will pedal 454km from Mount Kilimanjaro to Pangani on the Tanzanian coast. With limited spaces remaining, Transaid is encouraging prompt registration.
To sign up for either event or obtain further information, contact Anna Giavedoni, Events Manager for Transaid, via anna@transaid.org or by calling +44 (0)20 7387 8136.
Further details about Transaid and its work can be found at www.transaid.org.
Tagged with: Transaid, charity cycle challenge, transport and logistics, fleet fundraising, road safety programmes, Surrey Hills, Isle of Wight loop, UK charity ride, ferry Portsmouth Fishbourne, tyre industry support
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