From the moment you sign up, we start to get you ready for the challenge of a lifetime. We understand that taking on Land’s End to John O’Groats is not something you do on a whim and so we want you to feel as prepared as possible and ready to take on the challenge ahead. So what do you get from us?
There will be two to three pit stops for you every day you are on the road to make sure you are fuelled and ready to tackle the ride ahead. With healthy snacks and sports nutrition as well as the much-needed cakes and pork pies, there really is something for everyone. If you have any problems along the way, our medics and mechanics are there to give you a helping hand to ensure you finish the days Ride ready to take on the rest of the challenge.
Here at Deloitte Ride Across Britain, we pride ourselves on ensuring our riders feel fully supported as they take on this impressive challenge, and a massive part of that is ensuring you know where you are going. With arrows laid out for you every day, all you have to worry about is following them!
Just on the off chance someone takes a wrong turn, we will also send out detailed route map PDF’s and profiles of each day so you have an idea of what lies in store for you along the way. We also supply up to date GPX files nearer the time if you desire.
Out on the road, everyone has a tough time now and again, which is where our amazing chaperones come in to play. Experienced cyclists whose prime responsibility is to ensure you make it to basecamp every night in high spirits, they are always there if you need a helping hand along the way. Whether it’s someone to chat to, a word of encouragement or a few tips on how to ride more efficiently, they can easily be spotted by their unique rider jerseys.
Whilst this is most definitely a marathon, not a sprint, we understand that some people like to keep track of how long it takes them to complete each days ride. From the moment you sign in at Land’s End, you will be given a chip embedded in your numbered sticker which you attach to the left side of your helmet. Every day, your timing data will automatically upload to a website www.resultsbase.net where you can check your registered time.
Let’s start this by saying we hope you never have to use this support bus! However, everyone has a tough day sometimes, so if you aren’t quite making the cut off times, we will pick you up to take you back to basecamp ready to start again tomorrow. Whilst most people make it back on the bike the next day, we do limit it to three trips to avoid it being used as a taxi service.
Ask anyone what they remember the most about Deloitte Ride Across Britain, and we can guarantee one of the first things they will say is our legendary basecamp! A real home away from home, the camaraderie is never stronger than when chatting to your fellow riders about the day’s Ride over a hot meal. With tranquil views, stretching areas and even an onsite bar, there is no better way to celebrate the end of each day with your fellow riders.
No one can take on a challenge such as this one without a few niggles here and there, so that’s why we bring along some helping hands! At every basecamp, you can find our team of fully qualified physiotherapists whose sole aim is to have you fighting fit for the next day’s ride. Beloved by our riders, they are the reason most of our participants are able to make it to John O’Groats.
At the end of every day, you will have your very own private two-man tent waiting for you. A little oasis away from the hustle and bustle of basecamp, after your first night settling in, we can promise you will sleep soundly for the rest of your journey up the country. In fact, many people write in saying they miss their tent and want to get back into the famed RAB ‘bubble’!
There is a reason why our riders are so excited to finish every single day, and it’s not just because there are more miles behind them! Breakfast, dinner and afternoon tea are all taken care of for you and you can expect everything from fresh salads, mouthwatering meat, fish and vegetarian dishes right the way through to puddings worthy of Nigella herself. Nine days of riding it may be, but plenty of people report gaining weight on the ride.
As we said, this isn’t like normal camping, and who would expect it to be?! With 9 days of intense cycling, you will need somewhere to relax and recuperate. From hot showers and hairdryers to charging points and stretching areas, we have everything you need to make this challenge as comfortable and achievable as possible.
To help you make your way to John O’Groats, we provide complimentary mechanical service and support along the Ride. With mobile vans to help with on the road breakdowns (such as chain and wheel issues) and mechanical support at every pit stop, we will do everything we can to keep your bike going all the way to the finish line.
At the base camp, you can also receive a full service and repairs every evening and morning if you require it. If after this, we determine that we will need to keep your bike for the day to make it road safe again, you can even borrow one of our bikes for 24 hours to make sure you don’t have to miss out on a day’s ride.
Basecamp
Waiting for you every day at the basecamp will be our team of medics, there to help you out with any niggles, twinges or more serious problems you may have. Dedicated to helping ensure each rider gets back on the bike the next day, your safety is their number one priority.
On the Road
Alongside this, we also have paramedics out in cars on the route ready to respond to any accident as soon as they possibly can. If anything happens out on the road, our team will be just a phone call away.
If you don’t think camping is quite right for you, then not to worry, that is why we introduced the Plus Package! With all the same benefits as the other riders, you will be shuttled to a nearby hotel each night to enjoy the comforts of a soft bed after a long day’s’ ride.
To ensure you have the best possible experience on the Plus Package, we offer both double and single rooms along the route. If you want to bunk with your buddy or loved one, then the double room is for you, however, if you would prefer to have your own private space, a single room is your best bet. Due to the limitation of some hotels, we can only offer single or double occupancy (sharing) and not twin options.
Whilst we try to cater for all of your needs along the journey, there may be a few things you would like to add on for ultimate ease. Please note, all prices and locations may vary once they are confirmed each year, but we will keep them as low as we can by finding the best value supplier.
We want to make sure you get to the start and back to your home as easily as possible, so to help with this, we use a 3rd party provider who organises shuttles to and from key locations such as Penzance, Exeter and Bristol in the South, and to Wick and Inverness in the North. We also use a 3rd party bike transport company who collect and deliver to regional hubs.
You can find out more information on this once you have registered, or just drop us an email if you would like to know in advance.
We want you to be able to remember this incredible Ride for the rest of your life, and what better way to do than to purchase your very own official event merchandise?! Rider jerseys and other event merchandise are available to buy before, during and after the event via the online shop.
Being on the road for 9 days means one things and one thing only…. you have a lot of washing! To prevent you bringing your whole wardrobe along, we provide a laundry service which you can pre-purchase where you can get your kit professionally cleaned. This is available for you at the end of Day 2, Day 4 and Day 7 of the Ride.
Photographs from Sportograf available for purchase.