The Big Mountain Challenge
About this event
Take part in this epic 4 day road cycling challenge at Lake Annecy in support of Thames Hospice. With three different expeditions to choose from, this event caters for beginner to advanced level cyclists. Come and meet fellow road biking aficionados while contributing to a fantastic cause.
Raceday details
Your organiser
Thames Hospice is the local charity providing expert care for people living with life-limiting illnesses in East Berkshire and South Buckinghamshire. A vital part of our work is also supporting their families and carers. We care for the physical, social and psychological needs of our patients, not just the condition. Our highly skilled medical team works with the patient, their family and carers, to develop a complete programme of care tailored to their individual needs. Our services include therapy, nursing and medical care, as well as practical and emotional support in our Hospice at Windsor and in patients' homes. It costs £8 million every year to keep our Hospice running. We rely on our community for over 50% of the funds we have to raise annually to provide our services free of charge, 365 days a year, to the people who need us.
How to enter
Tickets available until Thu Sep 16 2021
What's included:
- Accommodation*
- Breakfast*
- Drinks and snacks during the rides*
- Mechanical support from Tour de France iconic Mavic vehicles and respected Chain Reaction cycle company*
- Medical support available from first aid qualified individuals throughout the rides*
- Hot breakfast and dinner with wine as well as airport transfers from Geneva to the hotel*
- Drinks and snacks during the rides
- Mechanical support from Tour de France iconic Mavic vehicles and respected Chain Reaction cycle company
- Medical support available from first aid qualified individuals throughout the rides
* = Included with the full package only
Everest
Bike 250mi
Kilimanjaro
Bike 200mi
Matterhorn
Bike 150mi
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Frequently asked questions
Should I bring my own bike to the Big Mountain Challenge?
Most riders choose to bring their own bikes but you can hire a bike if you wish. Just contact the event organiser for a list of local bike hires.… read moreWill we receive food during the rides on the Big Mountain Challenge?
Yes, everyone will have the opportunity to make up a pack lunch at breakfast time. These will be carried by the support vehicles. One packed lunch costs 10€. High5 nutrition will also provide bars and gels throughout the day. The Matterhorn group will stop at a restaurant each day and the Kilimanjaro group will also have the opportunity to do this on the last two days of their route.… read moreWill there be mechanics and medics on the Big Mountain Challenge?
Yes, you will be supported by several world class mechanics, first aiders, and support vehicles. They will support you over the four days. It is recommended that you bring basic repair kit items such as inner tubes, but there will be full support the entire trip.… read moreYou may also like
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Route description
Route description
This four day cycling tour takes participants through the heart of the French Alps and onto some of the most picturesque road biking routes in the world.
Accompanied by international pro cyclists, the Big Mountain Cycle Challenge is in support of Thames Hospice - in 2019 the event raised an epic £110,000.
There are three different courses to choose from: Matterhorn, Kilimanjaro and Everest.
Matterhorn
This course spans approximately 150 miles, the equivalent of Matterhorn, and climbs around 14,292ft across the four days.
This route entails around 4 - 5 hours per day and is aimed at a beginner/intermediate level rider. Riders will enjoy picturesque lunch and coffee shops throughout the days.
Kilimanjaro
This course will travel around 200 miles - the equivalent of climbing Mt Kilimanjaro - and will ascend around 19,340ft over the four days.
Kilimanjaro will include around 5 - 8 hours of cycling daily and is aimed at intermediate-advanced cyclists.
Cycle the glorious Sévrier Haute-Savoie around Lake Annecy against the backdrop of the dramatic French Alps, including well known peaks included in the Tour De France.
Everest
The toughest of the three races, Everest will travel approximately 250 miles and climb around 29,029ft over the four days
At around 6 - 8 hours of cycling per day, this route is for advanced road cyclists.
Cycle the glorious Sévrier Haute-Savoie around Lake Annecy against the backdrop of the dramatic French Alps, including well known peaks included in the Tour De France.
Booking Options:
- £395: Full package including accommodation (half board) plus £995 sponsorship
- £295: Ride only plus £995 sponsorship
- £995: Full package including accommodation (half board) - no sponsorship requirement
- £695: Ride only - no sponsorship requirement
**Approximately Ride Day Schedule
**
09:00 Departure
12:30 Lunch
16:00 All riders return
19:30 Dinner
Cut-Off Times
There is no official cut off time however team captains will make decisions to take a more direct route if riders are struggling. Each group will have 2 or 3 group leaders so no rider will ever be left alone.
If you have any questions about the event or would like to get in touch with the Event Organiser then please contact this email address: h_[email protected]
Annecy, France
Get directionsFlights
Flights are not included in the pricing and all entrants will need to book their own flights to Lake Annecy. It is recommended participants arrive before midday on the first day, and return after 12pm on the last day of the trip.
Accommodation
Those booked on the full-package will have half board accommodation included. Ride-only entrants will be required to book their own.
The accommodation will be at the Les Balcons du Lac d’Annecy, a hotel overlooking Lake Annecy.
The full package includes an en-suite room, hot breakfast and good standard three course buffet dinner with local wine. The hotel includes a swimming pool, gym and event space for bike storage and bike maintenance teams on hand.
Route description
Route description
This four day cycling tour takes participants through the heart of the French Alps and onto some of the most picturesque road biking routes in the world.
Accompanied by international pro cyclists, the Big Mountain Cycle Challenge is in support of Thames Hospice - in 2019 the event raised an epic £110,000.
There are three different courses to choose from: Matterhorn, Kilimanjaro and Everest.
Matterhorn
This course spans approximately 150 miles, the equivalent of Matterhorn, and climbs around 14,292ft across the four days.
This route entails around 4 - 5 hours per day and is aimed at a beginner/intermediate level rider. Riders will enjoy picturesque lunch and coffee shops throughout the days.
Kilimanjaro
This course will travel around 200 miles - the equivalent of climbing Mt Kilimanjaro - and will ascend around 19,340ft over the four days.
Kilimanjaro will include around 5 - 8 hours of cycling daily and is aimed at intermediate-advanced cyclists.
Cycle the glorious Sévrier Haute-Savoie around Lake Annecy against the backdrop of the dramatic French Alps, including well known peaks included in the Tour De France.
Everest
The toughest of the three races, Everest will travel approximately 250 miles and climb around 29,029ft over the four days
At around 6 - 8 hours of cycling per day, this route is for advanced road cyclists.
Cycle the glorious Sévrier Haute-Savoie around Lake Annecy against the backdrop of the dramatic French Alps, including well known peaks included in the Tour De France.
Booking Options:
- £395: Full package including accommodation (half board) plus £995 sponsorship
- £295: Ride only plus £995 sponsorship
- £995: Full package including accommodation (half board) - no sponsorship requirement
- £695: Ride only - no sponsorship requirement
**Approximately Ride Day Schedule
**
09:00 Departure
12:30 Lunch
16:00 All riders return
19:30 Dinner
Cut-Off Times
There is no official cut off time however team captains will make decisions to take a more direct route if riders are struggling. Each group will have 2 or 3 group leaders so no rider will ever be left alone.
If you have any questions about the event or would like to get in touch with the Event Organiser then please contact this email address: h_[email protected]
Annecy, France
Get directionsFlights
Flights are not included in the pricing and all entrants will need to book their own flights to Lake Annecy. It is recommended participants arrive before midday on the first day, and return after 12pm on the last day of the trip.
Accommodation
Those booked on the full-package will have half board accommodation included. Ride-only entrants will be required to book their own.
The accommodation will be at the Les Balcons du Lac d’Annecy, a hotel overlooking Lake Annecy.
The full package includes an en-suite room, hot breakfast and good standard three course buffet dinner with local wine. The hotel includes a swimming pool, gym and event space for bike storage and bike maintenance teams on hand.