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Q. How can I book my place?
You can sign up and register for the event here on the website. For your place to be confirmed, a bank transfer will need to be sent to the Big Mountain Challenge bank account. Bank details will be sent once you have registered and confirmation will be given upon receipt of your funds.If you have any questions about this, please do contact info@bikeweekender.com
Q. Where will my sponsorship money go?
Every penny raised will go to Thames Hospice, a charity proudly serving the community of East Berkshire and South Buckinghamshire. Thames Hospice works in partnership with local healthcare colleagues to provide specialist palliative and end-of-life care services to people aged 16 and over in their own homes and within the Hospice.
Thames Hospice are committed to delivering care that is agile and responsive so that they give patients and their families choices about the care they receive, providing the highest quality clinical and therapeutic care within the Hospice and in patients’ homes, supporting the physical, social and psychological needs of patients and their loved ones.
All services are free of charge to all those in the community who need vital hospice care. Thames Hospice receives a 26% financial contribution towards their operating costs funded by NHS England and need to raise £38,363 each day to fund their services 365 days a year to the people who need them most. To find out more please visit there website here.
Q. Am I committed to raising the required fundraising amounts for Thames Hospice?
We do ask riders to raise the full amounts required because the profits from the event are critical to allowing Thames Hospice to provide the care and services. If in exceptional cases a rider is struggling to reach the required fundraising, please just get in touch to let us know. Remember that by sending reminders to friends colleagues family etc before and after your rides with pictures of your training and the ride itself will really help. Riders also fund that significant sponsorship comes in after the event if you contact people to let them know you have completed the challenge.
Q. Can I bring my own bike?
Yes, most BMC riders bring their own bikes on the flight with them and for this reason we recommend British Airways flights where possible as they accept a bike box/bag as standard checked baggage rather than charging substantial extras. The airport transfer coach will have a special trailer for bike boxes. All bikes will need to be packed in bike bags/boxes suitable for air travel and you need to notify most airlines in advance that you are bringing a bike with you. When you arrive at the hotel you can get assistance assembling your bike and all bikes will be safety checked by qualified staff before any rides leave
Q. Is accommodation included?
Yes, accommodation is included with the full package.
Q. What is the accommodation like?
You can find out all accommodation info here.
Q. Will food be available during the rides?
Lunch stops at local cafes and resturants will be available each day.
Q. Can I hire a bike?
Yes, you can hire a bike from the bike weekender team for competitive rates. Please indicate on your booking form or contact info@bikeweekender.com
Q. Will there be mechanics and basic repair kit?
We will have knoweldgeable staff on hand to help you for mechanical repairs, but they will be able to help with basic repairs only. It is recommended that you bring essential kit items such as inner tubes.
Q. Is there any kit I should bring?
- Day bag labelled with name
- Water bottles
- Bike lights
- Inner tubes
- Helmet
- Leg/arm warmers
- Gloves
- Wind jacket
- Cold weather jacket (not just wind jacket as it can get very cold)
- Leggings
- Bike pump
- Bike lock
- Cash /debit or credit card for coffee stops
- Nutritional requirements: please bring along items if you have a specific nutritional preference. Please note: snacks will be provided free-of-charge during the cycles
Q. Is there a cut off time for the rides?
This is not a race so there is not an official cut off time. However, we require everybody to be back before dark and thus the team captains will make decisions at the lunch stop if somebody is struggling to split the group into two to take a more direct route home. Each group will have two or three ride captains and two support vehicles so no rider will ever be left alone.
Q. What gears do you recommend?
We highly recommend a 32 rear cassette, strict minimum would be 28.
Q. Will dietary requirements be catered for with the full package?
Yes, please specify this when completing your booking form.
Q. Where is the Big Mountain Challenge?
The Big Mountain Challenge takes place in Provence Mt Ventoux area.
Q. Why is it called the ‘Big Mountain Challenge?’
It’s a challenge because you will be cycling some challenging ascents (particularly if you’re on the Everest and Kilimanjaro routes).
Q. What is included in the full package option?
- Accommodation
- Breakfast
- Drinks and snacks during the rides
- Mechanical support during the rides
- Medical support available from first aid qualified individuals throughout the rides
- Hot breakfast and dinner as well as airport transfers from Marseilles to the hotel
Q. When is the Big Mountain Challenge?
The Big Mountain Challenge runs from 18 to 22 September 2025. Dates vary each year.
Q. Are flights included in the costs?
No, you will need to book flights separately.
Q. What flights should I book?
We require participants to arrive by 14.00pm on the first day to benefit from the inclusive hotel transfer. We recommend a return flight time of 12pm onwards on the last day. After you have signed up, specific flights will be recommended by the event organiser.
18 Sept 2026: BA 0346 Departing London Heathrow 11:10 Arriving Marseille 14:10
22nd Sep 2026: BA347 Departing Marseille 12:55 Arriving LHR 14:00
Q. Can I and my colleagues join?
Yes, you can invite friends or colleagues to join you. We are looking for companies to support the event by sending staff or financially supporting the event and can provide some great promotional activities and exposure. There is also the opportunity for a professional rider and someone from Thames Hospice to come and speak at your company. Please contact Jason.bevan@gmail.com for further information or info@bikeweekender.com
Q. Can I change a rider on my team?
Yes, please email info info@bikeweekender.com to change your booking.
Q. Do I have to wear a cycling helmet?
It is compulsory to wear a cycling helmet.
Q. What sort of experience as a road cyclist do you have to have?
Road cyclists of all levels are welcome on the ‘Big Mountain Challenge.’ A basic level of fitness is recommended and if you’re relatively new to road cycling (2 years or less experience), the Matterhorn route is the ideal option. There is flexibility to swap to a different route during the weekend
Q. What happens if I have a medical problem on a ride?
We have qualified first aiders on the team, support vehicles and every participant will be provided with several emergency phone numbers to call in their Big Mountain Challenge participant pack.
Q. What happens if I have a mechanical problem on a ride?
If your problem cannot be resolved by one of our team, you and your bike will be relayed either to the start or finish point, as appropriate. As a last resort we have a very limited number of replacement bikes for emergency use, but everyone will be required to start each day with their own bike.
Q. What happens if I want to retire from a ride?
We have dedicated support teams and vehicles for all three routes and support staff riding with each group. Should a rider be unable to complete a route, for whatever reason, the support staff will contact a support vehicle which will pick the you up and relay you to end of the cycle route.
Q. What route options are there?
We have three routes to choose from: Matterhorn, Kilimanjaro and Everest.
Matterhorn is for beginner to intermediate cyclists and Kilimanjaro, intermediate to advanced.
For advanced cyclists Everest offers the most challenge. To find out each of the routes distances, gradients and what you’ll see during the rides, please visit Cycle Routes
Q. I’m new to road cycling, which route do you recommend?
Q. How many days cycling is included?
Q. How long will I be cycling each day?
Q. Is a copy of a route map available before the ride?
Q. I signed up for the Everest route, but would like to change for the Matterhorn, is that okay?
Q. I’ve just signed up online, how do I create a fundraising page?
Q. What help is there for fundraising?