The Canal Cycle Challenge
The Canal Cycle Challenge
Events
Cycle for St Basils, to stop the cycle of homelessness.
- Location: 2025 date to be confirmed
Help St Basils to end the cycle of homelessness
Thank you to everyone who took part in this years Canal Cycle Challenge.
The weather was amazing and everyone completed the challenge, helping us raise vital funds to continue the work we do to prevent youth homelessness.
A big thank you to our event supporter LOVELL and the Canal & Rivers Trust for making this event happen. Looking forward to next years ride, details of which will be posted onto the page in the coming months.
By raising funds and awareness through a competitive and friendly cycling challenge, we aim to provide essential support to young people at risk of homelessness in the West Midlands, who are in increasing need of our help.
Earn your medal
This year, you can choose between a 20 or 50 mile cycling challenge, earning yourself a medal in the process.
Meet your community
Meet fellow cyclists, companies and families from all over the West Midlands who are passionate about ending youth homelessness.
Treat your bicycle
Get your bicycle pampered by our friends at Gear Up- another charity dedicated to helping young people learn skills and confidence for gainful employment.
Canal Cycling Challenge 2024- Finish Line
Thanks to all who took part in our 2024 event! You can see the finish line photos from this event below. Keep your eye’s peeled for our photographer’s snaps tomorrow!
St Basils would like to say a massive thank you to LOVELL for supporting this event.
FAQs
How long does it take to complete?
- An average cyclist with a well maintained bike should be able to complete the short route in around 3 hours and the long route in around 7 hours.
When will me/ my team start?
- The long route riders set off between 8am and 9am, and the short route riders between 9am and 10am. Each rider will be given a ‘wave’ time closer to the event and these are in 15 minute blocks (eg – if you are doing the long route you may be given a time slot of 8:15am).
Do we have to be back at a certain time?
- The event finishes at 5pm, so everyone, regardless of their route or when they set off, must be back by 6pm.
What is the tow path/ terrain like?
- It varies from hard tarmac, concrete, and compact gravel to grass and sometimes muddy patches.
Are there check points?
- Yes, there is a check point at the location where the short and long route split. There is also another one on the long route around the halfway mark. At these check points are marshals, water, and energy treats, but no toilets.
What happens if I have bike troubles?
- You should phone the emergency number we give you at the start, and our friendly mechanics will come out to you.
What kind of bike should I use?
- We suggest Mountain, ATB, or Hybrids. A road bike could suffice, but be mindful that this is a canal tow path and the terrain does vary a lot. That includes brick steps going over bridges and next to locks.
How much do I need to raise?
- As much as you can! The registration fee simply covers the cost of putting on the event, so we really rely on fundraising to make these events impactful to our young people. Each £9 raised helps us pay for a night’s accommodation for a disadvantaged young person. You could aim for 10 nights, a month- some people have even fundraised to cover a whole year! Once your fundraising page is automatically set up, we will give you tips, tricks, and we’ll even have someone on hand to be on your side and answer any queries, every step of the way.
What does the money raised go to?
- St Basils works with young people to enable them to find and keep a home, grow their confidence, develop their skills, increase opportunities and prevent homelessness. We rely on the support of fundraisers like yourself to prevent youth homelessness for young people aged 16-25. We help 4,000 young people every single year, and are short of £9 per young person per night to provide accommodation. Browse our website for more about St Basils.
Watch our video of Barrie’s reccy (Barrie is our friendly Head of fundraising!), answering a few questions along the way:
Thanks:
We would like to say a massive thank you to the Canal & River Trust for supporting this event.
