FAQs
Frequently asked questions about Extra Mile Challenges
Q. HOW GOOD A CYCLIST DO I NEED TO BE TO ENTER AN EXTRA MILE CHALLENGE?
A. All kinds of people enter our Challenges, from complete beginners to experienced cyclists. It’s not a race and as long as your team is able to complete the designated route each day you will finish each day in daylight, in time for dinner.
Participants must normally be over 18, but otherwise there is no age limit.
Most people will need to prepare by practising regularly over two or three months or more before the event. Build up gradually until you are confident that you can cycle a total of 45 to 50 miles in a day, with rests. Only those already cycling similar distances at pace on a regular basis should consider taking part without preparing specifically for the Challenge. Some of the terrain will be hilly – an inevitable consequence of the beautiful countryside we seek out. None of the cycling is off road, except perhaps on designated tarmac cycle paths. Read our Safety & Welfare Instructions.
Q. WHICH BIKES ARE BEST FOR THE CHALLENGE?
A. Road bikes are best for covering the long distances involved, as the route is all on proper roads. Commuter bikes and hybrids with smooth tyres are OK but mountain bikes with wide, knobbly tyres are slower and require more effort.
Q. HOW FAR WOULD I HAVE TO RIDE?
A. Each Challenge typically follows a similar format. The route is approximately 500 miles to be covered by each team of four, riding in relay over three daily stages with overnight hotel stops. Teams may share the load as they wish, but if shared equally then each cyclist will typically ride 40 to 45 miles per day. Most teams divide this up so each cyclist undertakes several shorter stints each day. Some teams where members are of different abilities may choose to take stints of different length/duration.
Q. HOW DOES THE RELAY WORK?
A. Each team chooses how far its cyclists should ride on each stint. Typically, teams will “leapfrog.” Rider 1 sets off, and the team vehicle drives forward with rest of the team to the point at which rider 1 is to be collected. Rider 2 immediately sets off, and the remaining two members wait with the vehicle for Rider 1. When s/he arrives, the vehicle drives forward again, overtaking Rider 2 (all being well!) to the point where that rider is to be collected, and immediately launches rider 3 – and so on throughout the day. Provided the vehicle never goes back to collect a rider, the team members will cover the full route between them.
Leapfrogging does not shorten the distance to be ridden; it increases the team’s overall speed (and therefore shortens the time to reach the finish) at the expense of some rest time. Leapfrogging is not obligatory. Some prefer not to, as they consider the camaraderie is better when only one team cyclist is riding at any given time.
The relay is informal – there is no baton or equivalent to hand over. As we will say many times, it is not a race!
Q. DO I NEED A SUPPORT VEHICLE?
A. Yes. Any vehicle capable of carrying four bikes (on the roof, a towbar-mounted carrier or inside) plus all four team members will suffice. Most mid-size saloon or estate cars are suitable. The vehicle will need to be in good condition, street-legal (including in the country/ies we are visiting) and capable of covering the journeys to the start and from the finish back to home, plus of course the 500 miles or so of the Challenge route. Remember to arrange insurance for the duration of the event for all drivers,
Extra Mile Challenges cannot guarantee a sufficiency of operational charging points for electric vehicles, whether en route or at overnight stops. If you are thinking of using an electric-only vehicle, you should carefully consider its range having regard to the distances involved, the load to be carried and the fact that the Challenge route is mainly along quiet country roads avoiding urban areas. Extra Mile Challenges marshals will not be carrying any means of fast-charging electric car batteries. Fuel stations may be few and far between on the Challenge route, particularly on the Sunday (though increasing numbers of French filling stations have 24/7 pay-at-pump systems). It’s prudent to fill up each evening, so that you start each day with a full tank.
Q. HOW DO I FOLLOW THE ROUTE?
A. The entire route is arrowed by our experienced marshal team. Cyclists can simply follow the arrows. A few weeks in advance of the event, everyone will receive a detailed turn-by-turn written description of the route, designed to be plotted on a map, together with links to “Ridewithgps” maps and elevation charts. However, individuals are responsible for their own navigation, but in practice are greatly assisted by the direction arrows placed by our marshals. The Ridewithgps routes can be downloaded to Garmin sat-nav devices, a number of experienced Extra milers do this.
Q. WHAT DO THE MARSHALS DO?
A. Volunteer marshals mark the route and in general terms monitor the cyclists’ progress. Marshals’ cars are clearly identified and can provide basic assistance. Individuals are, however, responsible for their own safety and should refer to our Safety and Welfare Guidelines Safety – Extra Mile Challenges (extra-mile.org.uk). Marshals start all cycle teams at the start of the day (teams are allocated one of three start times based on expected speed) and record all teams back at the finish.
Q. WHAT ACCOMMODATION IS PROVIDED?
A. The entry fee includes 4 nights’ shared accommodation, in 3/4-star hotels. Due to the size of our party, standards may vary a little. Accommodation each night will be in twin-bedded rooms. You should select a companion with whom to share but we may be able to put you in touch with another cyclist. Single rooms are not normally available because the price is somewhat prohibitive, but can be requested.
Q. WHAT MEALS ARE PROVIDED?
A. Breakfast each morning and three evening meals (Thursday, Friday and Sunday) with wine and mineral water in the local hotel or restaurants are provided. As far as possible within the hotels we aim to eat as a group. On Sunday there is an end-of-Challenge gala dinner (not formal!). All this is included in the entry fee. We will pass on requests for special meals for vegetarians and those with other dietary requirements if you notify us well in advance but we can’t guarantee that the restaurants will accommodate every special diet.
The Saturday evening (in 2024 we are in Orléans) will be a “scatter night.” You will need to arrange your own evening meal, at your own cost. It may be prudent to investigate options and make a reservation online in advance of the Challenge to avoid disappointment. Extra Mile Challenges can’t provide a list of recommended restaurants. Our hotel(s) will be notified to teams separately in advance; consider whether you will require a taxi or a volunteer as designated driver for the evening. You may choose to book your Saturday evening meal in your hotel.
Q. HOW SECURE WILL MY BIKE BE OVERNIGHT?
A. Our hotels usually have their own car parks but these may not be locked. We will advise separately if locking cycle sheds or space in the hotel are available but don’t assume they will. Invest in good quality locking devices so you can ensure that all bikes are safely locked to your vehicle overnight. Insurance is the cyclist’s responsibility but we may be able to assist by suggesting a broker to contact. Be aware of the value of your bike and check cover available through your own travel or household insurance. Specialist bike insurance may be available to members of organisations such as the Cycle Touring Club www.ctc.org.uk.
Q. WHAT SORT OF CLOTHING SHOULD I TAKE?
A. First and foremost, padded cycling shorts!
Shirts in modern, technical fabric are the most comfortable during and between turns on the bike. Cotton, once wet from rain or perspiration, takes much longer to dry. Pack waterproofs and warm clothing for cold, early morning starts. Windproof, full-finger gloves will also be appreciated if the early mornings are chilly.
Clean casual wear is appropriate for dinner in the evenings. Jackets and ties are not the norm.
Q. HOW MUCH MONEY SHOULD I TAKE?
A. For the nights when dinner is provided, it includes a modest wine allowance and water. Bed and breakfast are provided within your entry fee for all four nights.
You will need to provide your own drinks and snacks (including lunch on the move) during each day’s cycling. and particularly on the Friday.
You may need pocket money for additional bar drinks, souvenirs etc!
Q. WILL THERE BE PRIZES?
A. The Challenge is NOT a race so there will be no prizes for the fastest, first to finish etc.
The only award that we normally make each year is for the individual that raises the most money for charity. Our one big driver is to give away as much as possible to other charities.
Any other awards are solely at the discretion of the organisers. On occasions in the past we have given prizes for Spirit of the Challenge, best dressed vehicle or a KCOC UP award (for a major cock-up) if we have seen something special. The organisers’ decision is final in respect of all awards!
Q. WHY IS THE ENTRY FEE SO LOW?
A. Extra Mile Challenges is supported by financial contributions from commercial supporters. They are highlighted on various pages of this website. Their contributions subsidise your entry fee and cover all administrative expenses of Extra Mile Challenges. Much organisational work, and the event marshalling, is done by volunteers from the Rotary Clubs of Milton Keynes Grand Union and of Bedford Park (and their family/friends). Extra Mile Challenges has no paid staff. Thus, every penny we receive of your sponsorship will be donated to charity, with no deduction by Extra Mile Challenges for administration or expenses.
Q. ON ENTERING AN EXTRA MILE CHALLENGE DO I HAVE TO RAISE MONEY FOR CHARITY?
A. Yes. All teams commit to raising at least the organiser’s minimum requirement for charity which is £1,200 per team (before gift aid). Most teams raise a lot more than the minimum. This is how we have given away over £1.85 million to charities since the first challenge.
Q. CAN I RAISE MONEY FOR MY OWN CHOICE OF CHARITY?
A. Yes, for the majority of your fundraising. 75% of the sponsorship raised by your team goes to the charity (or a maximum of two) that it selects. The remaining 25% plus all gift aid is split between the organisers’ charities and the charitable funds of the Rotary clubs of Bedford Park and of Milton Keynes Grand Union.
Q. HOW IS THIS 75%/25% ALLOCATION ACHIEVED?
A. Initially all on-line sponsorship should be raised through People’s Fundraising on an account opened by you in favour of Extra Mile Challenges (not your selected charity). Further guidance on this process will be provided to teams. This enables Extra Mile to retain the 25% plus gift aid and then remit to your selected charity the remaining 75%. Off-line sponsorship should be by cheques payable to Extra Mile Challenges and sent to Extra Mile at an address to be provided. Our website will have a link to a Gift Aid Claim form for use with off-line donations. All sponsorship should be passed to Extra Mile within two months of the Challenge date.
There is an important reason for this procedure. If you raise money direct for your selected charity, there is no process to direct the 25% committed to the organiser’s charities.
We can pay money to your chosen charity direct or we are happy to hand you a cheque in favour of your charity so that you can make a personal presentation – your choice.
Q: Can I raise money for a good cause (for example a named disabled individual) that is not actually a registered charity?
A: Extra Mile Challenges policy is to donate only to registered charities. We are not in a position to vet the suitability of individual cases and must ensure that appropriate governance criteria are met. One way to support an individual in need through your Extra Mile Challenge may be to identify an existing registered charity working in the relevant field. If you give them details of your intended beneficiary, they may be willing to allocate your fundraising to that particular case. Obviously, it would be best to discuss this with the selected charity well before the event.