The UK has some of the best and most loved cycle events in the world. To help you choose which one is right for you, we’ve put together a list of some of our favourites you can take part in. We’ve chosen some that are better for beginners and some more challenging events too, so regardless of your level there should be something for everyone!

London to Brighton

We begin with one of the mainstays and most loved cycle events on the UK calendar, London to Brighton remains as popular an event as ever.

Beginning in Clapham Common and ending on the pebbled seafront of everyone’s favourite Sussex beach. The 54 mile ride itself is quite pleasant and over 30,000 people take part every year. The only really difficult part is the famous incline Ditchling Beacon that, due to its position late on in the ride, can cause some people to dismount and walk the hill.

Usually taking an inexperienced rider anywhere between 6-10 hours to complete, and the more elite entrants in under 5 hours this annual ride is a great example of being challenging and accessible enough to encourage almost anyone to give it a go.

Next scheduled for June 2021, keep an eye out for when registration opens, this very popular event can sell out fast!

Tour De Yorkshire Ride

Iconic doesn’t begin to sum up the Tour De Yorkshire Ride. Not only does this route take you through some of the most beautiful scenery England has to offer, it can be devilishly difficult to complete. (Who’d have thought it with the “Tour De” suffix!?)

Following the exact same roads and routes as the famous pro race, entry into the Tour De Yorkshire race ranges from £55 up to £157 depending on how much you want to spend. This race also comes with a choice of route lengths depending on rider ability. The short route tops out at just 48km (30 miles), whilst the longest route (the full pro route) is a whopping 133km or just under 83 miles.

The race is postponed this year, but will be back in 2021 with a route that starts and ends in Leeds, then heads right into North Yorkshire before turning back south. Unsurprisingly, this is possibly the most popular cycle events in the UK and getting a spot in it can be tricky, but if you’re on-the-ball you can book yourself in, just make sure you know when registration opens for the 2021 race.

Dulux London Revolution

If you haven’t heard of the London Revolution we won’t blame you. This is one of the newest additions to the UK cycling event calendar.

The length does sound daunting and at 155 miles it is the longest of the events we’re covering in this blog, but you do have the luxury of completing it over two days rather than one (only if you chose to of course!) The Revolution ride refers to the looped circuit around London. It begins and ends at Lee Valley Athletics Centre in Essex and heads south into central London following the 2012 Olympic race route past the Houses of Parliament and Big Ben before leaving the city and entering Kent. The route follows the hills of southern England West into Surrey before turning North and arriving in Windsor, the agreed “Base Camp” for cyclists competing over two days. After a deserved night’s rest, the route continues north into Buckinghamshire and then turns East into Epping Forest before arriving back at Lee Valley.

All in all, whilst it sounds and epic ride (and in many ways it is), over two days, it’s quite doable and does afford you some fantastic views especially once you get South of London – so check out this new ride before it gets so popular that you can’t get a spot!

The Redbourn Road Rider

The Redbourn cycle ride certainly comes under the ‘beginner’ category, but that doesn’t mean it’s a ride that should be overlooked by more serious cyclists.

This ride also comes with a choice of three route lengths ranging from 25 miles up to 85. Set in the beautiful village of Redbourn, just outside of St Albans, the 3 routes offer excellent choices for cyclists of all abilities.

This event is currently scheduled to take place later this year, but keep up to date with the ever-changing landscape for the latest news on this event.

Dunwich Dynamo

Certainly a unique ride, the Dunwich Dynamo is an evening cycle race that starts at 8pm in Hackney in London and heads South with cyclists riding throughout the night to Dunwich on the South coast. An epic moonlight ride of roughly 200km (124 miles) this should really only be attempted by serious cyclists.

If you’re looking for something a bit different though, you can’t do much better or more interesting that the Dunwich Dynamo, but do be aware this is what it known as an “unsupported race” so don’t expect the same level of organisation of some of the other events we’ve mentioned.

If you’re thinking of entering an event, make sure you check out our cycle insurance page which can include cycling events cover as an optional extra.