Route…
Day 1: London to Sandown
After some team photos and a rider briefing, we will all set off on our day 1 journey to Sandown, via Portsmouth and the Isle of Wight ferry.
Starting from the Big Leaf Foundation head office at 9.30 am, we will cycle through the outskirts of London and will very quickly be in the peace and quiet of the Surrey & Sussex countryside. A mixture of hills and flats through small towns, villages, and tiny hamlets, when we will eventually arrive in the village of West Meon for our lunch.
After lunch, we will continue our journey to Portsmouth. The route is largely flat, with only one small hill just before Portsmouth. Upon arrival in Portsmouth, we will board the 4.00 pm ferry to Ryde.
After the ferry, we will have a very short cycle ride, approx 6 miles to our hotel, in Sandown. Here you will get a well-earned break, a hot meal, and the chance to reflect on our day of cycling.
Day 2: Isle of WIght loop
60.1 miles | 1,246m elevation | Route
After our morning rider briefing, we will all set off on our day 2 journey, a loop of the Isle of Wight, which, we’ll be honest, is a tough day. The route is up or down, but there will be frequent water and food stations located at least every 10-15 miles along the way.
We will start by riding through the outskirts of Sandown, heading towards Shanklin, St Lawrence, and Freshwater, via the Isle and Wight coastal cycle paths.
When we arrive in Freshwater we will have lunch and visit the Needles. Set in an area of outstanding natural beauty overlooking The Needles Rocks and the Lighthouse, there's breathtaking scenery and a spectacular chairlift, which we will all go on.
After this, we will continue on our island loop, via Cowes, Ryde, and then back to Sandown, where will will get back to the hotel, freshen up, and celebrate our successful two days of riding.
After we get back to Sandown, we will have a few hours to rest and relax before we go for our evening meal and celebration locally.
