The London to Amsterdam Cycle Challenge is perfect for cyclists of all abilities.

This challenge will take you along an iconic route through England and the Netherlands.

Summary of what’s included…

• Hotel accommodation for three nights (can be 3 nights between 17-20 June). Any additional nights need to be covered by yourself.

• Food & Drink during riding days and at snack stops, does not include breakfast on Day 1.

• 24/7 support from our team.

• Bicycle roadside repairs and medical assistance. Non-roadside repairs may incur additional costs.

• Return to London from Amsterdam via train.

• Transportation of your bike back to London to the MUFG Ropemaker Street office on the day after the event. If you’d like it sent to a specific location or the bike to be stored by our team beyond this day, this can be arranged, but additional costs may apply.

You will need to commit to raising £750.00 for our charity partners across the region. Full guidance on how to do this will be provided once you have registered.

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Fundraising should be fun!

From cake sales and pub quizzes to dress-down days or guessing how many sweets there are in a jar – fundraising is a great way to make your friends and family feel part of your London to Amsterdam cycle challenge.

Contact the CSR or TFA Events for Fundraising Tips or to discuss ideas.

CYCLING INSURANCE

You will need to get additional liability insurance that covers you for this type of cycling activity.

You can get this cover from British Cycling or other insurance companies. You will need to confirm the details of the cover in advance. and you can find out more info in our FAQs.

Do contact us if you want to chat more.If you have not taken part in a challenge like this before, it can be quite daunting.

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PERSONAL INSURANCE
You must have personal insurance that covers you for cycling activities for a trip like this. Unfortunately, if you don’t have the right cover, you will not be able to ride.

Even if you’ve already got travel insurance, you must have the right insurance that covers you for a bike trip like this.

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MEDICAL INSURANCE
You must have medical cover. If you are a UK Citizen, your GHIC card will give you medical support, but you may have to pay for it and claim it back via your travel insurance.

Even if you’ve already got travel insurance, you must have the right insurance that covers you for a bike trip like this.

How do I register for the event?
Just click above to submit details.

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How do I set up an online fundraising page?
Details on how to set up your fundraising for the cycle challenge will be provided soon.

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What is the date of the event?
The London to Amsterdam cycle ride is from 18-20 June 2026.

Cyclists will return on the day after the event finishes unless they specifically request to come back on a different date, though this may incur additional costs.

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How do I find out more about the charity partners?
You can find out more information about our charity partners by clicking here.

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What level of fitness do I need to have for this challenge?
You will be in the saddle for three consecutive days, cycling between 50-80 miles for 6-7 hours each day. If you give yourself enough time to train and get used to your bike, it is a challenge that can be overcome by everyone. Get in touch with our Event Manager, who’d be happy to chat with you more about the challenge - info@tfaevents.co.uk or 0333 4441189.

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What does the London to Amsterdam cycle ride cost?
Everyone who takes part must agree to a fundraising commitment of £750.

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I have a medical condition. What should I do?
We strongly recommend that anyone who has a medical condition should seek approval from their GP / Consultant before signing up for a challenge. When registering for the event, you are agreeing to be fit and healthy enough to take part. The Health and safety of all participants and members of staff are paramount to us. Depending on the type and severity of your condition, we may require a letter from a medical professional stating that you are fit enough to undergo the activity. Please refer to our Terms & Conditions (see below) for further details.

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Where does the challenge start and finish, and at what time?
The London to Amsterdam cycle ride starts from Orpington, London, at 7.00 am on 18 June 2024 and finishes in Amsterdam at approximately 5.00 pm on 22 June 2024.

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What training do I need to do?
As you will be cycling for a long time for three consecutive days, getting comfortable with your bike, shoes, helmet, and clothing is essential. We all have busy lives, but try and get out on your bike at least 2-3 times a week, and if you can, practice riding in groups. We will be setting up a London to Amsterdam WhatsApp Group if you want to chat, meet, or even ride with others before the challenge.

Also, if you are a member of a local gym, sign up for a spinning class, as they are a great way to prepare. We encourage you to build up to the challeng,e and our team is on hand to help you with any advice you may need.

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Which route will we be taking?
Please see the route section for the distance and elevation guide.

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How will each day of cycling work?
Each day’s cycling will be broken down into 4-5 shorter cycling sections, usually between 15-25miles long. After each section, there will be ‘Stop Points’ where you can take on snacks and drinks, rest your legs, and catch up with your fellow challengers. We have several support vehicles traveling with the group, so if you need to stop or want to ride in one of the support vehicles for part of a section, that’s absolutely fine.

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Will food and accommodation be provided?
All your meals and accommodation will be provided. We do not provide breakfast on Day 1.

Accommodation will be in 2/3* hotels, which are more than comfortable, but if you wish to upgrade on Day 3, we can arrange it for you, but there will be an additional charge, depending on the level of upgrade you want. All additional bookings are subject to availability.

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What type of bike do I need?
Above all, one that you feel comfortable riding for 3 consecutive days. We would recommend a road bike or hybrid, but if you have another type of bike and you are comfortable riding it for 3 consecutive days, that’s fine. Do feel free to talk to us in advance, especially if you plan to buy a new bike.

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If I don’t own a bike, can I rent one? Yes absolutely. You can find out more about bike rental by getting in touch with our team (info@tfaevents.co.uk), who can talk you through all the options on the bikes we have and the cost of hiring for training, and the challenge, or just the challenge only.

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How will I get back from Amsterdam? Everyone is booked on the train from Amsterdam to London on Sunday, 21 June. You can change this; just contact us and we can arrange for you, though this may incur an additional charge.

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What will happen to my bike after the challenge?
We will return your bike to MUFG Ropemaker Street after the challenge, and it will need to be collected after the event. If you wish to collect it at another time or have it returned to another address, we can do that, but there may be additional charges.

If you prefer to take your bike back with you on the train, we can arrange this, but this is subject to availability and will need to be in a bike box.

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What happens if I experience problems with my bike?
Don’t worry, we have a bike mechanic with us on the support team, who will be able to provide any quick roadside repairs to get you going again. If the repairs cannot be completed at the roadside, we will get your bike to a bike shop as quickly as possible.

We do have a reserve bike, which you can use at your own discretion. If not available or you choose not to, you will need to travel in one of the support vehicles.

Any additional repairs needed for your bike will need to be covered by you.

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What happens if I get injured?
We will have carefully planned out this challenge to try and make sure, at all costs, that no one gets injured. Unfortunately due to the nature of group cycling over 3 days on public roads, there may be injuries.

To support you, we have a qualified doctor and paramedic in the group and support vehicles if you need to be taken for additional medical attention. It is your responsibility to make sure you have adequate medical insurance if required.

Please do contact us if you need more information. Any additional medical costs incurred will need to be covered entirely by yourself.

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Do I need travel insurance?You must have your travel insurance and it will need to cover you for cycling activities like this in the UK. TFA Events Limited will not be held responsible for any loss, damage, theft, or vandalism to any of your or a third party’s possessions at any time during the challenge.

If you have home contents and/or cycling travel insurance already, please ensure you contact your provider and inform them of your challenge to see if you require a further policy to cover you. Visit the British Cycling website for more information.

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What other documents do I need?
You need to have the following documents to take part:

• A form of formal identity - A valid UK Driving License or Passport

• Health Insurance - You must bring a copy of your health insurance with you or a health insurance card if applicable. contact us for more information.

• Travel Insurance - Please ensure you have travel insurance for your personal items and your bike, it will need to cover you for cycling activities. Visit the British Cycling website for extra support and information on this topic.

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Can I extend my stay?
Yes absolutely. Just let us know when we speak to you after booking, and we will help you with return trains and accommodation booking where we can. Additional charges may apply.

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If I cancel my place, what happens?
Please refer to our Terms & Conditions (see below) for full details.

HOTELS
DAY 1 - Overnight Ferry

Departing at 11.00pm and arriving at 7.30am, everyone will be in 4-Berth en-suite cabins.

Due to group size, single cabins are not available, but if you wish to book a single cabin, you can via the Stena Line website; you will need to cover the cost.

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DAY 2 - IBIS Utrecht

Day two’s hotel will be in Utrecht. Your evening meal will be a buffet served in the hotel restaurant.

Rooms are en-suite twin rooms, so if there is someone you wish to share with, please do let us know. If you want to book a single room, please let us know; additional charges may apply.

Day 3 will start with a wake-up call at 7.15 am and breakfast in the hotel. We ask everyone to meet in the hotel reception at 7.45 am, where you will be given a briefing on the day. We’ll aim to leave by 8.15 am.

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DAY 3 - IBIS Amsterdam

Day three’s hotel will be in Amsterdam. Your evening meal will be in a local restaurant.

Rooms are en-suite twin rooms, so if there is someone you wish to share with, please do let us know. If you want to book a single room, please let us know; additional charges may apply.

Breakfast will be provided in the hotel the following morning.

MUFG London to Harwich
129 kms | 722m elevation

We’ll meet at MUFG Ropemaker Street and set off at 9.00 am.

There will be snacks and drinks on hand. We will have a briefing and then a group photo before we set off for our journey to Amsterdam!

There are frequent stops and the pace is gentle to allow us to get into the challenge. It won’t take too long for us to wind our way out of London and enter the nearby countryside, where we will reach our first stop after 23 miles. In the next section, our mid-morning ride will take us via the Essex and Suffolk villages, where we’ll stop for lunch.

After lunch, we’ll continue on our journey to Harwich, but it is less than 25 miles!

After cycling through some more stunning villages, we will take a break at Harwich Port, where we will have our evening meal, before boarding the 11.00 pm ferry to Hook of Holland and enjoy and have the opportunity to relax and no doubt reflect on the first day of cycling.

DAY 2 - Hook of Holland to Utrecht
161 kms | 300m elevation

Day 2 is our longest day of cycling. We’ll start at 8.00 am, heading out of the Hook of Holland Ferry port, and along the coast, then inland before we eventually stop at the Kinderdijk.

Kinderdijk, a World Heritage site, is a village in the Netherlands, known for its iconic 18th-century windmills. We will have the opportunity to walk and cycle around the fantatsic windmills and refuel before our afternoon ride to Utrecht.

This final section will take us along the Dutch canals and canal paths to the beautiful town of Utrecht.

When we arrive at the hotel, we will have a chance to relax, enjoy an evening meal, and reflect on what, for some, will be the longest day of cycling they have completed.

DAY 3 - Utrecht to Amsterdam
83.1 kms | 145m Elevation

This is it, the last day, just a few more miles to complete the challenge.

After breakfast, aim to set off by 8.00 am. There are It is once again completely flat.

As we cycle through the beautiful Dutch countryside, passing more canals, windmills, and rural areas, we will eventually stop for some great local snacks and coffee!

After our stop, we pick up the cycle paths along the northern canals.

We will once again pass the traditional Dutch windmills and then stop for lunch at a beautiful lake, knowing that we are only 35 kms from the finish line.

After lunch, Amsterdam will really be in our sights. The route will be a lot slower in places as we start to reach the city limits, again along the main canals.

We will ride the last section into the city as a group at a slower pace, before eventually going through the city park and arrive at MUFG Amsterdam to complete our epic cycle journey!

Do invite friends and family to join the finish line, just tell them to contact us to get details and where to meet us.

After the initial celebration, we’ll check into our hotel and head to a local restaurant for a celebratory meal.

Please see below for our recommended kit list for the challenge.

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DOCUMENTATION

• Travel Insurance which includes your bike - compulsory on our challenges. See FAQs for more info.

• Medical Insurance

• Credit or Debit card

• Photo identification - Passport

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PERSONAL ITEMS

• Mobile phone, tablet, laptop.

• Phone or laptop charger

• Earphones/headphones

• Camera

• Toiletries

• Sun Protection

• Earplugs

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CYCLING EQUIPMENT

• Helmet with emergency no.

• Working front and rear lights and a bell.

• Recently serviced bicycle with fitted handlebar tape and bar ends.

• Water bottle and bottle cage fitted to the bike

• Four spare inner-tubes or we can provide - from £10 per inner-tube.

• Bike bag or saddle pack (not essential)

• Comfortable cycling shoes

• Padded Cycling shorts

• Cycling gloves

• Comfortable cycling tops/t-shirts (one per day)

• Waterproof & warm cycling clothing (start of day 2 can be cold)

• Change clothing for three days away (when not cycling)

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CYCLING AND PERSONAL CLOTHING

• Comfortable cycling tops/t-shirts (one per day)

• Waterproof & warm cycling clothing (start of day 2 can be cold)

• Gloves

• Warm hat

• Warm socks

• Change clothing for three days away (when not cycling)

• Shoes/Trainers/Flip Flops

• Small Hand Towel

• Main bag for all your luggage

• Day pack for essentials

• Prescribed medicine (please let us know in advance)

Now that you’ve signed up for the London to Amsterdam cycle challenge, it’s time to dust off your trainers, pull out your bike, and start your training, especially if you’ve not taken on many long-distance rides before.

You can contact TFA, who will be happy to discuss any training needs.

Regardless of your fitness level or the miles you’ve cycled on a bike, the training information below will guide you through all you need to know to get you ready for the challenge. As the warmer weather arrives, now is the perfect time to get some useful miles into your legs, before the big day!

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What level of fitness do I need to have for this challenge?
This is not an easy cycle ride, but don’t let that put you off. You will be in the saddle for three consecutive days cycling 70+ miles. If you give yourself enough time to train and get used to your bike, this is a challenge that everyone can overcome.

What type of bike do I need?
Above all, one that you feel comfortable riding for 3 consecutive days. We would recommend a road bike or hybrid, but if you have another type of bike and you are comfortable riding it for 3 consecutive days, that’s fine. Do feel free to talk to us in advance, especially if you plan to buy a new bike.

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I have a medical condition. What should I do?
We strongly recommend that anyone who has a medical condition should seek approval from their GP / Consultant before signing up for a challenge.

When registering for the event, you are agreeing to be fit and healthy enough to take part. The Health and safety of all participants and members of staff are paramount to us.

Depending on the type and severity of your condition, we may require a letter from a medical professional stating that you are fit enough to undergo the activity.

Please refer to our Terms & Conditions for further details.

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What training do I need to do?
As you will be cycling for a long time for three consecutive days, getting comfortable with your bike, shoes, helmet, and clothing is essential.

We all have busy lives, but try and get out on your bike at least 2-3 times a week and if you can, practice riding in groups. We will be setting up an L2TQ forum if you want to ride with others before the challenge.

Also if you are a member of a local gym sign up for a spinning class, as they are great ways to prepare. We encourage you to build up to the challenge and our team is on hand to help you with any advice you may need.

Steady build-up - Your training progression will depend on where you are starting from but wherever this is, you’ll need to progress steadily. If you try to build up too quickly, you will end up sore and less likely to want to go out for a ride again, or, worse still, injured. Find a good training plan that’s right for your level and keep consistent with it. It’s worth considering joining British Cycling; they offer some great advice, plans, and discounts for riders of all levels.

The right terrain - Whilst you’re unlikely to find traffic-free roads during your training, it’s important to get used to riding in similar conditions to those during your chosen event. That means spending at least some time riding on quieter tarmac roads that will allow you to travel at the sort of speeds you’re able to ride at on traffic-free roads. That said, the occasional switch up to your training can work wonders for motivation whilst keeping your body guessing; try switching up your rides for some off-roading once in a while and you’ll reap the rewards.

Group riding - Most large sportives offer the chance for a fair amount of group riding. If you can cycle as part of a group or ‘chain gang,’ there are drafting advantages. That is, if you are riding behind others, you are sheltered from the headwind and will use up to 25% less energy but still ride at the speed of the bunch. Group riding can be daunting if you are not familiar with it. There are also rules and handling skills that need to be obeyed to ensure the group rides together safely and with consideration for others. You can learn the techniques – and benefits – of group riding by joining a cycling club or by going out with friends for training rides. Practicing riding in a group is essential if you aim to move effectively in one for your event.

Stay motivated - Cycle fitness comes from endurance, which takes time to build up and ultimately will only come with consistent miles in the saddle. You will avoid the boredom of cycling too many miles if you go out cycling with like-minded friends.

In general, cycling is great for chatting, and the social element tends to vary your routes as you set different distances and destination goals.

Less can be more - Faster and shorter intervals can help build strength for riding long distances. Interval sessions are also useful if you are short of time mid-week. You can reserve your longer rides for the weekends. There is a great deal of info online for structuring a good interval or shorter, harder session. YouTube tutorials are always very helpful for this; however, ensure they are from a reputable source.

Spin more - You’ll have heard such terms as “cadence”. Cadence is the pace at which you push your pedals around. If you are a relative newcomer to cycling, you should simply try to increase the speed at which you turn your pedals. To do this, drop a gear so that you ride in a more comfortable zone while spinning your legs more.

Power-to-weight - Losing weight is an effective way of being able to cycle longer and faster by using less leg strength and energy. Pay attention to a healthy and balanced diet and you should still be able to lose a bit of weight while staying strong on your bike.

Nail the hills - To make sure you can cycle the hills, you need to train on hills. It might seem like an obvious thing to write, but the best way to be fit for riding uphill is to make sure your training rides seek out some hills. Engage an easier gear and increase the cadence of your pedaling revolution to make hills easier.

Avoid standing up on the bike in a bigger gear if possible. Riding bigger hills for the first time can be daunting but they’re never as big as they seem in your mind. Stay slower than you’d think for the first half of the climb, then you can push over the second half safe in the knowledge you’ll make it over the top.

Warm-up and cool down - You should ensure that your muscles are ready for a bike ride and that you stretch out post-exercise muscles. Try a warmup that includes at least 10 to 15 minutes of easy riding at high cadence (spin the pedals faster) before starting on your training ride. Do the same at the end of the ride; this method calms the muscles down gently. Many cyclists now also swear by a foam roller for keeping leg muscles tuned up in good shape.

Bike fit - If you are feeling niggles in your back, hamstrings, or shoulders after many miles of cycling, it could be that your bike is not adjusted just right to fit you or that you have the wrong size of frame. A ‘bike fit’ session could make all the difference to comfort on longer rides.

Eat well - When training and during events, you need to ensure your body and mind are properly fuelled. Many cyclists find that they forget to eat regularly, and then it can be too late. You should take a snack on board every 30 minutes to 40 minutes, even if at first you do not feel hungry. A banana, a small bit of flapjack, or even some jelly babies in the back pocket can be a lifesaver. Test the type of food you plan to eat during training. The last thing you want is to end up feeling ill because the snack or energy hasn’t agreed with you on the day. Always have lots of fluids to drink in your water bottles, you will tire rapidly if dehydrated.

Taper - With a big event, it’s vital that your body – especially your legs – are ready for the challenge on the day. Give yourself the chance to properly recover from all your training and feel relaxed and ready to go when the day comes by gradually reducing your efforts as you head toward the big day.

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Training Tips

• If you are new to cycling or haven’t exercised in a while, make sure you take a few weeks to get your fitness up to speed before you start training

• Spinning classes at your local sports centre can be a great way to get used to static cycling and build your stamina and strength

• It’s important to rest in between training cycles - make sure you don’t push yourself too hard

• Eat a balanced diet with plenty of carbohydrates. Don’t train on an empty stomach

• Stay hydrated by drinking plenty of water and try to avoid alcohol the day before the challenge

• Make sure you warm up and down to avoid injury

• Start slowly and set yourself achievable targets each week

You may be wondering about the type of bike you may need to do this challenge.

Before you do start looking and purchasing, we have experts in our team who can give you free advice on what is best for a challenge like this.

We also rent and sell preloved bikes (which we think are better than brand new!) but before we do rent/sell you anything we always allow you to try for free.

To find our more just get in touch with TFA Events via info@tfaevents.co.uk or call us on 03334441189.

Meals provided

Day 1 - Lunch & Dinner
Day 2 - Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Day 3 - Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Day 4 - Breakfast

Snacks, water, and hot and cold soft drinks will also be provided throughout the day at the snack stations.

Alcohol is not provided, and we do ask you to limit your intake whilst on the challenge. Alcohol is not permitted during the day.

If you have any dietary requirements, please let us know.

START ADDRESS

MUFG
Ropemaker Street
London
EC2Y 9AN

LOCATION

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TIMINGS

08:00 am - Participants meet at MUFG

08:30 am - Participants briefing

08.50 - Participants assemble in groups to prepare to leave

09:00 am - Participants depart

Bag Drop

Date: Weds 17th June.

Please take these to the storage room on 2nd floor at Ropemaker (to the right of reception) between 16:00 and 17:00 – a member of CSR Team will be waiting there to assist.

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Bike Drop

Date: Weds 17th June.

Please take these to the basement parking lot – further details on the bike rack will follow, but there will be a sign indicating where to leave your bike.

HOTEL ADDRESS

Premier Inn Southwark
Southwark Street
London
SE1 9PP

DIRECTIONS TO HOTEL

All bikes will be available for collection from the address below.

MUFG
25 Ropemaker Street
London
EC2Y 9AN

Bikes will be available from 8 am on Sunday 21 June 2026.