FAQ's

Our FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS should answer most of your questions. Please try here first and if you need any more information then please email us at info@sunseaandcycling.com  

Festival Rides & Routes

How many rides are in the festival?
There are over 60 rides in the festival programme.

Do I have to book on the rides?
Each ride is either booking advised, booking essential or booking not essestial. If the ride is booking essential then you have to call the leader before the ride.

How do I know if the ride is suitable for me?
Each ride is graded for pace and difficulty. The grade ranges from Easy - Strenuous and pace ranges from Gentle - Fast. Rides will also specify if they are suitable for on or off road bikes and if they are family friendly.

Can children go on the rides?
There are lots of family friendly rides in the programme but all children under 16 must be accompanied by an adult.

How much do the rides cost?
All the rides have different costs. Some are free or require a donation to charity and some have an entry fee. Please check each individual ride for details.

How can I get maps of cycle routes?
The round the Island route map and several other options are avaialble on our routes page

More information
For a list of all the rides in the 2011 festival click here.

The 2011 festival leaflet

Cycle The Wight

What is Cycle the Wight? 
Cycle the Wight is a sponsored ride for the British Heart Foundation. There are 70, 50 and 15 mile routes to suit all abilities. The 70 and 50 mile routes follow the Round the Island cycle route which takes in minor roads and lanes wherever possible.
Cycle the Wight Route map

When does it take place? Cycle the Wight takes place on Sunday 18th September 2011 with a start time of approx 9am.

How long does it take to cycle round the Island?
It depends on your fitness but it can take from 3 hours for the very fittest to 10 hours for those who dont cycle as often. The average is about 6 hours.

How much does it cost to take part?
Cycle The Wight (Round the Island Route approx 70 miles) £10 + Sponsorship
Shorter Route (Half Round the Island Route and return approx 50 miles) £10 + Sponsorship
Family Route (Approx 15 miles start at Shanklin - Children free) FREE + Sponsorship

More information
For more information about Cycle the Wight click here
 

The Hills Killer

What is The Hills Killer?
The Hills Killer is an orienteering / endurance ride which takes place between Shanklin and Freshwater. The event is split into 3 rides; Freshwater to Shanklin (7 hills), Chale to Shanklin (3 hills), Shanklin to Shanklin (14 hills).
Each event requires riders to visit several checkpoints by navigating their route via a map and grid references. The grid references are posted at the start point. The 14 Hills Riders have to visit the checkpoints twice.

How far is it?
(3 hills) approx 13 miles Chale to Freshwater
(7 hills) approx 26 miles Shanklin to Freshwater
(14 hills) approx 52 miles Freshwater to Shanklin to Freshwater (visit the checkpoints twice)

When does it take place
The Hills Killer takes place on Sunday 25th September 2011. The cost is £20 in avance £25 on the day and online entry will be available HERE
More information
For more information about the Hills Killer click here

General Enquiries

How can I get to the Isle of Wight?
Red Funnel & Wightlink are our travel partners this year and will be offering special rates or holiday offers for participants. Visit www.redfunnel.co.uk or www.wightlink.co.uk



Do I have to bring my own bike or can I hire one?

There are several businesse that hire bikes on the island, please check our links page for details.

Wight Cycle Hire
Tel: 01983-761800
Email: info@wightcyclehire.co.uk  

Still need help?
If you have any other questions then please contact us.

Cycle Routes
What cycle routes can I follow outside of the cycling festival?
Our cycle routes section has maps of several cycle route and the Round The Island Route map