The Big Ride for Palestine 2025
Alexei Sayle supports The Big Ride
Trade Unionists Fran Heathcote and Kevin Courtney join The Big Ride
The Big Ride for Palestine has been riding in the UK and Ireland for ten years following the invasion of Gaza in 2014, protesting the apartheid and ethnic cleansing practiced by the Israeli state against Palestinians since 1948.
The genocide and weaponisation of hunger has taken things to an even more devastating level as has the murder of Gaza’s Palestinian Red Crescent aid workers in March and the extreme violence of settlers in the West Bank.
Mass demonstrations in support of Palestine remain essential to demonstrating solidarity with Palestine. The Big Ride plays its part in this, combining our love of cycling with practical solidarity and raising awareness.
Join us on your bike at one or more of our rides this summer. More ride information below or
book here.
The Big Ride for Palestine - Summer 2025
All of the rides are full day rides, but the distances and types of terrain varies between rides.
Ride Descriptions
Cardiff - Bristol - Birmingham - Manchester - London - Sheffield - Newcastle
19 July - Cardiff/Wales
22 miles, urban and waterside, mostly cycle-paths with a few suburban roads, flat with one 'optional' hill. Plenty of rest stops and suitable for all the family.
26 July - Bristol/South West
About 37 miles, circular, urban with some quieter cycle paths. A few short and gradual uphill sections, but no serious climbs.
2 August
Birmingham/Coventry
43 miles, circular ride via Coventry. Mix of urban, cycle paths and country roads. Some moderate hills. Option to join/leave us at Coventry.
Manchester
36 miles, the length of the perimeter fence around Gaza. Largely urban, cycling through areas of Manchester that reflect its diverse communities. We will have some quieter riding in the suburbs and semi-rural areas around Manchester. No big hills!!
9 August
London
Three London rides will start from Paddington, Kings Cross and Burgess Park each cycling around 30 miles and coming together for a reception in East London. The rides are mostly flat with a mixture of high streets, residential streets and parks/green areas.
Sheffield
36 miles circular ride via Chesterfield. Hilly going out and back in to Sheffield, but otherwise mostly flat.
Urban and rural, on roads, cycle paths and well surfaced cycle trails.
16 August - Newcastle
A lovely mix of urban, riverside and country roads. 27 miles in total covering mostly cycle lanes and going through the areas of Fenham, Heaton, Gosforth & Jesmond. There will be joining points at halfway and at the end for children.
About our rides…..
The price of our rides are the same for all rides and we have different pricing levels depending on ability to pay. All of our route are thoroughly tested by our experienced local teams and will have mechanical and first aid support.
The ride cost includes morning and afternoon snacks but not lunch, so make sure that you bring a packed lunch and plenty of water. Some regions will be offering an evening event and this will be explained to you by the regional team after you sign up.
It is vital that anyone who wants to take part books onto the ride. You can book up to 4 people on the same ride provided they are booked at the same rate. You will need to make a separate booking for each ride you take part in. Riders under 18 must be booked for the ride by someone who is 18 or above and must have an accompanying adult on the ride.
We aim to be inclusive but it is important that riders prepare for the ride by practicing so that they are able to ride the distance. Bikes must be in good working order. The Big Ride is not able to supply bikes.
Fundraising for MECA and Gaza Sunbirds in 2025
This summer we will be fundraising for Middle East Children's Alliance (MECA) our long term partner in Palestine and once again for Gaza Sunbirds. Details to follow.
MECA works for the rights and well-being of children in Gaza and in the West Bank. They have been working in Palestine for 36 years. With the support of The Big Ride for Palestine, MECA and local partners provide food parcels, hot meals, clean drinking water, and other essential aid to families impacted by Israel's attacks across Palestine. They will provide psychosocial support for traumatized children whenever it is possible including sports and other physical activities.
The Gaza Sunbirds are a team of para-athletes based in the Gaza Strip, founded by Alaa al-Dali, an Olympic hopeful cyclist, who was shot in the leg by an Israeli sniper in 2018, whilst watching the March of Return. Hoping to defy the odds to compete in Paris 2024, Alaa made a historic debut competing for Palestine in the 2024 Paracyling road World Championships in Zurich. Most of the Sunbirds team remain in Gaza where they are distributing aid to their communities.
Set up your Big Ride for Palestine Just Giving fundraising page
for MECA or Gaza Sunbirds in one of our team pages for yourself or with others
Full instructions in our FAQ’s here
Solidarity with Palestine and The Big Ride
Raising Solidarity with Palestine In Unions & Organisations
We encourage riders and supporters to raise solidarity resolutions in their unions, community groups and party wards. The 2025 Big Ride resolution
here gives us the opportunity to raise the issue of Palestine with the organisations we are involved in as well as raising funds to support low income riders and help keep our rides happening..
