The Big Ride for Palestine 2026
Onto one of our rides
We are having series of one day city rides in July and August 2026
find out more below
Ride dates and more information
booked riders will receive more detailed information
Our first rides have happened!
Weekend 1: Saturday 18 - Sunday 19 July
Saturday 18 - Manchester
The Manchester ride was a largely flat, 35 mile route through Manchester & surrounding areas including the city centre, calmer suburbs and country lanes. The route passed several well-known Mancunian landmarks and concluded with a 3-mile family-friendly finale.
Email the Manchester ride
here with any questions.
Saturday 18 - Bristol
This was a family friendly ride of approximately 30 miles for cyclists of all abilities. Set around Bristol with a mix of city centre, suburbs and cycle paths. Some short hills and excellent views. It was possible to join for the first or second half only or the whole ride.
Email the Bristol ride here
Sunday 19 - Cardiff
The Cardiff ride was an urban, park ride round Cardiff. Mostly flat, using cycle paths and some roads. Approx 20 miles, with a family friendly section around the bay before lunch. Perfect for young, inexperienced or nervous riders and a loop of Bute Park for the very youngest.
Email the Cardiff ride here
Weekend 2: Saturday 25 July
Saturday 25 - Newcastle
Bookings now closed
Start point: 9 nine minute cycle from Central station.
8:00: Registration
9:00/9:15: Ride starts
17:00/17:30: Ride ends
End location: 12 minute cycle to Central station & a few minutes to Jesmond metro station.
Post ride: event with food, live music, spoken word along with children's activities
A lovely mix of urban, riverside and country roads. 30 miles in total covering mostly cycle lanes and going through the areas of Fenham, Gosforth, Heaton, Jesmond & Wallsend. There will be joining points at Newburn, the Cycle Hub, Gosforth Central Park, and towards the end for children.
Email the Newcastle ride
here
with any questions.
Saturday 25 - Margate
Bookings now closed
Start/End location: 5 mins ride from Margate station
9:00: Registration
9:30: Pre ride briefing
10:00: Ride starts
17:30: Ride ends
Post ride: Meal and soft drinks provided. Secure place for bikes
Circular route approx 30 miles, through small seaside towns, coastal scenery and countryside. Undulating, with some hills for the first third, and then fairly flat . A mixture of cycle paths and road riding. The ride should be suitable for all the family.
Email the Margate ride
here
with any questions.
Saturday 25 - Nottingham to Sheffield
Bookings now closed
Start location: central Nottingham near station
8:45: Registration
9:30: Ride starts Nottingham
18:00: Ride ends Sheffield
End location: few minutes ride from Sheffield Station
Post ride: Closing event with vegan food
There will also be a
bookable social event on Friday night. Local organisers will be in touch via pre ride bulletins.
Linear route starting in Nottingham and ending in Sheffield. Roughly 49 miles with a mix of road, shared paths, and light gravel. Due to the length of the route, this ride is geared toward more experienced cyclists. Most climbs are as we approach Sheffield with an overall elevation gain of around 2,000 ft. Option to join for a shorter route TBD. Regular trains run between both cities and we have homestays available. There will be limited spaces available to book your *bike* on a shuttle from Sheffield to Nottingham.
Email the Sheffield ride here with any questions.
Weekend 3: Saturday 1 - Sunday 2 August
Saturday 1 - Birmingham
Bookings now closed
Start/End location: central Birmingham 5 mins from New Street and Moor Street stations
8:00: Registration starts
9:15: Info and safety briefing
9:30: Ride starts
17:30/18:00: Ride ends.
Post ride: Speakers, music and informal post ride social with snacks
Around 32 miles of urban riding around Birmingham in a figure of 8 with a southern and then a northern loop. The ride uses cycle paths , parks and green spaces as well as roads. Largely flat with some short hills and the option to join/leave at lunchtime. Inclusive ride.
Email the Birmingham ride here with any questions.
Sunday 2 - Coventry
Bookings now closed
Start location: central Coventry close to station
9:30: Registration for big loop
10:00: Set off on big loop (14 miles)
13:30: back to start for registration of new riders joining for the short loop
14:00: Setting off on short loop (4 miles)
15:00: Ride ends.
End location: central Coventry
Post ride: Food and social until 16:00
Around 18-mile ride starting in a central location, with the option to join the final 4-mile, family friendly, smaller loop for the final part. We will end the ride with a social gathering. The path is a mix of cycle paths, green spaces as well as roads, shared-user paths. The starting time will be 9.30 to register and set off at 10 am. Ride end time expected at around 2 pm. More details on venues and route will follow upon registration for TBR.
Email the Coventry ride here with any questions.
Weekend 4: Saturday 8 August
Bookings for Kings Cross and Paddington closing Wednesday 5 August unless full.
South London ride full - bookings now closed
Saturday 8 - London
Paddington ride
Start location: Nr Paddington Station
9:00: Registration
10:00: Ride starts
Kings X ride
Start location: Nr Kings X Station
9:00: Registration
10:00: Ride starts
South London
Ride full - bookings closed
Start location: Nr Waterloo Station
10:00: Registration
11:00: Ride starts
All London rides
17:00 Rides end
End location: nr Brondesbury station
Post ride: 17:00 to 19:00 for reception and buffet
Converging rides starting in Paddington, Kings Cross and South London. All the rides will be mainly flat and at a relaxed speed with comfort stops and a lunch break. 25-30 miles.
Email the Paddington ride here with any questions.
Email the Kings Cross ride here with any questions.
Email the South London ride here with any questions.
Other Rides for Palestine this Summer
Saturday 15 & Sunday 16 - Ireland
Dublin to Belfast. This is an Irish ride organized by Lapwing & Sunbirds cycle club Book here!
Booking Information
This year we have rides in 9 different cities over 4 weekends which can be booked through this system.
Several people can be included on the same booking but they need to be for the same city and at the same rate. City and rate are selected at the start of the booking process.
Riders will need to make a separate booking for each of the different city rides they want to take part in.
The person making the booking needs to be over 18. Their information will be the first set of details on the booking. We are very keen for riders under 18 to be part of our rides but they will need to be booked on by someone over 18 and will need to have an accompanying adult.
We aim to be inclusive but participants need to be satisfied that they are able to ride the distance specified in the ride of their choice.
Please make sure that you read the booking Terms and Conditions carefully and agree with all the provisions.
Fundraising for MECA and Gaza Sunbirds in 2026
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.
Ongoing Israeli attacks from air, land and sea are killing, injuring, and displacing children, journalists, and medical workers across Palestine.
The Big Ride for Palestine is partnering with the Middle East Children's Alliance to provide emergency aid to children and families and support community projects for children in Palestine right now.
Half the Palestinian population are children. Hundreds of thousands of children have been displaced and don't have access to adequate food, water, or shelter. They have been traumatized by ongoing Israeli bombings, raids, and violence on their communities.
MECA works for the rights and well-being of children. They have been working in Palestine for 38 years. Local partners provide food parcels, hot meals, clean drinking water, psychological support and other essential aid to families impacted by Israel's attacks across Palestine.
Ride against genocide and occupation and raise funds to provide life-saving aid.
We are riding to raise funds for the Sunbirds, a para-cycling team from Gaza. Alaa al Dali and Mohammed Asfour, two of the Sunbirds evacuated the strip in 2024, are now competing for Palestine on a global stage. The rest of the team remains in Gaza where they are delivering aid and supporting their local communities. This years project will support
1. International competitions and help the Sunbirds get to LA 2026;
2. Aid in Gaza- help the Sunbirds to continue to work with local partners to deliver food aid in Gaza.
3. Sports in Gaza- help the Sunbirds continue to provide rehab and sports therapy for those who have been injured in the genocide.
4. Sports around the world- help the Sunbirds support Palestinians in the diaspora to train and compete in sports- offering professional tracks to compete with Team Palestine
We encourage all of our riders to set up a fundraising page. Why not set one up with some of your friends? Not sure how? Click here for step by step instructions
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. This 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. Click
here
for the 2026 resolution which you can amend as needed for your organisation..
