FAQs

Frequently Asked Questions 

  • How do I create my Just Giving page in The Big Ride Team?

    • We have two fundraisers this year. Gaza Sunbirds  and MECA. To set up a fundraising page for Gaza Sunbirds click  here. To set up a fundraising page for MECA click here.
    • The following instructions apply to setting up a fundraising page for either Gaza Sunbirds or MECA
    • Click Join the team at the top right on the page
    • Log in with an existing login or create a new one. (You can use FaceBook profile etc)
    • Click  Create your fundraising page  (or you can Connect Fundraising page if you already have one and follow instructions from there)
    • Click  Describe your own event/page  (it may seem counter intuitive but don't search for The Big Ride as this will cause you problems later on)
    • In Event Type, choose  An appeal for a charity
    • Enter the name you want to call your page e.g. Al's TBR Fundraiser
    • Click Continue
    • Enter your target amount
    • Choose a link name e.g. Al-TBR-Page
    • Complete stay in touch choices & agree & confirm
    • Complete gift aid choices to ensure your donors can claim gift aid
    • Click Create your page
    • Your page will be created and you will be able to edit the page details/picture etc.

    NOTE for  donors - Just Giving adds a 'tip to donations. Tell your donors that they do not have to pay this and can change the 'tip' amount to 0 - though they may have to do this twice as Just Giving will try to add it in again.

  • Routes

    What is the Big Ride route for summer 2023?

    We are planning three full days riding from Swansea to Bristol from Thursday 3 August - Saturday 5 August followed by a 1 day ride in Bristol on Sunday 6 August.


    Route: - Swansea - Cardiff - Newport - Bristol + day ride round Bristol


    You can sign up for  the number of days that suits you.


  • Distances and fitness

    I’m only an occasional cyclist. Will I be able to ride 40 - 50 miles in a day?


    Many people taking part in The Big Ride are regular cyclists, but some riders are occasional cyclists who are determined to get involved in an act of solidarity for Palestine. People have managed 40 to 50 miles each day in previous Big Rides.


    It's not a race. We will take the whole the day to complete each leg of the distance and will be riding at an inclusive pace.  As long as you're healthy you should be able to do it but you do need to practice first to prepare yourself for the ride.

    Here are some training suggestions  to develop your cycling fitness.


     

    Fitness

    We strongly recommend that you get out on your bike regularly in the weeks leading up to the ride and get used to cycling more than a few miles at a time - try 10 miles, then 15, then 20, etc. You don’t need to be a fitness fanatic, but you will get so much more out of The Big Ride if you have put some training in beforehand.  There may be a group of Big Riders near you who you can go out with to prepare for the ride. This is an excellent way of developing solidarity locally. Email us with any questions you have on training.

  • Signing up

    Is there a deadline for signing up?

    You can sign up for the Big Ride Summer 2023 at any time until 26 June 2023 for riders who want accommodation as part of their booking - provided that we still have places left.

    We need this cut off date because any hotel room cancellations need to be done at least 28 days in advance. We also need to be able to plan accurately for the number of people on the ride


    How do I sign up?

    Visit the Big Ride Summer 2023 page here. This is a summary of the sign-up process:


    - Read the information on the Big Ride Summer 2023 page and decide which days of the ride you want to do


    - Decide which rate suits you best and, if appropriate, which accommodation option you want to select. 


    - Decide if you are booking for youself or for a group - but bear in mind that you can only book for up to 4 people on each booking and that everyone will need to be on the same leg/s of the ride, rate and accommodation option. You will need to book people separately if you want to vary any of these.


    - When you have planned your booking, start the booking process. If you book early, there is the option to secure your booking by paying 25% to spread the cost and the rest by 22 June 2023,, six weeks before the ride begins. We encourage you to pay the full amount on booking if you are able to do so


    - Do read the booking conditions, because they contain important information about cancellations


    Ordering a jersey

    You can order a Big Ride cycling jersey through our online shop here

  • Strava

    What is Strava?

    It's an exercise and fitness tracking "platform" (mobile app and website) with social networking features. Read Wikipedia's description here. The Strava home page is here. It's free to join Strava. A paid subscription is available - it gives you more features.


    Why is The Big Ride using Strava?

    Strava is a  useful tool which many of us have used  on past Big Rides as well as on Solidarity and Spring/Nakba Challenge rides. We're using Strava so that can keep in touch with each other through our riding, encourage each other and develop more solidarity between riders.


    How do I join Strava?

    Visit the Strava home page here for details. Joining Strava is optional, but it makes it easier to keep track of your own mileage and see how other riders are doing.


    What can I do once I join a club?

    You will be able to see who else has joined the club, where you are on the leaderboard, create or view posts (messages) and upload pictures. More details here.


    How do I use Strava?

    You join Strava, then either:

    - install the Strava app on your mobile phone and use the app to record your rides, or:

    - record your rides on your GPS device and upload them to Strava or synchronise ("sync") with Strava. You can find instructions for uploading activity data from a Garmin device to Strava here.


    How do I upload my Big Ride photos to Strava?

    See the Strava guide here.


    What about privacy?

    Strava has a range of privacy levels. You may want a higher privacy level than the Strava default setting and we encourage you to check your settings, whether or not you are already a member. More details here.


    Where can I get further information and help with Strava?

    Visit the Strava support page here.


  • Support on the Ride

    What support is The Big Ride providing during the rides this year?

    The Big Ride Summer 2023 will provide a well planned and tested route. There will be support vehicles thoughout the ride which will enable us to help any riders that get into mechanical or other difficulties. We will have volunteer mechanics who can help out with minor mechanical problems. There will also be a team of  first aiders on the ride.


    We provide support vehicles to transport your luggage while you are riding.


    We have a lunch break and morning and afternoon tea breaks. The Big Ride will provide refreshments at all of these stops. Breakfast is not included so you will need to factor breakfast into your costs and timings.


    What happens if my bike develops a mechanical problem during the ride? 

    We strongly recommend that your bike is fully serviced prior to The Big Ride, and that you carry two inner tubes in case of punctures, and a tool kit.  We can help out with minor issues such as punctures on the ride but you need to make sure that your bike is in good condition and that it has been adjusted to be comfortablke for you.


    Getting bikes to and from the ride

    The Big Ride does not organise the transportation of bikes to and from the ride. This has to be organised by riders themselves. Sometimes riders organise a van if there are enough people joining the ride from their local area. This is something which you need to plan well in advance of the ride.


  • Bike maintenance and getting ready to ride

    How should I prepare my bike?

    Get it professionally serviced beforehand if you can, so that brakes and other essential parts have been checked out and adjusted. On the day, do a quick ABC BIKE CHECK, including checking that your tyres are pumped up firmly to the correct pressure (usually written on the wall of your tyre). It’s a good idea to use a track pump (floor-standing pump) to do this. Make sure your chain and other moving parts are well lubed.


    What should I wear?

    We’re a mixed bunch of riders, ranging from full-on lycra wearers to jeans and t-shirts. It’s important to wear clothing that’s comfortable for you, while being practical for cycling . Layered clothing is very good, including, of course, your beautiful new BIG RIDE FOR PALESTINE JERSEY, worn over your other layers if possible! If it's raining, you can always wear a Big Ride Hi-Viz.


    What do I need to take with me on the ride?

    We suggest:

    - A small rucksack or pannier - to carry all your stuff!

    - Two sturdy locks (gold secure preferably) if you are going to stop and leave your bike anywhere for any time - bike thieves operate in all areas!

    - Two spare inner tubes, the right size for your tyres

    - Two or three tyre levers

    - Two spanners of the right size for your wheel nuts, unless you have quick-release (QR) wheels 

    - Hand pump that fits your inner tube valves - Schrader or presta valve (view descriptions)

    - Water bottle – or two in very hot weather

    - Food for refuelling - bananas, muesli bars, peanut butter sandwiches or other favourite energy booster

    - A rainproof jacket, just in case!

    - Hand sanitiser or soapy flannel to use if/when you stop to eat

    - Mobile phone, GPS or other route recording device, GoPro camera, any other devices linked to your social media feeds

    - Palestine flag and bike adapter if available

    -      Helmet and face covering or mask


    What if I get a puncture?

    On the big Ride we will have mechanical support to help with punctures.

    When you are practicing for the ride and  are cycling in a group, hope that one of you will know how to repair a puncture… but if you aren’t that person, why not learn now from a friend, or from YouTube? It’s a good skill to learn - watch HERE  and HERE

    (These show wheels with quick release fittings. If your wheels are secured by nuts, you’ll need to use a spanner to get the wheels off). 


  • Safe cycling

    If I sign up, am I covered by The Big Ride's insurance for bike theft or injury to myself or to others?

    No, you're not insured by The Big Ride.  You will need arrange your own individual insurance if you wish and if you're not already insured.


    Highway Code

    We ask you to follow the rules in the Highway Code and traffic regulations when you're cycling - we want you to be safe and we want The Big Ride to be respected by the general public. We encourage you to wear a helmet when riding.


    We will give guidance and instructions on riding as a group as appropriate and we expect our  riders to follow our advice.


    Please make sure that you are familiar with the Highway Code guidance for cyclists


  • Fundraising

    Which charities does the Big Ride raise money for?

    The Big Ride for Palestine raises money for the Middle East Children’s Alliance (MECA). MECA does vital work tackling the physical and psychological trauma suffered by children in Gaza. 


    In 2021 we also fundraised with Palestine Riders for a children's cycle club in the Am'ari refugee camp. 


    This year we are working with Gaza Sunbirds as we did in 2022 which supports para-cyclists and raises the profile of Palestinian athletes


    What MECA project is The Big Ride for Palestine supporting in 2023?

    The MECA projects this year are to provide facilities for children in refugee camps in Palestine to play and cycle.


    How can I donate to MECA and Gaza Sunbirds?

    Use the DONATE buttons in the header - see also the first FAQ on how to set up your own fundraising page..

  • Photos and videos

    Please do post photos and video clips of your Big Ride on Strava or social media.


    By sending us image or video files of you and any other people, you agree that The Big Ride can use them in social media posts, web pages and emails as part of records of The Big Ride 2023, and to promote The Big Ride generally.

  • I'm not cycling this time - can I still get involved?

    Yes! We are always looking for committed people to get involved with The Big Ride. 


    On the summer ride we need people who are prepared to drive support vehicles on each leg, offer mechanical support as well as other logistical and support roles including rider registration and support at the break stops.


    If you have transport, you may consider helping riders from your local area to get to the start of the ride.


    Email us here if you would like to know more.

  • Other Questions

    I’m worried about being called anti-semitic. How can I counter this - I want to support Palestine but no way am I racist?

    The Big Ride for Palestine is opposed to all forms of racism, which includes islamophobia and anti-semitism. Active opposition to the oppressive acts of the state of Israel is a responsibility, just as opposition to apartheid in South Africa was a moral and political imperative for many. 


    The pro-Israel lobby has tried to silence criticism of Israel by equating criticism of the state of Israel with anti-semitism. We oppose the actions of the Israeli state, not Jewish people. Many Jewish people have joined The Big Ride for Palestine each year as they too disagree with the actions of the state of Israel.


    How can a cycle ride help the Palestinian people?

    The Big Ride is more than just a cycle ride.

    It's an act of solidarity that is well known in Palestine.

    It raises funds for important sports facilities for Palestinian children in Gaza traumatised by their experience of miltary attacks and oppression by Israel's military.


    I don't see much about Palestine in the news. Where can I find out more about the situation in Palestine?

    There are alternative news outlets. These include:

    Middle East Eye

    Middle East Monitor (MEMO)

    The Electronic Intifada

    The Big Ride is not connected with any of these news sources. By linking to their web pages The Big Ride is providing information and is not endorsing those organisations, or any of the views expressed by them.


    Or you could join a campaigning organisation like Palestine Solidarity Campaign, Friends of Al Aqsa, or Jews for Justice for Palestinians, that provide regular updates on the situation in Palestine/Israel, and actions you can take to show your solidarity.


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