You are free to raise money for any given charity, although we would love for you to support and raise money for Children with Cancer UK, Macmillan Cancer Support, Cancer Research UK, Diabetes UK and Royal Manchester Childrens Hospital. Details on how to do this are on the website.

All items provided at the feed station including water will be available free of charge.  It’s a good idea to bring supplementary snacks and drinks that you would usually consume on a ride of this distance to keep your energy levels up. We will update you with further details of the products that will be available closer to event day.

Yes, there will be a medal waiting for you at the finish line

No, depending on which distance you are entering you will start at the specified time, as below:

52 miles - 08:00  start (approx. 2hrs 45mins – based on 18mph average)
26 miles - 11:40  start (approx. 2hrs – based on 13mph average)
13 miles - 13:45  start (approx. 2hrs – based on 7mph average)

Please note that the start times may be slightly adjusted based on total entries received for each distance. Any change will be communicated in your pre-event ride information pack and/or pre-event emails and SMS.

Your start time depends on the distance you’re tackling; all distances will be set of in waves to improve the flow of cyclists around the course. Further details will be supplied in your pre-race pack.

52 miles - 08.00 start
26 miles - 11:40  start
13 miles - 13:45  start

We are working with Manchester City Council to highlight some routes that will allow riders to cycle to the event from various parts of the City. There is parking available on the event site but not enough for everyone so we want to encourage you to come by bike where possible. Information will be updated on the great cycle website in the coming weeks.

Piccadilly station is the closest train station to the start area. If you require information on train times etc, please visit www.tpexpress.co.uk or contact them on 0844 556 5637. Bike reservation number 0845 600 1674.

Due to the terms and conditions agreed upon entry into the event, all entries are non-refundable unless supported by a doctor's note. If this is the case, please send a doctor's note and covering letter stating that you would like to be withdrawn from the event to:

Great Cycle Customer Services
PO Box 1RY
Newcastle upon Tyne
NE99 1RY

Refunds will be accepted at least six weeks prior to the event otherwise we will be unable to stop your race pack being sent. After this time no refund will be offered.

All refunds are subject to a £5.00 administration charge. Refunds will not be possible for any other eventuality.

In your ride pack you will receive the following numbers 1. Handle Bar number (which contains your timing chip) this should be attached to your handle bars using the cable ties provided; 2. Helmet stickers, fix these to the front/back of your helmet AND 3. A chest and back ride number which should be fixed to your ride jersey – this makes sure we can identify you at assembly/on course and at the finish and the official event photographers can get those actions shots of you!

How do I view my photos from the event?
To see photos of you during the event please visit here, www.greatcycle.org/Photos and enter your ride number. Your pictures will then be displayed.

Unfortunately we can’t guarantee all cyclists will have a photo of themselves.
Pictures are tagged by your ride number clearly shown on the cameras. If your number was obscured in anyway when cycling past the cameras, it will not pick up. If you cycled with a friend, please try entering their number.

•    Click on the link below and log-in with the account you used to enter an event.
•    Once you have logged-in click on the link to update your details (located at the right of the page).
•    When you have entered the new details, click the 'Save’ button, at the foot of the page.
•    To leave your account, click Logout - Update your details

Alternatively you can send your details to Customer Services, Great Cycle, PO Box 1RY, Newcastle-upon-Tyne, NE99 1RY or info@greatcycle.org. Please clearly state your full name, event entered together with your old and new address details.

Please ensure you notify us at least six weeks prior to the event otherwise we will be unable to amend.

All finishers will receive a finisher’s pack containing a medal, t-shirt, a drink, and a food bar.

Finishers’ packs are sorted by size, so please take the t-shirt size you asked for on your entry form.

If your pack does not arrive please email info@greatcycle.org to verify your entry, you will then be told how you can collect a duplicate pack on event day. 

All enquiries relating to the non-arrival of race numbers or lost race numbers that are handled in person on race weekend must be accompanied by appropriate photo ID. We will not be able to consider any such enquiry unless it is supported by the appropriate identification

Competitor’s information can also be downloaded from the Great Cycle website nearer the event date. www.greatcycle.org

If you would like to amend your distance please send an email to info@greatcycle.org clearly stating your full name, postcode, which event you have entered and your required distance. We will then be able to amend this for you, subject to availability. 

Alternatively you can send your details to Customer Services, Great Cycle, PO Box 1RY, Newcastle-upon-Tyne, NE99 1RY.

It is the policy of the event organisers that a helmet is compulsory for the Great Manchester Cycle.* you must wear a cycle helmet that is Snell, CE or ANSI approved.

There are parking spaces available at Sport City and it is free to park here. However if you live locally it would be better to cycle to the event as many spaces will be taken by those travelling from further afield.

This info will be posted on the Traffic and Travel section of the website in the coming weeks

This info will be posted on the Traffic and Travel section of the website in the coming weeks

If your jersey is the wrong size, you can either return it and a replacement will be sent out once we receive it, or come along to registration on event day with your jersey and we can exchange it.

If we send you the wrong product or it is faulty, damaged, of unsatisfactory quality or unfit for purpose, we will, at our discretion, either replace the product (subject to availability) or provide you with a refund. We will also refund the delivery charges you have paid to receive that product unless it was sent to you with other products which you are not returning.

All returns should be posted to us at Great Cycle Customer Services, PO Box 1RY, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE99 1RY. Please remember to ask the Post Office for a proof of posting certificate and retain it for your reference. Without this we cannot refund any money if we do not receive the returned product.

The following are examples of bikes which are permissible to ride the event on: Road bike, Mountain bike, Hybrid, tri-cycles, Recumbents, Tandems, Folding Bikes, City Bike, Cyclo-Cross, Dutch Bicycles, and BMX.  If we haven’t quoted your bike please drop us an email at info@greatcycle.org. Please note that due to the narrowing of the course at certain points we cannot allow Quadra-Cycles or other similar four-wheeled machines.

In choosing your bike you need to consider the distance you have chosen to ride and that you will be potentially riding amongst large groups at speed. 

There are a number of cycle hire organisations around the Greater Manchester area.  Click on either of the following links for more information about cycling and cycle facilities in Manchester

www.manchester.gov.uk/info/200102/walking_and_cycling/732/cycling_in_manchester/1

www.tfgm.com/cycling

There are many good specialist cycle retailers in the Greater Manchester area. Whilst we cannot endorse a single shop, we advise you do use a specialist who can help you select a bike based on your riding needs. www.tfgm.com/cycling

The course is open for a set amount of time per ride distance (52/26/13) and we have a guideline to ensure you complete your distance within the allotted time. If you fall behind the schedule you may not be allowed to complete your chosen distance. There is a cut-off time for entering the final lap and you would be pulled out at this point if you fall significantly behind. However, you will still receive a time for the laps you have completed and event medal, tee shirt and goody bag. Guideline cut off times will be posted on the event website and included with your event number when we mail it to you approximately two weeks before the event.

Most of the hotels in Manchester are cycle friendly if you are thinking of staying over. As ever, always worth double checking when you book.

There are mobile mechanics and support teams operating across the route. There are also mechanic posts at the feed station and event village. If you need help, you can call the event support centre on the number that will printed on the back of your ride number and in your info pack, who will direct the appropriate support response to you.

Yes, there will be full medical facilities. These include fixed posts at various sites around the route and patrolling motorcycle and cycling paramedics.

NO. It is not a race and there are no prizes, results or other reward based on time.

Yes, there will be timing available on all distances.

Nova International organise the Great Manchester Cycle. We are the UK’s biggest mass participation company and also organise the Bupa Great Run and Great Swim Series.