Cycletta FAQ
SECTION A: General questions about the event
- What time does the event start?
- What is the course; is it tough?
- Is there a minimum age for the event?
- Is it a closed road event?
- Can I start with my friends?
- What happens if I can't finish the event?
- Can I raise money for a charity?
- Can my friends volunteer to help out at the event?
SECTION B: General questions about the lead up to the event
- How can I check entry or amend my details?
- What will I receive before the event?
- What do I do if I haven't received my event pack?
- What kind of bicycle do I need?
- Do I have to wear a helmet?
- What other kit or equipment should I consider?
- Can I ride a tandem?
- Can I put a child on the back of my bike?
- Where can I find advice on pre-event training?
SECTION C: Event day questions
- What do I do at the finish?
- What do I do with my timing chip?
- How will I know my finishing time?
- Will there be food and drinks on the course?
- Will there be food and drinks available at the start/finish venue?
- Will there be any mechanical support at the event?
- Will there be toilets on the course and at the start/finish venue?
- Will there be anywhere I can leave my belongings during the ride?
- Is there anywhere I can have a shower or change clothes after the ride?
- What medical provision will be available on the day?
- What happens if I get in trouble during the ride?
- Will there be any event photos?
SECTION D: Withdrawals and refunds
- How do I withdraw from the event?
- If I withdraw can I get a refund?
- Can I transfer my entry in one Cycletta to a different one?
SECTION A: General questions about the event
What time does the event start?
The event will start from 9am but we will be staggering the starts in groups of people so your actual start time may be a little after this. Your exact start time will be sent to you with your event pack in the post prior to the event. But just to be safe you should make sure you are ready to go for 9am and we recommend you get to the event an hour before your start time.
What is the course; is it tough?
We have chosen courses that are challenging but are not too tough so even if you are a novice cyclist you will still be able to complete it with some training. You can view a map of the course at each of our Cycletta events from this website on the Event Info section.
Is there a minimum age for the event?
Yes, the minimum age is 16 by 31st December of the year of the event.
Is it a closed road event?
The roads will not be closed but we have deliberately chosen these routes and venues to make sure that traffic is limited on the routes. We will also have an unprecedented level of safety stewards, motorcycle marshals and signage on the route to make sure the event is as safe as possible for all cyclists.
Can I start with my friends?
Participants will be allocated their start time according to their indicated ability and estimated time when entering. This is based on estimations but is designed to ensure that the quickest cyclists go off first and slowest last to avoid too much unnecessary overtaking on the course. You have the opportunity to enter as a group to ensure you get the same start time as your friends. If you receive start times that vary between you, you may start at the latest of these allocated times (move back not forward).
What happens if I can't finish the event?
If you need medical attention or are too tired to complete the course, please alert the nearest steward who will call for assistance. A sweep vehicle will follow the last cyclist and will collect anybody requiring assistance.
Can I raise money for a charity?
Yes, we hope that many participants will choose to raise funds for our lead charity partner, Macmillan Cancer Support or a charity of your choice. If you have a confirmed entry you can fundraise for whoever you wish. Please see the Charity section on this website for a list of all the affiliated charities that you can fundraise for.
Can my friends volunteer to help out at the event?
We need lots of volunteers, to help make this a great event. If any of your friends and family are interested in helping out on event day, please ask them to e-mail
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.
SECTION B: General questions about the lead up to the event
How can I check entry or amend my details?
You can change your details by logging back into your entry at the Event Entry page of the website. But for all queries on your entry please email
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.
What will I receive before the event?
Cyclists who enter online will receive a confirmation email. We will then update you with various information via eNewsletters and you will receive your event pack two weeks prior to the event.
What do I do if I haven't received my event pack?
You can collect a spare one on the day from the Information Desk.
What kind of bicycle do I need?
You do not need a specialist bike for this event and can complete the course on any type of bicycle you wish. You will need to make sure it is in good working order and road safe. Ideally you will have a bike with gears (most do these days) and you should ensure these are working properly and that you know how to use them. You also need to give the bike a general check that it is road-worthy, so checking the gears, brakes, frames and wheels are the essentials. If you are unsure, you could take your bike along to your local bike shop for a service.
Do I have to wear a helmet?
Wearing a helmet is compulsory for safety reasons. Wearing a helmet can dramatically reduce the risk of a head injury in a cycling accident so please wear your helmet whenever you ride a bike. Cycletta advises every participant to wear a helmet whenever cycling. It really is the best way to protect yourself.
What other kit or equipment should I consider?
Please ensure that you come prepared for the course. We would advise all cyclists taking part to carry a pump, a puncture repair kit and a couple of spare inner tubes with them on the ride. If you don't know how to change your own puncture there will be a team of ride rescue crew to help you out on the day, but you may have to wait for them to reach you! Please wear appropriate clothes for the weather conditions - getting wet isn't fun.
Can I ride a tandem?
Yes you can ride a tandem; both riders must register individually to participate.
Can I put a child on the back of my bike?
Sorry, we do not allow children on the back of bikes or to be pulled along behind bikes.
Where can I find advice on pre-event training?
You can find training advice on the Cycling Preparation pages of this website.
SECTION C: Event day questions
What do I do at the finish?
After you've crossed the finish line you get a drink and a Cycletta memento. You will then be able to proceed to the meet and greet area for your friends and family, collect your goodie bag and visit the Cycletta Village where there will be the Pamper Zone (featuring massage, helmet hair remedy and mini manicures), first aid, entertainment and food and drink available.
What do I do with my timing chip?
As the timing chips used are disposable ones you do not need to give them back to us after finishing.
How will I know my finishing time?
Provisional results will be posted on this website the day after the event and if you have provided us with your mobile number when entering we will text you your finish time shortly after the event.
Will there be food and drinks on the course?
Yes, we have our 'treat stops' positioned at intervals around the course where there will be water and snacks for you. We recommend however that you make sure you have enough food and drink to complete the event on you without relying on what we have available at the treat stops.
Will there be food and drinks available at the start/finish venue?
A wide range of food will be available during the event at the start/finish venue. Our catering outlets are located in the Cycletta Village but you will have to pay for any food or drink here.
Will there be any mechanical support at the event?
We will have a team of ride rescue crew to help you out during the ride if you have any technical issues but you may have to wait for them to get to you so we recommend that you carry a pump, a puncture repair kit and a couple of spare inner tubes with you on the ride.
There will also be some mechanical support at the start/finish venue but if they need to repair anything here you may be charged.
Will there be toilets on the course and at the start/finish venue?
There will be toilets at each treat stop as well as at the start/finish venue.
Will there be anywhere I can leave my belongings during the ride?
Unfortunately there will be no facilities for storing bags or valuables at the event.
Is there anywhere I can have a shower or change clothes after the ride?
Unfortunately there will be no shower facilities available at the event or changing areas.
What medical provision will be available on the day?
British Red Cross will provide medical cover on event day, both at the start/finish area and out on the route.
Whether or not you have a medical condition, if you feel unwell on the event day - we recommend that you do not cycle. If you see another participant who is experiencing difficulty and needs assistance please report it to the nearest event official (static marshal, motorcycle marshal or medical team).
Please give way to any emergency vehicles that require access to the route during the event.
The organisers reserve the right to prevent participation on the day due to medical grounds.
What happens if I get in trouble during the ride?
Please take your mobile phone with you and call the emergency number provided if you are in need of support or decide not to complete the course.
Will there be any event photos?
SportCam are the Official photographers at Cycletta and will be taking photographs of all competitors at various points along the route. Photographs will be available for purchase online at www.sportcam.net, or you can contact SportCam on 01252 728 429 and they will post your photographs and a CD of all your pictures.
We will also provide free finish line footage of your moment of glory available online on this website after the event. Please give us a big smile if you can when crossing the finish line!
SECTION D: Withdrawals and refunds
How do I withdraw from the event?
Just drop us an email to
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stating clearly that you would like to withdraw from the event.
If I withdraw can I get a refund?
Whether or not you are eligible for a refund depends on when you notify us that you would like to withdraw:
Within 7 days of entering:
We have a 7 day cooling off period after entering. So if you enter the event and realise you can't take part and need to withdraw you can do so and get a full refund as long as you inform us up to 7 days after you originally entered.
90 days or more before the event:
If you let us know you want to withdraw 90 days or more before your event date you will not be eligible for a refund but if you would like to we will offer you a place free of charge in the same event the following year.
89 to 8 days before the event:
If you let us know you want to withdraw between 89 and 8 days before your event date you will not be eligible for a refund but we will reserve you a place in the same event the following year. You would have to pay the full entry fee again to get this place but this is particular handy if the event sells out as you have your place secured if you want it.
7 days before the event:
If you let us know you want to withdraw 7 days or less before the event takes place you will not be eligible for any refund or any entry in any future events unfortunately.
Can I transfer my entry in one Cycletta to a different one?
You can transfer your entry in one Cycletta event to a different one the same year as long as you let us know 4 weeks prior to the event you are entered in taking place.
Please see our terms and conditions for full details about withdrawals and refund or any other ruling you may be unsure about.
