Charity Bike Ride

The Yearly Challenge - How it all  started

SACA, a 100% volunteer charity organisation is the main organiser of the  event - that over the years have ensured the need for safety and improvements  are met. In 1989 a group of 14 aspiring youths decided to establish a challenge that  could help both local and national children's charities. They considered a  number of sporting events that would test both their determination  and personal fitness. They also considered the key element of working as a  team and supporting each other. The challenge would require endurance, fitness  and careful planning. They set the standard for what has now become a yearly summer event lasting 2  days. The Birmingham to London  cycle ride now attracts riders from all over the country and international  riders each year and involves months of planning and adherence to safety  management disciplines.

Raising money for children’s charity

Every year a children's charity is selected as the ride's beneficiary. Over the last 19 years the ride has raised in excess of £195,000 in aid of different children’s charity groups. Previous beneficiaries include Barnado's, NSPCC, Capital FM's 'Help a London Child Appeal', Ealing Hospitals 'Playground in the Sky Appeal', Contact a Family, dEBra, Down Syndrome Research Foundation, Scope, Whizz Kidz and Children with Leukeamia. This year we are raising money for Richard House, providing dedicated support for life-limited and life-threatened children and young people.

They set the standard for what has now become a yearly summer event lasting 2 days. The Birmingham to London cycle ride now attracts riders from all over the country and international riders each year and involves months of planning and adherence to safety management disciplines. 

The ride starts from Birmingham (Smethwick). It then proceeds through Coventry, Daventry and then through Bedfordshire before reaching a centennial milestone in Luton. After an overnight stay, the ride continues in the morning and passes through St Albans, Radlett, Elstree, Harrow and then reaches it final destination in London (Southall). All the riders are escorted into the town centre surrounded by a sense of appreciation from the local community and support services. 

The popularity of the ride has grown each year with the organisers grateful for the continuing support from local and national corporate sponsors. The list below shows the range of organisations who helped in sponsorship, logistical support and rider sponsorship competition awards each year.

FORD, HALFORDS, CINEWORLD CINEMA, CYCLE TRAINING UK, COMMLINKS, iXPRINT.com, RAF, MET POLICE, NATWEST BANK, KNOWLEDEGE HEMISPHERES, NEWTON IT, ROYAL MAIL, MBS GRANITES and TILES, GILL CHEMISTS, MONARCH COMMERCIAL.

The ride continues to be featured each year by media partners including, RTV Television Network, Zee TV, Cineworld cinemas, Capital Radio 95.8FM, BRMB Radio96.4FM, and Local Radio stations and newspapers throughout the country.

SACA Charity No: 1099447