UK North Ride
Saturday, 24 June 2023 – ENTRY FOR THIS MID-SUMMER RIDES NOW CLOSED – join our mailing list for details of 2024!
Venture into wild landscapes to ride the best scenic cycling roads in Scotland
Just Ride
Rider Registration Only
Route plan included
2023 STANDARD PRICE
£ 65
(LAST FEW PLACES AVAILABLE)
*plus admin fee
Includes
- Detailed route handbook
- Downloadable GPX/TCX files
- Ride schedule timing guide
- The famous orange ribbon!
- Selected partner discounts
All-In Packages
Hotel Accommodation included
Easy booking + exclusive extras
SOLD OUT
From
£299
(NOW SOLD OUT)
*plus admin fee
Includes everything from Ride Plus and:
- Premium Accommodation
- All meals inc Saturday & Sunday breakfasts
- Bike storage start and finish
- Celebration drink at the finish line
- Pro mechanic bike check
- Ride Nutrition pack
Chase the Sun Jersey / Gilet
Lightweight summer jersey, or windproof outer-layer Gilet? Your RidePlus+ entry package includes your choice of either of these exclusive limited edition ‘Chase the Sun’ essential ride kit items. Bespoke designed in collaboration with our premium kit supplier Stolen Goat. Tailored for long distance rides, in a full range of both mens and womens sizes. View Jerseys / Gilets
Baggage Transfer
Fast-track bag transfer for your (small) rucksack or luggage direct from Start-flag to Finish-line. Drop off your bag at the official BagVan at start-line at sunrise, and it will be waiting for you to collect at the finish-line venue HQ.
Rider’s Meals
Meeting and eating with your fellow riders is part of an enjoyable CTS weekend. RidePlus+ entry package includes a high energy lunch meal on-route at the designated lunch stop. As well as a hearty meal awaiting your arrival at the finish line, where you can relax and celebrate the sunset.
Please note all registrations subject to a cancellation admin fee, view our cancellation policy here
04:27
Sunrise Start
22:05
sunset Finish
3200m
Elevation
200
Miles
The Route
A double-century feat over an epic 200miles leaving from the beachfront at Whitley Bay at the first ray of ocean sunrise aiming to reach the esplanade at Ayr to witness the (hopefully glorious) sunsetting into the sea beside the Isle of Arran. A route full of stunning vistas, wilderness, heaths, rivers, lochs, castles and beaches, a challenge to inspire you when pedalling the longest day.
All-in Packages
Let us do all the organising for you, our Accommodation packages guarantee you hotel rooms, baggage service, food and logistics, choose one below! All-in packages for 2023 – NOW SOLD OUT !
Single Room Packages
Single Full Route
Single Room in Whitley Bay & Ayr
2023 STANDARD PRICE
£425
*plus admin fee
Single Finish Only
Single Room in Ayr
2023 STANDARD PRICE
£299
*plus admin fee
Twin Room Packages (2 riders*)
Twin Full Route
Twin Room in Whitley Bay & Ayr
2023 STANDARD PRICE
£625
*plus admin fee
Twin Finish Only
Twin Room in Ayr
2023 STANDARD PRICE
£489
*plus admin fee
*Please note your room buddy must also complete this additional Rider Registration as the ‘second guest within Twin Room‘
Your All-In Registration packages include (per rider):
Please note all registrations subject to a cancellation admin fee, view our cancellation policy here
Book Return Travel transfers & logistics
to / from start & finish locations, plus bag transfers
We have partnered with European Cycle Events to offer you bike and personal transport services to and from the ride finish locations. A coach and dedicated bike transport trailer will ensure your travel before and after the event day is convenient and effortless.
For more details, and to book these additional services:
Also available (subject to capacity) is bookable baggage transfer for the ride day itself (note that this Bag Transfer is already included within Best Value Rider and All In packages).
Rider Information
In principle, riders should plan to ride un-supported, this is part of the challenge! Carry all the essentials for safety, sustenance, repair and navigation with you.
The route is not signed or way-marked for the event, navigation is key test for a successful Chase the Sun. Detailed route maps, timings and guidance will be issued to riders around a month prior to the event, along with downloadable GPX and TCX route files.
Training & Preparation
Training and Preparation is essential for success so check out our Training & Advice page for tips on planning your ride and our preparation checklist.
Support volunteers
There will be no official ‘broom wagon’ or en-route support during the ride. So although not at all essential, it is permitted for non-riding family and friends to join in the weekends epic adventure. You can drive (not along the route!) to certain mapped locations to meet riders and provide encouragement and supplies if required. Please help all riders where you can, it’s in the spirit of the ride.
Group / Club / Corporate or Charity entries
Entering in a group of 6 or more riders? We may be able to offer discounts and assistance. Email us for more details.
Itinerary
Route Start
Whitley Bay, NE26 1BG
04:27 sunrise at The Spanish City Plaza, Promenade.
Route Finish
Ayr, KA7 1DT
22:05 sunset at Horizon Hotel, Esplanade.
Frequently Asked Questions
We now offer a range of registration options to suit different riders budgets. All focus on providing great value and services. Chase the Sun is a small independent organisation, supported by partners, donations and by your participation as riders. Many volunteers work hard to produce these epic events for your enjoyment and inspiration to ride.
Click here to see our range of Registration Options including our ‘All-In accommodation packages’ where we organise everything for you! Check them out!
The finish is 200+ miles from the start, The Horizon Hotel, (with a restaurant & bar), Esplanade, Ayr KA9 1DT.
Riders must SIGN-IN to register they have finished either before or after sunset, again by SMS text with evidence of the finish code provided on the day.
Yes, once you have registered to ride you will then in future be emailed a link (closer to the date of the ride) to be able to access all the finalised downloadable content for the ride. This is usually released in the late spring.
That’s entirely up to you. Good advice is to make sure that between 2 or 3 weeks before you have ridden at least 2/3rds of the total distance, (130 miles). The adrenaline on the day should help you ride the rest of the way. There is further advice about training here:
The honest answer is it is a bit hilly, yes. It’s nothing too dramatic, (but the scenery is). Remember, what goes up, then comes down again!
There is only one ‘official’ stop, that’s at the half way point, riders must again SIGN-IN by SMS using the lunch stop code provided at the Buccleuch Centre Cafe, Langholm, (DG13 0AW).
This is the official Lunch stop, where you will also be able to make use of the cafe to grab some lunch as the friendly team open up the kitchen with a special quick grab & eat menu for riders on the day.
No. This is a ‘do it yourself’ ride. The popular approach is to feed and water yourself as you go. We do have a bunch of great bike shops that will help you along the way, some of them with cakes and coffee, most will provide you with technical support too. There are plenty of general shops marked on the route, too.
You can arrange your own support from friends or family, (if you want/need it). If you are looking for collaboration with other riders, use the Facebook page to speak to other riders and arrange it between yourselves. Trust us, this works—it has done for over 10 years!
Important: Please note that for all riders safety, any support vehicles must not drive along the route, use alternative roads to reach mapped checkpoints.
We require riders to come adequately and safely prepared for undertaking the event. It is dark in the lead up to the start, lights are recommended for the early daybreak hours. Hopefully, you may not need them at the end as you hope to be arriving before sunset, however, it’s always best to carry a set just in case! Don’t forget that you are responsible for your own safety and welfare—we can just advise.
Again, that’s up to you. Some riders will ride home, (seriously)! A few riders may head straight home from the finish. Most riders have booked a hotel for the night in Ayr and then go home the following day.
Depending on demand, our logistics partner will be offering a return transfer minibus/coach service for riders and bikes from Ayr back to Whitley Bay. This will run on Sunday morning. Refer toour travel partners page.
Yes – Long term Parking at Whitely Bay is available, subject to capacity, please ask at the event HQ on Friday evening for details. It will cover you from Friday evening to Sunday lunchtime, (and the return of the minibus transfer – see above).
It’s a ride, not a race. So no one knows, and we don’t care. It’s not about speed, its about experience. Those riders and groups who only ‘just’ make it in time to see the sunset are the days winners, who have the best memories to celebrate.
Everyone gets a record. If you get there before sunset, you will get your name on the list of achievers on the website. If you get there after sunset, you will get your name of the finishers list. If you didn’t finish this time, you will get your endeavours recognised for valiant attempts. It’s about challenge, achievement and a sense of camaraderie, it’s not about racing.
Chase the Sun was originally an idea ridden by Olly Moore back in 2008. Olly still directs and organises the CTS events, helped by Phil Webb. Our ride location teams on the ground include reps and several dedicated volunteers. We are indebted to Simon Steggles, Adam Cartwright, Richard Cartwright, and Ian Slack for all their enthusiasm and efforts over the years. All love cycling. All are inspired to help others Chase The Sun. Thankyou.
If you would like to volunteer to help with a Chase The Sun event or service, then please do get in touch by email at chasethesun.org@gmail.com
Yes and we encourage all those interested in the ride to like and share to help spread the word about CTS.
Facebook
Twitter
Instagram
Please hashtag #ChaseTheSunCycle in all posts.
The more posts, Tweets, Images we get out there, the more people can find out about the ride, which means that even more people will get an opportunity to train, enjoy and achieve the Chase the Sun feeling.
Need to amend your 2023 registration?
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Donations
This event is supported by our riders participation. We also appeal for small donations to help us continue to cover event organising and admin costs, to allow the ride to continue to grow and be even better next year.
A proportion of all our funds is dedicated to support our charity partner LifeCycle UK.
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Our Partners
