UK North
Chase the Sun UK North is a Do-it-Yourself cycling event. This is what makes it unique. No rules, route-signs, medals. Just ride your bike!
Use the info on this page to organise yourselves. We are here for advice, but – it is the other riders you will meet on the day that will create the memories for you to remember your Chase the Sun experience by!
All you need to do is Register to ride or support and organise your own travel and accommodation.
04:27
Start
22:05
Finish
3200m
Elevation
200
Miles
The Route
4:27 Start
Tynemouth
22:05 Finish
Prestwick
A double-century feat over an epic 200miles leaving from the beachfront at Tynemouth at the first ray of ocean sunrise aiming to reach the esplanade at Prestwick 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.
Ready to ride?
You will need to include:
Only this will confirm your place on this year’s ride!
This step is essential, even if you are already on the mailing list.
Riders
In principle, riders should plan to ride un-supported, this is part of the challenge! Carry all the essentials for safety, sustinenance, repair and navigation with you.
However, several groups will often have a support driver with vehicles to follow along the route, so other riders can agree to deposit small baggage and spare supplies.
Check out our Advice page for tips on planning your ride and our preparation checklist.
Itinerary
Accommodation
You need to book this yourself or we offer Packages to make the experience a whole lot easier!
Frequently Asked Questions
It costs nothing. Zip. Nada. Nowt. Zero. Its entirely funded by a few sponsors and a heck of a lot of hard work from a volunteer team of cycling enthusiasts.
The finish is 200+ miles from the start, The Parkstone Hotel, Central Esplanade, Prestwick KA9 1QN.
Yes, once you have registered to ride you will be able to access all the downloadable content for the ride.
That’s entirely up to you. Good advice is to make sure that between 1 and 3 weeks before you have ridden at least ¾ of the total distance, (150 miles). The adrenalin 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 to dramatic.
No. This is a ‘do it yourself’ ride. You have to arrange your support, (if you want/need it). The alternative is that you feed and water yourself as you go. We do have a bunch of great bike shops that will help you as you go, some of them will give you free cakes and coffee, most will provide you with technical support for free too. There are plenty of shops on the route, too.
If you are desperate to have some support, use the Facebook page to speak to other riders and arrange it between yourselves. Trust us, it works—it has done for over 10 years!
We recommend lights, but that’s up to you. Hopefully, you won’t need them as you will be in Prestwick 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)! Some riders will go straight home from the finish. Most riders crash in a hotel for the night and then go home the following day.
Yes! We can send you details.
Check the accommodation section of the website for options.
It’s a ride, not a race. We don’t know and we don’t care. 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 after sunset list. If you didn’t finish, you will get your name put on the DNF list. It’s about an achievement and a sense of camaraderie, it’s not about racing.
Chase the Sun was originally an idea by Olly Moore. Olly is still the boss of the event, helped by Phil Webb, Adam Cartwright, Richard Cartwright, Ian Slack and Simon Steggles. All love cycling. All love Chase The Sun. All do this for free.
Ready to Support?
Please can all support drivers register their details well in advance of the ride, to help organisers on the day, thank you!
Support Team
There will be no ‘official’ broom wagon or support for this ride. Although not essential, it is encouraged that participants / groups organise their own support vehicle and designate a driver, to carry kit / food / spares from the start to finish. If you are able to do this, we would appreciate if you could also offer to carry small items for other riders who do not have a support car – this is in the spirit of the ride – thankyou for your help!
Supplies will be loaded prior to sunrise at the start of the ride, the support vehicles will be accessible at the finish, and possibly also at the lunch-stop, depending on timings.
There may also be opportunities to meet your support vehicles at designated refuel and rest stops, which are situated near local pubs and shops for rider’s convienience (see detailed maps).
Support drivers are a great help to the CTS event organisers – if you have an ‘interested other’ who would like to help with your ride support rather than cycle, you will be very welcome! please email CTS in advance, to find out how you can help. It is your help that can make this ride happen!
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