Cross England Cycle Challenge
Each year, we invite a group of our supporters to join us on the adventure of a lifetime to raise vital funds for The Message Trust. After raising over £1 million through our last five international challenges, we’re excited to bring the action closer to home with our very first UK-based event – an epic 200 mile cycle across England in just two days. And you’re invited to join us!
Starting on the west coast in Blackpool, the challenge will head towards The Message Trust’s headquarters in Wythenshawe for a special lunch stop – giving you the chance to see first-hand some of the vital work your fundraising helps to support.
We’ll then head towards the Peak District where we’ll spend the night taking in some of the toughest and most scenic roads the UK has to offer. On the final day, we’ll complete our coast-to-coast journey, finishing triumphantly in Grimsby on the east coastline. After a night of well-earned celebration, riders can either travel directly home or we will arrange for you to be returned back to your vehicle.
Places on the team, led by Sam Ward, UK CEO of The Message Trust, are strictly limited and allocated on a first-come, first-served basis.
Would you like to take on the challenge and join us?
Trip details
TRIP DATES: Friday 25 September 2026, 7pm – Monday 28 September 2026, 11am
CYCLING DURATION: Saturday 26 September and Sunday 27 September 2026
START: Blackpool
FINISH: Grimsby
LENGTH: 200 Miles
INCLINE: 8,900FT
TOTAL FUNDRAISING TARGET: £50,000
DAY 1: BLACKPOOL TO CASTLETON: 99 MILES; 4,700ft elevation
DAY 2: CASTLETON to GRIMSBY: 101 MILES; 4,200ft elevation
TRIP COSTS: £395
FITNESS LEVEL: Moderate
Register your interest
FAQs
Why are The Message cycling across England?
The Message Trust is a worldwide movement passionately sharing the love of Jesus in
words and actions with the hardest-to-reach people and communities.
Through this cycle challenge, we’d love to raise £50,000 to go towards:
• Setting up a new Eden team in one of the toughest places in Britain
• Opening the doors to work in a new prison
• Launching a new Community Grocery that will keep up to 2,000 families fed
• Enabling us to fund a mission week in multiple schools across a UK town
What is the personal fundraising target?
To be part of this challenge, the personal fundraising target is £1,000.
If you raise over £5,000 plus Gift Aid, we give you the option of covering your
trips costs in full.
How much does the trip cost?
The trip costs £395 which includes nights’ accommodation, meals, support team, kit and all transport to and from Message HQ, Manchester.
What equipment do I need to bring?
Please bring a road bike, helmet and safety gear, on-ride nutrition and spare bike parts e.g. inner tubes.
What fitness level is needed?
Despite being our hardest challenge yet, with enough training, anyone with a reasonable level of fitness and cycling experience will be able to complete the challenge.
Find out more
If you have any questions, you can contact Sam Hawthorne at [email protected] or call 0161 946 2300.