What Is Involved

Please see below a very easy 5 step process of how to take part in the Cycle-A-Thon.


You have 12 weeks to complete the Cycle-A-Thon and have a choice of cycling 29, 54, 140, 213 or 874 miles (based on the distances of famous events). The great thing about the challenge is you can complete your chosen mileage on your own push bike outside, as part of your gym routine on an exercise bike as part of your spinning class, or if you are spinal cord injured on a hand cycle or FES cycle.

You can also choose to take part as an individual or as part of a corporate, family or friends team. Imagine being able to tell your friends you have cycled the same distance as London to Paris, 213 miles, for example. They are bound to be impressed and will want to sponsor you, we have lots of fundraising tips to help you.

Step One: Decide Which Level You Want To Take On
Level 1: 29 Miles (equivalent mileage to London to Windsor).
Level 2: 54 Miles (equivalent mileage to London to Brighton cycle challenge).
Level 3: 140 Miles (equivalent mileage to Coast to Coast cycle challenge).
Level 4: 213 Miles (equivalent mileage to London to Paris cycle challenge).
Level 5: 874 Miles (equivalent mileage to Lands End to John O’Groats cycle challenge).

Step Two: Choose Your Bike
• Use your own road bike outside
• Use exercise bikes at your local gym
• As part of your spinning classes
• Use your own hand cycle
• Use your own FES cycle (Functional Electrical Stimulation) cycle

Step Three: Measure The Number of Miles You Cycle
There are a range of ways you can measure the number of miles you have cycled for each of your cycling sessions, please see below:

Average Cycling Speed:
The average cyclist cycles around 12 miles an hour, therefore you can simply take an average for each of your cycle sessions. See below average Cycle Distances table.  This table is also available on your Score Card which you will receive in your information pack once you have registered for the challenge.

Please note these figures are based on an average cyclist, cycling 12mph. If you would like a more accurate recording of the number of miles you have cycled, you can purchase a cycle computer from a range of cycle stores. Most gym exercise bikes also now have a computer display to measure the number of miles you have cycled for each of your cycle sessions.

Use a Cycle Computer:
For a more accurate way to measure the number of miles you have cycled you can purchase a Cycle computer. These can simply be clipped onto the spokes of your bike to measure the exact number of miles you have cycled. Cycle computers can be purchased from a wide range of cycle stores.

Cycle Display:
Most exercise bikes at gyms, in spinning classes, hand cycles and FES cycles now have a computer display attached to them to calculate the number of miles you have cycled, after each of your cycling sessions.

Step Four: Complete Your Score Card
Each time you complete a cycling session write down on your Score Card (enclosed inside this pack) the date of your session, how many miles you have cycled, then add up the total number of miles as you go along.

Step Five: Send In Your Sponsorship Card and Sponsorship Money
Once you have completed your chosen level of miles within 12 weeks, well done and congratulations! Please send your completed score card and sponsorship money to:
SIA Cycle-A-Thon, SIA House, 2 Trueman Place, Oldbrook, Milton Keynes, MK6 2HH. Include any sponsorship money you have raised by sending in a cheque made payable to ‘Spinal Injuries Association’. Any money you have raised on your Just Giving page is automatically downloaded to the charity once a week. Once you have sent in your completed score card and sponsorship money you will be sent an SIA certificate as a memento of your challenge. There will be a prize for the fundraiser who raises the most amount of sponsorship money.