This cycle is not designed for Olympic athletes – it is designed for people looking for an amazing goal to train and get fit for. A number of the people who will take part in this challenge will have a low level of fitness when they sign up.

We will be tackling a lot of steep climbs and long cycling days on this challenge, so we strongly recommend you train. Once you sign up, we'll send you a fantastic training plan, which builds up over time and will set you up for success. Remember, the more you train, the more you'll enjoy the real deal!

This adventure in one of the world's most incredible places is the perfect motivation to get fit, while raising vital funds for the heart charity or cardiac ward that means the most to you.

Please don't be! The majority of people will sign up on their own and our Dream Challenges are renowned for the amazing camaraderie and lifelong friendships made as our groups take on these incredible feats together.

Once you've signed up for the challenge, we'll send you a link to a private Facebook group for everyone registered for the Big Heart Bike Ride in Northern Thailand 2023. Please feel free to use this space to swap questions, advice and updates with your fellow cyclists on your training and fundraising.

You may also want to reach out to the other participants in this group to see if there's anyone in your local area you can meet up to train and fundraise with.

Absolutely not! One of the amazing things about the challenge is that people of all ages will come together to do something very special. Everyone who is at least 18 years old by the challenge date is more than welcome to join our bike ride.

If you would like someone under the age of 18 to join you on the challenge please contact us to discuss (01590 646410 or bookings@dream-challenges.com)

There will be around 40 participants in our group for the Big Heart Bike Ride in Northern Thailand 2023. You'll no doubt make loads of awesome new friends!

Your non-refundable registration fee of £349 per person is used to administer the challenge and secure your seats with the airline.

Your challenge costs of £1,750 (ie. 50% of the fundraising target if you choose the sponsorship option) cover:

• Your flights (not including airport taxes and the fuel surcharge, capped at £475).
• Meals throughout the challenge, except for your lunch and dinner on your free day in Chiang Rai on Day 8, and enough drinking water.
• Accommodation*.
• Bike hire.
• All transfers and luggage transportation in Thailand.
• Entry fees where applicable.
• A team of fantastic, outdoor remote first aid trained local guides and Dream Challenges staff.
• Full support from the Dream Challenges office in the lead-up to and during your challenge.
• Medical support, including a UK doctor with expedition medicine training, who will accompany us throughout the challenge.
• Mechanical support.
• Your Big Heart Bike Ride in Northern Thailand 2023 medal.
• Optional extensions if you choose to partake.

*Accommodation is included on a twin-sharing basis. If you would rather pay for a single supplement and have a room to yourself, we can arrange this for you for an additional cost of £270.

In addition to paying your registration fee and either self funding your challenge costs or fundraising the minimum sponsorship target, you will need to budget for:

• Your airport taxes and the fuel surcharge (capped at £475).
• Your personal travel insurance.
• Lunch and dinner on your free day in Chiang Rai on Day 8.
• Gratuities.
• Personal expenses.
• You may also choose to pay £270 for a single supplement and have a room to yourself.

A cycle helmet is essential and must be worn at all times. Cycling shorts are also recommended and everyone will need their own water bottles or a camel back-type hydration system.

Apart from that, no specialist equipment is required. We will supply you with a list of everything you will need to take before you go.

Cyclists will have the use of 18 or 21-gear bikes and we suggest you bring the saddle or gel cover you are used to riding on.

We will stay in a mix of comfortable local hotels and resorts on this challenge.

*Please note, accommodation is included on a twin-sharing basis. If you would rather pay for a single supplement and have a room to yourself, we can arrange this for you for an additional cost of £270.

Please email us at events@dream-challenges.com if you would like to do this at least fourteen weeks before the challenge starts.

Yes of course! We're delighted to offer you the opportunity to extend your stay and either explore the stunning paradise islands in southern Thailand or take part in a fantastic sightseeing expedition in Northern Thailand. 

We will send all participants the full details of these optional extensions, including prices, closer to the challenge date.

Please get in touch and let us know if you’d like to take part at least 17 weeks before the challenge by emailing us at bookings@dream-challenges.com.

You are also welcome to extend your stay even if you're not interested in the optional extensions. Please just get in touch at least 17 weeks before the challenge and we can arrange this for you. 

Travel Insurance
You will need to take out your own personal travel insurance covering health, accident, loss, and repatriation. We advise that you arrange personal travel insurance as soon as you can after you register to ensure you have coverage for your booking as well as the challenge itself.

Dream Challenges has an example of a policy that provides appropriate cover for this type of activity and also covers you for cancellation due to medically diagnosed COVID-19. We will send you the details once you have registered.

Please ask the insurer about the nature of the cover. It is your responsibility to ensure you have adequate coverage for your challenge.

You can, however, take out your own insurance, providing it covers you for a charity cycle in Thailand.

Visas

It is your responsibility to obtain a visa for Borneo if you need one. Ensure that you apply and obtain your visa in plenty of time. Further information can be found here: https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/thailand

The Dream Challenges team are here to help you achieve your cycling challenge for charity and we will support you all the way. We are on hand from the minute you sign up to answer any questions that you may have about your training or the challenge itself.

Once you have registered, we will send you regular email updates with everything you need to know about your challenge, including the itinerary, an example insurance policy, the structure of an average cycling day, a full kit list, and a realistic training plan to help you get fit for the challenge. The training programme builds up gradually as the event gets closer.

We'll also send you important details and seasonal fundraising ideas. During the cycle, we'll have a UK doctor with expedition medicine training accompanying the group at all times, along with a team of outdoor remote first-aid trained challenge guides.

We’ll have an event leader, plus a UK doctor with expedition medicine training, who will be with you the whole time. We'll also have a team of outdoor remote first aid trained challenge guides.

As we're not medically trained, we're afraid we can't offer you advice on this. We recommend you contact your GP or your local travel clinic, who will have the latest travel health advice.

We also recommend you visit the NHS Fit for Travel website here, to keep up to date with current travel health news and advice on staying healthy abroad.

NHS Fit for Travel website: https://www.fitfortravel.nhs.uk/home