Ride the night london 2026
Ride the night london 2026
The UK’s biggest women-only midnight cycle
Saturday 9 May 2026
Saturday 9 May 2026
Every May, thousands of women light up London’s streets for one unforgettable night in support of Breast Cancer Now and Ovarian Cancer Action.
Ride the Night is a celebration of strength, solidarity and life itself — a fully supported night-time cycle beginning at Royal Windsor Racecourse and finishing either in central London (50 km) or back in Windsor (100 km).
Since its first event, this incredible community has raised more than £22 million for life-saving research and care.
A night to remember
From 5 pm on Saturday 9 May 2026, Windsor Racecourse comes alive with colour, music and celebration.
Carnival performers, lights, food stalls and bike decorations create an atmosphere unlike any other cycling event.
Riders meet, prepare and celebrate together before setting off in staggered waves from 10 pm to begin their journey through the night.
Two routes – one community
50 km Route – Windsor to Central London
Depart from Windsor and cycle through Richmond Park, along the Thames, and into central London.
Pass Parliament Square and cross Westminster Bridge before finishing your night in the heart of the capital.
Coach transport is available from central London back to Windsor after you finish.
100 km Route – Windsor loop via London and return
Continue over Tower Bridge, past the London Eye, through Kensington, by the Royal Albert Hall, and back to Windsor to complete your challenge.
Both routes are fully signed, marshalled and supported throughout the night.
Your support on the night
You’re never far from one of our Ride Angels — experienced riders who cycle alongside participants offering encouragement, motivation and practical help.
Feed stations provide snacks and drinks.
Medics and mechanics are positioned along the route to assist with anything from a flat tyre to a moment when you just need a boost.
Every mile is supported, and every rider is cared for.
Feed stations provide snacks and drinks.
Medics and mechanics are positioned along the route to assist with anything from a flat tyre to a moment when you just need a boost.
Every mile is supported, and every rider is cared for.
Stay at Windsor
Participants can pitch a tent for free at the Windsor Racecourse campsite on Saturday night.
It’s ideal if you’re travelling from further away or want somewhere to rest before or after the event.
Toilets are provided on-site, along with secure bike areas.
It’s ideal if you’re travelling from further away or want somewhere to rest before or after the event.
Toilets are provided on-site, along with secure bike areas.
What’s included
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Entry to Ride the Night London 2026 – £59 including everything
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Festival-style start with music and entertainment
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Fully signed and marshalled 50 km or 100 km route
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Feed stations with snacks and drinks
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Medical and mechanical support throughout
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High-vis Ride the Night vest
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Finisher’s medal and professional photography
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GPS tracking so supporters can follow your progress
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Optional coach transfer from London to Windsor after the 50 km route
Who can take part
Ride the Night is open to women aged 16 and over.
You don’t need to be a regular cyclist — around 60 % of participants are first-timers.
Once registered, you’ll receive training plans, fundraising ideas and access to our online community for advice and encouragement.
You don’t need to be a regular cyclist — around 60 % of participants are first-timers.
Once registered, you’ll receive training plans, fundraising ideas and access to our online community for advice and encouragement.
We recommend aiming to raise around £199 for Breast Cancer Now and Ovarian Cancer Action — a realistic target that most riders exceed once they begin sharing their story.
Your journey
1 – Sign up
Register for £59 as an individual or team. Your entry includes your place, vest, medal and full event support.
Register for £59 as an individual or team. Your entry includes your place, vest, medal and full event support.
2 – Prepare
Follow the training plan, decorate your bike and join our community of riders online.
Follow the training plan, decorate your bike and join our community of riders online.
3 – Ride and celebrate
Arrive in Windsor from 5 pm to enjoy the atmosphere, meet other riders and take part in the pre-ride celebration.
Set off in your chosen wave from 10 pm and experience the city in a completely new light.
Arrive in Windsor from 5 pm to enjoy the atmosphere, meet other riders and take part in the pre-ride celebration.
Set off in your chosen wave from 10 pm and experience the city in a completely new light.
Frequently asked questions
You need to bring your own bike and a cycling helmet is essential. Any safe, roadworthy bike is fine — we’ve seen everything from brand-new road bikes to vintage models over 60 years old. If it’s safe and you’re comfortable on it, it works for us.
Both the 50 km and 100 km routes are all on road – therefore we recommend using a road or hybrid bike. If you plan to use a mountain bike we would advise fitting road tyres for the challenge.
You are also more than welcome to use an electric bike or a hand bike. If you are using a hand bike, you must let us know before the event takes place. We recommend that your bike is serviced before the challenge to minimise the chance of any mechanical problems. The event mechanics may not be able to assist with problems specific to electric or hand bikes.
It is also essential that you have front and rear lights fitted on your bike. Please bring spare batteries too. We provide bike mechanics but do ask that you bring a spare inner tube that is specific to your bike, should you get a puncture on the challenge.
Ride Angels are on hand throughout the night to help with any issues.
Why it matters
Ride the Night has raised over £22 million for research, early diagnosis and care through Breast Cancer Now and Ovarian Cancer Action.
Every rider helps to fund progress and support women across the UK.
This event is more than a challenge — it’s a night of hope, remembrance and community that changes lives long after the finish line.
Every rider helps to fund progress and support women across the UK.
This event is more than a challenge — it’s a night of hope, remembrance and community that changes lives long after the finish line.
Then we continue with ‘The Journey Ahead’ – can we also replace the animations with images?
