Adventure on 2 wheels
cycle challenges
We are Action Challenge
Since 1999 we’ve organised inspirational challenge events & adventures in the UK and Worldwide. We run the successful Ultra Challenge Series here in the UK, and take over 1,000 people around the world on longer challenges every year. Our Group Challenges offer a fun, social and safe way to take on a new adventure. Join on your own, or with some friends, and take on a challenge with a group of like-minded adventurers. You’ll have full support from our UK group leaders and local crew, plus a handy challenge app with all the info you need.
Saddle Up for your next Challenge!
Whether you’re a seasoned cyclist looking for your next big challenge, or a casual two-wheeler who wants to see more of the world, we have a range of great cycling challenges in some stunning locations. We include full support on all cycling challenges, from experienced UK group leaders, medics, and energetic local crew & guides on hand to support you at every stage.
Our packages include all flights, transfers, accommodation, meals, bikes, mechanical cover, and support vehicles. Just get your bag packed and arrive ready for adventure. Lycra optional!
Check out our range of cycle challenges below.
The Group Experience
We’ve been delivering 2 wheel challenges for over 20 years, across UK, Europe and all corners of the globe. It’s the best way of experiencing the variety a country has to offer – with the group camaraderie, support & hospitality making it an unforgettable adventure.
Join a Group on your own, or with a few friends, and then head out with a bunch of up to 30 like-minded adventurers to explore some amazing scenery and culture up close. Our Groups cater for all paces, ages & experience levels – so as long as you’re up for a challenge – join us!
- Fully supported group experience
- UK Cycle Leader & Medic
- Bike hire included
- Challenge App
- Flights, transfers & hotels
- All meals included
- Optional e-Bike rental
Find your next adventure...
CYCLE SRI LANKA
- NEW
- Moderate
- 475 km
- 9 Day Itinerary
- Hotels
Cross this tropical island in the saddle, from the beautiful west coast, over the Central Highlands to Kandy, and on to the historic port of Trincomalee. A glorious finish on the shores on the Indian Ocean awaits! A challenging ride & not for the faint hearted!
Itinerary
We will depart London on an overnight flight to Colombo.
Meals: D (On Flight) Accom: Flight
Upon arrival in Colombo, we will be met by our guides and driven by private bus to our hotel on Sri Lanka’s West Coast overlooking the Indian Ocean. Here, we will check in and we have a little time for relaxation after our long flight, before a bike fitting and briefing with our guides on the challenge ahead. This will be followed by a great Sri Lankan welcome dinner before we get some rest.
Meals: B,L,D Accom: Hotel
For the first day of our Sri Lankan adventure, we start our challenge in the cooler air of the early morning. Following breakfast at the hotel, the first 35 km will be a gentle warm-up as we take the coastal roads south along the old Portuguese waterways. We will then head inland and tackle two short and steep roads which should shake the jetlag out of us! These are the foothills of the mountainous central highlands that we will be cycling through over the next three days. Once out of the hills at Ruwanwella, we will stop for lunch
and enjoy the scenery. Our cycle will re-commence in the afternoon with a final 30km of gentle uphill pedalling to our accommodation on the banks of the Kelani River, where a cold beer is waiting for
us. This was the site for the filming of David Lean’s masterpiece “Bridge on the River Kwai”. For our meal tonight we have a great buffet of local delicacies.
Distance Cycled- 76km
Meals: B,L,D Accom: Hotel
This is one of our toughest days as we make our way into the heart of the central highlands. After breakfast, we will transfer to Kotagala 30 minutes to avoid the main roads and start our day’s challenge at Kotalgala. We will then start by cycling through the Thalawakelle Tea Estate, where we stop for a cup of the finest Ceylon Tea, overlooking the magnificent Devon waterfall. From here our route heads up through Watagoda on incredible estate roads cut into the escarpment, on 18km of the toughest section of our Sri Lankan challenge. Nothing quite prepares you for this and many of us may end up walking to the top. A challenging day, yet extremely rewarding! Upon reaching the top, we will stop for lunch and a rest before continuing with our adventure into the afternoon. The day finishes with a relaxing downhill to our comfortable hotel in Nuwara Eliya. Here, we will enjoy a group dinner before getting some much-needed rest.
Distance Cycled- 78km
Meals: B,L,D Accom: Hotel
Today will be an exciting although long day in the saddle. Following breakfast, we will leave Nuwara Eliyaand and embark on a 50+km
downhill that will take us down through more beautiful tea estate countryside. The views will be extremely picturesque. As we get to Delpitiya, we will continue with our ride on quiet roads for the next 50km with the most spectacular landscape. We will stop for lunch near the village of Pupuressa with its wonderful waterfalls, and in the afternoon we make our way through Gallaha and into Kandy, located in the Central Province of Sri Lanka. A religious city rich in history and stunning architecture. We will enter alongside its beautiful University and continue through the bustling mayhem of the roads to our lovely hotel. As evening approaches, we will leave our bikes at the central hotel, and venture out to explore the delights of this colourful city. The evening will conclude with a group meal before returning to our hotel.
Distance Cycled- 110km
Meals: B,L,D Accom: Hotel
After a great breakfast, we will have a long day cycle ride once again, directly from our hotel through the bustling streets of Kandy to Wattegama where we return to quiet roads. A major contrast from the bustling city we just left. We will continue by descending from the hill country to the flat “dry zone”, with great views of the Knuckles mountain range to the east. At a suitable point along the route, we will stop for lunch and enjoy the views. We will continue with our adventure into the afternoon, and from Matale the roads are flanked by giant fig trees, that provide welcome shelter from the sun and we stop for lunch at a local spice garden where we can see the abundance of fresh fruit and vegetables that are produced in this region. The last section of our ride today is to the famous Dambulla Cave Temple, from where we are transferred to the hotel
in Habarana to relax by the pool and recover from our long cycling day. We will then enjoy a group dinner before getting some much-needed rest.
Distance Cycled- 124km
Meals: B,L,D Accom: Hotel
This is the final day of our cycling challenge! The ride today will be almost completely flat, and the kilometres will pass quickly. This area is recovering from the effects of more than 20 years of civil war where the Tamil Tigers fought with the government forces for recognition and independence. As we continue, we will pass the Kantale Reservoir, one of the oldest and biggest in Sri Lanka. This is going to be a hot day and there is very little in the way of shade. We will take regular stops along the way, including a rest stop for lunch at around midday. Eventually, the air will get fresher as the sea breeze begins to blow from the coast. This will mark the imminent end of our ride, with an immense feeling of euphoria and pride. As we check in to our hotel, we will have the chance to relax before the celebrations commence. We will enjoy a celebratory meal at the hotel and enjoy a drink or two before getting some well-earned rest.
Distance Cycled- 87km
Meals: B,L,D Accom: Hotel
This morning, after breakfast in the hotel, we will transfer back to Colombo. We should arrive in the afternoon and will be dropped off in the centre of town. The rest of the day will be free to explore at our own pace and visit the main sights of this city. This evening is then left free to decide whether we would prefer to relax or embrace the chance for those who wish to make their way into Colombo to see it by night.
Meals: B,L Accom: Hotel
This morning, we will return to the international airport in Colombo in time for our flight back to the UK.
Meals: B
CYCLE KENYA
- NEW
- Moderate
- 415 km
- 8 Day Itinerary
- Camping & Hotels
Cycle through the world-renowned Maasai Mara, for thrilling rides & once-in-a-lifetime wildlife encounters. It’s a safari on 2 wheels, with cultural immersion & stunning Kenyan scenery. Finish your adventure with a celebratory meal and exceptional Safari experience.
Itinerary
We depart Heathrow on a day flight to Nairobi. We arrive late in the evening so we transfer directly to our comfortable hotel in Nairobi. The following day we transfer you to Narok in the Maasai Mara to prepare bikes and perform a warm-up loop ride.
After breakfast, cycle day two will commence. Our ride today starts early, as although it is a shorter distance, we are mainly on African dirt roads which will be a much tougher challenge to cycle on. We keep our eyes peeled today as there is a good possibility of seeing a great range of safari animals including giraffes, wildebeests, buffalo, elephants, gazelle, zebra, and other foragers and grazers that roam the savannah plains. We will be making our way around part of the Loita Hills in the Siana Conservancy, which is the predominant home to some herds of wildebeests and zebra. It will be strenuous, but worth every minute for the stunning scenery. We will then stop at an appropriate time of the day for lunch and a rest. Our ride will continue into the afternoon until we reach the village of Oloolamuitia. This is extremely close to where we find our tented camp, to end at the southern tip of the Maasai Mara close to the border with Tanzania. Once settled in, we will have a chance to relax before enjoying an evening meal and getting some well-earned sleep.
The day will start with an early breakfast before we set off for another exciting day of cycling. After a small climb this morning, the rest of our ride is mainly downhill as we cross back through this famous Safari section taking in river crossings and cycling along smooth gravel roads. The route incorporates highlights of a Maasai Village, and if we are lucky, we should be able to see hippos in their natural habitat. We will arrive in Talek in time to enjoy lunch, and the opportunity to relax and recover. This afternoon will be kept free to enjoy at your leisure or you may wish to take an optional afternoon safari to experience the incredible animal life of the area. The evening will conclude with a group dinner before getting some much-needed rest. Hopefully, we can expect to fall asleep to the sounds of African wildlife.
Cycle day 4 will commence after another group breakfast. Today, we have a big ride on dirt roads as we cross over two conservancies – The Olara Olek and the Mara North Conservancy to arrive at Mara Rianta. This will hopefully be one of the best days for animal sightings, with everyone keeping their eyes peeled for a glimpse of an elephant. Please be aware that we will have a support team for full protection. The animal sightings we will experience are jaw-dropping, but we don’t want to disrupt them in their natural habitat. At around midday, we will stop to soak up the scenery and enjoy some lunch. Our ride will resume post-lunch until we eventually reach our accommodation for the evening. The evening will conclude with a group dinner before getting some well-earned rest.
Today is the final cycling day of the challenge. Following breakfast, we will set off directly from the hotel on a ride that will take us on a 60km loop. We will immediately cross the Mara River, whose origin starts in the Kenyan Highlands and flows 395km into Lake Victoria. Our big challenge today is the steep 250m climb onto the great Mara North, with its amazing views back down over this incredible Maasai ecosystem. We will then continue cycling through the stunning Oloisukut Conservancy. Along the route, we will stop for a rest and to enjoy some lunch before continuing into the afternoon. As the sun begins to set, we will arrive at our accommodation and have some time to relax before preparing for our celebratory evening. Tonight, we can enjoy the hospitality of the hosts and with a special meal together, appreciate a drink (or two) as we reflect on our incredible achievements. We will then end our evening with some much-needed sleep in this comfortable accommodation.
This will be our final day in beautiful Kenya. For those who are able or who wish to, there will be a pre-sunrise Safari included to hopefully catch a glimpse of the predators on their morning hunt for food. A truly once-in-a-lifetime experience! The group will have some free time to relax and soak up the surroundings. After we check out of the lodge, we will be transferring 5-6 hrs by road back to Nairobi. Upon arrival at the airport, we will check in for our return flight back to the UK. The next morning, we will land back in the UK.
CYCLE VIETNAM 2 CAMBODIA
- Moderate
- 417 km
- 9 Day Itinerary
- Hotels
Cycle from the city of Ho Chi Minh in Southern Vietnam to historic Angkor Wat in Cambodia, off the beaten tracks. Explore the elaborate warren Cu Chi Tunnels, before saddling up for 5 days cycling through rural Vietnam over the border into Cambodia.
Itinerary
We meet our group and Action Challenge staff at the airport in London, before checking in together and boarding our flight to Ho Chi Minh City.
We land in Ho Chi Minh (formally known as Saigon) on day 2 and are transferred by private bus to our hotel in the heart of the city. We will get a chance to settle in before tucking into a welcome dinner with our local guides, who will give us a full briefing on our adventure ahead.
Meals: B,L,D starting day 2 Accom: Hotel
On day 3 we start the cycling. We transfer north of Ho Chi Minh (approximately 1.5 hours) to the historic Cu Chi Tunnels. Here we have a bike fitting before visiting the elaborate warren of underground tunnels constructed by Vietnamese resistance fighters during the war. After lunch we set off on our bikes – our challenge has begun! The route to Tay Ninh unwinds along quiet rural roads through local villages surrounded by a patchwork of paddy fields. We arrive in the bustling market town of Tay Ninh to spend the night.
Day 4 sees us set off for the Moc Bai border crossing, via the striking Caodai Great Temple. Once formalities have been completed we enter Cambodia and catch our first glimpses of rural life here. We pass traditional wooden houses on stilts, framed by a backdrop of vast rice fields before stopping at a school for an afternoon snack. The day comes to a close in the quiet provincial town of Svay Reing.
Distance cycled: 77km and 80km
Meals: B,L,D Accom: Hotel
We begin our cycling straight from our hotel in Svay Rieng. We continue our journey north through paddy fields and ponds filled with water lilly flowers. There are many villages and the children like to say hello along the routes. We cycle mostly on dirt gravel countryside road. We make a water stop at one of the primary school and visit and have packed lunch in a Buddhist temple. As we approach Cambodia’s third largest city we are greeted by the sight of a hotel complete with pool to soothe our weary limbs!
After breakfast on day 6, we leave the city behind us and embark on the longest day of the challenge. Heading into the backwaters of Cambodia, we cycle through tropical countryside until we find ourselves right in the heart of the sleepy backwaters! Our day draws to a close as we finish at a local school before transferring the final busy section into our accommodation in Kampong Thom.
Distance cycled: 90km and 98km
Meals: B,L,D Accom: Hotel
Today is a real highlight of the challenge, cycling into the ancient temple complex of ankor Wat. We avoid some of the poorer roads by transferring two hours to the Ancient Bridge at Kampong Kdei, one of the best examples of the remaining 800 year old bridges in Cambodia. From the bridge we follow the historic highway connecting the provinces of Kampon Thom and Angkor Wat. We begin to cycle off road from Ou village through the remote countryside to Samrong and we stop for lunch at Stung Tracheck restaurant. After lunch we cycle back roads until we arrive in the Angkor archeological park. The road into the World Heritage Site of Angkor Wat is lined with temples and creates a fitting entrance to this unique and spiritual city. After celebrating our arrival in Angkor Wat, we cycle the last few kilometres to Siem Reap where we will spend the night and enjoy a well earned celebratory meal together.
Distance cycled: 82km
Meals: B,L,D Accom: Hotel
We have free time to explore more of the outlying temples of Angkor by Tuk Tuk or souvenir hunting in the markets of Siem Reap. We depart for the airport early evening for an overnight flight back to the UK.
Meals: B
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