CYCLE THAILAND
FAQs
Frequently Asked Questions
Trip Details
Full details & information about what you can expect in the lead up & during the challenge.
Costs & Fundraising
The balance for your trip cost, will be due to us 10 weeks before your departure. You will be sent a reminder & an invoice 12 weeks before, giving you 2 weeks to make the payment.
80% of your fundraising target is due to be with your charity 12 weeks before the challenge, meaning that it either needs to be banked with them, or sat against a Just Giving page. We will then invoice your charity for the remaining cost of your place on the challenge, it is important you make that 80% target otherwise your charity will not pay for your place, and your trip could be cancelled.
The remaining 20% of your balance will be due to be with your charity 4 weeks after your trip ends.
Our base cost is on a twin share room basis, if you are signing up as a couple of two friends – you can tell us when you register onto the challenge, so we ensure that you will be sharing a room.
If you are signing up to the challenge as an individual, we will match you with someone of the same gender and roughly the same age.
You can choose to pay an additional supplement to have your own room (and/or tent) on the challenge.
All of our groups are an average size of approximately 20 participants, but can range between 12 and 30+ people. We welcome individuals, couples and groups of friends on to our challenges, and many who join us literally have a mountain to climb in terms of the scale of the challenge they are taking on. We advocate camaraderie and team bonding, and really believe that this enhances your experience. You are always welcome to check in with us on the current size of any departure you are interested in!
Yes as long as we know in advance of the trip, we can cater for all dietary requirements & requests.
Signing Up to the Challenge
Once you pay your deposit & have signed up to the challenge, you will receive a confirmation email welcoming you into the challenge.
You will also receive instructions on how to download our challenge app which has in it all the information you need to start preparing for your challenge – from kit lists to training guides.
We will keep you updated with regular emails & newsletters in the lead-up to the challenge, as well as information on training days & weekends.
If you need to cancel your challenge, your deposit is non-refundable – therefore we recommend you speak to our team to see what alternative options you may have.
Yes, if for whatever reason you need to push your departure back to a later one or change your trip altogether you can do so for a date change fee of £175, subject to availability.
Currently, we do not have the accounting facility to take instalments, we can only take your payment in full at least 12 weeks before your departure.
Preparation
Yes – in our challenge app, which you can download once you are fully registered onto the challenge we’ve a host of training materials, guides & advice for you to use. We also have training weekends, and days which you can sign up to meet others & test out not just your fitness, but your mental readiness for the challenge and your all important kit!
Closer to the challenge we will set up a Facebook group, so that you can meet online others whom are going to be on your trip. We also have a lively & dynamic Facebook group you can join at any time to meet other fellow challengers – past & present to share and swap training tips, advice & stories.
You will need a specific travel insurance, which covers the duration of your trip, along with full cover for any activities you will be doing (i.e. cycling). Once you are signed up to the challenge, we will send you full details of our recommended providers of appropriate cover.
Life on the Challenge
- International flights (for flights inc packages)
- Bike hire (e-bikes available for additional supplement)
- Action Challenge UK Cycle Leader + Medic
- Full support team
- UK medic
- All accommodation
- All meals, except in free time
- All transfers in local vehicles
- Celebration dinner
- Fitness and training guide
- Action Challenge App with all documentation
- Pre-trip briefing by Action Challenge staff
- Insurance
- Vaccinations – up to date on boosters
- Tips for local staff
- Airline fuel surcharge
- Alcoholic drinks
- Personal kit/equipment
On cycling days, we will wake up between 06:30-07:00, starting with breakfast before preparing for the day ahead. There will be regular short breaks to rest and refuel on snacks and water, with a longer stop for lunch. In the evening, we enjoy a meal at the hotel or campsite, before retiring to bed to prepare for the next day of cycling. Every evening, the Action Challenge Leader will give a briefing about the following day, with information such as appropriate clothing, the topography and any ‘hot spots’ to look out for.
The terrain on the Thailand Cycle challenge is varied but generally moderate and scenic, designed for adventurous riders who enjoy mixed surfaces. Here’s what to expect:
- Backroads & Rural Trails: Most of the route follows quiet country roads, gravel paths, and dirt tracks through rice paddies, sugarcane fields, and small villages.
- Flat to Rolling Hills: Elevation gain is relatively low compared to mountainous regions — the highest daily gain is about 360 m, so climbs are gentle and manageable.
- Surface Mix: Expect a combination of smooth tarmac, packed dirt, and occasional loose gravel sections, making it suitable for hybrid or gravel bikes.
- Cultural Stops: Routes pass through UNESCO sites, historic parks, and riverside towns, so there are frequent breaks for sightseeing.
In short: mostly flat with some rolling terrain, rural backroads, and light gravel — perfect for a cultural cycling adventure rather than a hardcore mountain challenge.
We’ll provide an unlimited supply of fully purified and treated water, along with three varied and nutritious meals each day. Breakfast will be served at your accommodation and typically includes eggs, bread, fresh fruit, and local Thai dishes. Lunch will be enjoyed en route, often featuring light, refreshing options to keep you energized. Dinner will be at a prearranged restaurant or hotel and will include a delicious variety of Thai cuisine — expect fragrant rice and noodle dishes, vegetables, and a selection of meat and fish. We recommend bringing some of your favorite snacks for an extra energy boost during the rides. Please ensure all snacks are dry and packaged, such as cereal bars, sweets, nuts, or biscuits. Special dietary requirements can be catered for, provided we receive sufficient advance notice.
Your main luggage is transported via a support vehicle, leaving you with only the absolute essentials during your days cycling.
Temperatures in Thailand are generally warm year-round, with daytime averages typically ranging from 25–35°C in the lowlands. Northern regions, such as Chiang Mai, can be slightly cooler, especially in the mornings and evenings, averaging around 18–24°C. Humidity is high, and short tropical showers are possible, so riders should come prepared for heat and occasional rain. To avoid the hottest part of the day, we set off early each morning for cycling.
Cycle Brochure
The Challenge brochure details the full itinerary, inclusions, and more – download for a full run down of the challenge details.