A sponsored bike ride can be a great way to raise money for any charity or cause, and Re~Cycle are no exception. For example Transport For London completed an impressive ride from London to Canterbury, raising a massive £15,170.13. Your target may be a bit more modest than this, but it's still a fantastic way of raising money and awareness for your charity of choice.

We aim to give you a guide on how to go about organising and completing a sponsored ride.

• Before you do anything: Choose your charity!
  • Obviously, we'd love it if you completed a sponsored ride in aid of Re~Cycle, however it's down to you to decide on a charity close to your heart which you deem deserving. If you're unsure, do some research into what they do or even visit them to get a better understanding of how the money they raise could help.

• 1. Pick your route
  • Choose something realistic. While it's great to aim high, keep it within your cycling ability and make sure you'll be able to complete it. If you're an advanced cyclist or feel like you'll be able to put in the required training and preparation then you might want to try a trip across Africa, a long ride around Britain or the classic Lands End to John O' Groats. At the same time, a route around your local town, city or region is just as much of a challenge and an achievement.

• 2. Plan your bike and kit
  • What sort of bike
    • The type of bike you should use depends on a whole range of factors such as comfort, efficiency, what you'll be using it for and most importantly for most people: cost. This chart should give you a basic idea of the types of bikes available and what they're like.
      

      

  • Kit
    • Kitting yourself out for your ride is a big step in preparation. Obviously the kit will vary greatly depending on what ride you're planning, but you can use the following as a guide:
      • Luggage - How much will you be taking? You may want to consider panniers, a saddlebag or just a simple lightweight rucksack.
      • Tools - There is one simple answer to this: A Multitool. They have almost everything from spanners to a chain tool.
      • Pump - A lightweight portable pump such as this should serve you well on the road, while at home you may want something a bit more substantial such as this. Remember to check the pressure ratings on your tyres before inflating though.
      • Pedals - If you're doing a long ride then SPD (clip-in) pedals are essential. They make you much more efficient and despite looking a bit scary, are fairly easy to get the hang of.
      • Saddle - A comfortable saddle that suits you is probably the most important part of the bike, after all you're spending most of your time there. You have two options: synthetic or leather. Each have advantages and disadvantages, so rather than try and explain it all here we recommend you see what the late, great, Sheldon Brown has to say about them.
      • Tyres - Which tyre you use depends very much on what terrain you'll be covering and what bike you're using. Again, this is a fairly complex subject but a necessary one if you're planning a big ride, so Sheldon is the man to go to.
      • Pack light but bring the essentials - clothing can be kept to a minimum, but things like mobile phones and waterproofs are essential.

• 3. Training
  • The amount of training required will differ for everyone – nonetheless, whether preparing for a trans-continental epic or just a few days leisurely touring, we've made a guide that should give you an idea of where to start HERE.

• 4. Sponsorship & Publicity
  • An easy option for collecting donations is to set up an online donation page such as Justgiving or Virgin Giving. They collect your money through online donations, reclaim Gift Aid and allow you to upload photos and some info on what you're doing. We've got more information on this HERE.
  • After you've got the donation form set up and know what you're planning on doing, start harassing everyone you know, everyone they know, and get them to do the same. Get everyone talking about your big trip through word of mouth, Facebook, Twitter, and local newspapers. We may even be able to feature your ride on our website so get in touch!

• 5. Safety
  • Riding can be dangerous, but don't let this scare you off. Just make sure you're prepared and assertive. Here's some tips to help you stay safe:
    • Listen - be aware of what's going on around you.
    • Signals – Make drivers aware of your intentions, giving plenty of warning and in a safe manner.
    • Assertive positioning - Make sure drivers can see you and know what your intentions are. Remember things like blind spots.
    • Anticipation - Like driving a car, try and anticipate what others are doing to do, and make sure they're able to do the same
    • Riding in a group - this can be safer as you're a bigger presence on the road and are less likely to be missed. Look out for each other.
    • Road furniture and potholes: Look out for these and plan ahead to avoid them. If you swerve at the last minute it doesn't give other road users a chance to react.
    • Helmet - A strong, lightweight helmet is essential when cycling. It might not look terribly cool but if you fall off and hit your head it may well say your life.
    • High-Viz - High Visability jackets, reflector strips and lights are all key to being seen too. Invest in some of these.
    • Medical - We've got a good guide to diagnosing and treating roadside injuries HERE.