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Palace to Palace 2022 event image

Palace to Palace 2022

Palace to Palace 2022 event image Palace to Palace 2022 event image Palace to Palace 2022 event image Palace to Palace 2022 event image Palace to Palace 2022 event image Palace to Palace 2022 event image Palace to Palace 2022 event image

Palace to Palace 2022

London

Buckingham Palace, London, SW1A 1AA, United Kingdom

Sun 25th September 2022

Starting at 06:45

Organiser's Description

The power is in your pedals. Ride with us from Buckingham Palace to Windsor Castle on 25th September 2022.
Choose from either the Classic, 45-mile, or Ultra, 90-mile, routes and fundraise to help keep young people on track for a better future.

2022 will be a year like no other! You’ll take in every amazing mile, from Buckingham Palace through to beautiful Richmond Park and the Surrey countryside to riding past Hampton Court Palace and then enjoying fantastic views down the Long Walk, and finally cycling past Windsor Castle to the finish line. Sign up for our special 15th-anniversary ride to make your miles matter.

Whether you’re an experienced rider or taking on your first cycling event, there’s something for everyone. And, by the end of your journey you can celebrate your achievement together with family, friends, and fellow riders at our festival finish.

By taking part and fundraising for Palace to Palace you could be the turning point for a young life.

Races

  • Classic 45 Mile Route

    £45.00

    CLOSED
  • Ultra 90 Mile Route

    £65.00

    CLOSED

Book

  • Classic 45 Mile Route

    £45.00

    CLOSED
  • Ultra 90 Mile Route

    £65.00

    CLOSED

Course Details

We will send you a copy of the route in your race pack.

What's Included

Join our #PalacetoPalace team and you will receive exclusive benefits:

  • A rider pack
  • 15th anniversary event t-shirt (optional)
  • Finisher medal
  • Fundraising and training suppor
  • A gold cycling jersey if you raise over £300

How to Get There

Getting to the start:

The start line for Palace to Palace is on The Mall near Admiralty Arch on Trafalgar Square.

Underground

There are restrictions with taking bikes on the London Underground. Use this Bicycles on the London Underground map for details on which tube lines bicycles are permitted.

The nearest Underground stations that you can take your bike to are Westminster (Circle and District), St James Park (Circle and District), and Embankment (Circle and District). All are a short cycle from the start.

Trains

The closest overground stations to the start are Charing Cross, Waterloo and Victoria. These are all a few minutes cycle from the start.

Trains from Windsor & Eton Central are operated by First Great Western. For trains to Paddington via Ealing you will need to change at Slough. It is likely that there will be strict restrictions in place for carrying bikes across the rail network and you will need a reservation for your bicycle. Please double check your plans in advance and be prepared to make alternative arrangements.

Driving

There is no parking provided at the start, but there are several car parks nearby.

Please note that if you are being dropped off at the start you will not be able to access Horse Guard Road. Instead we recommend using Waterloo Palace, Carlton House Terrace or Marlborough Road.

It is then a short 2 minute cycle to the start. We do encourage the use of public transport over driving where possible.

Coaches

We are working with a coach provider to arrange coach travel between the start and finish, both before and after the event. We will let you know when this has been confirmed and how to purchase tickets.

Getting home:

Trains
Windsor has two train stations – Windsor & Eton Riverside and Windsor & Eton Central. Trains from Windsor & Eton Riverside are operated by South West Trains and run into Waterloo via Staines and Richmond.

Trains from Windsor & Eton Central are operated by First Great Western. For trains to Paddington via Ealing you will need to change at Slough.

It is likely that there will be strict restrictions in place for carrying bikes across the rail network and you will need a reservation for your bicycle. Please double check your plans in advance and be prepared to make alternative arrangements.

Driving
There will be car parking facilities at the End Village so that your friends and family will be able to park close by and cheer you across the finish line.

Parking

There is no parking provided at the start, but there are several car parks nearby.

Please note that if you are being dropped off at the start you will not be able to access Horse Guard Road. Instead we recommend using Waterloo Palace, Carlton House Terrace or Marlborough Road.

It is then a short 2 minute cycle to the start. We do encourage the use of public transport over driving where possible.

There is plenty of parking at the Windsor racecourse and you can either drop your car on the Saturday evening ready for your collection once you are finished on the Sunday, or we will open the car park early on Sunday 25th September if you would like to take advantage of one of our early morning coach transfers from Windsor to the start line.

Please note you are unable to stay with your vehicles or camp at Windsor racecourse overnight.

There is plenty of parking for your friends, family and anyone else who collects you from the finish. Car park access times on both the Saturday and Sunday will be confirmed to you nearer the time via email and in the Ride Guide.

Location

The start line for Palace to Palace is on The Mall near Admiralty Arch on Trafalgar Square.

FAQs

  • Is there a minimum age limit for Palace to Palace?

    All participants must be aged 16 or over on the date of the event. Any participant under 16 at the time of registering must ask their parent or guardian to give their consent and complete a waiver. Please email the Palace to Palace team: [email protected] or call 0207 543 1370 to request a waiver.

  • Will I receive regular emails from The Prince’s Trust?

    Yes – we’ll be in touch regularly with any updates you need to know about, so please make sure you read our emails. We’ll also give you some great tips on training, nutrition, bike maintenance and fundraising. You can also view all of this year’s Palace to Palace emails on our rider resources page.

  • ​When does registration close?

    Thursday 15th September

  • What is Palace to Palace?

    Palace to Palace is a cycle ride from Buckingham Palace to Windsor Castle taking place on Sunday 25th September, in aid of The Prince's Trust. There are two route options, the Classic 45-mile route and the 90-mile Ultra route. Around 3,000 riders will take part. Please be aware that the Ultra is limited to just 400 riders, so don't miss out on this and sign up today! Palace to Palace is open to anybody over the age of 16 who is enthusiastic about cycling and raising money for a great cause. You must be confident to ride on open roads and in traffic and obey the Highway Code at all times. Each rider taking part in the event must commit to fundraising a minimum of £150 per person. All riders must fundraise exclusively for The Prince’s Trust.

  • What happens on the day? How can I find out more?

    We will you send your Palace to Palace departure pack around 2-4 weeks prior to the big day. We will notify you when to expect your pack via email so please do look out for emails from us. The pack will contain your rider t-shirt (if you opted in), your bib and timing chip as well as any merchandise you have ordered. Your full guide will be emailed separately.

  • How are the start times allocated?

    When you register, you will be asked for your estimated finish time. All participants will be set off in waves between between 6:45am and 9:15am. Ultra riders, your start time will be between 6:45am to 7am. You'll be the first to set off. Those riding the Classic 45-mile route will be able to allocated a start time from 7am to 9:15am. Start time slots will be allocated on a first come first served basis. You can set off any point during this 15-minute slot and join the next wave of riders to begin the ride. We stagger the start times so that not too many people set-off at any one time, and riders will be allowed to set off within their allocated slot every few seconds.

  • Do I have to wear a cycle helmet to take part?

    Yes. You must wear a correctly fitting cycle helmet in order to participate. If you are Sikh and wear a turban there’s no legal requirements of wearing a helmet. However, we do strongly recommend for everyone to use them on the day. All rider need their own insurance and if you choose not to wear a helmet for religious reasons you need to be aware the event is on open roads.

  • Do I need to be an experienced rider?

    You need to be confident to ride on open roads and in traffic. All riders are chip timed for control purposes but please note that Palace to Palace is not a race, most people take part to enjoy a fun cycle ride. Many of our participants are not experienced cyclists, but some people who take part are experienced and do choose to try to beat personal best times. We encourage advanced cyclists to take part in the Ultra.

  • Does Palace to Palace take place on closed roads?

    No, apart from the start at The Mall and The Long Walk at the end, the Palace to Palace route is along roads open to traffic and the general public. Therefore, all riders should obey the Highway Code.

  • What sort of bike do I need?

    Road bikes, mountain bikes and handcycles* are suitable for this bike ride, as the route is all on hard surfaces such as roads and paths. If you’re confident, you can also choose to cycle as a duo on a tandem bike. All bikes need to be in a good working order and will be checked at the start line before you set off. You can use an e-bike, however, it must comply with the following: The e-bike must be fitted with pedals that are capable of propelling it, the electric motor must not exceed 250 watts and the electrical assistance must cut out when the e-bike reaches 15.5mph. *If you are using a handcycle we cannot guarantee availability on the National Express coaches to the start line from Windsor Racecourse and from the finish back to London. Please get in touch prior to registering for more details.

  • Can I hire a bike?

    Yes, you can hire a bike from British Bike Hire. Bikes can be collected at the start of the ride and dropped off at the end. Hire booking options are available here: https://netcreaterdb-co-uk.stackstaging.com/Client/bbh/event-bike-hire/palace-to-palace/

  • How early should I arrive?

    Your bib number and timing chip will be posted to you in advance so there is no need to register on the day. Please arrive around 15-minutes before you start time.

  • How long will it take me to complete?

    Palace to Palace is not a race however we will be using chip timers in order to ensure all riders are tracked from start to finish.

  • Are there regular water stops?

    There are three water stops along the Classic 45-mile route and four along the Ultra 90-mile route. These are shown on the route maps; 45mile or 90 mile. We recommend that you check the map before you start to make sure you have enough water to last you between the stops.

  • Are any refreshments provided?

    Refreshments will be available on the course and at the end village. There will be plenty of water provided at the water stops too. In a bid to help reduce the use of plastic we will not be providing plastic water bottles at this year’s event. Instead we encourage all riders to bring your own water bottle to fill up. At the end village there will be concession stands with food and drink available to buy, and we recommend that you bring some of your favourite snacks on route.

  • Are there any toilets on route?

    Yes, we provide toilets at each of the water stops and at the finish. There are also public toilets available at the start in St. James's Park.

  • What happens if my bike breaks down half way round?

    There will be bike mechanics available en route so if you do have any concerns about your bike they will be on hand to check it over. You'll be given an emergency contact number of the day for any serious problems but we do advise that you carry a basic puncture repair kit, as it might take a while for our mechanics to get to you during busy times.

  • Where is the end village?

    The end village will be located at Royal Windsor Racecourse. The address is Maidenhead Road, Windsor, Berkshire, SL4 5JJ.

  • Can my friends and family come and watch me?

    We recommend that they meet you at the finish so they can cheer you on as you cross the finish line and watch you collect your medal. There is a lot happening at our end village this year including fairground attractions, refreshment stalls, demonstrations and free goodies for all participants, so please encourage your friends and family to meet you at the end. There is plenty of parking at Royal Windsor Racecourse, so we do encourage your family and friends to meet you there and enjoy what's on offer at the end village, while you lay back and relax after your ride!

  • How do I use JustGiving for online fundraising?

    The easiest way to fundraise for Palace to Palace is to use a JustGiving page. Once you’ve set up your page you will be able to create a team page and invite people to join. Make your page as interesting as possible by adding photos and videos and letting everyone know why you’re raising money for vulnerable young people through participating in Palace to Palace. Share your page on Facebook & Twitter and email it to your friends and family. More and more donations are being made via social media, so be sure to share a link to your page! Don’t forget, you can also use the JustGiving app on your iPhone or Android to update your page.

The Prince's Trust

By taking part and fundraising for Palace to Palace you could be the turning point for a young life.

The Prince’s Trust believes that every young person should have the chance to succeed, no matter what their background or the challenges they are facing. We help those from disadvantaged communities and those facing the greatest adversity by supporting them to build the confidence and skills to live, learn and earn.

The courses offered by The Trust help young people aged 11-30 to develop essential life skills, get ready for work and access job opportunities. We support them to find work because having a job or running a business can lead to a more stable, fulfilling life.

Since The Trust was founded by The Prince of Wales in 1976, we have helped more than a million young people across the UK, and three in four of those we supported over the last five years have moved into work, education, or training.

We are committed to enabling even more young people to create a better future for themselves. By helping young people today, the benefits for them, their communities and the wider economy will be felt for years to come.

cycling safety

As a Palace to Palace rider, your safety is very important to us. We recommend you check out these rules, taken from the Highway Code, before you head out to train for Your Palace to Palace.

Clothing
Wear a cycling helmet which conforms to current regulations – make sure it’s the correct size and is securely fastened
Wear appropriate clothing – avoid dark coloured clothes and clothes which may get tangled or obscure your lights
Wear reflective or fluorescent clothing/ accessories e.g. belt, arm or ankle bands
Do not wear anything which may obstruct your balance e.g. it wouldn’t be sensible to carry home a week’s worth of shopping on your bike.
On the road
Use cycle routes, dedicated cycling tracks, advanced stop lines, cycle boxes and toucan crossings unless at the time it is unsafe to do so
Cycling lanes are marked by a white line (which may be broken) along the carriageway. When using cycling lanes, keep within the lane when practical. When leaving a cycle lane, ensure that you’ve checked it is safe do so and signal your intention to other road users
You must NOT cycle on the pavement
Most bus lanes can be used by cyclists as indicated on signs. Watch out for people getting on or off a bus. Be very careful when overtaking a bus or leaving a bus lane as you will be entering a busier traffic flow. For your own safety, do not pass between the kerb and a bus when it is at a stop.
Riding your bike
Keep both hands on the handlebars apart from when you’re signalling or changing gear
Keep both feet on the pedals
Never ride more than two abreast, and ride in single file on narrow or busy roads and when riding round bends
Do not ride close behind a vehicle
Be considerate of other road users, particularly those with visual impairments. Use your bell if necessary to let them know you are there
Look all around before moving away from the kerb, turning or manoeuvring, to make sure it is safe to do so. Give a clear signal to show other road users what you intend to do
Look well ahead for obstructions in the road, such as drains, pot-holes, speed humps and parked vehicles so that you do not have to swerve suddenly
Be aware of traffic coming up behind you
Obey all traffic signs and traffic light signals.
Parking your bike
Find a location where it can be seen by passers-by
Use cycle stands or other cycle parking facilities wherever possible
Do not leave it where it would cause an obstruction or hazard to other road users
Secure it well so that it will not fall over and become an obstruction or hazard.

Palace to Palace FAQs

We’re so excited that you will be taking on Palace to Palace and we want you to know that we’re here to support you throughout your challenge.

Palace to Palace FAQs

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