RideLondon-Essex FAQ's

The RideLondon-Essex 100 is a unique opportunity to ride 100 miles on traffic-free roads through the heart of London and neighbouring Essex. It will start and finish in the centre of the capital, with 60 miles of rolling roads through some of Essex’s most beautiful countryside and villages in between, and an incredible new Finish Line on Tower Bridge.

Funds raised through your incredible efforts can go towards any Salvation Army project close to your heart, just let our team know what cause you would like to support. Whether it is homelessness, anti-human trafficking, modern slavery, the big collection, or a specified local project. Whatever you choose to fundraise for, you’ll be joining a force for good and empowering those in need to rebuild their lives.

“Ride London is the ultimate experience of cycling – massive numbers, closed roads, iconic route and a really high profile. I loved being swept along with the whole occasion, from the sea of cyclists at the start line to the emotion of riding down the Mall having completed the 100 miles. Because of the events high profile I managed to raise plenty of money for Salvation Army’s Eston’s building scheme” Gary Chaundy Salvation Army Rider

Since 1865, the Salvation Army has been working with the some of the most marginalised people in society, without judgement or condemnation.

We offer food, comfort and a warm bed to the homeless; a safe refuge for victims of violence and abuse; we help people back into employment; provide day care centres, practical help and residential homes for the elderly; we support people who want to overcome addictions, and help them get their lives back on track; we offer sanctuary and psychological support to survivors of human trafficking, and we help find and reunite missing family members with their loved ones

We have a very limited number of guaranteed places which you can apply for by completing our RideLondon Essex-100 Application Form.

Once we have approved your application and offered you a place, you will need to pay a non-refundable deposit of £25 to confirm it.

Charity place

If you apply for one of our places, then once we have approved your application and offered you a place, you will need to pay a non-refundable registration fee of £50 within two weeks of accepting your place to reserve it and pledge to raise the minimum sponsorship pledge.

Ballot place

If you secure a ballot place you will pay the London Marathon organisers directly for your place.

In line with other charities, we ask our cyclists to raise a minimum of £375, with 80%, having reached us by race day. This is easily achievable if you start early, and many of our supporters find that they raise far more than they ever expected!

Here are a few ideas to get you going – you can find loads more in the Fundraising Pack we will send you when you sign up:
• Sponsorship from friends, family and colleagues £100
• Hold a Quiz Night £100
• Ask 4 business clients or suppliers for £25 £100
• Supermarket bag pack £75

Total: £375

Salvation Army charity place

We will allocate our charity places based on the quality of the application and no later than the end of June 2023.

TCS London Marathon Public Ballot Place

The 2024 ballot results will likely be announced from May 2023.

If you secure a place, we would love to welcome you to Team Sally Army. If we have already allocated you one of our charity places, we would be grateful if you could let us know, so that we could offer it to someone on the waiting list.

We will provide you with:
• A dedicated RideLondon Essex 100 Rep to give you fundraising support
• A fundraising pack crammed full of ideas
• A Salvation Army cycling jersey
• Support from The Salvation Army Cheer Squad on race day
• A Salvation Army goody bag on completion of the ride

If you are successful in securing a charity place, our dedicated RideLondon-Essex co-ordinator will be in touch with you. Once you have received this confirmation and paid your registration fee, you will receive further instructions by email and phone.