BIKE TO VILLA: ALL YOU NEED TO KNOW AND HOW TO GET INVOLVED
We’re looking for dedicated Palace fans to take on our next fundraising challenge: a 140-mile cycle ride to the West Midlands to watch Patrick Vieira’s Eagles take on Aston Villa at Villa Park. Here’s everything you need to know.
What is the Bike to Villa?
Bike to Villa is the latest fundraising challenge from Palace for Life. It’s a 140-mile cycle ride from Selhurst Park to Villa Park, taking place on the 3rd and 4th of March 2023 to raise money for young people in our community who need it most. Once the ride is completed, everyone taking part will receive a ticket to the Eagles away fixture against Villa for the Saturday 3pm kick-off.
April 2022 saw over 30 riders cycle 100 miles from Selhurst Park to St Mary’s, before cheering Palace on to a 2-1 last-minute win against Saints, raising £34,000 for Palace for Life in the process. You can watch the highlights below.
Bike to Villa is a slightly longer trip to the West Midlands to watch the Premier League clash between Villa and Palace, and we are looking for even more dedicated Palace fans to take on the mission.
You can sign up to take part HERE.
When is Bike to Villa?
The challenge will begin on Friday 3rd March and finish on the 4th. Cyclists will depart from Selhurst Park at around 8:30 am and will be driven back to the stadium after the final whistle at Villa Park on the 4th.
Why should I get involved?
Villa Park holds a special place in Palace history, most notably for Palace’s 4-3 win over Villa in the 1990 FA Cup Semi-Final. After losing 9-0 at Anfield earlier that season, there wasn’t much hope for Palace when they faced Liverpool again in the FA Cup semi-final, but Alan Pardew was the hero in extra-time, which took the Eagles to their first ever FA Cup Final.
Bike to Villa is an excellent chance to not only re-live Palace history and watch the club away but to get to know fellow Palace fans, complete a personal challenge, and raise money to help transform the lives of young south Londoners.
How do I get involved?
Before you sign up, you must choose between two ride options: Challenge and Ultra.
CHALLENGE
The Challenge ride is for those who may not be sure about completing the whole 140 miles. Challenge riders will be picked up from Selhurst Park and will be driven, with their bikes, to the first food stop near Watford and will ride from there.
ULTRA
Ultra-riders will take on the whole 140 miles. They will begin their ride from Selhurst Park and meet the Challenge riders at the first food stop – around 50 miles in.
Please select which option you would prefer to take when signing up – both options have the same fundraising target and entry fee. You can sign up HERE.
What’s the route?
For Ultra riders, the challenge will begin bright and early at Selhurst Park, taking riders through London and into the open Hertfordshire countryside. All riders will then pass the Corinthian Arch, which lies on the edge of Stowe Estate, and after 100 miles, cyclists will stop off at the Mercure Warwickshire Walton Hall Hotel & Spa for some well-deserved dinner and rest, before waking up for breakfast and taking on the remaining 40 miles to Villa Park, with plenty of time to shower, change and have some lunch before the 3 pm kick-off.
After the game, transport will be arranged for you, and your bike, back to Selhurst park.
Keep an eye out on Palace for Life’s social media channels for more information on the route over the coming months.
What’s the entry fee and what’s included?
The registration fee is £150 and includes:
- 1-night hotel accommodation (upgrade to single hotel room – £45 extra)
- A bespoke Palace themed cycling jersey
- 2x breakfast, 1x lunch and 1x dinner
- 1x free match ticket in the away end
- Professional support throughout the cycle
- Fundraising support & resources
- Transport back from Villa Park to Selhurst Park
The £150 registration fee can be paid in instalments, to arrange this, please contact fundraising@palaceforlife.org.
How much do I need to raise?
To take part, each cyclist will need to pledge to raise a minimum of £500 for the Palace for Life Foundation, helping to support our work with young south Londoners and to aspire to give them brighter futures.
Both the Ultra and Challenge levels require the same fundraising target and entry fee.
To sign up, please head HERE.
*Please note that like all fixtures this is liable to change for TV scheduling, and we will confirm any changes to this date by February 2023.