Ride the Reservoir returns for 2026! Take on 75km, 100km or 100miles all in support of Birmingham Hospice.
Ride the Reservoir is returning to Birmingham Newman University

Take on an unforgettable cycling challenge around the scenic reservoirs and countryside surrounding Birmingham.
Now in its 11th year, Ride the Reservoir will see hundreds of cyclists from across the country riding together to provide vital care for people living with a life-limiting illness. You can ride solo, with a team of friends or with your club.
Each route is expertly signposted, with frequent free refreshment stops and mechanical support en route. You’ll be welcomed with a cheer at the finish line, as you collect your medal and celebrate.
Plus, you’ll get a free jacket potato at the end for a well-earned post-race treat!
Don’t forget to order your Birmingham Hospice cycle jersey so you can ride with style! Visit our online shop for more.
Choosing your distance
🚲 75km – Perfect for keen cyclists of varying abilities. This route will offer you a number of climbs throughout including the famous Romsley Hill!
🚲 100km – Taking your cycling to the next level, this route adds extra miles and scenic views.
🚲 100 miles – Back by popular demand, Ride the Reservoir 100 mile route is the ultimate challenge for experience and determined cyclists.
Please see below for further information on each route and maps. After signing up you’ll receive your Bike GPX route ready to download via email. Please note these routes are subject to change and final routes will be emailed to all participants the week of the event. All routes start and finish at Newman University. Registration opens from 7am on the day for 100 mile cyclists.
Gary’s story

Gary and friends took on Ride the Reservoir last year in memory of their childhood friend Neil, who had been cared for by Birmingham Hospice months before.
Gary said: “The nurses were incredible, and the facilities were amazing, it was just a lovely place to be given the hugely difficult circumstances.”
The Ride the Reservoir route took them past pubs of their youth, and the team raised an incredible £5,000!
“The route was fabulous, with minimal traffic, making it feel both safe and scenic. The little touches, like the well-placed refreshment stops, made a big difference. I couldn’t recommend it highly enough.”
Early bird prices – from 1st October – 31st January
75km cyclist: £27
100km cyclist: £32
100 mile cyclist £35
Standard ticket – from 1st February
75km cyclist: £32
100km cyclist: £37
100 mile cyclist £40
To purchase your choice of cycle jersey, please visit our online shop.
Jerseys are £20 and come in white, blue or pink and blue.
Please note, all routes are subject to change at any time, right up until the event.
75km – Our original 75km route is perfect for keen cyclists. Starting from Newman University, cyclists will venture into the Worcestershire countryside, passing through scenic villages such as Romsley, Belbroughton, Chaddesley Corbett, Dodford and Barnt Green. Featuring challenging climbs throughout, including the well-known Romsley Hill, this popular route grows in popularity year on year.
100km – This route is an extended version of our ever popular 75km route. At Barnt Green, cyclists will leave the 75km route, travelling through Tutnall, Beoley and Alvechurch before rejoining the intermediate route towards the Lickey Hills and onwards to the finish line at Newman University.
100 miles – We are excited to bring back our 100-mile route which will be incorporated into our 100km route, taking you off on another loop to get in an additional 38 miles! Can you take on the challenge?
Every mile matters. Your registration fee covers the cost of the event, so it’s your fundraising that really makes the difference.
There is no minimum sponsorship target for this event, but we’re asking all our cyclists to try and raise a suggested amount of £100 each. By raising sponsorship you can ensure that no one in Birmingham faces the end of life alone. We believe that anyone with a terminal diagnosis deserves to live well and make the very most of the time that remains. Together we can make every moment matter.
If you raise £100 before 1st April, you’ll also get a free cycling jersey (subject to availability)
Start fundraising by setting up your JustGiving page now: https://www.justgiving.com/campaign/rtr2026
All of the routes are open to everyone. However, we would recommend all cyclists are over the age of 12. When registering under 18s, you are asked to name a responsible adult aged 18 or over who is riding with them for the duration of the event.
Free parking is available at Newman University. We recommend all cyclists car share where possible.
Birmingham Hospice will take all reasonable steps to minimise the risk of accident or injury to participants during this event, however you accept full responsibility for yourself whilst participating in this event and understand that Birmingham Hospice cannot accept liability for any loss or damage to personal property or injury. We recommend that all riders have both bike and personal liability insurances as we cannot be held responsible for damage, loss or theft of your bike or personal items. When registering under 18s, you are asked to name a responsible adult aged 18 or over who is riding with them for the duration of the event.
Our Events Team will be monitoring the weather forecast in the run up to the event, but please also make yourself aware of weather conditions on the day and prepare accordingly. Unless the safety of our participants and volunteers is at risk, we will not cancel the event due to rain. In the unlikely event the event is cancelled, you will be notified as soon as possible, and the event will be rearranged.
All routes use public roads and are not closed off to other vehicles for the event. Please be considerate to other road users, signal clearly, use cycle lanes where necessary, and abide by the Highway Code. Marshals are for visible presence and route guidance only – they cannot stop traffic for you.
Technical support will be available throughout the event, but please make sure you have cash on you or can do a bank transfer should you need to purchase parts from the support team. We recommend you having a bike service prior to taking on the event to ensure your bike is in full working condition.
You must wear a helmet to protect yourself against injuries in the event of an accident. Cyclists not wearing a helmet will be unable to take part unless you are exempt from wearing one. You will be asked to show exemption. Wearing bright, reflective clothing will make you more visible to other road users. April weather is unpredictable, so please dress appropriately. We can’t wait to see everyone wearing their Birmingham Hospice Cycle Jerseys!
Prior to the event please ensure you save the Events Team mobile number provided in your phone. This way you will be able to contact the events team at any point during the day.
On the day of the event there will be refreshment stops will be included on the 75km, 100km and 100-mile route. Information of their locations will be shared with all riders prior to the event and clearly signposted en route. There will be plenty of opportunities to top up your water or grab a snack so ensure you have enough refreshments on you throughout the ride, and bring your own if needed.
If you witness an incident, please stop and call the Events Team on the above mobile number. For minor injuries, please ring the Events Team for assistance, quoting your rider number. In the event of a serious accidents, do not hesitate to ring 999 and then ring the Events Team to let us know.
If you cannot complete the ride for any reason and make your own way home, please inform our Events Team, quoting your rider number.
Refreshment stops will be included on the 75km, 100km and 100-mile route. Information of their locations will be updated as soon as possible, and this information will be shared with all riders.
There will be plenty of opportunities to top up your water or grab a snack but please do ensure you have enough refreshments on you throughout the ride.
Last year over 40 incredible volunteers helped run this event – without them, Ride the Reservoir wouldn’t happen. Could you join them and be part of something special supporting Birmingham Hospice? We’re looking for people like you to help with marshalling, running refreshment stops, cheering on cyclists and registering participants. You don’t need any prior experience and we’re here to support you every step of the way.
To find out more or to sign up please call 0121 752 6150 or email events@birminghamhospice.org.uk. Thank you for helping make every moment matter!
To find out more about Ride the Reservoir or to sign up please contact our friendly Events Team on 0121 752 6150 or email events@birminghamhospice.org.uk. We look forward to hearing from you. Thank you for helping make every moment matter!
To show a tribute to who you’ll be riding the reservoir for, you can download our rider sign here.
Route options
Our original 75km route is perfect for keen cyclists. Starting from Newman University, cyclists will venture into the Worcestershire countryside, passing through scenic villages such as Romsley, Belbroughton, Chaddesley Corbett, Dodford and Barnt Green. Featuring challenging climbs throughout, including the well-known Romsley Hill, this popular route grows in popularity year on year.
See route map here.
This route is an extended version of our ever popular 75km route. At Barnt Green, cyclists will leave the 75km route, travelling through Tutnall, Beoley and Alvechurch before rejoining the intermediate route towards the Lickey Hills and onwards to the finish line at Newman University.
See route map here.
We are excited to bring back our 100-mile route which will be incorporated into our 100km route, taking you off on another loop to get in an additional 38 miles! Can you take on the challenge?
See route map here.
What past participants had to say:
“This was a great event and so well organised. Credit to everyone involved. Thoroughly enjoyed it and will be returning next year.“
“Just wanted to say I really enjoyed the event last month. It was really well organised and very friendly – my first event!”






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