More than 700 cyclists are expected to take part in Bike Oxford 2026 powered by Penningtons Manches Cooper this June, as the popular cycling event prepares for its biggest year yet in terms of charity participation and community support.
Returning on 21 June, the event will once again combine cycling, fundraising, and community celebration, with organisers reporting a record-breaking number of charities taking part across Oxfordshire and beyond.
Title sponsors Penningtons Manches Cooper continue to support the event’s mission of promoting cycling, encouraging active lifestyles, and providing charities with an opportunity to raise vital funds through participation.
Chosen charity Sobell House Hospice is encouraging cyclists of all ages and abilities to sign up and ride one of the event’s 25, 45 or 75-mile routes. Among those taking part is Tom Roby, who works at Walton Street Cycles and has already exceeded his £230 fundraising target.
The Oxford bike shop, which also rents bicycles through Bainton Bikes, is offering free bike hire to anyone riding for Sobell House Hospice.
Speaking ahead of the event, Mr Roby said: “Sobell House does amazing work and supports so many people and means a lot to my family.”
Highlighting the hospice charity’s milestone year, he added: “I’m riding Bike Oxford to help Sobell House smash it for their anniversary.”
More than 20 cyclists are expected to ride as part of Team Sobell, while a total of 17 charities have assembled over 70 riders for causes across the region.
Charities represented at this year’s event include The Archway Foundation, Asylum Welcome, Cancer Research UK, Combat Stress, The Gatehouse Oxford, Helen & Douglas House, Home-Start Oxford, Maggie’s, Oxford Breast Buddy Group, Oxford Food Hub, Oxfordshire Mind, Response, Restore, Ronald McDonald House Oxford, SeeSaw Grief Support and The Twins Trust.
Organisers Iconic Cycling Events are also supporting inclusive cycling through a CyclAbility ride at Horspath Athletic Ground on Friday 19 June. The initiative will support riders using adapted bicycles in a safe and supported environment.
Business support for the event has also continued to grow, with Decathlon, Royal Cars and Invivo Healthcare joining as official sponsors alongside B4-Business.
Richard Rosser, Chief Executive of B4-Business, praised the event’s growing impact across the local community.
He said: “Bike Oxford is a fantastic initiative that not only promotes healthier, more active lifestyles, but also showcases the stunning Oxfordshire and Cotswold countryside to participants from across the region and beyond.
“Events like this play an important role in bringing communities together, raising the profile of local businesses and creating valuable fundraising opportunities for charities. We’re proud to support an event that delivers such a positive impact on so many levels.”
Support has also come from Biddulph Wealth Management, whose founder Olly Biddulph previously worked with Iconic Cycling Events while studying Sports Performance at the University of Bath and training for the Great Britain Bobsleigh Team.
Reflecting on his return to the event a decade later, Mr Biddulph described supporting Bike Oxford as a “full-circle moment”.
“Roll the clock forward 10 years and you might say I’ve swapped the lycra suit for the business suit and I’m back again,” he said.
“I’m keen to help the Iconic team raise the profile of Bike Oxford which brings cyclists of all abilities together. The event showcases the wonderful Oxfordshire scenery, promotes active lifestyles and gives businesses like mine the chance to raise our profile.”
If you’d like to take part and ride in a team, for charity, or just ride solo, head to the Bike Oxford website to find out more about the event. You can also sign up to ride with Team Sobell here, and if you need a free bike hire to ride with them, contact Walton Street Cycles on 01865 311610 or via spoke.co.uk/contact.
