​

Since its first ride in 2011, the Team Townend Challenge has been about far more than cycling. What began as a simple event quickly grew into an annual gathering of riders united by friendship, remembrance, and a shared commitment to safer roads. Year after year, cyclists came to challenge themselves on the Short, Long, Dirty Double and more recently the Gravel Grovel courses and, of course, to remember Christian and Niggy.

Over more than a decade, Team Townend raised significant funds for RoadPeace, the national charity for road crash victims. Those contributions helped support vital advocacy, education, and support services for individuals and families affected by road violence. We are incredibly proud of what the Team Townend Challenge has achieved and grateful to everyone who rode, volunteered, donated, or supported the event in any way.

​

With the recent closure of RoadPeace, this feels like a natural moment to pause and reflect on what Team Townend has accomplished and to consider what comes next. Rather than continuing unchanged, we have decided that this is the time to scale down the existing format of the event and rethink its future direction.

​

The remaining funds raised through Team Townend will be redirected to support other local cycling charities and clubs, ensuring that the spirit of the event continues to have a meaningful impact closer to home.

​

Team Townend is not ending, but evolving. We plan for it to continue in some way, in a new format, with more details to be announced later in 2026. While the shape of the event may change, its values will remain the same.

 

Thank you to everyone who has been part of Team Townend Challenge over the year - riders, volunteers, marshals, tea makers, cake bakers - what we have achieved together since 2011 is something to be proud of. 

​

Team Townend

30 January 2026

​

p.s If you aren't already, follow us on Facebook for more updates

​