Cycling Weekly's Big Ride Challenge 2026: The Finishers

The annual Big Ride Challenge, spearheaded by Cycling Weekly, serves as a powerful inspiration for individuals to embrace cycling. Cyclists are encouraged to set ambitious mileage targets ranging from 500 to 5,000 miles at the beginning of each year. This exclusive report proudly showcases the names of everyone who has successfully completed their chosen mileage goal for 2026, providing verified proof of their accomplishments.

The 2026 Big Ride Challenge: Honoring Dedicated Cyclists

The Big Ride Challenge is more than just a competition; it's a journey of personal achievement and commitment to cycling. Participants can join at any point during the year, with all miles logged since January 1st contributing to their total. As the year draws to a close, many push through the final months, often achieving their targets on the very last day—a testament to their perseverance.

Below is a comprehensive list of the remarkable individuals who have conquered their chosen categories in the 2026 Big Ride Challenge:

The Mini - 2026 Finishers

This category celebrates those who have completed their initial mileage goals, demonstrating a strong start to their cycling journey.

The Midi - 2026 Finishers

Among the Midi finishers, we applaud the efforts of Andrew Killington, Justin Payne, and Martin Wray for reaching their impressive targets.

The Maxi - 2026 Finishers

The Maxi category saw several dedicated cyclists cross the finish line: Brent Baga, who completed his challenge on August 7; Graham Nix, finishing on August 18; along with John McCabe, Alex Latimer, and Matthew Wallace.

CW5000 - 2026 Finishers

The CW5000 category, the most demanding of the challenges, includes an inspiring list of riders:

• Giles Cudmore - Completed on March 29
• Michael Padwick - Completed on May 9
• Robert Dalzell - Completed on May 25
• Dave Cox - Completed on June 21
• Costin Murray - Completed on July 26
• Leslie Reissner - Completed on August 11
• Katherine White - Completed on August 19
• Bryn Thomas - Completed on August 25
• Mark Swanson - Completed on August 29, marking his seventh consecutive year
• Andy Hopper - Completed on September 28
• Gordon Reid - Completed on September 28
• Andrew Baylis - Completed on October 12, his sixth consecutive year
• David Oakes - Completed on October 13, his seventh consecutive year
• Ian Long - Completed on October 16
• Ian Miller - Completed on October 18
• Ian Smith - Completed on October 18, his seventh consecutive year
• Nigel Hale - Completed on October 26
• Peter Thompson - Completed on October 30
• Alex Graham - Achieved the CW5000 for seven consecutive years
• Chris Ronan
• Mark Gilbert
• Kev Palmer
• Jeannette Burgoyne
• Robert Moody
• Darryn Mitchell
• Andy Cartlidge
• Hugh Mulligan
• Oliver Dyson
• Martin Power
• Mary Boothroyd - Accomplished the CW5000 for seven consecutive years
• Gary Boothroyd - Accomplished the CW5000 for seven consecutive years
• Tim Banks
• Myatt Geoffrey
• Rory Leiper
• Colin Whitehouse - Achieved the CW5000 for four consecutive years
• Rob Phillips
• Chris Baird
• Ivan Dawes
• Piers Newson-Smith

10,000-Mile Hall of Fame

A special mention goes to Michael Padwick, Robert Dalzell, and Hugh Mulligan, who have achieved the extraordinary milestone of 10,000 miles.

Inspiring Journeys and Future Horizons

The Big Ride Challenge continues to be a fantastic initiative, inspiring countless individuals to get on their bikes and achieve incredible feats. As a reader, it's truly motivating to see the dedication and perseverance of these cyclists. Their achievements, whether it's completing their first Mini challenge or consistently conquering the CW5000 for multiple years, highlight the power of setting goals and committing to them. It reminds us that with passion and determination, anyone can push their limits and discover the joy and fulfillment that cycling offers. This challenge not only promotes physical activity but also fosters a vibrant community of riders who support and inspire each other. Here's to more miles and more inspiring stories in the years to come!