Eden Classic sportive cycling event

The Eden Project is cancelling the planned Eden Classic sportive cycle ride that was due to take place on Sunday September 11, 2022. We have taken this decision due to low numbers of entrants and apologise for any inconvenience caused to riders who have signed up.

Entrants will be receiving an automatic refund in the next ten days.

The Eden Classic team are going to revitalise the event, devise new routes and bring it back on Sunday May 19, 2024.  We really hope you can join us then. Please look out for more details in the coming months.

Yes! There's no minimum age requirement for the sportive, but cyclists under the age of 16 must have a signed parental consent form and must be accompanied by an adult throughout the ride. Cyclists aged 16 and 17 years will need a signed parental consent form but do not have to be accompanied. We also ask that all riders under 18 years submit a photography consent form as part of our safeguarding guidelines. 

These forms will be available during the weekend of the event. Or if you'd like to see these beforehand, please email edenclassic@edenproject.com to request the relevant forms before entering.

Yes, we will be offering discounts to groups and clubs this year. If you're entering a group of 10 to 19 riders you are eligible for 10% discount and bookings of groups of 20 or more will receive a discount of 15%. To be eligible for this discount we will need the group/club organiser to send us all participants completed entry forms by 11 August 2022 and we will send an invoice which will need to be paid in one transaction. Please note that you are unable to do this through the British Cycling website. If you have any questions, please email us on edenclassic@edenproject.com and we can assist. 

Yes, if you're unable to take part for any reason, and have a friend who would like to take your place, email us on edenclassic@edenproject.com with your name and distance entered along with a completed copy of a paper entry form. Please note that you can only transfer places for the same distance, and all transfer requests must be received by 11pm on 4 September 2022.

If you are unable to take part, please notify us via email (edenclassic@edenproject.com) by 11 August 2022, with your name and distance entered. Please note any requests received after this time will not be issued with a refund.

Yes you can. Should you need to change the distance you entered to a shorter distance, please email edenclassic@edenproject.com with your name, distance entered and the distance you'd like to do instead. Please note that we unfortunately cannot offer a refund for the difference between entry fees. 

If you decide en route that you need to change your distance, please let the team at the finish know your rider number, distance entered and distance completed. 

Should you wish to increase the distance entered, please email edenclassic@edenproject.com with your name, distance and the distance you'd like to do instead. Once accepted, you will be required to pay the difference between entry fees. We will advise at this stage on how best to make the payment. 

If you decide en route that you need to change your distance, please let the team at the finish know your rider number, distance entered and distance completed. 

You can see timings for 2021 participants here.

All participants must have returned to Eden Project by 6pm.

We are unable to provide final timings at this point, but as a guide, here are typical timings for the Eden Classic. 

• 6.00am - 8.30am: Registration and rider breakfast 
• 7.30am: Rider safety briefing - 100 mile riders
• 7.40am: Start - 100 mile riders
• 8.00am: Rider safety briefing - 60 mile riders (batch 1*)
• 8.10am: Start - 60 mile riders (batch 1)
• 8.30am: Rider safety briefing - 60 mile riders (batch 2*)
• 8.40am: Start - 60 mile riders (batch 2)
• 9.00am: Rider safety briefing - 36 mile riders
• 9.10am: Start 36 mile riders

*60 mile riders' safety briefings will be on a first come first served basis.

Each rider will need to attend registration, where they will receive their rider number and timing chip.

Your timing chip is already secured to your rider number – simple! You'll need to secure this to your handle bars with the cable ties we provided to you in your rider pack. 

No you don't – we use disposable timing chips so no need to worry about returning them. 

You will receive an SMS message – shortly after riding over the finishing timing mat – with your time, as long as you provided a mobile number when entering. If you didn't give us your number when you entered, please now email edenclassic@edenproject.com with your name, distance and mobile number. 

It's not the time that matters, it's the taking part that counts! However, it's natural to be curious about how you did against other riders. All the times of riders who completed the event will be posted on the website as soon as possible after the event. Please note that we won't list them in time order however, as the Eden Classic is a non-competitive event. 

All routes make the most of the undulating south coast and all riders pass through picturesque villages and along beautiful coastlines whichever route they choose, going through spots such as Carlyon Bay, Charlestown, Pentewan, Mevagissey and Caerhays Bay. 

Entrants get exclusive access to ride though the centre of our site (usually closed to traffic) before reaching the start point opposite the Rainforest Biome. Once riders are released over the timing mat at the start, all face a muscle-stretching climb out of the site and up the hairpin bends before continuing their ride in earnest.

See the 36-mile route on Ride with GPS

See the 60-mile route on Ride with GPS

See the 100-mile route on Ride with GPS

We pride ourselves of providing excellent signage, which we check the morning of the event, but it has been known for signs to vanish mid-event so please do take one of our maps with you! If you do get lost, please call our emergency number provided to you in the rider's pack, and we'll do our best to get you back on track. 

Hopefully this won't happen, but if for any reason you find yourself unable to complete the course, please phone our emergency number provided to you in your rider's pack. We'll need to know your rider number so please have that handy, and we can arrange for one of our pick-up vehicles to bring you back to the Eden Project. Should you not require pick-up, please still call us so we know you're safe and well. 

If you have a specific dietary requirement, please email edenclassic@edenproject.com with your name, distance entered and details of your dietary requirement. 

The pre-ride breakfast will be served in Banana Coach Park where the Sunday registration and the safety briefing takes place. It's also a great time to meet other cyclists and socialise. Coffee and hot beverages will be available to purchase.

It's strictly prohibited to stay in your vehicle overnight at the Eden Project.

Yes they can – for free! We pride ourselves on making the Eden Classic family friendly. Whilst you're taking part, your friends and family can explore what Eden has to offer and cheer you over the finish line. They'll need to tell the ticketing team your name and the distance you're completing to gain access. You could also make a weekend of it and come into Eden on Saturday prior to the event (and pick up your registration pack on your way in too). Please note this is limited to two adults and two children.

Yes, we'd recommend the Arena (in front of the Stage) as a great spot to give you a good luck cheer and see you on your way. They can make their way back there for your return if they'd like to too!

Yes you do – helmets are mandatory at the Eden Classic. The wearing of hard shell helmets conforming to CE standards EN1078 is mandatory for all riders participating in British Cycling registered events.

No, you don't have to take part on a road bike, but we would recommend them for the longer distances. In order to take part, you'll need a two-wheeled one-track cycle that carries one rider. 

You are more than welcome to take part with your electric bike provided that they comply with The Electrically Assisted Pedal Cycles Regulations 1983 SI 1983/116. Any form of e-bike that does not comply with the above (eg, ones with a “twist & go” throttle) are not permitted. Please ensure you enter the e-bike category for your chosen distance.

Due to the hilly terrain and the fact that the circuits take place on busy roads, we don’t recommend taking part in the Classic with a hand cycle. However, riders are free to do so if they so choose. They will need to ensure that they are fully visible on the roads, e.g. use a vertical, visible flag placed at the back of the hand cycle. 

We are delighted to be offering race cut Eden Classic jerseys produced by Primal. They're available to purchase from the Eden Project online shop and on-site shop.

As the event conforms to British Cycling regulations the following bikes are not permitted; triathlon/time trial bars or similar bar extensions; disc wheels or tri-spokes; Penny farthings.