Ziggurat
Key Information
Date: 1-4 September 2027
Route: Edinburgh to Liverpool
In the Saddle: 3 days
Registration fee: £50
Fundraising: £2,600 (including reg fee)
The bike ride for the construction and built environment sector
The event is a fully supported 3-day bike ride, open to all abilities, from beginner to enthusiast.
The 2027 event is a celebration of the Tour de France which returns to the UK after 13 years, taking in some of the key roads from Stages 1 and 2 of the men’s race. Starting in Edinburgh and finishing in Liverpool the route takes riders through the Scottish Borders, Lake District and Forest of Bowland showcasing some of the UK’s most spectacular scenery.
Designed and delivered by the highly experienced Action Medical Research cycling team, Ziggurat will ensure you have the chance to network on a cycling challenge that will bring you and your riders memories for life!
We are looking for partners now. If you want a slice of the action, contact Lucy Holloway on lholloway@action.org.uk and be part of this unique industry ride.
Route details
The route passes through some of the UK’s most spectacular scenery the route will closely follow the 2027 Tour de France route. With punchy climbs and wide ranging views it will provide a memorable challenge for riders. Certain changes will be made to ensure the ride remains enjoyable and safe for cyclists of all abilities.
Highlights include:
PaddySlacks Climb - A road frequently travelled by Mary Queen of Scots, it owes it’s odd name to a corruption of the French ‘Pas de Lacs’. It is reminiscent of Alpine climbs with a long gradual ascent with pine forests on the banks.
Gretna Green
Passing the Scotland / England border offers a classic photo opportunity in front of the sign which marks the borders between the 2 countries.
Forest of Bowland
The highlight of Stage 2 of the men’s race is the section through the Forest of Bowland in Lancashire.
The 3-nights accommodation are in minimum 4* Hotels.
Route
What's Included
- Guide rides
- A wooden Ziggurat medal
- All meals, snacks & fluids
- Medical staff
- Bespoke jersey
- Support vehicles
- Baggage transport
- Talented bike mechanics available
- Maps and GPX files available
- Training support and advice
- Celebration 3-course gala dinner
- Accommodation - 4* twin share (single supplement available)
Training Guide
Our challenges attract people of all levels of experience and fitness, all ages and backgrounds. We expect all participants to train hard in advance to achieve this challenge, but we respect everyone’s limits. We design our challenges so that everyone can go at their own pace: this is not a race.
The Jersey
2026 bespoke Ziggurat Jersey
2027 design to follow
Founding Partner
Brett Group have over 51 locations across the South East of England and is the largest independent construction and building materials group in the UK.
Partners
As specialists in hard and soft landscaping, paving projects, highways and civil engineering their work helps to form the foundations of the towns and cities we live in.
Day Group Ltd handles over five million tonnes of construction materials each year, as well as providing services to the construction, demolition, glass recycling and water treatment industries.
Herbosch-Kiere is a Belgian civil engineering firm specializing in maritime and hydraulic construction, including quay walls, offshore energy, dredging, and underwater works. It operates internationally and is part of the Eiffage Group.
Supporting partners
We are a client-centric, market-leading business that cares. We understand that compliance and conformance are integral to project success and that when it comes to appointing a contractor confidence and dependability is key.
Partner up
We are looking for partners to be a part of this unique industry ride. If you want a slice of the action, download our partnership pack for more details.
FAQs
How much do I have to raise?
There is a £50 entry fee for Ziggurat and you will need to commit to raising a minimum of £2,600. This amount of £2,600 does include your trip cost.
What is my route?
A tour from Edinburgh to Liverpool
Can I request a single room on the trip instead of being in twin share accommodation?
Yes, you can make an additional Single Supplement Payment during registration, if you would prefer to have a single room for the entire trip (and not share with anyone) on a first come first served basis.
The additional cost of this is £350 which can paid as part of the registration process.
Can you book additional accommodation for my friends or family?
Unfortunately not. If you have family and friends looking to join you at the finish you will need to book separate accommodation for them.
What happens on the final night?
We will celebrate your achievements with a special Gala Dinner. This will be a dinner with drinks in an informal setting to celebrate our success!
When do I need to have raised and banked my sponsorship money by?
To secure your place on the Ziggurat we need you to have raised and banked a minimum of £500 by the 31 July 2026. You will need to raise and bank the remainder of your sponsorship, by the 31 October 2026.
How do I know where to ride?
There will be a ride leader to help you navigate your way on the route. In addition, there will be a downloadable GPX for a bike computer and you will get also briefing every day to let you know what to expect and to give you a rough idea of where you are going to be heading that day. Please note that unfortunately, we are unable to accommodate any additional support vehicles that you may wish to bring along. You will also be provided with an emergency telephone number to call if you think you have managed to sneak your way off route!
What kind of bike do I need?
We recommend a road bike which is fully serviced and in good working order. Some riders use hybrid bikes and replace the tyres with thin tyres. We would not recommend a mountain bike for these kinds of distances.
What kind of rider takes part?
This event is open to everyone from beginner to hobby rider to enthusiast. The riding speeds vary from 10mph to 20mph so you will always find someone to ride with regardless of your speed.
Can I get a refund, transfer or defer my entry?
Please see our Withdrawals, Refunds, Transfers and Deferrals policy.
Gallery
Cycle to help children like Emmy
Emmy's story
Emmy has Vici syndrome, a very rare and life-limiting genetic disorder. Vici syndrome causes a wide range of symptoms which usually include recurrent infections, heart problems, delayed development, deterioration of the nervous system, and seizures. Sadly, there is currently no cure or effective treatment and most affected children lose their lives at a very young age.
“I hope for the same things that all parents hope for – health, happiness and longevity but within a different framework I guess.” says mum Ellie.
Sadly, there are currently no effective treatments that can cure or slow the progression of Vici syndrome. With Action Medical Research funding, Professor Michael Duchen and his team at University College London hope to change this. They aim to better understand and target the cellular processes that go wrong in Vici syndrome – and to test existing drugs that could help
