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The Crossing

A cross-country MTB adventure through 3 National Parks

Take on one of the UK’s ultimate mountain biking challenges with this epic 200-mile cross-country MTB adventure through Lake District National Park, the Yorkshire Dales National Park and the North York Moors National Park in England. Across three unforgettable days, you will tackle rugged trails, challenging climbs and flowing singletrack while experiencing some of the UK’s most breathtaking mountain biking scenery and off-road cycling terrain. 

Man stood in water and holding his bike above his head
2026 EVENT INFOEnter

Dates

20th to 23rd August 2026

Duration

4 Days / 3 Nights

Distance

200 miles (322km)

Discipline

Event Discipline - Cycling

Event Type

Bucket List Adventures

Highlights

Road running next to forest and fields

Experience 3 UK National Parks

Your adventure will take you through the stunning Lake District, the Yorkshire Dales and the North Yorkshire Moors, each with their own scenery and unique characteristics.

Man walking on wet sand with bike

A full coast to coast journey

This is a true coast to coast, self powered journey. You'll kick off the adventure by dipping your bike tyre in the sea at St Bees and finish by dipping it back in at Scarborough!

The Crossing 2024 medal in water

Fish and chip finish line

Fish and chips and an ice cream are your reward for completing the 3 epic days of cross-country mountain biking! It's the perfect treat to have at your seaside finish line in Scarborough.

Aerial view of cyclists crossing bridge over running water

Experience the best biking the north of England has to offer

This is a completely varied route through all 3 National Parks taking in off-road mountain sections, gravel paths, quiet country lanes and cycle-ways.

Itinerary

Cyclists riding along sunlit road

DAY ONE: Thursday

It is here that you will park your cars for the weekend and meet up with your fellow riders. Once bikes and baggage are loaded,  you'll hit the road on our 4 hour transfer to St. Bees. The convoy will stop for a break on the way. After checking into the hotel, there will be a short registration process to get all of the admin in check and then you'll be free to get yourselves ready for the next day before gathering for dinner (included).

​Dinner will include a briefing about the 1st days riding. Drinking the night away is on you and probably not advised!

Path cutting through edge of mountain

day two: Friday

Breakfast is available from 0630 and we’ll aim to leave by 0800. The hotel is right on the shore so it’s a short ride down on to the sand. After photographs and some general faffing, a dip of your front wheel in the sea you’ll tackle 70 miles and 6500ft of ascent today. So, there’s plenty of riding to do with the biggest climb (actually hike-a-bike, there’ll be some carrying!)  in the second half of day 1’s cycling challenge.

There 2 pit stops per day, where you can fill up on snacks and water. If the weather is good, the crew will meet you at other points of the cycling challenge throughout the day to ensure you’re fully stocked with water and snacks. You’ll ride straight to the hotel for showers, dinner, maybe a beer or 2 and a well-earned sleep. That’s 1 national park done.

Cyclists riding along rural road

Day three: saturday

Up and at ’em again for a 0630 breakfast for an 0800 ride start. At 64 miles and 4500ft ascent day 2 of the cycling challenge is easier than day 1. The on-road content is also higher so progress should feel notably quicker. The Yorkshire Dales are stunning and the route winds through Swaledale, the jewel in the crown. Once past Richmond, the flatlands of the Vale of York allow the legs to coast you into Northallerton for night 2. Yorkshire Dales done.

Man stood in water and holding his bike above his head

Day four: sunday

Final day to the coast. Up an hour earlier today aiming to start by 0715. The North York Moors offer exceptional cross-country mountain biking, we’ve saved the best till last. 61 miles and 5300ft of ascent are all that lies between you and victory in this coast-to-coast cycling challenge. You’ll finish right on the shore in Scarborough, so you can dip a wheel in the sea to mirror the start in St Bees. North York Moors done. Fish and chips and an ice cream are your reward for completing the 3 epic days of cross-country mountain biking. Your vehicle will, of course, be in Scarborough, which means you can choose to overnight in Scarborough or head home the same night, the choice is yours! 

Road running next to forest and fields
Man running, smiling and putting his thumb up

Your Adventure Leader

Dave

Dave brings energy, experience and plenty of good humour to the Rat Race event team. An outgoing character who loves a laugh as much as a flawlessly delivered event, Dave has helped plan and direct some of the UK’s biggest endurance challenges, including large-scale ultramarathons with over 2,500 participants and epic cycling adventures like LEJOG. When he’s not delivering unforgettable adventures for #ratracers across the UK, you’ll likely find him out running, paddleboarding, tackling a board game, or happiest of all, up in the hills.

What's Included

Where you will sleep

Accommodation

​We will use B&B accommodation on the Thursday, Friday, and Saturday nights. Accommodation is always offered in double or twin rooms. If you are taking part in this cycling challenge on your own, you will be paired with another participant of the same sex in a twin room.

What you'll eat

Meals

Breakfast will be enjoyed in our B&B accommodation. Lunch will be on the go at our Pit Stops.

For dinner we will eat at the accommodation we are staying in each night of the cycling challenge. Tea, coffee and cold drinks will be available throughout. At all times in restaurants or hotels, Rat Race will provide a hearty main course; if you wish to augment with other selections in the restaurants, you may do so. You will settle the bar bill for your own drinks. At the end of the event,  fish n chips is on us!

 

If you can't make it

Flexible Transfer Policy

Entries may be transferred up to 12 weeks prior to departure in accordance with the Rat Race transfer policy. We strongly recommend taking out comprehensive travel insurance as soon as you book to protect yourself against any unforeseen circumstances. Participants also have the option to add Refund Protect to their booking, facilitated by a trusted third-party provider, which may allow you to claim a refund should you be unable to attend for a range of qualifying reasons.

Adventure mementos

Mementos

All participants will receive a selection of exclusive event memorabilia to mark their The Crossing adventure, including a commemorative event T-shirt, Rat Rag and a massive medal when you cross this brilliant finish line! These special keepsakes are designed to celebrate your achievement and serve as lasting reminders of one of the world’s most extraordinary endurance adventures.

Event medics & safety

Medical Support

Our events are supported by Trail Med, who provide oversight, planning and participant screening across all of our international adventures, ensuring every expedition is backed by robust medical expertise. On the ground, you’ll be supported by a highly qualified UK medical team of paramedics and/or doctors, carefully selected for their experience in remote and challenging environments.

Rat Race also operates in line with the rigorous BS8848 standard for expedition management, independently audited to ensure the highest standards of safety, risk management and participant care. In short, every aspect of our medical and safety planning is designed with your wellbeing firmly at its heart.

Just completed the Crossing, tough riding but joyous scenery and great company along the way. The crew were great, pit stops were wonderful, they went out of their way even for us awkward gluten free riders. We were looked after from the minute we arrived until we crossed the finish line at Scarborough. Full mechanical support throughout from an experience mechanic, who looked after broken spokes and busted hubs. The bikes and bodies took a bashing on this one. Highly recommend Rat Race, if your looking for an adventure. I loved it that much I've signed up to do Patagonia and the Hebrides.

Peter

The Crossing was my second multi-day event with them, and once again I wasn’t let down.
The ethos of Rat Race events is something to behold, the inclusivity is a cut above and the support from the crew is first class.

Chris

Man cycling through water with greenery either side of himChildren-with-Cancer-UK-logo-white

Raise £2000 and get up to £960 refunded

Find out more

The Crossing Adventure Gallery

The Crossing 2024 medal in waterCyclist riding on sunlit roadCyclists riding along sunlit roadRoad running next to forest and fieldsRural road through rolling hillsPath cutting through edge of mountainMan cycling through water with greenery either side of himCyclist riding on road surrounded by greeneryMan stood in water and holding his bike above his headMan walking on wet sand with bikeCyclists riding along rural roadCyclist riding on path surrounded by greenery and water in the distanceRoad surrounded by greeneryAerial view of cyclists crossing bridge over running waterRoad winding through forest

FAQs

Is the route likely to change?

The very nature of adventure means that the unexpected can sometimes become part of the journey and that is all part of the experience. While we will always strive to deliver “Plan A”, there may be occasions where operational, safety, weather or environmental factors require us to adapt plans and implement contingency routes or alternative arrangements.

As with all Rat Race adventures, participant safety and overall event delivery remain our highest priorities. We therefore reserve the right to amend routes, itineraries or logistics where necessary, using the experience and judgement of our expedition team to make the best decisions on your behalf in changing conditions. Wherever possible, we will communicate any changes in advance. More often than not, these unexpected moments become part of the adventure itself adding to the stories, memories and unique character of the experience.

How do I enter?

Click 'Enter' and sign into your Rat Race account and follow the sign up procedure. If you need any assistance please drop the customer service team an email on events@ratrace.com

How old do I need to be?

Rat Race require you to be over 18 on the day of Registration for this adventure.

Can I transfer my entry?

If you find yourself unable to join us on the start line of this event, you are able to transfer your entry into an event credit voucher once for use on a new entry into an event of your choice. Transfers must be requested within the qualifying transfer window to be accepted and processed. Credit vouchers are valid for 12 months from the date of issue. Credit vouchers are exempt from the transfer process. To find out more information and how to submit a request, view of full transfer policy HERE 

Can I fundraise for charity?

You are very welcome to fundraise for any charity close to your heart while taking part in the event. Please note, however, that our Charity Refund Offer applies exclusively to participants fundraising for Children with Cancer UK.

Can I volunteer?

You can view our current volunteer positions here. 

What is Refund Protect?

Add Refund Protect to your booking during purchase and receive a full refund of your entry fee if you are unable to attend the event due to a qualifying unforeseen circumstance. PLEASE NOTE this protection is with our 3rd party partner Refund Protect and NOT Rat Race. In the event you make a refund application this is administered by the Refund Protect customer service team, Rat Race are not privy to the application and cannot intervene on your behalf to influence the outcome determined by their team.

To add Refund Protect (administered by a 3rd party) to your Rat Race booking simply select this option when presented during the entry process. Refund Protect cannot be added retrospectively. Rat Race will then send you name and booking details to Refund Protect in order to protect your transaction with them. If you opt to pay in instalments and transfer your entry before the entry cost is full paid you will be liable to ensure the cost of Refund Protect has been fully covered. This total amount will be deducted from any Rat Race credit due through the transfer process or you will be invoiced by Rat Race for the outstanding amount as Rat Race have paid this on your behalf to Refund Protect at point of entry. 

Do I need insurance?

Yes. Comprehensive travel insurance is compulsory for this event and must cover both general travel and participation in the outdoor endurance activities included within the itinerary. You will also require Evacuation Insurance, which covers emergency extraction and onward medical transport by helicopter or similar should urgent assistance be required in this remote environment.

We strongly recommend arranging your insurance as soon as you enter the event and booking flexible flight options where possible to allow for any unexpected changes. Please ensure your chosen policy specifically covers the activities you will be undertaking during the expedition. There are a number of specialist adventure travel insurers available, including Mann Broadbent.

What kit do I need?

View mandatory and recommended kit

 

How do I navigate?

We will send you the full gpx files ahead of the event for you to follow each day.

What sort of bike do I need?

A mountain bike is certainly best. All other bike types will struggle. It does not have to be flash or fancy, but it does need off-road tyres and it must be reliable. Electric bikes are permitted.

How much of the course in on-road/off-road?

It varies each year as the cross-country mountain biking route is tweaked as required from our landowner negotiations, you should expect more off-road than on and where we are on roads (or tarmac surfaces), these are predominantly quiet country lanes and cycle-ways which link together superb and varied off-road sections. Feedback from those who complete this cycle challenge say the road sections are a welcome change and allow the body to recover from some of the tougher off-road action.

Will you have a bike mechanic on the course?

Yes. At the overnight locations (and at the Start) we will have a Rat Race Bike Workshop offering light bike maintenance. They will also have bike spares for sale. The labour for this service is free to you but any parts that are required will need to be paid for. To be clear, this is repair support for issues you may be having or have arisen during the day and not a free daily bike service.

Pricing

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We’ve created a flexible, interest-free* instalment plan so you can choose how many months to spread the cost of your adventure. Choose to pay in full or in equal monthly instalments up to 3 months before your event date.

​* Once you sign up, Rat Race will set up a recurring monthly payment via Stripe. If a payment fails, you’ll receive reminders from Stripe and our team. After three failed contact attempts and no payment, your entry will be cancelled with no refund or transfer eligibility.

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Cyclist riding on sunlit road

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