We’ve partnered with Red Fox Cycling again, to offer guided bike rides from different cities to Shambala.
Our bike rides run from Bristol and London.
Red Fox Cyclists can purchase a ‘Green Traveller’ ticket, which is locked at a tier 1 price, as a thank you for choosing to travel so sustainably. What’s more, a Red Fox Cycling Tour ticket costs half what you would expect for a regular cycling holiday, so this really is a bargain.
REMINDER: If you have a Green Traveller Adult Weekend ticket you must come by a Red Fox Cycling Tour (or Shambala Express coach, or train and Rail Station Shuttle Bus). Your discounted festival ticket will not be valid for entry if you do not arrive on a designated mode of transport. No ifs, no buts, no entry.
Take the scenic route, stop at beautiful campsites along the way and arrive at Shambala with a host of new pals – but don’t just take our word for it – watch the video below to see what our previous Red Fox cyclists had to say…
How It Works
The first thing to note is that although, regardless of ticket type, anyone can join the rides by buying a Red Fox Cycling Tour ticket, but if you buy a discounted Green Traveller adult entry ticket you must also buy a guided cycle ride (or arrive via our coaches, or train & shuttle).
Although all tickets are to be bought on the Shambala ticket page please note that these tours are provided by an independent third party, Red Fox Cycling. Please see their website for more information and full terms & conditions, and direct any questions to richard@redfoxcycling.co.uk.
All routes have been tried and tested – they are scenic, safe and frequently off road. Riders will be accompanied by a support van which will carry everything that you don’t want to!
Overnight Stops
The folks at Red Fox Cycling have handpicked campsites for our riders to lay their weary heads, en route. The cost of your tent pitch is included in your ticket. You can either bring your own tent along in the support van, put it up and take it down yourself, or for an extra fee, Red Fox team can sort you a ‘comfy upgrade’ where they will pre-pitch one of their tents for you with an air-mat and travel pillow.
Arrival to Site
All rides are set to arrive at Shambala on Thursday, early evening. You’ll get a free programme when you arrive and secure bike storage.
London – Red Fox Cycling Tour
Since the very first ride in 2018, more than 400 Shambalans have taken on the London to Shambala cycling challenge. What started as an experiment has grown into a festival tradition, with riders setting off from London each summer and arriving at Shambala with new friends, big smiles and a huge sense of achievement.
‘I cycled for the first time two years ago, and what a brilliant decision I made. A wonderful way to leave London behind, free the mind, get the body moving, and meet some absolutely beautiful people. Such camaraderie and kindred spirit got us through those 100kms and I arrived at the festival feeling like I was part of a fabulous tribe. This is the only way to reach Shambala!’ – Naomi C
For more details of the London – Shambala ride, head to Red Fox Cycling Tour’s itinerary of the ride.
Bristol – Red Fox Cycling Tour
Since we first launched the Bristol ride in 2018, more than 300 cyclists have taken on the 130-mile ride to Shambala. It has quickly become a favourite, often described as one of Red Fox’s prettiest rides, winding through the rolling Cotswolds before the final triumphant pedal into the festival
‘Cycling to Shambala felt like a modern day pilgrimage! The exhilaration, as our team of 50 cyclists wheeled down the hill towards Shambala’s big tops on the distant horizon, was incredible!’ – Beth M
For more details of the Bristol – Shambala ride, head to Red Fox Cycling Tour’s itinerary of the ride.
Other Important Information
Getting Home
Don’t worry, nobody expects you to cycle back from the festival too! You’ve already proved that you are absolute warriors, so for goodness sake put your feet up! If you’ve got pals at the festival with room in their vehicle for your bike, you only need to purchase an outward journey and feel free to jump in with them on the way home, or book a return and hop on Red Fox’s return coach, back to Highbury & Islington (for the London Ride), or Temple Meads Train Station (for the Bristol ride) – your trusty bikes will be transferred back in the support van at the same time.
Meals
The Red Fox team have your breakfast and lunch covered – you’ll either be booked in for pub lunches/meals on the way, or the team will rustle you up some tasty grub from the support van – complete with tables and chairs for an alfresco meal. They’ll also sort out snack breaks along the way. Dinner is up to you, but the Red Fox team will make a booking for our group in the local pubs and restaurants.
How Hard Is It?
If you’ve still got your stabilisers on, this probably ain’t for you – however, it’s hardly the Tour De France, either. You are looking at covering about 45 miles a day (with snack stops and rest breaks, naturally) so please take this into account when deciding if this is for you – if you’ve never cycled very far before, have a good old think about whether you’d manage – and perhaps do a bit of training.
Can I Bring My Kids?
The rides cover a fair old distance, so this is adults only really, though an exception could be made if you’d like to bring a particularly cycling-mad teen with you (aged 16+) who has previously covered distances like this happily. Drop us an email on richard@redfoxcycling.co.uk if you think your teen fits the bill and you’re keen to get them booked on with you.
Cycling Independently
Fancy getting to Shambala by pedal power but don’t fancy a guided bike ride? Check out the information we’ve collated about cycling to Shambala independently below!
