Friday 10th May 2024 - A cycling challenge with a difference. And a purpose.

An epic prison-to-prison bike ride through Surrey and choice of 125km and 70km routes.

By Riding THE GREAT RELEASE you will be helping to support our charity Onwards & Upwards. Founded to break the cycle of reoffending, we create sustainable social ventures to train, mentor and employ ex-offenders and build them into loved and respected brands.

XO Bikes is our first venture. XO Bikes trains people who have recently left prison to become qualified bike mechanics, give them the support to build stable foundations for their life ahead, and guide them towards meaningful employment.

We recycle and refurbish donated bikes so they ride like new, and create our own brand - XO SWAGGED BIKES, each tagged with the ID number of the fixer that refurbished it. A bike with a past, a bloke with a past; together they now have a future.

THE GREAT RELEASE aims to give people the confidence and curiosity to challenge their own preconceptions as well as the behaviour of their organisations for how to give ex-offenders the means to break the cycle of repeat offending and build a positive and productive life on the outside.

This challenging and rewarding ride encompasses the rolling Surrey Hills and the iconic Box Hill. There will be a rejuvenating and delicious lunch stop at HMP High Down / HMP Downview prepared by The Clink. The final leg takes you North to HMP Brixton and then onto the legendary Herne Hill velodrome - the host to the 1948 Summer Olympic track cycling.