The SWRC has been running the May Flyer sportive for 25 years, and the event has steadily grown in popularity with hundreds of cyclists enjoying their trip through the lanes of Surrey and Sussex. For 2025, we are running the ‘Double 100’ – where riders have a choice of riding 100 miles or 100 kilometres - on Sunday 18th May. The availability of free homemade refreshments is also very popular.
ONLINE ENTRIES ARE NOW OPEN
Please come to Cobham Village Hall early on Sunday morning so we can process your entry.
Entry Fee: £35 Until entries close on Saturday 10/5/25 at Midnight
ENTRIES ON THE DAY: £40 Cash or card
The SWRC support the Full Circle Fund Therapies, which provides pioneering patient therapy programmes for young children and adults with life-limiting illnesses at St George's Hospital, London & Royal Alexandra Children’s Hospital, Brighton, Worthing and Haywards Heath Hospitals. Any donations made at the feed stations or for the Sports Massage will be gratefully received.
Some funds raised by the club also go to The Queen Elizabeth's Foundation for Disabled People
The Routes
There is a choice of two routes. The shorter Flyer covers 100km and involves 1200m of climbing. It follows a meandering, quiet course around the North Downs and Surrey Hills. The longer Flyer Challenge covers 158km (100 miles) and involves 1520m of climbing. This route takes riders along quiet country lanes, down to Amberley in West Sussex and back through lovely places such as Rudgwick and Peaslake in the Surrey Hills. Both routes are challenging and take in local climbs including Staple Lane, Pitch Hill and Combe Bottom. The routes are available below in electronic form. Riders are strongly advised to download these to a portable navigation device if they can. From time to time, events are sabotaged by direction signs being removed. We would hate anyone's enjoyment of the day being ruined should this happen.
Timing
To get your time for the Mayflyer, click on the button below
The Facilities
The rides start and finish at Cobham Village Hall, Lushington Drive, Cobham KT11 2LU. We encourage cyclists, where practicable, to take public transport to the event or cycle.
The Hollyhedge car park in Downside Road charges £8.90 for up to 9 hours on Sundays. Payment can be made by using cash, a contactless card or the RingGo app. Beware of the height restriction if you use this car park. Other car parks are available, including: Cedar Road in Cobham (small, but no height restriction) and Oakfield Road in Cobham (also small and does have a height restriction). Alternatively, there is a free car park approximately 2 miles along the A307 (i.e the "old" A3). This car park is on the right as you travel from Cobham towards Esher, just past the entrance to the International School. Beware that this car park also has a height restriction at the entrance (2.1 metres), so BIKES must be REMOVED from the roof of your car. Lastly, the car park at Cobham and Stoke d’Abernon railway station is listed at £3.70 for Sundays.
If you live within 5 miles of Cobham, we suggest you ride to the HQ, Cobham Village Hall.
Riders can register from 07:30 and will set off in groups of 20 cyclists from 08:30 onwards. The latest time that riders can set off is 09:30. Tea, coffee and biscuits will be available at registration.
The routes will be marked by signs which have black arrows on a yellow background attached to telegraph poles, road signs etc. There will be additional warning signs at key points of the course. Club members will be acting as marshals at the course divide in Hydestile and at important road junctions. The role of the marshals is to give direction and to warn of potential hazards. They are not there to say whether or not it is safe to proceed. That is a decision which riders need to take for themselves.
There will be fully stocked feed stations at Lodsworth (long route only) and Ellens Green (long and short routes), and a selection of homemade sandwiches and cakes, along with tea, coffee and soft drinks, will be provided at the finish at Cobham Village Hall. Listen to the live music and enjoy a relaxing sports massage at the finish
The event is electronically timed, with riders being able to see their individual times as soon as they finish. A full list of finishing times is published on the timing company's website soon after the last rider has returned.
A mechanic will be present at the start, and they will be driving the long route during the event. There will be a SAG wagon to pick up any riders who may have run into difficulty. A number will be issued to all riders for use in the event of a medical emergency or mechanical problem which they are unable to resolve themselves.
Rider Responsibilities
We are proud of the May Flyer's reputation as a friendly event run by cyclists for cyclists. We do everything we can to make it an enjoyable day for everyone, but this can be enhanced if riders follow a few simple rules and suggestions:
- Every rider must wear a helmet. No Helmet: No Ride.
- Riders should ensure that their bike is well-maintained and preferably serviced in the recent past.
- Although there will be a mechanic at the event, we expect riders should at least be proficient at changing a punctured inner tube.
- We advise riders to carry at least two spare tubes, tyre levers, a multi-tool and a pump (or CO2 cartridges).
- Make sure you carry enough food and drink to ensure you can ride comfortably between feed stations.
- Dress appropriately for the weather, and, at this time of year, it is advisable to carry a foldable rain jacket.
- Remember that sportives are not races, and we expect riders to treat each other with consideration and respect.
- Similarly, we expect riders to show consideration for other road users you might encounter on the route, including pedestrians, local residents, horses and horse riders.
