About the May Flyer Sportive

A date for your diaries: 17th May 2026

Over the last 26 years the SWRC May Flyer sportive has established itself as one of the longest running cycling events in the UK. First run in 1999, the event has steadily grown in popularity with hundreds of cyclists enjoying their trip through the lanes of Surrey and Sussex. For 2026, the May Flyer will be on 17th May, starting and finishing in Cobham, Surrey, from where riders will be able to choose between two scenic yet challenging routes: 100 kilometres, or 100 miles, both of which will be marshalled at key junctions and well signed throughout. Free refreshments at HQ, musical entertainment, electronic timing, and on course mechanical support will all be available, with further refreshments available around each route. Equally importantly, all profits from the event will be donated to very deserving, local charities.

We look forward to welcoming you to the 2026 May Flyer, we’re sure you’ll enjoy the experience!

Please scroll down the page for more details and entry information.

The 2026 May Flyer - The Details

The 2026 May Flyer will run on Sunday, 17th May. Both routes will start and finish at Cobham Village Hall and, as usual, free and plentiful refreshments will be available at the event HQ, as well as at refreshment points on each of the routes.

ONLINE ENTRIES ARE NOW OPEN

Enter Online

The Routes

There will be a choice of two routes. The shorter Flyer covers 100km and with 1200m of climbing, 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. Key junctions will be marshalled and all junctions signposted, but from time to time, events like ours are sabotaged by direction signs being removed. We would hate anyone's enjoyment of the day being ruined should this happen.

Short Route 100 KM

Long Route 100 Miles

Entry Prices

Details for each route are provided below, along with entry prices for 2026. Entry prices have been held at 2025 prices and include a discounted early bird price, plus a discount for team entries of 15 or more riders. Book your place early to take full advantage.

(Note: Bookings of 15 or more riders from the same club will attract a £5 per rider discount)

Online entries will close at midnight on 10th May 2026.

ENTRIES ON THE DAY: £40 cash or card.

If you are entering on the day, please be sure to come to Cobham Village Hall early on Sunday morning (17th May) so we can process your entry. The Village Hall will be open from 07:30.

Rider Timing

Each rider will be issued with an electronic timing chip and rider number when they register at the event HQ on the morning of the event. Each rider’s time will then be categorised into one of four categories: Gold, Silver, Bronze, Finisher. Results, including rider times, will be available via the SWRC web site after the event and on the timing company's website soon after the last rider has returned.

The Ride Start/Finish - Times and Facilities

Both routes will start and finish at Cobham Village Hall, Lushington Drive, Cobham KT11 2LU. Parking at the HQ itself will be very limited, so we encourage all riders, where practicable, to take public transport to the event or cycle.

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, with further refreshments available as riders finish.

Parking

Parking is not possible at the event HQ, but there are several local car parking options including: Pay and Display, all with a charge for Sunday parking:

• The Hollyhedge car park in Downside Road (beware of the height restriction at the entrance)
• Cedar Road in Cobham (small, but no height restriction)
• Oakfield Road in Cobham (small and does have a height restriction)
• Cobham and Stoke d’Abernon railway station

Free parking (at the time of writing):

• 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. This car park has a height restriction at the entrance (2.1 metres), so BIKES must be REMOVED from the roof of your car.

If you live within 5 miles of Cobham, we suggest you ride to the HQ, Cobham Village Hall.

Route Signage and Marshalling

Both 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 (Route divide etc). Club members will be acting as marshals at key junctions on each route, including the course divide in Hambledon. Please remember that the marshals are there to give direction and to warn of potential hazards, not to say whether or not it is safe to proceed. That is a decision which riders need to take for themselves.

Refreshments on the Routes

As with previous years, there will be fully stocked feed stations at Lodsworth (long route only) and Ellens Green (long and short routes), each with a selection of sandwiches, cakes etc., along with tea, coffee and soft drinks. Sandwiches, wraps, cakes and bacon baps will be available at the finish at Cobham Village Hall, plus the opportunity to enjoy a relaxing sports massage at the finish. At the Ellens Green stop, and at the finish, there will also be live music to enjoy.

Mechanical Support

A mechanic will be present at the start, and 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 telephone 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.

The South Western Road Club look forward to welcoming back those of you who have ridden with us previously and meeting this of you who haven’t ridden the May Flyer before!

Just one of many quotes from 2025 participants: “Fabulous day out! Loved the route, the people, the amazing volunteers that make it all possible. Looking forward to 2026!”