Ziggurat
Bilbao to Madrid
23-27 September 2026
Key Information
Date: 23-27 September 2026
Route: Bilbao to Madrid
Distance: 340 miles
Climb: 5,700 meters
Registration fee: £50
Fundraising: £2,500
In the Saddle: 4 days
The bike ride for the construction and built environment sector
Ziggurat - the annual adventure for folk from the constructions and built environment sector who share a passion for cycling and may not be averse to doing a bit of networking from the saddle.
The event is a fully supported 4-day European bike ride, open to all abilities, from beginner to enthusiast.
2026 will mark a special 10-year anniversary of this great event and we are celebrating by offering the most incredible ride to date.
Travelling from the Basque region of Spain through hills and valleys to the bustling capital of Madrid the route provides a stunning and challenging ride.
Designed and delivered by the highly experienced Action Medical Research cycling team, Ziggurat will ensure you have the chance to network on a cycling challenge that will bring you and your riders memories for life!
We are looking for partners now. If you want a slice of the action, contact Lucy Holloway on lholloway@action.org.uk and be part of this unique industry ride.
Route details
The route starts in the country’s far north, the Cantabrian Sea and the Pyrenees mountains shield the region creating a unique culture and landscape different from the rest of Spain. Within the region, you’ll find landscapes dominated by mountains and hills, creating a series of valleys, rivers, ranges, and remote towns.
Riders then proceed into the Castile and León region, known for its medieval castles and historical significance. The region features diverse landscapes from the central Meseta plateau to natural parks.
And finally entering Segovia in Castilla y León, a beautiful city renowned for its remarkably well-preserved ancient Roman aqueduct that was built almost 2,000 years ago.
Food stops on the ride will consist of a café stop in the morning and then a restaurant for lunch serving traditional food.
The 4-nights accommodation are in minimum 4* Hotels.
Route
Note: Route is subject to change
What's Included
- Guide rides
- A wooden Ziggurat medal
- Breakfast in hotels
- Snack and fluid stops
- Great lunch stops
- Medical staff
- Massage therapists
- Support vehicles
- Baggage transport
- Talented bike mechanics available
- Maps and GPX files available
- Training support and advice
- Celebration 3-course gala dinner
- Accommodation - 4* twin share (single supplement available)
Training Guide
Our challenges attract people of all levels of experience and fitness, all ages and backgrounds. We expect all participants to train hard in advance to achieve this challenge, but we respect everyone’s limits. We design our challenges so that everyone can go at their own pace: this is not a race.
The Jersey
2026 bespoke Ziggurat Jersey - coming soon
Image of 2025 jersey for illustration
Founding Partner
Brett Group have over 51 locations across the South East of England and is the largest independent construction and building materials group in the UK.
Partners
As specialists in hard and soft landscaping, paving projects, highways and civil engineering their work helps to form the foundations of the towns and cities we live in.
Day Group Ltd handles over five million tonnes of construction materials each year, as well as providing services to the construction, demolition, glass recycling and water treatment industries.
Herbosch-Kiere is a Belgian civil engineering firm specializing in maritime and hydraulic construction, including quay walls, offshore energy, dredging, and underwater works. It operates internationally and is part of the Eiffage Group.
Supporting partners
We are a client-centric, market-leading business that cares. We understand that compliance and conformance are integral to project success and that when it comes to appointing a contractor confidence and dependability is key.
Find out more about becoming a Ziggurat Partner
FAQs
How much do I have to raise?
There is a £50 entry fee for Ziggurat and you will need to commit to raising a minimum of £2,500. This amount of £2,500 does include your trip cost.
What is my route?
A tour from Bilbao to Madrid
Can I request a single room on the trip instead of being in twin share accommodation?
Yes, you can make an additional Single Supplement Payment during registration, if you would prefer to have a single room for the entire trip (and not share with anyone) on a first come first served basis.
The additional cost of this is £350 which can paid as part of the registration process.
Can you book additional accommodation for my friends or family?
Unfortunately not. If you have family and friends looking to join you at the finish you will need to book separate accommodation for them.
What happens on the final night?
We will celebrate your achievements with a celebratory 3-course gala dinner. Afterwards you’ll have time to sample the delights of Madrid with your new found friends. Friends and family are welcome to join you. To arrange this please email sports@wmpcreative.com
How does my bike get back to the UK?
The bikes will be transported in trucks back to the UK on Sunday 27 September 2026. It will either meet you back at the start venue or if you want to arrange a courier to send you your bike post-event then you can do so by emailing sports@wmpcreative.com
What if I decide to stay on for a day or so?
We will be transporting your bike back to the UK for collection. You are welcome to extend your stay in Spain as part of the carnet. Alternatively you can nominate somebody to collect your bike on your behalf.
When do I need to have raised and banked my sponsorship money by?
To secure your place on the Ziggurat we need you to have raised and banked a minimum of £500 by the 31 July 2026. You will need to raise and bank the remainder of your sponsorship, by the 31 October 2026.
How do I know where to ride?
There will be a ride leader to help you navigate your way on the route. In addition, there will be a downloadable GPX for a bike computer and you will get also briefing every day to let you know what to expect and to give you a rough idea of where you are going to be heading that day. Please note that unfortunately, we are unable to accommodate any additional support vehicles that you may wish to bring along. You will also be provided with an emergency telephone number to call if you think you have managed to sneak your way off route!
What kind of bike do I need?
We recommend a road bike which is fully serviced and in good working order. Some riders use hybrid bikes and replace the tyres with thin tyres. We would not recommend a mountain bike for these kinds of distances.
What kind of rider takes part?
This event is open to everyone from beginner to hobby rider to enthusiast. The riding speeds vary from 10mph to 20mph so you will always find someone to ride with regardless of your speed.
Can I get a refund, transfer or defer my entry?
Please see our Withdrawals, Refunds, Transfers and Deferrals policy.
Gallery
Cycle to help children like Emmy
Emmy's story
Emmy has Vici syndrome, a very rare and life-limiting genetic disorder. Vici syndrome causes a wide range of symptoms which usually include recurrent infections, heart problems, delayed development, deterioration of the nervous system, and seizures. Sadly, there is currently no cure or effective treatment and most affected children lose their lives at a very young age.
“I hope for the same things that all parents hope for – health, happiness and longevity but within a different framework I guess.” says mum Ellie.
Sadly, there are currently no effective treatments that can cure or slow the progression of Vici syndrome. With Action Medical Research funding, Professor Michael Duchen and his team at University College London hope to change this. They aim to better understand and target the cellular processes that go wrong in Vici syndrome – and to test existing drugs that could help
