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Cycling UK and OS Maps are teaming up to help more people discover and enjoy the outdoors which exists ‘right on their doorstep’, launching a year-long outdoor challenge.
With the #12nightsoutin1year challenge, entrants are encouraged to head out on their bike and experience a night beneath the stars, in a tent, bivi bag or hammock, at least once a month over the course of a year and to photograph their experiences.
Each month, participants who have posted their photos and experiences on Instagram using #12nightsoutin1year will automatically be entered into a monthly competition to win a range of cycle and navigation-related prizes.
“We passionately believe in the benefits the great outdoors can bring to us all,” said Nick Giles, managing director of Ordnance Survey Leisure. “Through our award-winning app, OS Maps, we are proud to help connect people with the outdoors through comprehensive mapping and routes at your fingertips.
“The last year has shown that you can still deliver adventure from your doorstep, and we are delighted to be working with Cycling UK to encourage people to keep challenging themselves to try something new, with OS Maps being a central tool to helping people adventure more by bike over the next year.”
As lockdown restrictions have eased across the UK, Cycling UK and OS Maps want to see this bikepacking challenge inspire the adventure-curious to ‘take the plunge’ into the world of cycle adventures.
Cycling UK’s Cape Wrath Fellowship custodian Sam Jones, who has camped out at least once a month for the past two years, wants to see everyone make the most of the wilderness they can discover from their doorstep and leave it in a better condition than they found it.
“Anyone who enjoys the countryside, whether they’re walking, riding or running will have seen that all too familiar blight mark of others’ passage: litter,” said Jones. “12nightsoutin1year will be just as much about you enjoying nature, as ensuring it’s in a better state than when you found it.
“Trash free trails are something we can all work towards every time we head out.”
To take part in the 12nightsoutin1year challenge and receive a month’s free access to OS Maps go to https://www.cyclinguk.org/12-nights-out-in-1-year.
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