As a festival regular, you will already know all about the Latitude Festival in the Henham Park in Suffolk close to London, that will see the likes of Bon Iver, Ben Howard, Lana Del Ray and Yeasayer perform live on stage, to mention just a few. But have you heard of the best way to get there yet? The Tour de Latitude: a bike tour through scenic country villages from London to the Latitude site, that will not only minimize your carbon footprint in this festival but also help raise money for the charity Kenyan Orphan Project and environmentally friendly Julie’s Bicycle.

The tour takes place on the first day of the Latitude Festival, Thursday 12th July, so you arrive just in time for when the fun goes off. There are three different start points you can choose between according to your abilities (and willingness): the furthest starting point is Hackney, a whopping 113 miles from the site with an estimated journey time of 8-12 hours and only recommended to experienced riders. The second is half way in Sudbury near Colchester, 55 miles from the festival (3-5 hours), and the last one in Ipswich, 35 miles from Henham Park (estimated at 2-4 hours).

Sounds like fun? Wait until you read on about all the stuff that will be provided for you! Obviously the route will be sign posted and dotted with bike mechanics and cycle guides to help you out, but also rest stops every 20 miles with free food, full facilities, and wi-fi sponsored by Marks & Spencer. The luggage will of course not get to the site on your backs but will be transported separately by the organisers, who will also take care of storing your baby safely somewhere while you’re out partying and provide you with a bus ticket in case you don’t have the energy to make it home on your own. Oh yeah and did we mention the free messages on arrival?

There is a little catch though, as you will need to raise £350 in order to take part (covering registration, support, logistics, weekend festival ticket, and a £60 donation to the Kenyan Orphan Project as well as £20 to Julie’s Bicycle) – find out all about how that works on give2go.co.uk. But don’t worry, the organisers are in it as much as yo are and will donate an additional £75 for every participant who starts at Hackney, £35 per participant starting from Sudbury and £25 per participant starting from Ipswich – if they complete the challenge.

If you ask us, there couldn’t be a weekend more well rounded with exercise, doing good and having so let’s hope to see many of you in the saddle!

For more info check out latitudefestival.co.uk