The inaugural “Blooming Parkinson’s Garden Ride” isn’t just about the miles.

The route symbolises the journey of the Parkinson’s UK garden, “A Garden for Every Parkinson’s Journey,” as it moves from its debut at the RHS Chelsea Flower Show to its permanent home in Oxford.

With several of the Balls to Parkinson’s Cycling Club having the condition, the ride not only symbolises the garden’s journey but the long and challenging route climbing over the Chilterns, serves as a reminder of the uphill struggle faced everyday by those 12M people globally with the disease. For the full story read my short blog “When You Have Parkinson’s, You’ll Never Walk Alone: The Blooming Parkinson’s Garden Ride 2026“.

We would love to see our friends and family at the JR when we arrive. Please join us for some group photos to help us raise awareness of Parkinson’s and the Parkinson’s UK Garden.

Details for supporters of where to position themselves, parking and timings are provided below, together with detailed schedule information for the riders.

Information for Supporters and Participants

How to Make a Donation

While the primary purpose of the Blooming Parkinson’s Garden Ride is to raise awareness of Parkinson’s and the establishment of the Parkinson’s UK Garden at the JR Hospital, supporters are welcome to donate to the University Hospitals Charity by clicking on the donate button below. All donations will be earmarked for patient related projects linked to the Parkinson’s UK Garden and it’s long term maintenance.

Donate

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Supporter Information

  • Meet: 17:00 Sunday 31st May
    • Supporters should make their way to the grass area bordered by Car Park 2, the Women’s Centre, Osler Road and the Manor Surgery
    • The team plan to arrive together at 17:30. Please arrive 30 minutes earlier so that our volunteers can usher you to the best vantage point to see the team arrive.
  • Group Photos
    • Please do take your own photographs to mark the event. However, we have a limited time to assemble the team and take our official photos before we need to exit the site to make our way to the Quarry Village Hall to join in our Garden Party.
    • Please listen out to our volunteer’s instructions so that we get the photos done with minimal effort and we can get away quickly.
  • Parking your car at the JR
    • Parking on the JR site is permitted in the on-site car parks. The nearest car park to our finishing point is Car Park 2. There is usually parking spaces available in Car Park 2 on a Sunday. You can find details of how to pay and tariffs here.
  • Parking at the Quarry Village Hall
    • There is plenty of free on-street parking along the surrounding residential roads on Sundays.

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Ride Schedule & Planned Timings

  • Rider Check-in: 07:00 Sunday 31st of May
    • Riders should report to the B2P Support Team on-arrival stationed in the car park on Carriage Drive N, which can be accessed from Queenstown Road by car, via the Chelsea Gate.
    • The Support team will check you in, provide you with your cycling shirt if you have not yet been given it, look after any personal belongings for the ride.
    • Personal belongings can be picked up from the team at the Headington Village Hall on completion of the ride.
  • Meet: 07:30 at the Peace Pagoda
  • Pre-Ride Photos: 07:30 – 08:00
    • Group photos before the start with any supporters in Battersea Park.
  • Ride Start: 08:00
    • Riders will start in groups of 5 people, from 08:00
    • Groups will make their way over the foot bridge to the Chelsea Embankment, adjacent to the RH Chelsea from where they will depart.
    • Last group to leave by 08:30
  • First Refreshment Stop*: 09:45 – 11:00
  • Second Refreshment Stop*: 14:00 – 15:15
  • Arrive Headington*: 16:45 – 17:30
  • Arrive John Radcliffe*: 17:30
    • From the Britannia Inn, it is approximately 1 minute to the JR
    • Riders will enter the John Radcliffe site via the Osler Road entrance between the Manor Surgery and Car Park 2.
  • Finish Photos*: 17:30 – 18:00 – Group photos of riders and supporters at the finish.
  • Garden Party:  18:00
    • Riders and suporters depart by 18:00
    • Arrive at Arrive Headington Quarry Village Hall
    • Hall doors open from 17:30, music starts 18:00 finishes 21:00
    • Team, supporters and local community celebrate proceeds to the University Hospital Charity and Together Against LCH. Free street parking nearby.

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Route Information

The Route: The Blooming Parkinson’s Garden Ride

The route follows the Thames from the Chelsea Embankment west to Battersea and then round to Richmond, Windsor to Maidenhead. From here, the route heads over the Chiltern’s from Marlow to Watlington, then its a straight ride to Oxford.

Route Options

Riders can choose from three route options, meeting up with the rest of the team along the route at appropriate starting points and pre-arranged start times:

  • Chelsea to Oxford – 120 km / 75 miles
  • Chelsea to Maidenhead – 61 km / 38 miles
  • Maidenhead to Oxford – 52 km / 32 miles
  • Watlington to Oxford – 32 km / 20 miles

Join the Ride

Please contact the team at: ballstoparkinsons@gmail.com if you would like to participate. All participants must register their details before participating.