This is Haslemere met Jon Mills who has recently taken over as Lead Organiser of Little Lumpy, an amazing charity sportive based in Haslemere, which is dedicated to raising funds for local charities. Jon is new to the role, having taken over the helm from Ken Griffiths who ran the event for over 15 years.

About Little Lumpy

Little Lumpy, which this year is scheduled to take place on Sunday May 17th, is a non-competitive cycling event known as a Sportive, and held on roads to the south and east of Haslemere, across Surrey, Hampshire and West Sussex. There are many specialist companies that organise similar sportive events, setting up the logistics and providing appropriate facilities for the participants, however Little Lumpy is unique in the welcome and support that it provides, and, above all, for the superb home baked cakes and savouries provided at every feed station on the routes, all baked by volunteers.

To appeal to a wide cross section of cyclists, Little Lumpy offers 3 routes of differing length which are called Epic (125 miles), Challenge (60 miles) and Sport (40 miles), all starting and finishing at Woolmer Hill Sports and Social Club. In addition, and new for 2026, there will be brand-new routes, offering an off-road experience, with the Trail (48 miles), suitable for gravel bikes, and the Dirt (28 miles), more suited for mountain bikes. Irrespective of which route is taken, all riders will be able to enjoy the leafy lanes and beautiful countryside we have around us, taking in the wonderful scenery and stunning views of the South Downs National Park.

For more information, check out the Little Lumpy website.

Little Lumpy is run entirely by volunteers as a charitable not-for-profit event, raising funds for the Haslemere Festival and Haslemere Fringe, as well as a local partner charity, which they select each year.

For 2026, Little Lumpy's partner charity is The Haslewey Community Centre, located by the Tesco car park in Weyhill. Haslewey is a non-government funded community centre, offering a wide range of daily activities to suit all needs, including the Wey Terrace and café offering morning coffee and freshly cooked lunch, a community post office, hairdresser and podiatry clinic. It offers a warm welcome and lots of fun activities, for people of all ages to come and enjoy.

About Jon

Jon has been involved with Little Lumpy for many years, previously helping on the day of the event, and latterly as a member of the organising team. He is a keen road cyclist, a member of local cycling club, Velo Club Godalming Haslemere, and also a member of British Cycling.

As well as Little Lumpy, Jon also volunteers at Haslemere Hall and assists in running the Haslemere Festival Bar at various community events, including for the Haslemere Festival Fringe which takes place on Lion Green, on the first weekend of July.

Little Lumpy Volunteers

Preparing for and implementing an event such as Little Lumpy, with something like 350 paying participants, requires some significant effort over 7 or 8 months prior to the event. All of this is the work of volunteers.

Firstly, there are the volunteers on the organising team, which is already very active in progressing the necessary arrangements for the 2026 event. This involves modifying the routes, updating the Little Lumpy website and launching online ticket sales, engaging sponsors, and organising logistics and activities for the event day itself.

Secondly, there are all the volunteers needed on the day, to assist with putting up and taking down route signage, registration of entrants, directing car parking, setting up facilities, and manning feed stations.

Finally, and in many respects, most importantly, Little Lumpy relies on a team of volunteer bakers, who, over the weeks prior to the event, produce hundreds of home-baked cakes and savoury treats for the feed stations along the route, which are frozen and stored for distribution on the day. The contribution of “The Bakers” makes Little Lumpy such a special event, with entrants returning year after year to experience the welcome at the legendary feed stations. Indeed, some cyclists joke that they put on weight riding the event, due to the amazing choice of sweet and savoury treats, despite all their efforts cycling up so many challenging climbs.

Call For Volunteers

As a charity event, Little Lumpy relies on many volunteers.

This is Haslemere volunteered at one of the feed stations last year, and so many cyclists asked us to report back how much they love the event and implored (using that word is not an exaggeration) Little Lumpy to continue the tradition.

As mentioned, Jon has a volunteer committee behind the scenes, but he would love more support throughout the year and on the day.

If you would like to volunteer in any way; as a baker; as a volunteer on the day; or even as a member of the organising team, please contact Jon at info@littlelumpy.co.uk.

Photo credit: Wild Track Photography