FAQs

Frequently Asked Questions

Are the routes easy to follow?

YES and NO. Every junction will be clearly signposted by the organisers no earlier than the day before the event. If this was a perfect world no one would go astray. Sadly, however, every year at least one rider (and usually more) goes wrong. Signs do go missing or get vandalised. Other events on the same day WILL be using the same roads. So to avoid costly and wearying diversions you MUST familiarise yourself with our signs, and we strongly recommend you to carry the route with you in some form or other that you can understand. All routes will be available to download to a Garmin device or similar. Every year at least one rider arrives at the start completely unprepared, and regrets doing so afterwards. Please remember that – whilst our signs will have been erected perfectly – you only need to make one mistake when relying on them 100%, and after that you may not see another sign all day. The better you know your route, the less chance you will have of going astray. Simple preparation is all that is required.

How long does each ride last?

You may think this is a ‘how long’s a piece of string?’ question. But from experience we can tell you that most cyclists average between 10 and 15 mph. So for the 25-miler we’d be very surprised if it took you significantly longer than 2½ hours (plus time stopped at the food stop). The 50-miler shouldn’t take much longer that four hours (plus TWO food stops) and the 75-miler six hours (and THREE food stops!) Some riders will be considerably quicker (one year two riders completed the then 100-miler in just under five hours!)

How much climbing is there on each route?

ALL cycling involves climbing! Those roads where previously you never noticed the ascent (or descent) become much hillier when cycling! Approximate total ascents on each route are: 75m 6,536’(1,992m); 50m 4,554’ (1,388m); 25m Challenge 1,752’ (534m).

Will I be able to park at the start?

There is ample parking at or near the start venue. But please think of the environment if you are travelling to our event, and car-share if possible. If you live within cycling distance of the start, then cycle there and back home afterwards if you can. For safety reasons you will not be allowed to drive into the start area under any circumstances, but most parking is only a mere 100m away.

Will there be toilets at the start and en route?

Portable toilets will be provided at the start/finish venue. The route pack, which is sent out to all participants by email (at the latest by Friday, June 6) will confirm details of the toilets en route.

Do you cater for special dietary requirements at the food stops?

YES but we ask all riders with special dietary requirements to let us now in advance by ticking the relevant boxes on the online entry form.

Can I use an electric bike?

YES Pedal cycles and e-bikes are both allowed, and so is any bicycle, tandem or tricycle which has been professionally modified, for instance, to enable a disabled rider to enjoy cycling. We do NOT allow petrol bikes or any bike with an engine which does not conform with the common-sense understanding of an e-bike. If you are in any doubt you MUST check with the organisers in good time before the event.

What if my bike isn’t roadworthy?

Your bike MUST be roadworthy. The organisers are not experts and being allowed to start in no way signifies that the organisers deem your bike to be roadworthy. But clearly it should not have any broken spokes and every nut and bolt should be sufficiently tightened up. A thorough spanner-check the day before the Ride should be sufficient. To give you some idea, the event has been running for ten years and we have yet to exclude a rider on the grounds that his or her bike has been unroadworthy – but we reserve the right to prevent you from starting if we consider the bike to be a danger to you and/or others (and we will not return your entry fee.)

Are there any age restrictions?

YES. You must be at least 18 years of age on the day of the event to ride the Expert (75 mile) and Enthusiast (50 mile) routes, and at least 12 years of age to ride the Challenge (25 mile) route. Younger riders may ride at the discretion of the organisers with written parental consent. Notwithstanding the above, a parent or guardian must accompany riders under the age of 16 on the Expert, Enthusiast and Challenge rides. Please make a careful note of this as it can lead to problems if you are only reminded on the day of these rules, which are a requirement of our insurers. However, on the 25-mile Challenge route, providing we are satisfied that the child has experience of road cycling at this distance, we will normally approve a rider aged 9 or over.

Can I swap to either an easier, or more difficult, route on the day?

YES – it’s easy. You DO NOT have to tell us beforehand. Just turn up on the day at the correct time for your NEW route and tell the official who you sign on with. Make sure you bring some means of payment if you are swapping from a shorter to a longer route. No refund will be given if you swap from a longer to a shorter route. If you have set off on the 75 and decide, before the routes split, for whatever reason, that you wish only to do the 50, simply do so and tell the organisers on your return.