Willow Bike Challenge 2012

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Below is some important information to ensure you enjoy your day to the fullest:

SAFETY

This event is on open roads with traffic. Ride safely and accordingly, observing the Highway Code at all times. This is an organised ride with signed routes but this does not mean you have right of way over traffic.

The event starts and finishes at the Fairlands Valley Park, Six Hills Way, Stevenage, Hertfordshire. Please note – the entrance to Fairlands Valley is opposite Stevenage Football Club SG2 8RH.  Download a map here.

CAR PARKING

The main parking area is located by the start and finish area. The start and finish area is just off of the A602, less that 1km from Junction 7 of the A1M. The car park will be open from 6.45am.

REGISTRATION

Registration will open at 7am. Please ensure you have registered by the following times:

100 mile riders by 7.30am for start at 8.00am
60 mile riders by 8.30am for a start at 9.00am
30 mile riders by 9.30am for a start at 10.00am

Desk one will be for the 100 miles ride, desk two will be for the 60 mile ride and desk 3 will be for the 30 mile ride. Your sign on pack will contain your timing sticker which needs to be affixed to your helmet, your direction card with emergency RED phone number, and your number. This number needs to be fixed to your handlebars so that our event photographer can identify you.

START / FINISH AREA

Please note, we will be sharing this area with the general public and although we will do our upmost to separate the car park, there is a possibility that you may experience traffic in the area, PLEASE BE CAUTIOUS! There will be a “Gridding” area for you to gather when the start time for your event comes close. Subject to the number of riders we may have to stagger the start groups within each ride distance, if this is so, please be patient, you will have to wait for no more than 10 minutes and you will be advised at registration if this is the case. There will be toilets available in this area.

Start times:

100 mile            08.00

60 mile              09.00

30 mile              10.00

Please be at the gridding area 10 minutes before your start time in order to receive your final ride briefing from our ride director.

Cytech Herts and the Metaltek professional cycling team will be providing mechanical support in the start area, this is a last minute problem fix, you should arrive with a bike in good working order and have suitable spares with you, at least two inner tubes, tyre levers and a working pump!

CLOTHING

Every effort has been made to make sure you have a fantastic day, we can control a lot of things however the weather is one thing that even WE can’t handle! Please check the weather forecast in the few days preceding the event and dress appropriately. We strongly advise that ALL competitors wear an approved hard shell helmet.

ON THE ROAD

The first 2km of all routes is on a main road, please take care when exiting Fairlands Valley Park and joining the main road. The entire route will be very well sign posted and you will be escorted by our motorbike out riders. You will have a route card in your start pack and we have also posted the routes on www.ridewithgps.com please feel free to download these as follows:

Login: a61bby@aol.com  Password: Ls57ebu01 (case sensitive)

There are three rides listed in ROUTES, confirmed 100, confirmed 60, confirmed 30. Each is relevant to the 100 mile, 60 mile and 30 mile routes.

There are two feed stations for the 100 miles ride, one for each of the 60 and 30 mile rides. These are:

100 Mile: Newton Sports and Social Club, Newton @ 30 miles and Haslingfield Village Hall, Haslingfield, @ 64 miles.

60 Mile: Haslingfield Village Hall @ 29 miles.

30 Mile: The Fox Public House, Willian @ 14 miles. 

The feed stations for the 100/60 mile rides will have a supply of HIGH 5 energy drink, Energy Gels and Bars, the feed station for the 30 mile ride will have soft drinks and snacks. All feed stations will have toilets, if you are requested to take your cycling shoes off to get to the toilets, please do so.

We will have mechanical support on the road, please bear in mind that this will be in the form of a sweeping vehicle at the rear of the event, we will also have broom wagons covering all rides but if you do need to be “swept up” you may have to sit in that vehicle while it follows the remainder of the ride so you maybe in the van sometime. It is often better to keep plugging away and there’s probably many more people behind you than you actually think!!

AT THE FINISH

There is plenty of space here for friends and family to cheer you home. There will also be activities going on throughout the day including a British cycling “Go Ride” event for the kids.

Please make sure you use the official signed route to the finish, if you use any other entrance you will not be able to receive your electronic time for the event.

Just after the finish you will be presented with your finishers pack containing your lunch and information from all of our event sponsors.  While your having your lunch why not have a look at the stands or stroll up to the Boating Lake?

EMERGENCY

On the day of the event, once you have started your ride and you are on route, if you have an emergency please call the number below. This number is for emergencies only where you need urgent assistance and will not be answered before or after the event.

07780 172648

We look forward to seeing you on the day, best of luck, we have had a word with the weather men and I am assured that Sunday is going to be a heat wave!

All the best

Team Willow