SATURDAY 13TH JUNE 2015
EVENT FACTSHEET Greetings from the BCC Organisers! Thank you for entering the Brewood Cycle Challenge 2015 and we hope that you have a very enjoyable ride and a great day with us on Saturday. To help you enjoy your day we have put together this document which sets out important event information and some pages which it would be helpful if you could print-off and bring with you on the day. If you have entered with other riders then please ensure that they receive a copy of this document in advance of the day as well. Thank you for taking part and helping us to raise money for our charity. We very much look forwarded to seeing you on Saturday!
Brewood Scouts Fundraisers
IMPORTANT NOTICE
We are a British Cycling Registered Sportive and so, to comply with their insurance requirements, everyone must wear a cycle helmet for the duration of their ride.
NO HELMET NO RIDE!
1
PRE EVENT PREPARATION AND WHAT TO BRING -
We recommend that riders should come fully prepared for all the eventualities that may occur during the day and whilst riding.
You should leave home with plenty of time to arrive at the event, park in your designated car park (if travelling by car), make your way to sign-in at registration and then get ready for the off. The event is expected to be sold out and so there may be some short queues. Therefore, give yourself plenty of time.
Although not an exhaustive list we would suggest riders bring the following items with them:
• a road legal bicycle with working brakes (no track bikes please) – you should make sure that your bike is mechanically sound before leaving home. If a problem occurs on the way to the event then we do have mechanics stationed at the Event HQ, pre-start, that will try and help; • a helmet – you cannot take part without one!; • suitable clothing for riding in – including wet weather gear; • water bottle, energy gels, energy drink powders; • food and drink – free drinks and snacks will be available at the feed station(s) but you should also carry enough food for your ride; • small first aid kit – albeit that St John Ambulance will be attending the HQ and all feed stations; • spare inner tubes and/or tyre repair patches; • tools such as tyre leavers, air pump, allen keys and chain tool; • spare chain links; • printed map of route (see later page) and possibly applicable OS map; • mobile telephone; • money for public telephones, emergency spares parts, etc; and • money to buy BCC cycling jerseys, caps or to just make a donation at the HQ.
2
EVENT HQ
Event HQ: St Dominic's Bargate Street Brewood Staffordshire ST19 9BA
The gates to the school will be open between 7am and 5.30pm.
Here you will find all of the amenities for the event from the Registration Area (you must visit here and sign in on the day!), cycle racking, emergency cycle mechanics (for last minute bike niggles), first aid post (manned by St John Ambulance), merchandise (selling BCC jerseys and caps), free tea and coffee, toilets, changing rooms, canteen (if you ordered a hot meal in advance) and live music on your return.
A larger version of this map is available at the end of this document.
3
CAR PARKING
This year we are pre-assigning car parking spaces dependent upon the route you have entered.
Your designated car park is CAR PARK B and can be found at:
Brewood Middle School School Lane Brewood Staffordshire ST19 9DS
This is also the car DROP OFF POINT for the whole event if you are not parking or leaving a car.
Please print-off and display the relevant Car Park Pass, found at the end of this document, on your car windscreen when approaching the car park. This will assist the marshals and give you access to your designated car park.
We anticipate having enough car parking spaces for everyone and so please do not park on the streets around Brewood unless absolutely necessary.
The car park will open at 8am and will be locked at 5.30pm and it is your responsibility to make sure that you remove your car from the car park before it is locked!
If a member of your party requires disabled parking then please display a blue disabled parking badge in your windscreen and park at CAR PARK A , at the Event HQ, instead.
4
REGISTRATION
Everyone needs to sign-in at Registration on the morning of the event.
The organisers will register the 100K riders first, to ensure that they do not miss there 9am start time, therefore please do not go to the Registration Area before 9am.
The Registration Area is located at the Event HQ, which is a short walk/ride from the car park, and here you will find refreshments, toilets and some cycle racking which you may use.
To register, go to the official who is signing-in riders based on the first letter of your surname (i.e. if your name is John Smith then go to the official handling the “S” riders). Once there you will need to identify yourself and sign against your surname – you will then be given a registration envelope.
The registration envelope will contain your number card, cable ties (to fasten the number card on to the front of your bicycle), wristband (which shows the marshals that you are part of the event and gives you access to the feed stations), etc.
Grab yourself a free tea/coffee, make use of the toilets or changing rooms and then get ready for the off!
THE ST ART
When you are ready to start make your way to the Start line.
Riders will be started in the order of queuing.
After the official start time for the particular route, groups of about 15-20 riders will be separated from the front of the queue and they will move forward towards the Starter.
The Starter will check that everyone is wearing a helmet and has a number card displayed on the front of their bicycle. He will then give a short briefing before allowing the group to start their ride.
The riders do not have to ride together and, once started, can ride with whoever they like.
5
THE ROUTE, SIGNS AND MARSHALS
You have entered the 50K (30 miles route) called the “Lilleshall Loop”.
A map of the route is towards the back of this pack for you to print off and carry with you.
The route is circular starting and finishing at the Event HQ. The early part of the route is shared by both the 50K and 100K event. Both routes leave the village heading North. They cross the A5 before passing between Lapley and Wheaton Aston on to Church Eaton and then Gnosall. At Gnosall the routes split (make sure to follow the correct route!) with the 50K route making its way through countryside towards the grounds of the National Sports Centre at Lilleshall before continuing on to Sheriffhales where the feed station resides by the church at a distance of about 30K. The route then heads South towards the airbase and museum of RAF Cosford before joining back up with the 100K riders for the run for home. Passing by the historic Whiteladies Priory and Boscobel House (where King Charles II hid in the oak tree) and then the route continues through Bishops Wood before turning for Brewood and a safe return to the HQ through the same gate from which you started.
The 50K route is marked by YELLOW arrows. There will also be other signs to assist you as well as marshals (in high-viz vests) at certain junctions!
50K Route sign Example of other signs
The arrows will be placed at any road junction where you need to make a turn. They will not be placed where you already have right-of-way except if we feel it will make routing clearer. Principal rule is therefore “DO NOT TURN OFF A ROAD UNLESS MARKED TO DO SO” .
If you do get to a junction that is not arrowed then you have probably missed a turn, unless the sign has been tampered with, and we suggest that you retrace your route. If you are still unable to pick-up the marked route then give HQ a call on the event’s emergency number, located on your number card, and we’ll try and help.
Any route changes known about at the start will be signposted and will also be noted on the map board near Registration on the day.
6
THE FEED STATIONS
The 50K Route has one feed station, at a distance of 30K, located at Sheriffhales Village Hall.
Please show your event wristband to gain entry to the Hall.
Inside you will find a warm welcome, water, tea, coffee, cakes, biscuits, bananas, chairs, tables, toilets, first aid and a shoulder to cry on, if required – all subject to availability!
THE FINISH
By following all of the route arrows you will enter the school using the same gateway as you originally left (not the main entrance).
Here you will receive your finisher’s medal and some well deserved applause!
Please feel free to stay a while, have a drink and listen to the entertainment.
If you pre-ordered a hot meal then exchange your wristband for food at the school’s refectory.
EMERGENCIES
On the reverse of the number card, to be displayed on the front of your bike, is the emergency telephone number for the event. Please call this number if you require any assistance, such as:
mechanical failure (when you cannot continue); you are lost; you are fatigued and are be unable to continue cycling ; you are retiring from the course and making your own way home; and you are unable to reach the HQ before it closes.
In the event of a road traffic incident or the need for acute medical attention please dial 999 in the first instance.
7
BROOM WAGGON AND COURSE SIGN REMOVAL
A vehicle will leave the HQ approximately one hour after the time that the last rider was started and will drive the route. This ‘broom waggon’ will remove all of the course arrow signs as it reaches each junction but will stay behind the last rider on the route.
If the broom waggon considers that the last riders on a route are not going to return to the HQ in accordance with the applied time limits, or if the last rider(s) wish, then they will be picked-up, with their bike, and transported to the finish.
EVENT PHOTOGRAPHY
There will be photographers at the HQ as well as dotted around the course. After the event the photographs will be available to buy from the www.curleyphotography.com website.
ETIQUETTE AND SAFETY
The safety of our riders and the enjoyment of all users of the roads on the event day is paramount to us therefore we would ask you to observe the following:
It’s not a race Ride within your capabilities Watch out for potential hazards - be aware of the inherent hazards of riding country lanes (blind bends, oncoming traffic, tractors, standing water, uneven surfaces, mud, gravel, pot holes, etc) particularly if weather conditions change. Obey the rules of the road – the Highway Code Respect other road users Don’t obstruct the route -ride in single file or small groups to ease traffic flow Don’t Litter - bring all of your gel wrappings, etc back with you or deposit them in the bins at the feed stations Ensure your bike and equipment is ‘fit-for-purpose’ - before taking part ! Be considerate to local residents – around the Event HQ, the feed stations and along the route Know the route and be self-sufficient Look after your fellow riders and they will look after you
8
THE VILLAGE OF BREWOOD
Brewood (pronounced “Brood”) dates back to Anglo-Saxon times and became a notable market town following the Norman Conquest. The town's national significance declined during the 19th century, having been greatly affected by the Agricultural and Industrial Revolutions. On the positive side, today's village has changed relatively little since then, although the population has expanded.
Brewood retains its original character and has been designated a Conservation Area. There are many listed buildings: half-timbered old houses and cottages in the traditional black-and-white style, lie alongside dignified houses of the Georgian and Queen Anne period. It is difficult to isolate any for special mention, but Dean Street is particularly appealing, providing a very attractive setting for the Parish Church of St Mary, the Virgin, and St. Chad at its top. It shares its dedication with Lichfield Cathedral, probably because the bishop was lord of the manor of Brewood.
In and around the pretty Market Square you will find a pleasing selection of shops and public houses, as well as restaurants, tea rooms and take-aways. In the centre of the Square can be found “The Trading Post” , our charity’s pre-owned goods fund raising shop, which is always worth a visit to grab a bargain!
Speedwell Castle can be found on the edge of the Square. A mid-18th- century house built in an interesting combination of Victorian Gothic and Classical architectural styles was reputedly built by local apothecary William Rock, using the winnings from betting on the Duke of Bolton's racehorse, Speedwell.
At the other end of the village lies the Roman Catholic church, dedicated to St. Mary, built in 1844 under the direction of Pugin, who donated three windows to it. The style is modelled on that of the late 13th century, with an open roof, an aisled nave, a lady chapel and a west tower with a small spire. The church contains a Madonna and child, thought to have sustained leg damage from a sword stroke during a search of Blackladies', a local house, by Parliamentary soldiers during the escape of Charles II. The wound was said to weep continually and the liquid was used to effect cures.
Brewood is much loved by canal folk and pleasure cruisers. The Shropshire Union Canal runs through the village, which offers a unique route to the walled city of Chester.
All of the delights of Brewood are within an easy and short walk from the Event HQ.
(narrative courtesy of www.brewoodandcovenparish.org.uk and other websites)
9
EVENT TIMINGS
The below timings are given as a guide only:
*
* Hot meal is only available to riders who have booked the meal in advance at the time they entered the event online.
10
13 June 2015
CAR PARK B Car50K Park Pass – please display clearly on windscreen
The organisers accept no responsibility for any loss or damage to persons, vehicles, equipment or personal effects during the course of the event.
11
13 June 2015
DROP OFF Car Park Pass – please display clearly on windscreen ONLY
The organisers accept no responsibility for any loss or damage to persons, vehicles, equipment or personal effects during the course of the event.
12
Map of Event HQ
13
Map of 50K Route
50K/100K ROUTE SPLITS
FEED STATION
START, FINISH & HQ
14