Getting to the start point (Dragonfly Café, Dinton Pastures Country Park, Hurst, post code RG10 0TH)

1. From Reading: Head south, towards Wokingham, on the A329 (not the A329(M)). At the cross roads, with a hand car wash and Sainsbury’s store on your right, turn left at the traffic lights. Proceed (30mph limit) over the railway bridge then over the A329(M) bridge. Immediately at the end of the second bridge turn left into Dinton Pastures Country Park.
2. From the M4: Exit at junction 10 and follow signs to Reading. This filters onto the A329(M). Take the first exit (Winnersh Triangle). Keep right at the first roundabout, then immediately move to the left-hand lane to keep left at the next roundabout. Again keep in the left-hand lane to take the first exit at the next (light controlled) roundabout. Proceed on the A329 towards Wokingham. At the cross roads, with a hand car wash and Sainsbury’s store on your right, turn left at the traffic lights (then as for (1) above).
3. By train – turn left on exiting the station. Immediately after descending the bridge over the A329(M) turn left into Dinton Pastures Country Park.

Arrival

Please arrive at least 30 minutes before the start to allow time for collection of your Brevet card, any updates to the route sheet, etc. ‘On-the-line’ entrants may need to wait whilst priority is given to riders who have pre-entered.

Refreshments may be purchased from the Dragonfly Cafe before and after the event. The café opens at 08:30 and closes at approximately 19:00.
The route and refreshments en-route:

The route is on quiet country roads and heads out in a westerly direction via Swallowfield before turning south to Odiham and the half-way point at Kingsley, returning in a northerly direction via Crondall, Phoenix Green and Hazeley. Food and drink can be purchased at the Country Market half-way control, the Village Centre Shop, Kingsley (on main road 200yds beyond the R turn to Wheatley at the start of the return route) and at the Jolly Farmer PH, approx. 3 miles after the half-way control.

The finish

The finish control at Dinton closes at 16:52. Any rider who does not expect to finish before this time should telephone the organiser (details will be on the Brevet card) so that you are known to be safe although not expected at the finish control within the event’s time constraints.

We look forward to seeing you on the day and trust that you will have a safe an enjoyable ride.

Hot food is available at the Country Market Control at Kingsley, the Kingsley Village Centre Shop (sandwiches and hot drinks only – 200 yds off-route – see information / route sheet) or the Jolly Farmer Public House, approximately 3 miles after the Control on return route (see route sheet).

Don’t miss the open views or, if you are lucky, the Heron – both on the return leg.

This Ford is near the end of the ride.

DO NOT ATTEMPT TO RIDE THROUGH IT.

Use the footbridge …

… but be respectful to anglers who may be fishing from it.

Audax cycling events are long distance rides that require the rider to be self-sufficient and follow a route sheet that is provided. This gives clear instructions of when to turn left, right, etc. It is not a map.

Unlike Sportives, which are much more expensive to enter, they do not have the route pre-marked with direction arrows at junctions. Also there is no support vehicle to get you home if you suffer a mechanical problem. If you are unable to finish, the organiser should be telephoned (see Brevet card, issued to you at the start of the event) so that you are known to be safe but not expected back at the finish. The Brevet card must be stamped by a Controller at each Control Point, including the finish, so it can be shown that the rider has correctly completed the course.

Audax cycling events are a personal challenge, not a race. However, the event must be completed within a pre-set time in order that the rider can class it as successfully completed. Riders need to manage the combination of riding time, and time for rest / food breaks, within the overall time limit.