When

Saturday 10th June 2023 : 09:00

Enter at Audax UK

Files

Route sheet (pdf)

GPS route (zip file)

Start / finish

Beech Hill, South of Reading – Memorial Hall
Postcode: RG7 2BE
What Three Words: ///extent.storyline.aboard
Google Maps: Beech Hill

General Information

This ride explores the downs and countryside of the North Wessex Downs AONB on the doorstep of the hustle and bustle of the Thames Valley.

The 66 mile route is by no means ‘leisurely’. In places it is hilly as it passes through glorious countryside with long downland views. Despite the remoteness of much of the route, there are a number of places to stop, rest and have something to eat and drink along the way and the generous time allowance for the event allows you to take your time to enjoy the day.

Entrants are expected to be cyclists with some experience, familiar with riding the distance, and able to carry out routine simple repairs should they be needed. The ride is not supported in any way and you will need to be self-sufficient. It is wise to carry several spare inner tubes and the means to deploy them. There is no mechanical support on the ride, and no roadside event signage. The event is not a race. It is designed to allow you to enjoy some of the best countryside in the area and experience the splendour available on the doorstep of a number of busy towns.

Please avoid doing anything that could spoil the event.Be relaxed, friendly and courteous to all those you meet on the ride (including drivers, horse riders and pedestrians) and act as an ambassador for audax and cycling generally.

The condition of the roads will variable. You will encounter loose gravel, pot holes and other defects that will need to be negotiated with care and without hurry. Riders should not assume that any lack of comment on the provided routesheet about road surface means that the surface is good. It is the responsibility of all riders to take care of themselves and other riders and road users.

If this is your first audax experience, you may find Notes for Audax novices helpful.

Costs

This is not a fundraising event, it is held for your enjoyment on an entirely voluntary basis. The entry fee covers audax event registration and ride validation fees, hire of the village hall and food provided at the start and end of the event. Calculating the fee is not an exact science as the number of entrants will not be known until later. The fee thus includes a margin that is hopefully sufficient to ensure that the events held on the day do not run at a loss. Surplus funds are donated equally between the Cyclists’ Defence Fund and Thames Valley Air Ambulance.

The entry fee is £8.50

If you turn up on the day to enter the fee is £10.00, and subject to the availability of brevet cards. Please arrive in good time to allow for the necessary administration before the start.

The Route

The route can be viewed here:
Final route
This is initially in draft form. No significant changes are anticipated but any changes needed (eg due to road closures) will be added nearer the date, after which the map will no longer be titled ‘draft’. The link can be saved to a phone (eg email it to yourself) to access Googlemaps if needed during the event should you become lost or need a back-up to a cycle computer.

The route can also be viewed here with various download options: https://ridewithgps.com/routes/38506139

A simple .gpx file for the route will be sent to entrants a week or so before the event when there is reasonable certainty that it is final.

Time allowance

As noted above the event is NOT a race. Take your time and enjoy it!

The event starts at 09:00

Riders should return no later than 19:30 allowing for an average speed of 10 kilometres per hour (around 6.5 mph).

Entries

Please use the on-line entry on the AUK site. Although this uses PayPal, you don’t actually need a PayPal account to enter.

It will be possible to enter on the day, but there will be a late-entry fee for this, and I cannot guarantee that I will have sufficient Brevet Cards available.

If you cannot finish the ride…

…for whatever reason, you MUST phone or otherwise inform the organisers to minimise their worries and time hanging on at the finish for what they think are late finishers.

The ‘brevet card’ that you are given at the start of the ride will include a contact telephone number for the organiser.

Parking

Limited car parking is available at Beech Hill Village Hall.
Please park tidily and use the space efficiently.

If the car park is full please park with utmost consideration for local residents.

Our use of the memorial hall is dependent on the events not winding up the locals.

Rail services

Reading station is an 11km ride from the start, albeit requiring some fiddly navigation, much of it through the town.

Mortimer station is closer to the start (4.6km to the west). Trains are available to Mortimer from Basingstoke or Reading but you will need to check the times nearer the date.

Queries

Any queries – please get in touch: Nick Clark – nickclark2020@gmail.com

This event is hosted and organised by Cycling UK Reading under the Regulations of Audax UK – The UK Home of Long Distance Cycling