THANK YOU FOR ENTERING THE SAMARITANS CYCLE SPORTIVE – our annual Sportive in aid of the Chiltern Samaritans.
Please read this Riders’ Briefing carefully as it includes some administrative information and important rider safety notes to help ensure your day runs smoothly.
After you have entered online, you will receive an email confirmation from British Cycling.
Please read our Terms & Conditions
Everything you need to ride on the day will be available for you to collect at Registration.
Please remember: No Helmet = No Ride
GETTING HERE AND PARKING
Details are here: How to get here and park
REGISTRATION
Please ensure that you arrive at the start in good time. Riders will not be permitted to start after 10:00!
The field closes at 17:00 and if you are late, you may not be able to get your car out.
RIDER BRIEFING AND START
Once you have registered, riders will be called forward and set off in 2 minute intervals in batches of roughly 20 riders. The time you start will not be dictated by your rider number so if you want to ride with friends who registered at a different times, no problem.
CARRY SOME WATER!
It’s midsummer. The weather has been hot and sunny on our previous Sportives. Hydration is key whether you’re riding for an hour or 5 hours, even in cold weather. A consistent intake of water throughout your ride is very important.
Hydrating correctly can lead to increased energy levels, support healthy body function, and ensures your body is absorbing all of the nutrients from the food you consume every day.
So don’t forget to fill up your water bottle before you start and again at the feed stations along the route.
CARRY SOME CASH AND A CARD!
Please ensure that you have some spare cash/credit or debit card with you for emergencies and for any purchases you may require for breakfast and coffee before you ride, from our supporting trade stands, and you may want to treat yourself to a post-ride massage.
HORSES AND BICYCLES
Some of our lovely routes also share the road with equestrian riders. Please do not approach horses at speed. Slow down and call out to the horse rider asking if it is safe to pass them. For more details please read the following article: Be Nice, Say Hi!
ROUTES
PREPARE YOURSELF!
Please ensure you have the following items with you:
A helmet. It is mandatory that all riders wear a safety approved cycling helmet
A form of identification which shows your name, address, emergency contact details, and important medical information such as blood group, medications, and allergies.
One, preferably two water bottles, and some snacks and energy drinks. Although refreshments will be provided at the feed stations, we recommend that you bring sufficient quantities of your own water and food for the ride.
Suitable clothing. Check the weather forecast before setting out, and ensure you have essential clothing in case of inclement weather.
A First Aid kit. You should carry basic supplies with you, such as plasters, antiseptic wipes, and some clean water. In the case of a more serious incident, please seek help from fellow riders and contact the Emergency Services if necessary. Consider loading the what3words App onto your phone so that you can determine your location if you are lost and/or need help.
A bike computer, pre-loaded with your choice of route. This is not essential but occasionally we have lost a rider! The route is marked with arrows and there are marshals at key locations, but if you miss an arrow or a turning you could easily get lost in the narrow lanes.
MECHANICAL SUPPORT
There will be a van at the Event Village offering basic repairs, spare inner tubes etc. Mechanical support should not be relied on to fix any existing problems with your bike, but is there to help resolve any problems that have occurred on the way to the event.
The van will not be following you around the course, so carry some basic tools and consumables such as tyre levers, inner tubes, and tyre boot patches. Don’t forget to take a pump and spare CO2 cartridges.
ROUTE CLEARING
Approximately 30 minutes after the last rider starts, our team will set off to clear the route and to remove all signs and road markings.
RIDE HQ FACILITIES
Coffee, tea, water, First Aid, trade stands, and toilets
Fresh tea and coffee will be available for purchase at Ride HQ – please support the kind volunteers who are giving up their time to be there.
Trade suppliers will be on site on site selling a variety of accessories such as water bottles, spare tubes. Please support them on the day as they are donating a percentage of their sales to the event.
FEED STATIONS
There will be feed/drink stations on each course for you to top up your water bottles with energy drink and take on board some food, home-made by Samaritans volunteers. This should supplement the food/drink you have taken on the ride and you should not rely on this as your only form of nutrition.
For safety, please move off the road when at the feed station and be careful of other riders and traffic when departing.
AT THE FINISH
When you arrive back at Ride HQ, please complete the course through the finish gate and collect your drink and food tokens.
END OF EVENT
The field closes at 17:00 and if you are late, you may not be able to get your car out.
ENJOY!
Enjoy the ride! Remember this ride is not a race and you are on public roads that are open to other traffic. Respect other road users and be vigilant!
See you all at the Start … and at the Finish
