King of the Downs - book now!

Just a heads up. The next ride, which is the King of the Downs, only has a few places left. So if you were undecided or waiting until the last minute I suggest you book now. We only have enough numbers, chips, goody bags and free food for the limited numbers of riders. Once we have sold out there will be no on the day entries, even the sneaky people who show up on the off chance!

Thanks
Dean

Reading MTB Times

Can be found here -
Reading MTB Rider Times

Right, off to bed!
Dean

Missing chips

We had 4 missing chips from the weekend.

Can you send them to :-

Dean Stacey
47 Pangbourne Street
Reading
Berks
RG30 1HS

We really need them by this weekend ready for the next event.

Thanks.

Reading Times

Hi All,

Wow, what a weekend, the weather held, the MTB trails were mainly dry and we had great numbers of riders turning up. I know the site was quite small for the amount of people milling around and I'd like to say thanks for your patience and understanding, there wasn't (as far as I'm aware) any problems.

I'm working on the MTB times now, but here's the Road ones to be going on with.

Reading Road Sportive Rider Times

Any changes, please mail me and I'll get them done asap.

Ta
Dean

Reading last minute details

The boys have been out putting up the MTB course for tomorrow and the feedback is that it's much drier than November!!!!

Some last minute things I've just remembered:-

Toll Bridge.
The bridge over the Thames at Pangbourne is a Toll Bridge. Cost is 40p each way so have some change ready ( And then give it to us so we don't run out!! )

There are some guides to the events that will eventually get mailed to every one who pre-enters, these can be found here:-

Details on route marking for the Sportive, including signage and splits.
http://www.box.net/shared/sxxvx1o7k3

Details on route marking for the MTB ride, including signage and splits
http://www.box.net/shared/f9kxfh0uus

How to attach your timing chip
http://www.box.net/shared/78t7t7fj7q

Ta
Dean

Reading Event Info IMPORTANT

IMPORTANT

Some info for the weekend.

Parking.
We have the same field as last year, but it's a lot drier! We will still have the matts down at the entrance so please try to keep to them on the way in. On the way out try and spread yourselves about a bit to even out the damage. If there are ruts, please don't drive in them, you'll only make them worse.

The entrance is on a fast bend and we will have "Caution Cyclists" signs out, and the Police may be in attendance putting out some of their own signs out if they deem necessary. If you have a particularly low car (Porsche, Ferrari etc) or a large van this might cause problems getting into the field, so you will be waved on. If this happens find somewhere safe to turn around and drive back past the event centre. Shortly after the church there is a left turn and the village green with parking on the perimeter.

Private Road.
Between the Village Hall and the car park is a private road. Please DO NOT park or turn in here. There will be bollards to indicate the road in question.

This also applies to bikes and pedestrians. Please do not stand in this area or leave bikes leaning against hedges. The residents need to be able to see out of the junction to pull out safely so this area must be kept clear.

Registration.
This venue was booked before the events started selling out, and as such is a bit on the small side facility wise. To avoid long queues if you have pre-entered please use the front door and on-the-day entries please walk around the building and in the rear doors.

Toilets
As above the amount of loos wasn't initialy a problem, but now it might get a bit tight. So, gents, please use the disabled toilet as well as the mens, and everyone, if you can go before you leave in the morning it might save you a long wait in a queue!!

Cheers
Dean

Reading Sportive

Hi everyone.

Sorry for the inactivity recently but we've been a bit busy behind the scenes!

The Sportive course is now up and what a great day for cycling it was today. No rain, no sun and no wind in an area full of yellow rapeseed fields and bluebell covered woods, perfect. Exept for one or two small things. We've changed the route around since the last time we were here and the culprit is the long route. The reason for this is to get the iconic Streetley Hill in the route somewhere. The route returns to the event centre where the riders on the Medium ride finish, leaving the Long riders to go out for their final loop. After a long descent into Streetley you cross over the Thames and straight up the hill the other side, then 20 odd miles on great country roads before the final sting in the tail, the final climb from Pangbourne up to the event centre.

Adding these two climbs in pushes the climb rating to nearer 3 than the advertised 2, but we don't have a 2.75 symbol :-)

Ta
Dean