Tickets are available here
Details: Thursday 1st October 2020
Meeting Car Park and start at The Marlow Club, Globe Park, Fieldhouse Lane, Marlow, Bucks SL7 1LU. Changing, shower and socially distanced café available
Start: 9am meeting for 9.30am to 10am start in groups of 4-6 riders at a time, grouped by experience with a lead/guide rider
Lunch: roughly half way point at The Waterfront Café, Benson Waterfront, Wallingford, OX10 6SJ
Finish: mid to late afternoon at The Marlow Club
Tickets are available here
Contact Robert Taylor – for more details
Accommodation: if needed either:
Travelodge (opposite The Marlow Club)
CP Marlow (100m from The Marlow Club)
Those that wish can stay for a curry early evening at Maliks
Route: the 50/60 mile route takes a gentle climb out of Marlow towards Frieth and Fingest which will ease you in gradually whilst still a morning “wake up” as they are lovely hills. The first climb is Oxford Road. The bottom of this climb is the toughest, once you’ve completed for the first 100 metres you’re past the worst. At the top you are rewarded with fabulous views of the Hambledon Valley and Turville (filming location for many TV shows including Midsomer Murders, Vicar of Dibley, Lewis, Miss Marple, Jonathan Creek) and of course the Windmill from Chitty Chitty Bang Bang!
Now a steady, gradual climb up to the highest point of the Chilterns at Stokenchurch followed by a glorious, fast descent, exhilarating for even the most reluctant of downhillers.
Once you’ve crossed the B4009 continue on the A40, then back on to local roads and a short climb up Clare Hill. Through the picturesque villages of Cuxham, Brightwell Baldwin and on to Benson for Lunch followed by the second major climb of the day Swyncombe Hill which takes you up to Cookley Green.
From Cookley Green the route heads along the B481 towards Park Corner and Nettlebed, then on to Highmoor for a well earned pitstop and then Rotherfield Peppard, through Sonning Common, Binfield Heath, on to Playhatch and over the river Thames at the stunning Sonning Common. You may have to wait at the lights but its worth it just to take in the beautiful surroundings. Then Charvil, Twyford and Waltham St Lawrence, White Waltham and a steady climb up towards the Cookhams followed by a steep descent down Quarry Wood, complete with an alpine style hairpin bend. Now just a short triumphant ride over the iconic Marlow Bridge to the finish at The Marlow Club, where a relaxing shower in the club facilities and cakes in the café will restore any sore legs!
The route may be changed at short notice due to road works and other unforeseen circumstances therefore to be on the safe side we recommend that you leave it as late as possible before downloading the final route which will be sent to you a few days before. No signage will be on the roads for the route, your group guide will be a local experienced rider plus there will be ground support from a central location.
Cost is £50 per rider all of which goes to AFPA Trust Charities
Course Map
Terms & Conditions
These conditions are designed for your safety and the safety of other road users.
Introduction
The AFPA Trust Red Kite Ride is a non-competitive cycling sportive organised and hosted by LTi Technology Solutions Limited.
Liability
AFPA Trust does not accept any responsibility for any injury sustained or property damaged in the course of the Red Kite Ride.
Adequate material loss/damage insurance cover is recommended in respect of your cycle and any personal property and for any loss/injury you may sustain yourself or cause to a third party.
Cars and valuables are left at the start/finish points are left at your own risk.
Please do not leave any valuables in your vehicle or unsupervised at any time.
Data Protection and Privacy:
We will ony use for Personal Data for the purposes of this event and inine with the AFPA Trust Privacy Notice.
Age
All riders under the age of 18 years must provide written parental consent prior to the event and those under 16 years must be accompanied by an appropriate adult during the whole of the event.
Refunds
Participants who enter the AFPA Trust Red Kite Ride and subsequently withdraw from the event will not be entitled to a refund and your entrance fee will be donated (in full) to charity.
Images
Images may be taken during the event using film photography, digital photography, video or other media and may be used on our website and in promotional material in any medium. By taking part in the event or attending the event, participants and their supporters are deemed to have given their consent unless objections are received by email to the organisers. APFA Trust acknowledges its responsibilities towards children and younger people and will, whenever possible and practicable, refrain from using their images without parental permission.
Alteration or postponement of the event
AFPA Trust reserves the right to alter, postpone or cancel the event where this becomes necessary as a result of circumstances beyond our reasonable control. Where the event is postponed, or cancelled, participants shall be entitled to defer their ride to when the event next takes place.
Conduct of participants
All participants are required to conduct themselves in a responsible and safe fashion and refrain from any behaviour that could adversely affect the reputation of AFPA Trust or put others at risk.
Health & Safety
- AFPA Trust has a risk assessment procedure for this event and will use all reasonable endeavours to ensure that the event is safe for participants and the public. However, by taking part participants agree to take reasonable care of their own health, safety and welfare and that of other participants and members of the public. Participants acknowledge that the event will take place on public rights of way and roads and that, as such, risks may arise that are beyond AFPA Trust’s reasonable control.
- Participants aged 16 or under must be accompanied by a responsible adult (aged 18+, preferably a parent or guardian) for the whole duration of the event. Parents/guardians are responsible for ensuring that their child is a competent cyclist and has a good level of road safety awareness.
- The AFPA Trust Ride necessarily requires a high degree of physical exertion on the part of the participants. All participants must satisfy themselves that they are in good health and physically able to participate in this event. If in doubt, participants should consult a GP or hospital doctor prior to the ride.
- All participants must protect themselves by wearing suitable clothing and footwear including high visibility apparel.
- The wearing of hard shell helmets conforming to CE standards EN1078 is mandatory for all participating riders.
- Participants who start without a helmet, or choose to discard their helmet at any other point of the ride will be withdrawn from the ride and asked to seek ground assistance back to the start / finish point.
- All participants must supply their own bicycle and must ensure that it is roadworthy and in a good state of repair for this event. Participants are also advised to carry a bicycle pump, two spare inner tubes and/or puncture repair kit and a tool kit.
- If the event has to be held in poor light, then front and rear lights must be used and must have adequate battery life for the duration of the event.
- All participants must follow the rules of the Highway Code and any guidance or instructions issued by AFPA Trust. The Highway Code states that riders should not ride more than two abreast, and extend all reasonable courtesy to other road users. The use of earphones (e.g. MP3, iPod) by participants is strongly discouraged on the grounds of safety.
- The use of triathlon handlebars or other time trial bar extensions is not permitted for safety reasons. Participants who do have them fitted will be asked to remove the parts, or be withdrawn from the event.
- All riders must carry a form of identification showing their name, address and contact details of the person to be advised in the eventuality of an accident. It is also advised that all participants carry enough food, drink, money, mobile phone, as well as extra clothing to complete the Ride taking into account the route and possible adverse weather conditions.
- Participants must not consume alcohol during or before the event
- Participants are required to refrain from smoking during the event.
- Participants are responsible for arranging their own transport to and from the event. AFPA Trust recommends that participants use the nominated parking facilities or arrange to be collected at the end of the event.
- Pre-ride bike check: AFPA Trust recommends you do this two weeks before your event. If anything is not working properly or is worn out you need to have time to either to fix it yourself or to book your bike in with your local tame bike mechanic.
- Brake pads: These are crucial to you having an enjoyable and safe sportive. Remove you wheels and check your brake pads. Most makes have a wear line on them. Most also have slits in the sides, if these have worn flat you need to change them. With disc brakes you will need to remove the spring clip holding the pads in place and remove them to check them. With disc brakes it is normally very obvious if the pads are worn…. Warning do not apply the brakes if you have hydraulic disc brakes with the wheels and pads out.
- Brake pad alignment: With your wheel back on check that the brake pads are gripping the wheel at the same time not pushing one side first. If they aren’t even first check that the wheel is seated firmly and straight in the drop outs. If it is there is a small Allen key nut on the side of the brake calliper, which allows you to centre the pads.
- Tyres: With your wheels removed go right round the tyre looking for flints or any objects embedded in the tyre. To remove any objects let some air out of the tyre and either use your nail or a small flat head screwdriver to flick them out. If you have any deep or large gashes in the tyre you should consider replacing it. If your tyre is worn, i.e. flattened on the top (some makes have a wear dimple in the tyre it should be replaced). If your side walls are damaged, have tears and are bulging they should be changed.
- Gears: If you don’t have a bike stand get a friend to hold your back wheel off the ground. So you can run through the gears. If you have shifting problems either book your bike in with your local bike shop/mechanic or you could have a look at the following excellent GCN videos and have a go yourself. There’s nothing worse than a dropped chain on the first hill…….
– How to index your front derailleur
– How to index your rear derailleur - Chainrings: It’s a simple thing but give the crank arms a good wiggle to see if there is any movement in the bottom bracket. If there is, then it’s off to the bike shop.
- Chain: Check your chain for wear either with a chain wear tool or by measuring 8 complete links which should be 8 inches. Another rough measure is if in the big ring you can pull the chain away from the teeth and expose a lot of the teeth your chain is on the way out. If you chain is worn out you should replace it as soon as possible.
- Bar tape: Is your bar tape worn, loose or just plain dirty? If so change it. If nothing else it will make you feel better at your sportive… Fundamentally it will make your ride more comfortable.