Bonjour!

Well here we are, the big day has finally rolled back into town, the second ever Nelson’s Tour de Test Valley on Saturday 20th September is only a week away. 

This ‘riders brief’ contains all the crucial information you need for the day. Please read it carefully. 

Firstly a hugely sincere thank you for entering our sportive in memory of Nelson Pratt. The lanes and climbs you will be riding in the Test Valley were his favourite place to be on his bike, he would be so chuffed to see so many of you enjoying them. 

Again this year through your entries alone (over 800!) the event has already raised well over £10,000 for our charity partner CALM, with the figure set to rise with your donations. With every hard fought pedal rev your efforts are supporting a great cause and helping raise awareness for male suicide – currently the biggest single killer of young men in the UK. 

Last year the event raised over £60,000, crucially helping CALM employ more staff in it’s call centre, without doubt helping save lives. Lets try and beat that target this year if we can, please keep rattling the buckets. 

To make it super easy there is a text donation number in this mail, be great if you could send a text at the end.

It’s crucial we tackle the stigma surrounding this subject and mental illness, with your help (and legs) we are making large leaps forward. 

We’re also proud to say Olympic Bronze medalist Jenny Jones will be opening the ride at approximately 0800. Nelson was Jenny’s freestyle snowboard coach.

A huge thank you must go to our event partners VANS Footwear, Knight Frank, New Voice Media, Madison and Andy Cook Cycling. The event wouldn’t be possible without their incredible support.

We really look forward to welcoming you on the day, the Test Valley is ready for you to light it up!

We’re off to finish baking all the cakes.
https://www.exelapharma.com/levitra-5mg-10mg-20mg/
Chapeau!!

NTdTV Team & the Pratt Family.

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RIDE HQ:

HQ is located in the village of Grateley, near Andover. 
The site will be clearly signed from all directions once nearing Grateley. Please see map below: 

https://www.google.com/mapmaker?gw=55&editids=wca9Y1Sl9rfPyrVLaT&iwloc=0_0&t=h&dtab=overview

Address: 
SP11 8LH
Grateley, 
Nr Andover. 

CAMPING AT RIDE HQ: 

Free camping is available at Ride HQ on the Friday night.
The site will be open from 16.00. Showers and toilets will be on site. 

There won’t be any food/drink available at HQ on Friday so please make arrangements if staying the night.

There are a plenty of great pubs close by in Grateley, Wallop and Amport. 

PARKING: 

Parking is at RIDE HQ, event staff will direct you on arrival. Please park as close to the next vehicle as possible and keep a beady eye out for cyclists if you are arriving after 0800hrs on Saturday. 

Once you have parked follow ‘registration’ markers for signing on in the barn. You can either go with your bike, racking it next to the barn, or get ready for your ride after you’ve signed in.

REGISTRATION / SIGN ON PROCEDURE:

All riders must register/sign in before riding. Please be advised that if you’re able, registering on Friday afternoon is recommended to avoid congestion on Sat morning when most riders will arrive.

Registration opening hours:

Friday: 16.00 – 19.00
Saturday: 0700 – 1000

* Look for the distance you are doing.
* Registration desks will have riders surnames placed alphabetically on the tables.
* Find your name on the list and grab your pack containing your number, timing chip and cable ties.
* Your rider number should be secured to the front of your bars with cable ties and clearly visible at all times.
* Your timing chip should be stuck to the left hand side of you helmet.

START TIMES & RIDE DETAILS: 

With the three rides on offer, we have set a start window for each route, aiming to ensure all riders finish within a certain time span – both for safety and meaning your well earnt free hot meal at the end isn’t stone cold! 

We will be starting you in waves of 20-30 riders, with a five min gap in between. There will be a full safety briefing at the start line. Please listen carefully. Follow the signs!

Take your time, soak in the views, enjoy the food at the feed stations (eat every hour as a rule of thumb) and drink regularly. Keeping well fuelled is absolutely the key to keeping those legs turning and maintaining energy levels – no fuel, no engine!!

Please stick to these start times, especially the 100 mile riders. 

FULL MONTY
Start: Between 0800 – 0900

SPAG BOL
Start: Between 0930 – 1030

CHICKEN CURRY
Start: Between 1030 – 1200

IMPORTANT NOTES:

* No riders will be able to start before 0800, and none later than 1200. 
* The start organiser will quickly brief you, immediately before you depart. Please go slowly across the start line to ensure your timing chip activates.
* Remember you are riding on an open road so normal traffic rules apply. 
* Should you have an un-fixable mechanical problem, or have an emergency, there will be a mechanic and broom wagon on hand to scoop you up. Contact details will be on the reverse of your rider number. 
* There will be a mechanic at HQ for the start to help with any last minute tuning. Gary will have spares etc to buy if needed.
* Riders are advised to carry at least two spare inner tubes with them, a pump and tyre leavers.
* HALO Sports will be running a cycle clothing stand stocking the essentials, just in case you left your helmet & jacket on the kitchen table.
* It may well be cold first in the morning, bring suitable clothing, especially if it’s wet!

* THERE WILL BE SECURE BAG STORAGE IN THE BARN.

* UNDER BRITISH CYCLING RULES ALL RIDERS MUST WEAR A HELMET. NO HELMET NO RIDE.

EMERGENCY CONTACTS:

These are the emergency numbers for the day in case of injury or serious mechanical problem.

They will be on the back of your riders number but please get out your mobiles and save them now:

EMERGENCY CONTACTS IN CASE OF INJURY:
Marcus 07760 176 936
Andy Cook 07811 156 141

MECHANICAL CONTACT IN CASE OF SERIOUS BIKE PROBLEM:
Gary Harris 07816 515 082

Gary will do his very best to get you back on the road if you have a serious problem, you will have to pay for major parts should you need them.

There are two mobile paramedics from Medibike at the event, the guys will be roaming all three routes.

GPS ROUTE DOWNLOADS

All routes are available to download for Garmins / GPS devices.
https://nelsonstourdetestvalley.co.uk/uncategorized/gps-files-for-all-routes/

FEED STATIONS:

To keep those legs whirring there will be feed stations on each route brimming with energy food such as bananas, brownies, flapjacks, tea, energy drink, treats etc – all served by friendly faces to keep moral high!

All stations will be clearly marked on route. Please take a little extra care when riding in and out as they’ll be other riders doing the same. 

Chicken Curry (25mile)
Long Stock Village Hall @ 12.5 miles. 

Spag Bol (50 mile)
Hurstbourne Priors Village Hall @ 31 miles. 

Full Monty (100 mile)
Hurstbourne Tarrant Royal British Legion Club @ 29 miles
Burghclere Sports Club @ 63 miles. 
Hurstbourne Priors @ 80 miles.

All feed stations will have a stock of inner tubes to buy and a track pump if needed.

IMPORTANT: HOT SPOTS ON THE ROUTES:

The roads on the route are fantastic but there are some dangerous spots, especially some fast descents ready to catch you out. No crazy overtakes or kamikaze descending PLEASE. Even Bradley Wiggins goes slow down hill sometimes – especially in the wet.

All the danger spots will be marked clearly with CAUTION & SLOW SIGNS. Please keep your beady eyes peeled and do what the SIGNS AND OUR MARSHALLS SAY. It’s for your safety. Remember the roads are open to traffic as usual.

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FOOD & DRINK AT RIDE HQ:

Breakfast will be available to buy from 0700 on Saturday morning. Our superb local caterers will be conjuring up the finest bacon and egg rolls in Hampshire. 

Award winning Pimhill Farm will also be serving up bowls of their incredible granola, bang a banana in there and you’ve got the perfect kickstart.

South West’s finest coffee barista’s BOSTON TEA PARTY will be brewing their magical dark brews from 0700.Take full advantage of the caffeine hit, medically proven to make the legs faster!! They’ll also be selling cakes all day. 

There will be MuleBar energy bars & gels available to buy at HQ.

FREE TEA will be available in the CALMzone tent all day. Donations welcome.

THE ‘Recovery’ BAR in the marquee will be open from 1200 serving beer, cider and soft drinks. 

For non-riders there will be food & drink available to purchase all day.

Please bring cash as there will be no card facilities on site. 

EVERY FINISHING RIDER RECEIVES A FREE HOT MEAL ON RETURN – DON’T MISS OUT!

THE CALMzone

Our charity partner CALM had a genius idea – why not run a tent that provides free tea on tap all day, keeping both thirsty riders, spectators and family members happy as larry. So for the second year that’s exactly what they’re doing. Please say hello and find out about the amazing work CALM do. 

Many of you have already raised lots of money for this event but to make it incredibly easy to donate, CALM have set up a text giving service taking any hassle out of donating. 

To do this please text ‘Ride on Nelly £5 or £10’ to 70660 to donate. (include the £sign please)

CALM Homepage

EXCLUSIVE CYCLE JERSEY

ANYONE THAT HAS PRE-ORDERED A CYCLE JERSEY IT WILL BE WAITING FOR YOU AT REGISTRATION – PLEASE BRING CASH OR CHEQUE TO PAY.

As we did last year, in collaboration with VANS Footwear we designed an exclusive cycle jersey to honour the event. We think it’s rather spiffing.

NEWSFLASH!! BRAND SPANKING NEW ‘Ride On Nelly’ Cycle Jersey!

The one-off cycling jersey is available in both mens & women’s sizes featuring a full zip, three rear pockets and a zipped stash pocket for phone/money. 

It would be amazing to see as many of you possible wearing it on the day, and with the proceeds going to CALM it’s a great way of helping us raise more pennies.

The shirt is priced at £40, cracking value.

There are only 50 left so be quick if you want one, email your order to:
info@nelsonstourdetestvalley.co.uk 

Cash/cheques only please. 

THE FINISH!!!

On your glorious and triumphant return to Ride HQ you will pass under the finish gantry and receive a token for your FREE MEAL and GOODIE BAG.

Rack your bike and head into the barn to grab your meal then head straight to the bar for a well earnt drink. We hope you’ll stay and have a few celebratory drinks with us.

There will be music in the marquee and we promise to keep the beer flowing! Definitely the best way to rehydrate. Maybe.

If possible could riders and spectators be off site by 1900. Thank you.

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RIGHT WAFFLE OVER – IF YOU’VE MADE IT THIS FAR YOU DESERVE A BEER!

PLEASE TEXT IF YOU CAN.
‘Ride on Nelly £5 or £10’ to 70660 to donate. (include the £sign please)

If you have any questions on the above, or anything else please email
info@nelsonstourdetestvalley.co.uk 

See you on the 20th September.

Allez, allez, bon chance! 

The Tour de Test Valley Team.