RIDERS DETAILS:
Firstly a massive and sincere thank you for entering our inaugural sportive in loving memory of Hampshire resident Nelson Pratt – Nelson’s Tour de Test Valley. The lanes and climbs you will be riding on the day were his absolute favourite place to be on a bike and he would be truly honoured to see so many of you out enjoying them too.
It’s true testament to the effect Nelson had on everyone he met, and the positive support of people like you, that this event has had such an incredible response, selling out all 500 places online weeks before the event.
Through your entries alone we have already raised well over £10,000 for our charity partner CALM, with the figure only set to rise with your donations. With every hard fought pedal rev your efforts are going to a great cause and helping raise awareness for male suicide – currently the biggest single killer of young men in the UK.
It’s crucial we tackle the stigma surrounding this subject and mental illness, with your help (and legs) we are truly making large leaps forward.
We really look forward to welcoming you on the day and being part of our first cycle event. Fingers crossed mother nature wakes up in a good mood and we give you a cracking day on the bike.
Please find all details on the event below. We look forward to seeing you all on the 7th September.
The Nitty Gritty.
Directions: 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/
HQ 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 14.00hrs. Showers and toilets will be on site.
We’re afraid there won’t be any food/drink available at HQ on Friday so bring your own if staying the night. There are a plenty of great pubs close by, our choice been The Hawk at Amport, about 5 mins drive from site.
Parking.
Event staff will direct you to the parking area, please park as close to the next vehicle as possible and try to 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 Procedure
Please be advised that if you are able, registering on Friday afternoon is recommended to avoid congestion on Sat morning when most riders will arrive.
Registration open:
Friday from 15.00hrs – 19.00hrs and re-opens at 0700hrs on Saturday morning.
– Registration desks will have riders surnames placed alphabetically on the tables.
– Grab your plastic rider number, timing chip and cable ties from staff.
– Your rider number should be secured to the front of your bike with cable ties and clearly visible at all times.
– Your timing chip should be stuck to the left hand side of you helmet.\
IMPORTANT:
We will not be taking anymore entries on the day, due to car parking and facilities the ride has reached it’s total safe capacity.
If riders have not entered online, or been put on the limited reserve list by contacting the organiser directly and been notified of a place – please don’t turn up expecting to enter as sadly we’ll have to turn you away.
Exclusive Cycling Jersey!
We are really pleased to announce we have designed an exclusive cycling shirt to honour Nelson and the event. Piccy of jersey attached.
Made possible by incredible support from Vans Footwear, the one-off cycling jersey is available in both mens & women’s sizes, features a full zip, three rear pockets and a zipped stash pocket for phone/money.
We’d be so chuffed if as many riders as possible wear this jersey on the day, and with all the proceeds going direct to CALM it’s a great way of raising a few quid.
The shirt is priced at £30, great value for a top quality cycling jersey.
We have only produced 150 so to secure your shirt email size and quantity to: info@nelsonstourdetestvalley.
Your shirt will be ready for collection with payment taken at registration when collecting your rider pack.
Sorry cash only please.
Food & Drink at Ride HQ
Breakfast will be available to buy from 7am on Sat from our local caterers. Our team of caterers will be conjuring up the finest bacon and egg rolls in Hampshire from v early doors.
Bowls of granola will also be available, made by a family friend of Nelson and plenty of free tea on offer at the CALM tent.
For coffee lovers a local stall will be on hand if riders fancy a caffeine hit before the off.
VANS are bringing their famous waffle maker down too which is great news, guilt free treat after a hard shift in the saddle!
There will be a basic pay bar in the main marquee on site serving beer, cider and sort 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.
The CALMzone – FREE TEA!
Our charity partner CALM had a genius idea – why not set up a tent that provides free tea on tap all day, keeping both thirsty riders, spectators and family members happy as larry. So that’s exactly what they’re doing, with the kind help of our partner Twinings Tea. Please go and say hello, and find out about the amazing work CALM do.
Many of you have already raised lots of extra pennies for this event but to save hassle and to make it incredibly easy to donate, especially on the day, CALM have set up a text giving service taking any hassle out of donating.
To do this please text ‘Ride on Nelly’ to 70444 to donate £5.
There’s still time to rattle those family members and friends and raise a few quid through your Virgin Money Giving pages:
https://uk.virginmoneygiving.
Cycle Spares:
There will be a cycling stand on site stocking all bike essentials like inner tubes etc with a free mechanical service should your steed be cranky and require urgent attention.
There will be a clothing stand providing all the essentials should the weather turn on us, with spare helmets and all the extras to battle the elements if needed, or if you left your clothes at home!
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All Start & Important Details For The Ride.
With three routes on offer at our sportive, we have tried to configure a set start window for each route, aiming to ensure all riders finish within a certain time span – both for safety and meaning your free well earnt hot meal at the end isn’t stone cold!
Please try and stick to these start times, especially the 100 milers, it will help us out hugely and mean for a safe swift start – and a happy return!
FULL MONTY
Start: 0800 – 0900
SPAG BOL
Start: 0930 – 1030
CHICKEN CURRY
Start: 1100 – 1200
– No riders will be able to start before 0800, and none later than 1200.
– Waves of approximately 15-20 will be set off at 5-minute intervals. (this is just done for safety, avoiding big bunches on the road and congestion)
– 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 rules apply – for budding Wiggo’s remember this is not a race and there will be traffic on the roads as usual!
– Should you have an un-fixable mechanical problem, or have an emergency on route – 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.
GPS Downloads
All ride routes will be available to download for Garmins / GPS devices on the website from MONDAY 2ND SEPT.
https://
Feed Stations
To keep those legs whirring and the engine fully fuelled, there will be feed stations on each route. All stations will have water, energy drink, bananas, energy food, flapjacks etc – all served by friendly faces to keep moral levels 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:
The 25 mile ride will have one feed station shorty after the Long Stock House Nursery @ 12.5 miles.
Spag Bol:
The 50 mile ride will have one feed station at Hurstbourne Priors Village Hall @ 31 miles.
Full Monty:
The 100 mile ride will have two feed stations located at Hurstbourne Tarrant Royal British Legion Club @ 29 miles & Burghclere Sports Club @ 63 miles.
The Finish!
On your glorious and happy return to Ride HQ you will pass under the finish gantry and receive your food token for your free meal and goodie bag.
Rack your bike in the stands provided and follow fellow riders into the barn for your meal.
Staff will ensure your bikes are safe and sound so all you have to worry about is getting some food down you. There will also be a bar offering beer, cider and soft drinks.
IMPORTANT:
Please if possible could all riders/spectators be off site by 19.00 hrs. We would really appreciate if you could try and stick to this.
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That’s it thank goodness – you’ve done well to read this far!
If there are any questions on any of the above, or anything else – please email:
info@nelsonstourdetestvalley.
See you on the 7th Spet – Allez, allez, bon courage!!!
Kind regards,
The Tour de Test Valley Team.
https://
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General Info (legal blurb!)
– Due to British Cycling regulations all riders must wear a hard shell helmet to approved national standards, at all times during the event. Any rider not wearing a helmet does so at their own risk.
– Ensure you wear the correct clothing for the weather conditions on the day. Limited clothing will be available to buy at Ride HQ should the weather catch you out.
– Ensure your bike is in a roadworthy and safe condition. Mechanics will be on hand at the start and around the course, where their main role is to deal with major mechanical problems. It is not possible for them to be everywhere at once, so please ensure you carry tools and spares to deal with minor problems, such as punctures etc.
– The Mechanics are on the course, they will carry certain spares but please understand the spares should be paid for.
– Please communicate any problems along the route or details of riders in need of assistance to the nearest marshall or the emergency number on the reverse of your rider number.
– The course will be well signed, but if you can study the route before you leave.