“the raptor” forest of bowland 63-mile cycle sportive – 18 june 2023
thank you for entering this great event which is based @
3-1-5 health club lancaster – la1 3pe.
you will be receiving your event number and route card in the post this week – it was posted on monday afternoon – please fill in the rear section and attach event number to you handlebars – so it can be clearly seen
please be aware that wearing of recognized cycling helmets is compulsory for all top dog cycle sportive events – and tri bars are not allowed by british cycling – who oversee and insure our events.
parking – is on the 3-1-5 health club car park from 0800hrs (please don t arrive before this as the entry gates will be locked ) and is free for the day – there is a parking eye system but it will be turned off for the duration of the event.
* please beware there is a 7ft barrier across the car park entrance – if you are in a van or have bikes on car roof – wait for our marshal to open it for you *
breakfast – there is a large 24-hour mcdonalds just beyond the start / event hq area, on caton road and the cafe inside the health club may be open,
facilities – there are no changing areas on the car park – so please come ready to ride – but there are toilets inside the club’s main entrance.
the start – the start line is a short, 500m, ride from the car park, signs and a marshal will show you the way, take your event number, attached to the front of your bike so that it can be easily seen and read, weatherproof top, food, drinks and mobile phone – riders will be starting in groups of 8 / 10 at regular 3-minute intervals between 0900 and 1000 hrs.
cut off time – is 17.00hrs – riders returning after this time will not be timed and will not receive a finishers goody bag.
your event number will be recorded on the start line and several times during your ride – so please ensure it is clearly visible and easy to read on the front of your bike – hanging down from the handlebars.
finding your way – the course will be clearly marked with fluorescent yellow arrows and specific top dog events signs throughout – it is your responsibility to look for these signs.
gpx file of the route – the raptor 63 mile sportive
please look out for our arrows and signs at crucial junction and throughout your ride – we go to great lengths to accurately place these signs for you – but may need to change a section of a route last minute – so it may differ for the gpx version – however they do get moved/damaged/taken down so gpx is a reliable backup.
rules of the road – please ride no more than two abreast in groups of 6 max and change to single file or stop when necessary, to allow traffic to pass – be courteous to motorists, farmers, and local residents – especially in the 1st and last couple of miles along the busy riverside pathway, which can be busy on sundays !
be seen be safe – by wearing bright clothes and having a red taillight.
be heard by pedestrians – please fit a working bell to your handlebars to politely warn pedestrians of your presence.
this event is not a race, it is a social cycling challenge, and you should approach it in this manner. you must follow the rules of the road and any dangerous or reckless cycling will not be tolerated.
communications – it is compulsory to carry a mobile phone, signal for most of the route is fine and event contact numbers are printed on rear of your event number should you need assistance – event hq will call you if we are concerned about you or your whereabouts.
mechanicals – please come with a mechanically sound bike. tyres, wheels, chains, cables, and brake blocks should be sound and in good working order.
spares – you should ride with all spares for necessary roadside repairs to your bicycle, 2 x inner tubes, patches, chain splitter and a pump – in addition to enough food and drink to get you to the feed station roughly half way round
sweeper vehicles – are only for serious mechanical failures and can be summoned by calling hq.
withdrawing from the event – for those who decide they have “ridden far enough” and no longer wish to continue, you will need to arrange transport back to the start/finish area and inform hq on 07521 703205 or a marshal that you have withdrawn from the sportive.
emergencies – should you witness or have an accident – ring our events hq, the phone number is on the back of your sportive number. they will contact our event paramedics and dispatch them to you. if you cannot get through to hq – ring 999 or 112 for assistance and then the race organisers at hq as soon as possible.
medical issues – if you have any known medical conditions, illness, or injury which you think may affect your participation in this event, you should seek medical advice before attending and carry all personal medication you may require during the event + sunscreen on hot days.
help – there will be several 1st aid trained mobile support staff on the course who will carry basic first aid kits, spares, tools, and cycle carriers to offer rider assistance.
please contact hq on 07521 703205 should you need either.
weather – if required, due to bad weather, we will change the route as appropriate to ensure that that the event still goes ahead on the chosen day.
if the weather is so bad that we feel it is necessary to cancel the event competitor entries can be transferred to next year’s event or to another top dog sportive.
we will insist that at least an outer shell jacket is carried by all riders, as the conditions in the remote bowland hills can be drastically different to the milder sea level conditions at event hq in lancaster.
safety on the course – our events take place on quiet rural lanes, but you should always be aware that these roads are open to traffic and quiet lanes bring their own hazards – rough surfaces, loose wild / farm animals, sunday drivers and numerous potholes.
refreshments and toilets – there is 1 x feed station at roughly the halfway point – this a grab and go pit stop, with –
flap jack, bananas, malt loaf, energy bars,baby bells, fig rolls, energy and electrolyte powders, water and cordials – if require anything else ie – gels, pork pies, salted nuts etc please bring them in your jersey pockets.
there are public toilets in chipping and dunsop bridge villages (carry change). there are also several village shops, cafes, tea vans and pubs en route where food and drink can be purchased.
plastics – we will not be providing plastic glasses or cups at our feed stations – but ask that you use your drinks bottle instead please.
timings and photos – a full list of times and event photos will be posted on the top dog events ltd website and facebook page in the week following the event.
the finish line – your time will be recorded as you cross the line – this will also inform the organizers that you are home safely – you will also be given a “goody bag”. there will be a free refreshments tent in the finish area – where you can have a sit down with a well earned hot or cold drink and a snack.
post ride massages – our own coach chris will be giving free post ride massages in the finish area.
post ride facilities – 3-1-5 health club have agreed to give our riders access to their brilliant poolside facilities, swim, sauna, steam and jacuzzi – for a heavily discounted fee of only £5 – payable at clubs reception.
medals and car stickers – if you purchased a souvenir medal or car sticker with your online entry, come to our hq desk after your ride and collect them.
marshals and helpers – this event would not be possible without the assistance of our amazing team of marshals and helpers – please be nice to them and a “thank you” as you pass through will be well received.
safety declaration
by entering this british cycling sanctioned event you are making the following declaration –
“i agree to abide by the british cycling regulations for non-competitive cycling events and understand and agree that i participate in this event entirely at my own risk, that i must rely on my own ability in dealing with all hazards, and that i must ride in a manner which is safe to myself and others. i am aware that when riding on a public highway the function of marshals is only to indicate direction and that i must decide whether any manoeuvre is safe.
i agree that no liability whatsoever shall attach to the promoter, promoting club/organisation, event sponsor, british cycling, or any event official in respect of any injury, loss or damage suffered by me in or by reason of the event however caused.
i will participate in cycling events in a loyal and sporting manner. i have read and agree to abide by the above declarations.”
see you sunday,
top dog events ltd team
e mail –[email protected]
web – www.topdogevents.co.uk
fb – top dog events
mob -07521 703205