the top dog events yorkshire dales cycle sportive – 28 april 2019
thank you for entering this years yorkshire dales cycle sportive, the event starts and finishes @ 3-1-5 health club, lancaster, postcode la1 3pe.
registration will be open in the reception area of 3-1-5 health club at 0900 hrs and you can start your ride between 10.00 and 10.30am
please be aware that wearing of recognised cycling helmets is compulsory for all top dog cycle sportive events – and tri bars are not allowed by british cycling – who insure our events.
cut off time for riders returning to 3-1-5 health club to complete the sportive is 17.00hrs – riders returning after this time will not be timed and will not receive a finishers goody bag.
section 1: the morning of the event
parking is available on the 3-1-5 health club car park, marshals will be available to direct you to designated parking areas in front of the club. the cost of parking has been covered as part of your entry fee and so is free for the day.
breakfast
will be available to purchase @ registration in the health clubs excellent replenish cafe from 0900 hrs onwards.
facilities
the health club has plenty of free changing, toilets and shower facilities for riders and supporters throughout the day. there is also a café at the health club which will be serving refreshments until 15.00 hrs. after that we will be happy to put the kettle on and make you a brew.
toilets are available in the health club and at regular intervals en route, signs will indicate their location.
section 2: registration
you will register in the main foyer of 3-1-5 health club, from 0900hrs. you must sign in and collect your allocated sportive number which must be attached to the front of your handlebars – with the emergency contact details on the rear filled in.
please leave your bike on or in your vehicle while you do this.
section 3: the start
the start area is a short walk away from the health club, to avoid a busy main road junction – just follow the signs and please use the pedestrian crossing.
there will be a bike stand and set of basic tools to carry out any last minute mechanical issues along with an nvq qualified mechanic at the start – but please ensure your bike is mechanically sound before leaving home – as we can only help with the most basic of roadside repairs and adjustments
once you are ready for the off – a marshal will take your number and start time as you begin your ride. riders will be set off in small groups every couple of minutes to minimise our impact on the local lanes by excessively large groups forming.
the two courses are 68 miles ( long ) and 32 miles ( short ).
if you are a slower rider you should aim to start as close to 10.00am as possible. if you are a faster rider you should start nearer to 10.30, thereby allowing slower riders to fill the earlier start times.
riders progress will be timed throughout each route until the finish and times will be published purely for personal information and not as any kind of result.
section 4: finding your way:
the course will be marked with fluorescent yellow arrow signs and specific top dog events signs, examples of these will be present during your registration, it is your responsibility to look for these the signs.
below are gpx files of each route –
these are intended to use only if riders lose their way – please look out for our arrows and signs at each 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.
also a4 paper maps for both routes will be available @ registration to carry in your jersey pocket and detailed maps of both routes are on our website.
section 5: the rules of the road
on the road, please ride no wider than two abreast and change to single file when necessary to allow traffic to pass. please be courteous to motorists, farmers and local residents as we aim to build great relationships with them, and enhance cyclings reputation among non riders.
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.
anyone endangering other participants or road users and damaging local cyclists image is not welcome at any of our events.
section 6: communications
it is compulsory to carry a mobile phone, signal for most of both routes is fine and event contact numbers are printed on rear of your event number should you assistance.
if you need to contact hq and have no signal – there are several phone boxes, and areas of better reception en route and we pass through plenty of villages and communities.
also – as it is the yorkshire dales, there will be plenty of visitors passing in vehicles who could summon assistance should it be required.
section 7: mechanicals
please come with a mechanically sound bike, tyres, wheels, chains, cables and brake blocks should be sound and in good working order.
we have basic mechanical assistance on the start line and en route should you require help, but this is limited to the most basic of roadside repairs.
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 sufficient food and drink for your ride, 2 x full water bottles and snacks / gels in jersey pockets.
please note that the sweeper van for this event is only for serious mechanical failures.
section 8: 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 (3-1-5 health club la1 3pe) and inform hq on 07521 703205 , or a marshal that you have withdrawn from the sportive.
if you feel that the distance you have chosen is too far and you have doubts regarding your ability to complete it, you should not start as it would be unsafe to do so.
section 9: emergencies
in case of emergency (should you witness an accident), the organisers phone number is on the back of your sportive number. you should initially contact the emergency services 999 or 112 and then the race organisers at hq.
it is required that all competitors wear recognised cycling helmets for all our sportive events.
the course is challenging and there are many descents and sharp bends so be aware and ride safely at all times.
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.
there will be several fully 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.
section 10: what happens if there are bad weather conditions?
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.
if the weather forecast is very poor in the week approaching the event, we will update all competitors via e-mail prior to the event. please note that unless you are informed by the organisers that the event is postponed, the event is taking place, please come dressed for either extreme of weather – hot or wet / cold.
we will insist that at least an outer shell jacket is carried by all riders, as the conditions high up in the dales can be drastically different to the sea level conditions at hq in lancaster.
section 11: safety on the course
much of the route takes 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.
never ride more than two abreast and be wary of blind bends on winding roads, if you can’t see the car, they can’t see you. enjoy the scenery but always keep your mind on the road and other users.
please ride single file where the roads become narrow, giving way to traffic wherever possible to ensure good relations with fellow road users.
never cross the white centre line.
be visible – wear bright clothes and keep a red tail light on throughout your ride
please cover your brakes whilst on all descents. there are many blind turns, hazards such as farm animals, potholes and debris on the road so it’s important that you cover your brakes and reduce your speed.
if you spot an accident, please contact the emergency services then inform race organisers. the numbers are on your sportive number. please save these numbers to your phone in case of an emergency.
there can be fast flowing traffic on the a roads. we advise that you ride single file along this type of road for safety and stay to the left.
it is important to note that this event is not a race but a sportive style challenge and your safety throughout is paramount.
section 12: refreshments and toilets
feed stations are placed around both routes
- 32 miler (short) – 26 km / 16 miles from hq
- 68 m iler (long) – 40 km / 25 miles and 73 km / 45.5 miles from hq
at each food stop en route there will be a selection of bananas, snack bars, crisps, nuts and water/juice.
plastics
like you we have been shocked by the amount plastic waste in our environment and are determined not to add to the problem – so we will not be providing plastic glasses or cups at our feedstations – but ask that you use your drinks bottle instead please – we also re use all our arrows and signs – while taking all the cable ties use to our local recycling center.
there are also several village shops, cafes and pubs en route where food and drink can be purchased, so we recommend carrying a few pounds.
toilets are located in several places en route, look out for our signs – some are free while others make a charge of 20 or 30 pence, so it is recommended you carry a selection of small change in your saddle bag
section 13: timings and photos
a full list of times will be posted on the top dog events ltd website in the week following the event.
please remember that the times will be provided as a reference of personal performance, the event is not a race and should not be treated in this manner. the times will be listed in alphabetical order by surname, not by fastest time.
all event photographs will be available from our facebook page and are free to download.
your progress will be monitored at several points around each route – especially at major junctions and feed stations by marshals– if approaching a marshal or feed station – please slow down to allow them to see and record your event number.
failure to do so will not give you a time for that section and worse will have us searching the route for you as you will be unaccounted for – so please be patient and polite to our team of kind helpers.
section 14: bike mechanics
chris and steve are providing mechanical assistance throughout the event – this will be basic road side repairs, but please ensure your bike is 100% roadworthy prior to the day and be self-sufficient during your ride.
we will have a bike stand and tools available in the start area, then steve will be following riders throughout the day in the broom wagon.
please inform hq on 07521 703205 should you require mechanical assistance en route and they will dispatch help to your location.
also, if you have a major issue, please make yourself visible to our “broom wagons” following the tail enders – so they can offer assistance or retrieve you and your bike to a suitable location to be returned to hq
section 15: the finish line
at the finish you will ride under the gantry and your time will be recorded. this will also inform the organisers that you are home safely. you will be given a “goody bag” – which includes a free drink slip for the health clubs cafe and a complimentary pass to 3-1-5 health club to use at a future date.
free shower and changing facilities are available and you can enjoy the pool side facilities of 3-1-5 health club (swimming pool, jacuzzi, sauna) for free.
bring a towel and a small padlock for the locker to secure your personal items and secure your bike / equipment before your swim.
medals – if you purchased a souvenir medal with your online entry, come to our hq desk inside 3-1-5 health club after your ride and collect your bespoke medal.
post event massage will be provided by qualified sports therapist – rowan wood – for the small charge of £10 for 15 minutes.
section 16 : 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.
we do pay all involved £10 an hour + fuel for their efforts and are always on the lookout for folk to join the top dog events team on this and future events if you would like to get involved – please get in touch
section 17 : 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 manoeuver 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 -07521703205