THE CHALLENGE IN DETAIL

CHALLENGE IN DETAIL
#Challenge57
WEATHER
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Spring in the UK is hard to predict! You should come prepared for all weathers. The temperature is
likely to range between 10-20ºC during the day and dropping to below 10ºC at night.
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Temperatures throughout the day will vary so layers will be key - suncream and a waterproof jacket
are two essentials.
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See the packing list at the back of this pack for kit details/suggestions.
CYCLING SAFETY
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Cyclists must follow the Highway Code at all times.
http://bit.ly/BRITISHCYCLING-SAFETY
e.g Cyclists must fall into single file when overtaken always keep to the left-hand side of the road.
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Bikes must have two working brakes, lights and a label with the owner’s name and address - these
labels will be provided.
TRAINING
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Undertaking an event such as this should be taken seriously in order to complete the ride and avoid
injury. The fitter you are the more enjoyable the ride will be.
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The best training you can do is out on the road, in real conditions – the more time you can spend in
the saddle the better and always build consecutive cycling days into your training. As a guide, aim to
spend 15hrs a week in the saddle, incorporating hills.
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Any other aerobic training will also help build your strength and stamina – this will also help avoid
repetition and training fatigue.
THE ROUTE
Please see below the day to day routes. *please note all routes are subject to change*
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Day 1: http://ridewithgps.com/routes/6589497
Day 2: http://ridewithgps.com/routes/6604768
Day 3: http://ridewithgps.com/routes/6604809
Day 4: http://ridewithgps.com/routes/6604893
Day 5: http://ridewithgps.com/routes/6604948
Day 6: http://ridewithgps.com/routes/6605220
Day 7: REST DAY
Day 8: http://ridewithgps.com/routes/6605590
Day 9: http://ridewithgps.com/routes/6609410
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Day 10: http://ridewithgps.com/routes/6609590
Day 11: http://ridewithgps.com/routes/7036802
Day 12: http://ridewithgps.com/routes/6612331
Day 13: REST DAY
Day 14: http://ridewithgps.com/routes/6613339
Day 15: http://ridewithgps.com/routes/6613527
Day 16: http://ridewithgps.com/routes/6616940
Day 17: http://ridewithgps.com/routes/6617199
Day 18: http://ridewithgps.com/routes/6617396
Day 19: http://ridewithgps.com/routes/6617784
Day 20: http://ridewithgps.com/routes/6617856
Day 21: http://ridewithgps.com/routes/6617874
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The route has been designed to avoid arterial roads and too many major elevations. This route is
described as undulating throughout with some ascents and descents.
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Stage 6 sees the toughest ride with very steep inclines upon approach.
A TYPICAL DAY
Structure of the Challenge
Daily timings;
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6:00
Wake-up call
6.45
Main bags to be taken to vehicles
7:00
Breakfast
7:30
Warm up and briefing / Stage registration / day bag loading
8:00
Departure
Break stops every 15 – 20 km.
1-1.5 hour lunch
Dinner & evening briefing
*the above timings are an estimate to give you an idea of the days*
LUGGAGE
You will have 2 items of luggage:
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Main bag – this bag will hold all your belongings, you will take it to the van before breakfast and you
will not have access again until the overnight hotel.
Day bag – this bag you will have access to at lunch and possibly at break stops. After breakfast you
will take your day bag to the event van. Within your day bag we recommend you to have your
waterproof, snacks, sun cream, camera, money, small medical kit and any other items you will need
access to throughout the day.
BIKES
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Bikes will be stored overnight in safe locked areas.
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Participants are responsible for cleaning their own bikes; at the end of each stage there will be an
area available to clean your bikes. Mechanics will be on hand throughout the event.
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Everyone must join the event equipped with their own bike and accessories. Ideally a road bike with
a compact chain set, however the use of a hybrid bike is also suitable. We don’t advise a mountain
bike as this is event is all on road therefore narrower higher pressure tyres are more suitable.
*the most important thing is your own comfort – ride on what you have trained on and what you
know best*
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All bikes must be roadworthy and in good condition - we strongly recommend that your bike is
serviced prior to the event.
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Mechanics will accompany the ride with a limited stock of tubes, chains, cables and other parts.
However, they won’t always be able to cater for all types of bikes so if you have a more unusual
model we advise you bring your own spares to see you through the entire event.
SUPPORT
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Classic Tours will staff the event. There will always be a tour manager who carries the overall
responsibility for the challenge. The breakdown per stage is as follows:
Stage 1-4
Tour Manager – Anne Hengstenberg
Front Driver – Gary Plested
Mechanic – Phil Wilkinson
Stage 5
Tour Manager – Anne Hengstenberg & Gavin Kramer
Front Driver – Gary Plested
Mechanic – Richie Mitchell
Stage 6
Tour Manager – Gideon Seligman
Front Driver – Gary Plested
Mechanic – Richie Mitchell
Extra staff from the Classic Tours offices will also join as well as a charity representative from
Genesis. Volunteer doctors will also join for the majority if the ride. You will be well supported.
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Vehicles:
The lead vehicle will be a 7- seater people carrier and will be used as support should people need a
break off the bike.
There will also be a van at the back of the group to pack up after rest stops and drive behind the
cyclists, with mechanic support where needed. This vehicle will always stay behind the last cyclists.
ACCOMMODATION
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Standards of accommodation on a charity challenge event can be lower than you would expect on a
personal holiday. Choices of accommodation for #Challenge57 are based on where they fit the
itinerary and if they can cater for groups. Some locations are more remote and offer very limited
choices; this all adds to making the experience unique and is part and parcel of the spirit of
adventure.
 The accommodation styles for this event vary throughout the stages and come in a variety of
formats. We mainly stay in 2*-3* hotels however we also use hostels and apartments as we make
our way down the UK.
 We will arrange room shares according to your requests however please do be aware that in some
hostels you will be in large multiple sharing rooms.
DRINK & FOOD
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Please arrive on the first day of each stage with full water bottles to save time.
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Classic Tours will arrange tap water to be available on the van and at rest and lunch stops and so
participants can refill their bottles regularly.
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The food provided on the event will be wholesome and tasty to provide energy. Please see the
below for examples:
Breakfast: will be a mix of hot and cold buffets
Lunch: will be a mix of soup, sandwiches, pasta and salads.
Snacks: bananas, peanuts, biscuits, cereal bars & crisps
Dinner: 2 course meal
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Classic Tours need to know in advance of any special dietary requirements. Vegetarians can be
catered for. If you have an unusual dietary request we will try to help but it would be the
responsibility of the individual to organise.
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If you register onto the event as a vegetarian then please note that you must stay vegetarian and
meat eaters should understand that vegetarian meals are pre-allocated for vegetarians. This will
avoid the possibility of some participants missing out on a meal because someone else has eaten it.
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For those joining the whole tour or doing multiple stages please be aware that the food will be
repetitive, whilst we have tried to vary the menu options as much as possible there will undoubtedly
be a lot of repetition, especially with the lunch stops.
MONEY
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Please bring spending money for alcoholic and soft drinks in the evenings. Money will also be
needed for the rest day meals if you are on the whole event.
LAUNDRY
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There will be laundry facilities along the route; Classic Tours staff will brief you about this on the
event. They will also advise how you can wash your cycling kit. (more detail will be sent out on
facilities prior to the event)
HEALTH
 We suggest that you are up to date with Tetanus and Hepatitis A. We also recommend that you
consult with your doctor for professional medical advice should you have any concerns leading up to
the challenge.
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Volunteer doctors will be joining the event intermittently and can offer evening consultations where
necessary. A number of the core staff are also ‘remote rescue’ first aid trained. In an emergency an
ambulance would be called and all local hospitals have been mapped out as part of our risk
assessment.
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Participants should bring their own regular medication with sufficient supplies for the whole trip.
SunSmart
Classic Tours has committed to support SunSmart - the UK's national skincare protection campaign. The
campaign works to make people aware of the dangers of sunburn and excess sun exposure, and effective
methods of sun protection. In order to honour this commitment we will be ensuring:
- Everyone carries their sun cream on their person whilst cycling
- At break stops participants are reminded to re-apply cream.
- Participants will be advised to seek shade at break stops.
- Where possible we will avoid cycling during hottest part of day.
PERSONAL & BIKE INSURANCE
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We strongly recommend all participants have adequate insurance cover to participate in the
challenge, covering you for bicycle damage and loss.
Please note that there is an upper limit of £1000 per bicycle on the Classic Tours public liability
insurance policy. If the bicycles are damaged in transit or if they are stolen, participants should be
aware of this limit when considering which bicycle to bring on the tour.
British Cycling – offer a number of options to insure you and your bike out on the road. A very
worthy idea especially if you ride regularly in the UK.
http://www.britishcycling.org.uk/legalandinsurance
SUGGESTED PACKING LIST
Layers, layers, layers!!
Clothing
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Cycle jerseys (one free jersey provided by charity)
Fleece/ warm hoodie - useful for break stops
Quality breathable waterproofs & windproof gilet.
Hi viz waterproof jacket
Socks - one per day plus spares
Cycling shorts/tights– 2-3 pairs (padded recommended) *worth spend money on these*
Cycling shoes (2nd pair highly recommended in case of consecutive rainy days)
Spare trainers for general walking
Scarf or bandana to cover back of neck for warmth or protect against sunburn
Warm casual-wear for the evenings, when not cycling i.e. sweatshirt, tracksuit, jeans
Bicycle and accessories
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Recently serviced bicycle – essential
Cycling gloves x 2 pairs
Warm gloves
Cycle helmet – essential
Spare inner tubes – to last duration of cycle
Water bottle for bike (with water bottle holder)
Hi –viz clothing so you can be seen in poor weather
General
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Day bag to go on support car whilst “on duty”
Ear plugs
Carrier bags/bin bags - useful for dirty washing or wet clothing
Tissues / toilet paper / anti-bacterial wet wipes
Sunglasses and clear glasses for adverse weather
Cycling in glasses when it rains can be problematic, contact lenses are recommended if worn
Small personal medical kit
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Antiseptic ointment and/or savlon spray, plasters, bandage, pain killers, sting relief, diareze,
dioralyte, energy sweets, isotonic powders (optional), vaseline or sudacrem, chamois cream
Sun cream (minimum factor 15)
Lip salve with sun protection