ACC Sportive, Sunday 5 June 2011

[Alan M]

Hi all

Following unanimous agreement of the ACC Committee I have been taking this forward, mostly with the assistance of Andrew who has helped with mapping a course (still in process but mostly complete), Conor who has met with me to discuss the signs and Elliot has given a commitment for sorting out web payment. Huw and Paul Tunnell have also offered valuable advice. I have developed a project plan and I am in the process of identifying base station and midway feed station etc. Still loads to do including exploring sponsorship refreshments, risk assessments, photos, publicity etc.

I will shortly be identifying teams for registration and certificates, start, intermediate point and finish, refreshments, route marking and sag wagon/first aid. Volunteers will be most welcome and I will be contacting some of you with requests for help.

We are going for a fairly modest first sportive with an around £15 price point and one mixed terrain route (neither too hilly nor too flat) of between 70 - 80 miles covering both new territory but also familiar lanes to ACC riders. We are setting a limit of 400 riders.

Any further thoughts or offers of help would be welcome and I will update this thread as more information emerges.

Thanks everybody for your kind support

Alan Malarkey

[Dan_K]

Sounds fantastic Alan, with the exception of the date.
5th June next year is the same date as the Dragon Ride which I think would pull away some of your helpers/riders.

*Edit - sorry, i've just read that back and it seems very negative!

Here's some further input:

The £15 is a good price I think. £20+ would tend to turn me away from an event.
I would also shy away from tacky gifts such as water bottles, t-shirts, medals etc and concentrate more on ensuring that the route is fully signposted, even including some "reassuring" signs on straight stretches of road to confirm to people that they are on the right route.

Perhaps contact someone like High 5 to support/give discounts on products.

Maybe a certificate at the end to confirm people's finishing times?

Perhaps Geoffrey Butler would like to be involved as I bet as a club we put a lot of business their way?

Every entry could go into a prize draw to win a team strip of their choice (donated from a local shop) etc.

[Alan M]

Thanks and yes this was intentional. Last year's dragon ride was over-subscribed and we felt that this would offer a good local alternative at an economic price. It may detract somewhat but I think we are offering something that is somewhat different and more accessible. We also think that this seemingly perverse decision will work in our favour to reduce competition from local clubs put off by the Dragon Ride - for me, seen it, done it got the T shirt whereas being part of the first ACC Sportive could be a landmark! Still point taken, cheers. Alan PS Thanks for other suggestions some of which are in process.

[Alan M]

Just a brief further update on the Sportive

1. Date will be Sunday 5 June 2011
2. I have agreed HQ with Headteacher of Chipstead Valley School on Chipstead Valley road - Loads of Parking and places to eat and register etc.
3. Andrew is putting finishing touches to course which will be An 85 Mile (circa 135k) route with 1,300m + of climbing, rolling through very quiet lanes and villages with some of the areas classic climbs to test yourself.
- Chipstead Valley, Headley, Ranmore Common, Sutton Arbinger, Ellen's Green, Five Oaks, Bucks Green, Southwater, Colgate, Rusper, Newdigate, Coldharbour, Leith Hill, Arbinger Common, Whitedown, Box Hill, Chipstead Valley -
4. I have identified a 3rd party provider for register and payment - this will offer income and professional online registration
5. Conor has agreed to provide signs for road and HQ
6. Elliot is putting information on ACC website - this will be expanded as we progress further

Still lots to do including sponsorship and identifying helpers etc.

You will recall that at least one of the identified charities is to support an emerging group of cyclist in the Northern Andes in Peru. They have great heart for cycle racing and are trying to develop cycle tourism but need a kickstart.

Here is a photo of them at their recent crit race. As you can see they have the podium girls sorted although I know hat Helen Pidd Guardian cycling correspondent would probably not approve - well hey ........

[img]http://i56.tinypic.com/2zzi39s.jpg[/img]

Many thanks for all your support so far and do expect me to come looking for you for help on the day - I'll take volunteers now and prisoners later!

[Alan M]

Yesterday Andrew an I tested his route. This amounted to 85 hard miles in the rain. There were only a couple of small problems with the route which is a combination of Surrey hills and some flatter sections into west Sussex. Barns green and the cycling friendly Sumner Ponds was about half way round and will be the feed station. I would describe the route as tough but not punishing although the return over Whitedown is quite testing with 18%. Hopefully the ride will be on the website and live for entries in the next 2 weeks. Thanks to all, especially Andrew for yesterday's fine effort. Watch this space for more detail. Alan

[Alan M]

I need a first aid person volunteer for the cyclo Sportive on Sunday 5 June 2011. I think the main duties will be to remain at HQ in Coulsdon and dress any minor wounds that appear on returners and deal with any unlikely cases of heat exhaustion, hypothermia, rehydration, cramps, STDs etc. and I guess potentially liaise with ambulance services and with the sag wagon (Phil Nash). A kind disposition is also needed??? I imagine we have a club first aid box and someone who checks to ensure that it is up to date and correctly equipped. Can anyone help with this or direct me to the best people to help. Many thanks, Alan

[Jon H]

I might be mistaken, but do we keep a 1st aid kit at the Pine cafe?

[Antloony]

[quote="Jon Hemming"]I might be mistaken, but do we keep a 1st aid kit at the Pine cafe?

[Alan M]

Worth checking but difficult to collect and return. if not maybe it is time to invest in one that can be used at various events. I am sort of surprised we dont have one available for the evening 10s, although maybe we do?

[Alan M]

Some good news, Our entries site for the Sportive is now live and supporting online entries at:

Enter/Update Entry Online https://www.sientries.co.uk/event.php?event_id=421
Entry List https://www.sientries.co.uk/list.php?event_id=421

So you should be able to enter and pay the very economical £15

The Addiscombe website is not yet up so we are not into full publicity mode yet but there si sufficient info for you to judge if you want to support the event. But remember I am still needing willing helpers on the day so if you think you can help us out please do. If there are any glitches on the registration please let me know

Cheers

Alan

[Amy]

Hope you've got my name down as a helper, Alan - I'm not planning on doing the Dragon Ride

I hope people are remembering to replace what they use from the first aid kit at Charlwood... or at least let myself or a fellow committee member know if it's short of anything.

[Alan M]

Many thanks Amy. Do you have a favourite job in mind?

[Amy]

[quote="Alan M"]Many thanks Amy. Do you have a favourite job in mind?

[Tim Coales]

Hi Alan,
[quote]I am sort of surprised we dont have one available for the evening 10s, although maybe we do?

[Alan M]

Thanks Tim, offer gratefully accepted.