Addiscombe Sportive, Job done, thanks

[Alan M]

Hi,

I am so so grateful to all ACC helpers and participants. I think the day went pretty well and although we will want to reflect and consider its strengths and areas to be developed should we repeat the experience, right now we must be thankful that generally people were nice about the event and seemed to enjoy it and that nothing calamitous happened. At a later date I will invite comment on next steps and lessons learned but for now a heartfelt thanks for your support in whatever sphere.

Best wishes,

Alan

[Wanderer]

Thank you Alan and the team of helpers for putting on such a good event. It looked like a huge amount of work had gone into the preparation and delivery, and - being one of the riders - everything seemed to run smoothly. The signage was great, the route was challenging, just a shame about the rain later on.

John

[Andy K]

Hi Alan,

Just to add my thanks to yourself and all the helpers for a really good day. Thoroughly enjoyed it!

[NeilAS]

Ditto on the thanks front. My first ever Sportive. Yes it was challenging - goodness know how I'd feel now if it weren't for the Disagreeables training I've had of late (thanks Pete) - but it was perfectly organised. Having Nonna's there was a stroke of genius (hope they did well); I overhead several non-ACC-ers speaking very warmly about it.

Despite the welcome pasta, it was the slowest Chipstead to Addiscombe return I think I've ever done, and right now my typing fingers are about the only part of my body with any energy in them.

Thanks again Alan and all the helpers; whatever you organise for next year, I'm up for it.

Neil

[Del]

Great job Alan. Excellent helpers to make everything run smoothly.

Excellent course by Mr

The Nonna's pasta at the end was a masterstroke.

Only disappointment was the lack of pie at Phil the Pie's Rusper refuelling stop. Phil the Crisps from now on!

[Phil H]

Yeah, sorry about that. I like the mini pork & pickle ones myself - go nicely in a tri-bag for a 100.

On the other hand, when we were clearing up we scanned the area for rubbish and there was not a single gel wrapper or other piece of litter left by the participants. It all went in the bin bags. People were cheerful and polite - despite the weather and me telling them that "there may be a couple of inclines before the end".

[Hal]

Thanks to all the organisers, we had a really good day.

Set off in a group with Ed O, Rob W, Pete St-A and Brian all riding well, we pickup up and dropped off a range of others along the way. Brian was first to go up Ranmore before getting lost, then Rob C joined us.

All going well through the feed stop, up to the foot of Coldharbor, where Ed slipped out the back. We ground up Whitedown then on to Box Hill for the finish just before the rains set in. Rob, Pete and I having ridden the whole route together, thanks guys.

My four friends also rode their first sportive and were very pleased to get round in one piece.

Ta

Hal

[Brian Nolan]

Yes - big thanks to Alan and all the helpers for putting on a very good event
I set off at a very fast rate with Rob, Ed, Hal & Pete... I could not stay with them once we hit Ranmore , had them in sight for a while but could not catch them.I caught up with a guy ( Nick ), from Crystal Palace on a bright, metalic green Ribble.. He was quite strong and we made good progress and went round for 3/4 of the route together - including the extra 12 miles or so when we missed the Newdigate turn for Beare Green .. No one overtook us but we saw a few people twice after our extra loop - AJ was with us for a few miles ...
Really enjoyed the sausage pasta dish from Nonna's at the finish - excellent stuff..
cheers,
bry

[stamourp]

Thanks all for the organisation that went into the event. The route was just right and had a sound balance of climbs and some lovely descents I've certainly not ridden before.

I didn't think Hal, Ed O, Rob & I consciously trying to do it particularly quickly, it was just one of those days when we were all pulling our weight - Rob despite no doubting beasting the TG on Saturday - and I for one was pleased to get back before the proper rain came over.

From my point of view, having ridden Sportives arranged by other organisers too, there was was nothing missing in this one. Good signage (backing up with paint on the road is a definite advantage to mitigate the attention of the toerags), good food stop in a weatherproof location with toilets, and a good route with variety and away from the worst of the traffic, as much as is possible in the area. I look forward to riding similar in the future, and I proudly showed the wife my gold star award when I arrived home. Explaining to her I had never received one at school was less bright, as it she has suddenly realised what a thicko I am. Never mind eh, there's always cycling to concentrate on.

Kind regards

Peter

[spike]

Just to echo what has already been said - thanks to Alan and all the others involved. A great route, good foodstops, nice finishing hq and a great vibe.

The route marking was certainly adequate and we never went wrong but I feel a few more confirmatory signs might be a good idea. The map was excellent though and provided reassurance that we were always on course. I look forward to incorporating some of the route that was new to me on my training rides.

[Andrew G]

I'm glad folk liked the route and a big congratulations to Alan for pulling it all together, and of course well done to all the helpers. I was out to check the 24 night circuit and on my way back stopped off at Phil's tent ("The Pie" and "The Boy" were doing a fine job) and people seemed to be having a good time. Nice to time my arrival with that of "Yogi Bear" Matt and my namesake from the Old Ports and have a brief chat. Good luck with the hill climb next week Tom, make sure you beat your Dad .

[quote="spike"]The map was excellent though and provided reassurance that we were always on course.

[RachelB]

An excellent day, good to see so many happy (even wet ) faces, great venue, lots of space for seating, catering, parking, etc, it seems even though the route was tough, riders just loved it, thanks to all who posed for photos, which Mr G is working on right now A big Thank's to everyone who participated in this 1st ACC Sportive - may many more follow.

[Alan M]

Thanks too to nurse Rachel who multiple tasked all day and sampled the pasta.

[Sylv]

Well done Alan!

[Alan M]

Dear Helpers

I am very pleased with the outcomes of the event and of course it owes everything to your efforts and teamwork. People have been very complimentary and I have included some comments below to give you a flavour. No doubt there at things to be learned form the experience and I invite you to comment and suggest away by way of this circulation. But most of all, well done all and grateful thanks once more.

Best wishes,

Alan

Thank you for organising a fantastic event yesterday. The course was excellent; scenery was stunning and enough hills to push me to my limit. The club atmosphere was great and such a good idea to have catering, a hot plate of pasta was most welcome after the rain and killer of whitedown. I am looking to join a club and will come and join one of the Saturday rides soon.

just a quick line to say I really enjoyed Sundays Surrey Hills sportive - great fun, friendly organisers and participants - hopefully the first of many! This was the best Sportive I have done, thanks again.

just wanted to say thank you for the ride on Sunday, this has been my first ride over 35 miles, the ride was brilliant and so well organised. Thank you very much, I will keep my eye open for the next one

Just to say how much I enjoyed the ride yesterday, very well signed, an interesting route and excellent organisation. I hope you felt all your effort was worthwhile.

My plan to start early, ride steady and wait for a slightly faster group failed as the only riders to catch me were riding with real purpose and I wanted to leave something in my legs for the last 25 miles. As a result I reckoned I did the best part of 70 miles on my own but I was pleased with my time and it should be good training for the Etape.

Thanks to all the organisers, we had a really good day.
Set off in a group of 4 all riding well, we picked up up and dropped off a range of others along the way. All going well through the feed stop, up to the foot of Coldharbor. We ground up Whitedown then on to Box Hill for the finish just before the rains set in. My four friends also rode their first sportive and were very pleased to get round in one piece.

Great job to make everything run smoothly. Excellent course. The Nonna's pasta at the end was a masterstroke.

My first ever Sportive. Yes it was challenging - goodness know how I'd feel now if it weren't for the training I've had of late but it was perfectly organised. Having Nonna's there was a stroke of genius (hope they did well); I overhead several speaking very warmly about it. Despite the welcome pasta, it was the slowest Chipstead to Addiscombe return I think I've ever done, and right now my typing fingers are about the only part of my body with any energy in them. Thanks again; whatever you organise for next year, I'm up for it.

Thank you for putting on such a good event. It looked like a huge amount of work had gone into the preparation and delivery, and - being one of the riders - everything seemed to run smoothly. The signage was great, the route was challenging, just a shame about the rain later on.

Great thanks, excellent event. Well done!!!

I just wanted to drop you an e-mail to say a massive thanks to you for organising the addiscombe sportive yesterday. It was the first sportive that I've done, and it was such a good day. The organisation was 1st class and all of the volunteers were a credit to you and our club. I rode most of the day with non-Acc'ers and all were very complimentary about the route, the signing and the rest stops. To be fair they were complaining a bit up white down but they were smiling at the end!

The food from Nonna's was great and even the weather at the end couldn't ruin a good day on the bike. Thanks again for all your hard work in organisation and I hope that the money raised can make a real difference to the Peruvian groups you support. Most importantly I think there was the support and take-up to make it an annual event and make it a real showcase for the club and the routes we ride every week.

I wanted to e-mail you to thank you for hosting a very enjoyable and well organised event yesterday. It was my first sportive, but made a very favourable impression despite the 1300m of climbing and the rain! I look forward to entering again next year.

Thanks all for the organisation that went into the event. The route was just right and had a sound balance of climbs and some lovely descents I've certainly not ridden before and I for one was pleased to get back before the proper rain came over.

From my point of view, having ridden Sportives arranged by other organisers too, there was was nothing missing in this one. Good signage (backing up with paint on the road is a definite advantage to mitigate the attention of the toerags), good food stop in a weatherproof location with toilets, and a good route with variety and away from the worst of the traffic, as much as is possible in the area. I look forward to riding similar in the future, and I proudly showed the wife my gold star award when I arrived home.

The route marking was certainly adequate and we never went wrong but I feel a few more confirmatory signs might be a good idea. The map was excellent though and provided reassurance that we were always on course. I look forward to incorporating some of the route that was new to me on my training rides.

many thanks alan for a great days cycling on sunday, i had a great ride i found it very hard and hilly but finished and when i stop aching will be looking forward to next years event. the venue you used was fab i have done about 5 events before and never had food at the end but i realised that is just what i needed.