The Challenge Manual Welcome to the Ride 24 hr challenge. This Manual is designed to provide you with an overview of the challenges, the build up to the events and what will happen on the day itself. Bikes at the start. Updating your Registration Self Funding or Charity Fundraising Fundraising & Charity Matters The Start & Finish of the Challenge Rest Stops & Food Support .. Ready to get going… Navigation Aids Night Cycling Protocol Urban Cycling in Traffic Emergency Procedures & The Control Room The Ride 24 hr series consists of three challenges. Insurance Advice The London 2 Land’s End Challenge 14th - 15th June 2014 - 310 miles. The London 2 Newcastle Challenge 30th - 31st August 2014 - 300 miles. The London 2 Paris Challenge 6th - 8th September 2014 - 280 miles. 2 You can edit your registration details via the Ride 24 hr website, by clicking on the ‘REGISTER NOW’ tab and then following the link that says ‘VIEW / AMEND YOUR EXISTING REGISTRATION’ and then using the password you created whilst registering initially. Please use this function to edit your details if any of your personal information changes (such as home address, e mail, mobile) as it‘s important these details are up to date because Action Challenge and your chosen charity (if applicable) will be using them to contact you and mail out challenge literature. You can edit your details up until 4 weeks prior to the challenge. gi The count down be Note: Any changes made after the deadlines detailed in Section 1 (Time Line) WILL NOT be processed. It is your responsibility to ensure that all your details are up to date and correct before these deadlines pass. ns If you lose or forget your registration password you can retrieve it by following the onscreen instructions. You will have signed up for Ride 24 in one of 2 ways; either a SELF-FUNDER or as a CHARITY FUNDRAISER. You also have the option to purchase a return journey back to London after your challenge. For Land’s End and Newcastle this will be a return coach and will cost £39 For Paris this will be a return Eurostar and will cost £50. There is also the option to book on to the celebration dinner for Paris, this will cost £30 per ticket. If you would like to book any of the options you can do so by logging back in to your registration and selecting the option you would like to purchase. We have teamed up with accommodation experts, ‘Your Event Stay’ to provide you with a comprehensive list of hotels surrounding the event. Self-Funder: If you are a ‘Self Funder’ you have elected to pay the entire cost of your place on the event yourself, and when you registered you chose one of the following options: · · To pay the full cost of your place when you registered, meaning you that have no further financial obligations once that payment has cleared. OR you choose to pay your initial registration fee and then pay your remaining balance at least 8 weeks prior to the start of the challenge. In this instance you will receive an e mail with a payment link 12 weeks before the challenge date. Failure to pay your final balance by the due date may result in you being cancelled from the event and your initial registration fee is non-refundable. We encourage all participants to fundraise alongside the Ride 24 hr challenges where possible. As a self funder you are able to fundraise for a charity of your choice, to whatever level suits you. The best way to set this up is to just let your charity know you intend to fundraise, and then set up an online fundraising page, as it’s the easiest way to collect donations from friends / family / colleagues - (www.justgiving.com) 3 We advise the best way to join the challenge is either to be dropped off at the start of the event (exact address with postcodes to be released in the final event information pack), a taxi from a mainland rail station, or that you cycle to the start. Please remember the carriage of bikes on mainland rail is restricted – so if you are planning on joining using public transport a bike bag or box is highly recommended. You will need to arrive to the start with as much time as you will need in order to build your bike, and then to register onto the challenge, you will pick up your departure pack at registration. There will be a Breakfast / Brunch served upon arrival at the finish of the event. Families and supporters are welcome to attend the finish and can purchase breakfast coupons on arrival. Signage – The route will be fully signed and marshalled, and you will be issued with a detailed route map. The signage will be in the form of fluorescent pink arrows indicating direction and pink hazard signs representing an oncoming hazard to be aware of. You will be fully briefed immediately before the start and all participants must attend this briefing. Rest Stops – The cycling will be broken up into stages and at each rest stop water, energy snacks (includes sandwiches, cakes, flapjacks, fruit, nuts, pasta pots etc), and drinks will be supplied, along with toilet facilities. At certain stops, including the finish line there will be a full hot meal and this will include a selection of hot and cold buffet food to cater for all dietary requirements with an emphasis on carbohydrates and protein. Rider Numbers – These will be in your Departure Pack and will include a rider number, one for your main cycle jersey. This must be safety pinned to your back, and safety pins will be in your Departure Pack. Bike Numbers – A bike number and timing chip will also be given to you in your Departure Pack and this must be attached to the front of your bike (with the cable ties enclosed) GPS Downloads – GPX files of the route will be uploaded into the participants area and are for use with Garmin devices. Bike Racking – At the start there will be a clearly marked bike racking area and mechanics will be available for any last minute assistance before the Full Event Briefing. On arrival into each rest stop there will be sufficient bike racking for all cyclists arriving and departing. Event Security & Staff – All event staff will be easily identifiable in red Action Challenge t-shirts. Support & Pace Riders - A number of pace riders are embedded throughout the course and within the main pelotons. They are there to lead, offer support and motivate you through the ride. Our front pace rider will be at the front of the lead peloton and will be hitting an average of 18mph to get our riders to the finish within 24 hours. Our other pace riders will be aiming for a 15mph pace over the distance. Mechanics – There will be mechanics supporting the ride throughout the 24 hours, and they will be carrying spare emergency equipment. However, it is recommended you carry 3 x spare inner tubes on your bike and a puncture repair kit with extra inner tubes and a small pump in your day bag. Medics – There will be medics available throughout the event and these will be following the same route as the cyclists in vehicles. The medics will be based at the front and back of the event and at rest stops. Cash – Please bring sufficient cash with you for this challenge. Whilst this is a fully inclusive event, you may want to purchase some additional items. When registering for the Ride 24 hr as a Charity Fundraiser, you selected a charity from our list of Title and Participating Charities and made a fundraising declaration agreeing to raise a minimum amount per participant, per challenge for your chosen charity. Note: All fundraising monies should be sent directly to your charity and NOT to Action Challenge. If you have an online fundraising page, you will NOT need to physically make a transfer as the website will do this for you. If you are at all unsure please contact your charity and confirm they have seen the page and accept that you are actively fundraising for them. £375 Tips for setting up your Just Giving online fundraising page successfully £1000 You can set up your Just Giving page by following the link provided in your confirmation email or alternatively visit www.justgiving.com (please note if you are supporting a smaller charity you may need to get them to register with Just Giving in order for you to set up your page.) Your charity will have been notified that you have decided to fundraise for them, and you will be encouraged to create an online fundraising page straight away (www.justgiving.com ), so that you can start fundraising. Once your fundraising page has been created, your charity will also receive an automatic alert from the online site. Your charity should be in contact within a couple of weeks (maximum hopefully!) of you signing up to discuss your fundraising, or to send out a fundraising welcome pack to you; however all charities do work in slightly different ways so if you are unsure about what you are meant to be doing regarding fundraising procedures, please contact your charity directly. Make sure your friends are aware of which challenge you are doing and how tough it is by inserting the Ride 24 hr logo to your sponsorship page. Provide your friends with more information on the challenge (the distance, ascent etc) and include a link to the website www.ride24hr.com so they can see for themselves. Maybe persuade some of them to join you. For all fundraising material and fundraising help please contact your charity. Ideally, at least 50% of your minimum fundraising target should be with handed your charity at least 6 weeks prior to the start of your challenge (for exact dates please look at your Time Line). This is so that the charity can confirm that you have been actively fundraising for them, so they can then confirm your place on the challenge – as this is being paid for out of your gross fundraising (the fee paid by the charity to Action Challenge is £150 (UK Events) or £450 (Paris) for services provided). Failure to reach the 50% deadline by the specified date might result in the charity cancelling you from the event. The full amount of your fundraising pledge is due to be with your charity no later than 4 weeks after the challenge ride. Preparin g for the c supportin Charity reps the way… 4 g all halleng e The route selection criteria take in to account safety, scenery and accessibility. Please ensure you are familiar with and adhere to the Highway Code. (especially Rules for Cyclists 59 – 82). You will also need to stick to our Event Rules and Procedures throughout the challenge. Please take a look at our separate document on this, for more information. Please stick to the designated route at all times. G e t t in g prepare d…. The route will be posted to the participant area as a PDF document, a GPX file, and KML file (for use on Google Earth and Google Maps). Google Map Links will also be posted so that participants can access the entire route, and you will also be handed a hard copy of the route on the day of the challenge. The route will be clearly signed with PINK ARROWS (which are directional) and GLOW STICKS also during the night time. In the outskirts of villages/towns this signage may become harder to spot, so please familiarise yourselves with the route before the ride, and have the Route Map with you and track your progress on it so you are aware of your assumed location. Cycling at night requires practice and we highly recommend if you have limited experience of cycling at night, or have only ever cycled short distances in the dark then you plan at least one long night cycle prior to the challenge. In addition to overall visibility reducing due to darkness, depth perception and judgement of distances are also impaired, and more concentration is required to detect obstacles in the road, potential hazards and keeping track of signage and the route. At the same time, your body will be fighting tiredness and muscle fatigue as it works throughout the night to keep pedalling when usually sleeping and resting. When cycling at night it is a legal requirement that your bike is fully fitted with the correct lights and reflectors as below: Ø white front light Ø red rear light Ø red rear reflector+ white front reflector Ø amber/yellow pedal reflectors front and back pedals LED wheel lights, clipped onto your bike wheel will also ensure your highly visible whilst out on the road. A head torch, positioned on top of your cycle helmet is useful for identifying hazards like pot holes, mud, puddles, etc in the dark, which is much harder than in the day. The use of high visibility clothing, reflective material, ankle cuffs, and anything else that is bright or lights up should be worn whilst training at night, and on the challenge itself. It will be compulsory that you have no less than one item of hi-visibility clothing or reflective material which is clearly visible at all times. Cycling at night is of course very different to cycling by daylight – however that is not to say it is inherently more dangerous or risky. It should be remembered that in addition to overall visibility reducing due to darkness, depth perception and judgement of distances is also impaired. Detecting obstacles in the road, potential hazards, or indeed route finding requires more concentration and situational awareness. Act 5 t suppor e g n e l al ion Ch Setting out from the start, the route does pass through urban, well-built up areas and you may encounter some heavy traffic along certain points of the route. You will need to cycle single file to avoid frustrated drivers pressurising you from behind, and to prevent long queues of traffic forming. Every cyclist should always cycle defensively working on the principle of ‘the driver has not seen me,’ and don’t try and predict what any vehicle is going to do. Building up your confidence cycling through urban areas, and in traffic is key to staying safe whilst out on the road training. If you are new to cycling, we recommend embarking upon an adult cycling proficiency training ride either as an individual or with a group of friends led by qualified instructors to improve your confidence on roads with heavy traffic, and with complex road layouts. Based in our London office, the control room oversees the management and coordination of the event. They are the ‘eyes in the sky’ and the voice on the phone. All emergency and non - emergency calls are fielded through the central control room. If you find yourself in trouble, lose your way or have any questions at all our team are on hand throughout the entire duration of the Challenge. The control room is in constant contact with all members of the Action Challenge team and will dispatch staff out to come and get you should you require it! This insurance is to protect you as an individual where you are involved in an accident or incident where injury to a third party or damage to property occurs and is deemed to have been caused by your negligence. Personal Liability insurance is included in the event cost to the value of £2 million. All participants must read the relevant section of the Rider Insurance Policy (section A Personal Liability) prior to taking part in the Event. This insurance is to provide for a one-off payment in the event of an accident causing permanent or debilitating injury whilst you are on the ride. The maximum cover is £25 000. All participants must read the relevant section of the Rider Insurance Policy (section B Personal Accident) prior to taking part in the Event. Contact details will be provided in the Route Packs issued at registration – and remember - bring a fully charged mobile phone and use it only for essential communication, and put the control room contact details in it, as you might need them. Insurance and Advice Ride 24 hr is fully protected and insured under a £10 million Public Liability Cover. The ride is operated in accordance with the 1992 Package Travel Regulations and participants are protected by the associated legislation this provides for. In addition, participants on Ride 24 hr are insured under a comprehensive policy taken out by Event Organisers Action Challenge in respect of Personal Liability and Accident Cover. Bike insurance is not compulsory but highly recommended and protects your bike against damage, theft, and loss. Please note that neither the organisers Action challenge, nor the Charities accept any liability whatsoever in respect of damage, theft, or loss of personal property (including bikes!) whilst on the event howsoever caused. There are many companies providing specialist Bike Insurance and your bike may be covered under your home contents insurance so you would be advised to check this prior to deciding whether or not to take out specific additional insurance. Now please make sure you take a look at the other documents within the Participant Area of the website and check back for regular updates on your ride. If you have any questions in relation to this material or anything to do with the ride in general please don’t hesitate to contact us on 0207 609 6695 or email [email protected] Action Challenge, London. 8
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