Timetable
8:00am | Car park opens (Off A417 – Not on the Recreation Field). Please do not arrive earlier as gates will be locked. |
8:00am | Event registration opens |
9:20am | Event briefing for 35 mile “Endurance” ride |
9:30am | 35 mile “Endurance” ride start |
9:50am | Event briefing for 25 mile “Leisure” and 18 mile “Teen Spirit” rides |
10:00am | 25 mile “Leisure” and 19 mile “Teen Spirit” ride start |
10:00am | Blewbury Brass Band (lawn) |
10:20am | Event briefing for 12 mile “Family” ride |
10:30am | 14 mile “Family” ride start |
12:00pm | Count Skylarkin [Bar Opens :-)] |
12:00pm | 35 mile cut-off time at East Ilsley. Average speed of 8.2 mph required.
If reaching East Ilsley after 12:00 you will be requested to complete your ride via the Leisure route. |
12:30pm | The Nine Ton Peanut Smugglers |
12:30pm | 25 and 19 mile cut-off time at A34 underpass. Average Speed of 7 mph required.
If reaching the A34 underpass after 12:30 you will be requested to complete your ride via the Family route. |
1:50pm | Event briefing for 5 mile “Little Wheels” ride |
2:00pm | 6 mile “Little Wheels” ride start |
2:10pm | Al Jenkins |
4:00pm | McFunky |
6:00pm | Event Close |
Registration
Registration will open at 8.00am on the morning of the event inside Upton Village Hall. Registration is compulsory for all participants on all routes – please allow 40 min ahead of your start time.
At registration you will receive your Entrance Number. No entrance number, no ride.
We will also attempt to “clock in” each participant at the end of their ride, so please ensure you pass through the “finish funnel”.
Should you bail for any reason, please inform Registration if returning to Upton, or TEXT your number to the organisers, or inform a marshal on the route.
Travel & Car Parking
Parking address: A417, Upton, Didcot, Oxfordshire OX11 9HX (the parking will be clearly signposted and manned from 8:00am)
Venue address: Station Road, Upton, Didcot, Oxfordshire OX11 9HX (a two min walk from the main parking area)
Disabled Parking is available at the venue (Blue Badge Holders only).
Upton lies below the Ridgeway on the A417, south of Didcot and is easily accessible from the A34 via the Chilton Junction. We are also blessed with being on the National Cycle Network, with Route 544 passing through the village. This can be used if travelling from Didcot or if arriving by train to Didcot Parkway train station.
Click on me to enlarge.
Parking is available free of charge at a number of locations close to Upton Village Hall. Parking is at the owner’s risk and the organisers or their officials take no responsibility for any theft or damage caused. Parking on the recreation ground itself will be limited to disabled badge holders and suppliers.
Catering
Breakfast baps will be served from 8:00am onwards. Tea, coffee and homemade cakes will be available throughout the day – these are incredibly popular.
A BBQ will be available from mid-day onward using only quality meat from Q Gardens. A Vegan Chilli will also be available.
Real Ale
Having drunk the bar dry again last year the licensed bar will be back with more real ales from Loose Cannon Brewery, one of the area’s micro-breweries. For the cider lover there will also be local cider from Tutts Clump.
We will also have a selection of wine, larger, soft drinks, and Pimms available.
As with past years we will be using a token system at the bar. Tokens can be purchased throughout the day so please try to buy in advance to limit queueing.
Music
We have a fabulous line up for you again this year. Blewbury Brass Band will be playing from 9:30 am for those on the recreation ground while Count Skylarkin will keep us skankin between the main stage acts all afternoon. Click on the images below for a taster of this years performing acts.
Family facilities
The event is aims to be really family friendly. In addition to the 5 and 12 mile family rides there will be the following facilities available at the recreation ground in Upton:
- Water, snack and juice bars en-route on all rides
- Cold drinks, cakes and ice creams
- Kids’ Adventure Play area
- Bike pump track
- Lots of Music!
Support for the riders
There will be regular way markers on the routes and marshals at certain points, including all road crossings. An emergency number will be issued on the day should you need to summon help.
First Aid will be provided on the day by Safe Hands Medical Services.
Mountain Mania will have a mobile unit for field repairs/bike recovery and the police will be present for advice on bike safety/security.
Event photographers: We do not have any formal photographer this year. Let us know if you know a budding amateaur that might be available.
Bike – Check, Beer – Check, Music – Check. Did we forget something……..
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