Gridiron New Forest Cycle Ride Sunday 14th Oct 2018
Some of the #MinetLadies cycling club members will be entering the 2018 Gridiron event.
Please see the information below and follow the links for further details. Hope you can join us.
Please join us on the 26th year of the GRIDIRON on-road Cycle Randonnée, through the scenic roads of the New Forest. The route is designed to appeal to cyclists of all abilities, from experienced club cyclists to total novices and children.
Entry is ONLINE ONLY at http://www.wessexctc.org/grdetail.htm
and is LIMITED to 1,000 – there will be NO on-the-day entries. Last year we were oversubscribed, so please enter early to avoid disappointment.
THE EVENT is open to any cyclist. Riders under the age of 18 must be accompanied by a responsible adult cycling with them. It is a scenic and sociable Autumn New Forest Ride and is part of our efforts to promote cycling in the New Forest.
The time limits are between 4.5 to 8 hours
Additional information
THE EVENT HEADQUARTERS is at the Lymington Community Centre. You can check in from 07:30 onwards, get a lovely bacon roll for breakfast before setting off at 08:30, 08:45, 09:00, 09:15, 09:30, 09:45 or 10:00 – it’s your choice. There is plenty of public parking around the hall.
THE GRIDIRON 100 takes its name from the many cattle grids found throughout the New Forest. You will cross some of them on a route which takes you from Lymington around the periphery of the Forest. Along the way there will be controls at Copythorne and Hyde with free drinks and biscuits.
CHECK IN in good time please to collect your Brevet Card. You must carry this with you and get it stamped at each of the control points, and also at the finish. You keep this as proof of your successful 100km ride.
WHAT IS A RANDONNÉE? A randonnée is French for excursion. In England it has become associated purely with an organized long-distance bicycle ride. You follow a set route at your own pace within maximum and minimum time limits.
IT IS NOT A RACE please do not treat it as such. Have a brisk ride by all means but don’t act like you’re in “Le Tour” and make yourself a nuisance to other road users. Go too fast and you’ll likely find that the controllers are not ready for you – don’t forget, we are club cyclists on our day off too. Just enjoy the beautiful Autumnal colours! Please ensure you read and observe the New Forest Cycling Code: www.newforestnpa.gov.uk/cycling-code.
WHEN YOU’VE FINISHED there will be tea and refreshments available at Lymington. Our unique medallion and cycling cap will be on sale as a memento of your epic ride.
ROUTE FINDING: On a randonnée we encourage self-reliance. You are setting yourself a challenge, so it is up to you to ensure that you are fit enough and that your bike is in good condition. Navigation is your responsibility. Study maps to supplement the written description and carry out a little homework beforehand and you’ll not get lost. We do not sign the routes as signs can get removed, or changed.
MAPS: OS “New Forest Explorer” OL22 (4cm to 1km) or OS “Landranger” 196,195, 184 & 185 (2cm to 1km)
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