The Tour of Gloucestershire Ride for 2024 is fast approaching. If you are intending to ride, please check out the route via the club calendar, and read the instructions below. If you don't know whether I know you're coming, please email me at simon.boswell@btinternet.com as I don't visit this forum very often.
Here's some points to consider for those who are planning on joining, or at least giving it careful consideration.
Point #1 - it's a double century ride, which means it's a major undertaking. You'll want to be confident that you can manage the distance based on current form - that's your own judgement. There is always the opportunity to bail when we get close to Cheltenham at about halfway, but this isn't an idea ride for someone whose longest ride this year has been the Saturday club run. If you haven't already confirmed with me that you'd like to come, please drop me an email: simon.boswell@btinternet.com.
Point #2 - you'll need to look after your own nutrition. Long-distance riding is to a great extent an eating competition. I have some stops planned, but I'd advise all riders to come prepared with snacks & food to sustain you, and treat the cafe stops as a chance for recovery, not fuelling. Due to the early start time we don't get a stop until we've been riding for 100km or so; as the day progresses we'll have plenty of opportunities to stop in stores for provisions so you don't have to necessarily bring a whole day's rations.
Point #3 - it's not a race. We will ideally all ride together but faster riders will need to be considerate towards the steadier riders in the group. If there's a natural difference in speeds in the group we'll deal with that during the ride itself.
Point #4 - please familiarise yourself with the route. There are challenges spread across the day, and you don't want to make it worse by taking a wrong turn and losing the group. You also don't want to turn up Corndean Lane at 195 miles in and be surprised.
Key details - it's a 04:45 start from the Pump Room (i.e. sunrise) and we should be back in Cheltenham about 16 hours later (21:00), probably a bit sooner. Lights are highly recommended in case of delays or dark clouds. As is a rain jacket - you never know.