Dave Lloyd MEGA Challenge - Riders Brief No:3
25th June 2008
- Headquarters is at Ruthin school which is situated just as you come into Ruthin from Mold direction on the right hand side of A494 and the car parks are at the back of the school on the playing fields .Please follow car park attendants instructions.
Full address is Ruthin School, Mold Road, Ruthin, Denbighshire, North Wales, LL15 1EE.
- Please ENTER CAR PARKS WHERE LARGE WHITE FLAGS ARE AND THEN follow car park attendants instructions and if possible please share transport as space is limited. Start times are as follows MEGA 07:00 to 08:00, MINI-MEGA 08:00 to 09:00 and riders will be set off in waves of 20 riders maximum.
- Signing on area is within the leisure centre at the school itself which is a 1minute walk from the car park and will open from 06:00 where SPORTident will issue dibbers and numbers to all riders. Please ensure you return your dibbers at the finish!
The school have kindly agreed to allow us to use a small section of the playing fields as a camping area BUT spaces are limited and toilets, cold water and hot showers will be available from the Saturday afternoon from 1300 and if you wish to use this facility please email terry at terrbell@gotadsl.co.uk to book and I will confirm your space and fees must be paid in advance with PAYMENTS MADE TO MERCURY CYCLE COACHING LTD AND PAID TO RBS BANK SORT CODE 162234 AND ACCOUNT No 10150742 AT £15 per tent and car and OR POSTED TO DLMC ATTN T BELL @THE RUTHIN CASTLE HOTEL RUTHIN LL15 2NU BY LATEST FRIDAY 27TH JUNE.
- A mobile caterer will also be available throughout the event near the start area and a wide range of foods will be made available throughout sat afternoon and all day Sunday.
A very limited entry on the day will be in operation .
Our caterer will open at 0530 and be able to provide the following:
Breakfast.
Porrage, Toast, Bacon Bap, Sausage Bap, Egg Bap.
Main Menu.
Baked Potatoes: Chilli, Veg Curry, Beans, Coleslaw, Tuna Mayo, Cheese.
Burgers, Cheese Burgers, Jumbo Sausage, Hot Chicken Pieces Bap, Steak Canadian, Chips.
Freshly made sandwiches: Ham, Tuna Mayo, Cheese.
Drinks
Tea, Coffee, Hot Chocolate, Coke, Diet Coke, Fanta, Sprite, Water, Fruit Shoot, Fresh Orange.
- Both Mega and Mini routes will be clearly signposted and every measure taken to ensure the yellow signs are secure .
DUE to unexpected road works in Mold area and safety issues in Ruthin area we have had to make minor alterations to both routes at this point and have decided to send all riders to the 2nd checkpoint near Denbigh where we also have our 2nd feedstation, the mini route will then follow the Mega route to outskirts of Denbigh and then head SSE back to the finish in Ruthin.
Both the Mini and the Mega routes are extremely demanding so ensure you have a drink in your bottle at the start and thereafter there are multiple feed stations [35/60/95/120 miles] where SIS energy drinks, water, energy bars, mars bars and bananas will be made available to all riders and at the 60mile point we will be laying on a pasta dish or SARNIES for all Mega riders plus drinks.
- A voucher will be issued to all MINI riders at the finish that can be used towards food at the catering van.
- Please make yourself aware before leaving HQ of the key risk areas on the route by checking out the route map in main hall and note although some points will have extra warning signs in place ,particular care needs to be taken on many descents which are very fast and the FORD AT WORLDS END requires extreme care and following discussions with Dave we are now asking all riders to WALK ACROSS USING THE STEPPING STONES as it is too dangerous to attempt riding across and risking an accident !
Due to road works on the route around MOLD we have made several amendments to the original route and they will be clearly signposted!
- If the weather proves to be challenging it is planned to offer mega riders the opportunity to put some spare cycling clothes in a poly bag before the start and if clearly identified we will transport this change to the BALA 1 checkpoint [95mls] and bring any used clothing back to HQ, however , we cannot accept any responsibility for loss ,so its up to you to ensure it is placed in the allocated space and identified.
- Seriously bad weather may require minor route changes and this will be decided on the day by the organisers.
- A small supply of inner tubes,tyres and chain lube will be available at each feed station, PLUS A SMALL MEDICAL KIT!
-Derek Boocock will be taking photographs of riders , so please support him.
- It is also planned to issue certificates to all finishers and a age category table with gold, silver and bronze will be at the finish. Dave has set the gold standard for the MEGA challenge at 8 hours.
- A Dave Lloyd unique free Tshirt will also be available to all riders at the finish.
- Due to the nature of the mega course we have prepared some recommended cut off time guidelines at 60[12:30] and 95[15:00] miles and hope riders affected will consider these before committing to complete the Lake Vyrnwy loop which includes quantity 2 cat 1 climbs and descents.
- Gearing should be 39 x 27 minimum for both routes.
- Both routes follow very narrow lanes and with 600 riders on the road it would be helpful if there are no following vehicles PLEASE. That being said, we welcome riders support teams at all our feeding stations and there are quicker routes to these points by using direct main roads and plenty of car parking spaces and excellent pub meals at 60 and 120miles.
Medal Times (18th June 2008):
| MEGA | MINI-MEGA |
| Male Age |
Gold |
Silver |
Bronze |
Gold |
Silver |
Bronze |
| 18-29 |
08h 30m |
09h 30m |
10h 00m |
04h 30m |
05h 00m |
05h 30m |
| 30-39 |
09h 30m |
10h 00m |
10h 30m |
05h 00m |
05h 30m |
06h 00m |
| 40-49 |
10h 00m |
10h 30m |
11h 00m |
05h 30m |
06h 00m |
06h 30m |
| 50-59 |
10h 15m |
10h 45m |
11h 15m |
05h 45m |
06h 15m |
06h 45m |
| 60-69 |
10h 30m |
11h 00m |
11h 30m |
06h 00m |
06h 30m |
07h 00m |
| 70+ |
11h 00m |
11h 30m |
12h 00m |
06h 30m |
07h 00m |
07h 30m |
| Female |
|
| 18-39 |
10h 00m |
10h 30m |
11h 00m |
05h 30m |
06h 00m |
06h 30m |
| 40+ |
10h 30m |
11h 00m |
11h 30m |
06h 00m |
06h 30m |
07h 00m |
Summary Event Details:
The event will provide the very best standards that cyclosportives offer.
We intend to look after you like a "Pro" rider - throughout your experience.
The challenge will provide the following support to all participants:
100% clear, concise, fully signposted routes
Marshalls
Quiet, traffic free roads
Individual Timing
5 Feedstops for MEGA route and 2 Feedstops for MINI-MEGA route (TBA)
Feedstops will contain essential cycling nourishment (Water, Energy Drinks, Gels, Flapjacks, Banana's etc)
FREE Event DVD included in the entry fee (mailed to you after the event) from Cyclosport.TV.
Internet TV providing full coverage of all competitors within 48 hours from Cyclosport.TV.
Full carparking facilities
Changing Rooms and Showers
HQ Refreshments
Gold, Silver and Bronze certificates (based on age category - see below)
Results within 48 hours
Photographs within 72 hours for purchase - www.derekbphotography.co.uk
Backup route card/map with emergency contact number
Published Entry List
Links to Hotels, Campsite's, B+B's and places of interest.
Age Categories:
The age categories are as follows (age as of 29th June 2008):
Male 18-29
Male 30-39
Male 40-49
Male 50-59
Male 60+
Female 18-39
Female 40+