“the beast” lake district 108 mile cycle sportive – 8 august 2021
thank you for entering this great event which is based @
3-1-5 health club lancaster – la1 3pe.
you will have received your event number – arrival and starting time in the post – please fill in the emergency contact details on back of the number.
please be aware that wearing of recognised cycling helmets is compulsory for all top dog cycle sportive events – and tri bars are not allowed by british cycling – who insure our events.
parking – is on the 3-1-5 health club – la1 3pe – car park from 0730hrs (please don t arrive before this as it will be closed) and is free for the day.
breakfast – there is no catering open on the car park / event hq area. but a large 24-hour mcdonalds just beyond the start / event hq area, on caton road, towards lancaster.
facilities – there are no changing areas on the car park – so please come ready to ride – there are toilets inside the club’s main entrance from 0730hrs. unfortunately, there is no swim / jacuzzi / steam / sauna in the health club post ride at the moment due to various covid safety plans.
the start – please arrive at the start line (500 m from the car park) at your given time – ready to go – with your event number attached to the front of your bike so that it can be easily seen and read, weatherproof top and mobile phone – riders will be starting in groups at regular 3-minute intervals between 0800 and 0930 hrs.
cut off time – is 18.00hrs – riders returning after this time will not be timed and will not receive a finishers goody bag.
your number will be recorded on the start line and several times during your ride – so please ensure it is clearly visible and easy to read – hanging down from handlebars + not folded or wrapped round bars.
finding your way – the course will be clearly marked with fluorescent yellow arrow signs and specific top dog events signs throughout – it is your responsibility to look for these signs.
gpx file of the route – https://ridewithgps.com/routes/36790498
please look out for our arrows and signs at each junction and throughout your ride – we go to great lengths to accurately place these signs for you – but may need to change a section of a route last minute – so it may differ for the gpx version – however they do get moved/damaged/taken down, so gpx is a reliable backup.
rules of the road – please ride no more than two abreast and change to single file when necessary, to allow traffic to pass – be courteous to motorists, farmers, and local residents – especially in the 1st and last couple of miles along the busy riverside pathway.
be seen be safe – by wearing bright clothes and having a red taillight.
be heard by pedestrians – please fit a working bell to your handlebars to politely warn pedestrians of your presence.
this event is not a race, it is a social cycling challenge, and you should approach it in this manner. you must follow the rules of the road and any dangerous or reckless cycling will not be tolerated.
communications – it is compulsory to carry a mobile phone, signal for most of the route is fine and event contact numbers are printed on rear of your event number should you need assistance – event hq will call you if we are concerned about you or your whereabouts.
mechanicals – please come with a mechanically sound bike. tyres, wheels, chains, cables, and brake blocks should be sound and in good working order.
spares – you should ride with all spares for necessary roadside repairs to your bicycle, 2 x inner tubes, patches, chain splitter and a pump – in addition to enough food and drink to get you to the 1st feed station roughly 1/3 way round @ 40 miles.
sweeper vehicles – are only for serious mechanical failures and medical issues.
withdrawing from the event – for those who decide they have “ridden far enough” and no longer wish to continue, you will need to arrange transport back to the start/finish area and inform hq on 07521 703205 or a marshal that you have withdrawn from the sportive.
emergencies – should you witness or have an accident – ring our events hq, the phone number 07521 703205 is on the back of your sportive number. they will contact our event paramedics and dispatch them to you. if you cannot get through to hq – ring 999 or 112 for assistance and then the race organisers at hq as soon as possible.
medical issues – if you have any known medical conditions, illness, or injury which you think may affect your participation in this event, you should seek medical advice before attending and carry all personal medication you may require during the event.
help – there will be several 1st aid trained mobile support staff on the course who will carry basic first aid kits, spares, tools, and cycle carriers to offer rider assistance.
please contact hq on 07521 703205 should you need either.
weather – if required, due to bad weather, we will change the route as appropriate to ensure that that the event still goes ahead on the chosen day.
if the weather is so bad that we feel it is necessary to cancel the event competitor entries can be transferred to next year’s event or to another top dog sportive.
we will insist that at least an outer shell jacket is carried by all riders, as the conditions in the lake district can be drastically different to the sea level conditions at hq in lancaster.
safety on the course – our events take place on quiet rural lanes, but you should always be aware that these roads are open to traffic and quiet lanes bring their own hazards – rough surfaces, loose wild / farm animals, sunday drivers and occasional potholes.
refreshments and toilets – there are 2 x feed stations at roughly 1/3 and 2/3 points around the route – these are both located near to public toilets. there are also several village shops, cafes, tea vans and pubs en route where extra food and drink can be purchased.
feed station “menus”
f1 @ 40 miles –
- flap jack pieces – various flavours
- banana pieces
- high 5 energy bars – banana or berry flavour
- selection of mars / snickers / twix bars
- water
- fruit flavoured cordials
- high 5 energy / carbohydrate drink powders
- high 5 electrolyte tablets
f2 @ 75 miles –
- cheese + onion and egg sandwiches
- small soreen malt loaf pieces
- baby bell mini cheeses
- banana pieces
- high 5 energy bars – banana or berry flavour
- water
- fruit flavoured cordials
- high 5 energy / carbohydrate drink powders
- high 5 electrolyte tablets
finish @ 108 miles –
- selection of above items
energy gels – we will not provide gels – as any unfamiliar products we could supply en route – may cause stomach upsets. we would suggest that you carry your own tried and tested gels
plastics – we will not be providing plastic glasses or cups at our feed stations – but ask that you use your drinks bottle instead please.
toilets – are in several places en route, look out for our signs – some are free while others make a charge of 20 or 30 pence, so it is recommended you carry a selection of small change in your saddle bag.
timings and photos – a full list of times and event photos will be posted on the top dog events ltd website and facebook page in the week following the event.
the finish line – your time will be recorded as you ride under the gantry – this will also inform the organisers that you are home safely – you will also be given a “goody bag” and surplus feed station items will be available to start your refuelling.
medals – if you purchased a souvenir medal with your online entry, come to our hq desk after your ride and collect your bespoke medal.
marshals and helpers – this event would not be possible without the assistance of our amazing team of marshals and helpers – please be nice to them and a “thank you” as you pass by will be well received.
safety declaration
by entering this british cycling sanctioned event you are making the following declaration –
“i agree to abide by the british cycling regulations for non-competitive cycling events and understand and agree that i participate in this event entirely at my own risk, that i must rely on my own ability in dealing with all hazards, and that i must ride in a manner which is safe to myself and others. i am aware that when riding on a public highway the function of marshals is only to indicate direction and that i must decide whether any manoeuvre is safe.
i agree that no liability whatsoever shall attach to the promoter, promoting club/organisation, event sponsor, british cycling, or any event official in respect of any injury, loss or damage suffered by me in or by reason of the event however caused.
i will participate in cycling events in a loyal and sporting manner. i have read and agree to abide by the above declarations.”
see you sunday,
top dog events ltd team
e mail –[email protected] –
web – www.topdogevents.co.uk
fb – top dog events
mob -07521 703205