San Fairy Ann Cycle Club

We now have a full field.

Having set the limit at 250 there will inevitably be some non starters and I have accepted additional entries to cover my guesstimate of these. If we get last years glorious weather and 100% starters ............

Even if we do we won't have a repeat of last years water shortage at the refreshment control. Geoff Hodgson is taking a water container that is only marginally smaller than a water bowser. In addition the owner of the land we use is riding the event and if neccessary we can get more from his house just up the hill. Thanks Matt.

Great to see so many club members - 53 - and a lot of entries from riders who have done one or more of our previous three of these events.

One final request for a little help. I still need someone to put up the direction signs on the A229 roundabout at Cranbrook and at 2 places in Goudhurst on the morning. They need to be in place by 11.30.

Looking forward to it Ron,

as a SFA sportive first timer, how does the group allocation work?
and seeing as theres 250 riders going off its obviously going to take some time to get them all away, do some arrive later.

I shall be aiming at just under 4 hours, so hope to get in with a small group of like minded riders.

Having got a gold last year (just) I would like to aim for this again but that may be weather dependent. Is anyone else up for a sub 3:40 pace?

Hmm, looks like I'll have to enter this one illegally! (Hide round the corner from the start methinks) I take it I am OK to ride on my own accord Ron?

Obviously, I'm happy to make a donation still, and at least I will save a precious few seconds not having to stop to pick up chips!
Please don't think I'm questioning the clubs ethics Ron, but could you please remind me what the reason was for curtailing the numbers? I'm sure I read it somewhere, but can't remember anymore! I believe it was simply to do with the number of people the club was able to cope with, with regards to signing on etc etc. Is that right?

Cheers
Joe

Perhaps a late entry could be allowed for the holder of the Rye and Back Trophy...

Lee,
Like previous years riders can make up their own groups. We start them 12 in a group at 2 minute intervals. This just gives me time to write the start time on each riders card and create a reasonable gap between the groups (although Hunton Hill rearranges some groups )

It will take about 40 minutes to get everyone away so there is no need to rush for 9 o'clock.

Joe,
The route is on public roads and you are quite entitled to ride on them. I have had to refuse pleas for late entries or entries on the line so I'm afraid I can't offer more than this. If you stop at the refreshment control then when you get back the suggested donation would be appropriate.

2 main reasons for the limited number of riders. It's only a small hall and the refreshment control by the Military Canal will be working flat out to cope.

Last year we were overwhelmed by the number who turned up to enter on the day which caused a few problems. Judging by the many complimentary remarks from riders the supply of water at the control was the only one they were aware of.

Publicising the limit has concentrated the minds and brought in the entries much earlier so that we now know in advance how many we are catering for. A fringe benefit is that with no entries on the day signing on will be quicker.

Looking to the future there is the potential to build it into a bigger event. There is another much bigger hall in Marden and with more helpers the refreshment control can cope with more riders. This is the last time that I will be running it and Steve Berry has offered to take it on next year. This could be the ideal time to review the first 4 years and make improvements for the future.

Dave S wrote:Having got a gold last year (just) I would like to aim for this again but that may be weather dependent. Is anyone else up for a sub 3:40 pace?

Having just missed out on a gold two years ago after soloing it on a horrible day, I'm looking forward to riding this one with others!

Thanks for clarifying Ron I thought as much, but it just seems a shame to effectively limit the amount of money we are able to raise for charity.

So then, what times are people planning to turn up, as it would be nice to get a group together?

Re limiting the amount of money we could make, you have to bear in mind that help in running these events is also limited- see Ron's late request to find someone to put out signs at Cranbrook RAB despite his appeal in the last Milestone re this important event! Most of the Old Faithfuls are already lined up for their usual jobs.

As Ron says, Steve Berry has bravely agreed to run the Sportive in 2010 so we must make sure he gets plenty of help from all quarters as without that, the event will not be able to expand to make all this extra money.

Pat

Joe_Godding wrote:Thanks for clarifying Ron I thought as much, but it just seems a shame to effectively limit the amount of money we are able to raise for charity.

We could also help overall by attempting not to call the air ambulance out this year

Rob T wrote:

Joe_Godding wrote:Thanks for clarifying Ron I thought as much, but it just seems a shame to effectively limit the amount of money we are able to raise for charity.

We could also help overall by attempting not to call the air ambulance out this year

I have managed to not call it in 33 yrs (although sure it only came about in the 90's!?)sorry missed the History part on the Club Dinner speech,must of had my beak in a glass of Red But to be fair he had'nt heard of our club till the week before

but it just seems a shame to effectively limit the amount of money we are able to raise for charity.

This year's £2 increase doesn't seem to have affected the entries so the easy answer is to increase the entry fee again

ronlee wrote:

but it just seems a shame to effectively limit the amount of money we are able to raise for charity.

This year's £2 increase doesn't seem to have affected the entries so the easy answer is to increase the entry fee again

Sounds like a plan

Dave
If you're still looking for riders I would certainly be up for a sub 3:40 time. For me to hit my age group gold I would have to be back in 3:35! What time were you planing on setting off? Are there any others going for the same time. I understand we can set off in groups of twelve.

How about arriving 8:30 - 8:45 to allow time to sign in at HQ and aim to set off shortly after 9:00? Perhaps we can go at sub 3:35 pace for any non-vets going for a gold and then I can drop off the back towards the end to still get mine... To be honest though I think the weather will play the major factor in the times achieved - no golds awarded in 2007 when it was wet and windy but loads last year.