England : Bedfordshire The 100 Mile Smile Ride - Sun 8th September

[velovoice]

Please join Sustrans and Travel Choices (Dunstable) for​

the 100 Mile Smile Ride​

Sunday, 8 September 2013​

​

Entry is FREE.

Register here to be sent route maps and a ticket entitling you to a free cycling T-shirt (worth £15) which you can pick up at one of our checkpoints along the route.

See the route here.

It takes in Dunstable, Leighton Buzzard, Milton Keynes, Bedford, Sandy, Letchworth, Stevenage, Harpenden and Luton, before returning to Dunstable. It is composed of off-road cycle paths and quiet lanes.

Ride as much (or as little) as you like along our 100 mile National Cycle Network route. Alternatively, follow 25 mile, 50 mile, 75 mile or 100 mile options. Join the route where you like and ride as far as you like.

Remember, you don't have to ride the whole distance, just as much as you like.

 

[Paulus]

I, and a friend have just signed up.

 

[Flying Dodo]

For anyone looking to do this ride (or part of it), bear in mind being a Sustrans ride, the route will use to a large extent local cycle routes, and so will include off road paths, some of which will not be suitable for road bikes with skinny tyres.

 

[TheDoctor]

Just signed up.
Since it goes very near my house, it seemed rude not to!!

 

[velovoice]

For anyone looking to do this ride (or part of it), bear in mind being a Sustrans ride, the route will use to a large extent local cycle routes, and so will include off road paths, some of which will not be suitable for road bikes with skinny tyres.

Flying Dodo is right: the route is mostly off-road and, as we all know, the surfaces of Sustrans' paths do vary a bit...! That's both the pleasure (...and the pain...) of them.

We are putting together an alternate route that provides diversions for the very worst sections e.g. sand or gravel which are obviously impassable for road bikes with skinny slicks. We'll be honest though: These diversions make the route possible on a road bike, but some roadies will still consider the route as a whole not 100% "suitable". I guess our team is a bit bullish -- there aren't many places we won't ride our road bikes!

Please check out the EventBrite registration site again where I've provided more detail about the route. If you want a copy of the slightly-more-road-bike-friendly route, please use the e-mail addresses provided to contact me or my colleague Alister.

Bottom line, we're aiming for fun for all - no prizes for being fast! So leave your racing ambitions at home for the day and come out and enjoy just a taste of the multitude of cycle paths now criss-crossing the lovely countryside of Herts, Beds and Bucks. It's going to be a fantastic day out!

 

[sheddy]

Is this a 'turn up anytime and do what you can' or are there set times ?

 

[velovoice]

Is this a 'turn up anytime and do what you can' or are there set times ?

Totally "turn up and go" - you choose when and where you start and when and where you finish.

 

[velovoice]

Info packs including maps and GPS files and cue sheets all went out today.... whew!

Are YOU coming?

 

[TheDoctor]

I'll be doing some, but I won't be going over to Dunstable to get a T Shirt.
I probably don't need any more T Shirts anyway!

 

[velovoice]

** STOP PRESS **
Anybody who's had their Info Pack - it had the wrong map link for Route B!!
It should be http://ridewithgps.com/routes/3268484
Sorry!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[velovoice]

I'll be doing some, but I won't be going over to Dunstable to get a T Shirt.
I probably don't need any more T Shirts anyway!

If you decide you do want it, pop into the Hub with your t-shirt voucher (assuming you've registered) anytime before the end of the month.

 

[TheDoctor]

Oh, I've registered, but I'm currently trying to reduce my stack of stuff-I'm-never-going-to wear...