CTC Tri-ennial Vets 100 Mile Ride

Every three years since 1928, the Cyclists’ Touring Club has organised a challenge ride for members over 50. As many of the Wayfarers would just about squeak over the age limit, on 15th June we will be organising a CTC Tri-Vets ride, starting and finishing at the Cricket Pavilion in Brockham. We will offer a 100 mile ride, which will qualify for the CTC Tri-Vets Badge, and we will offer a 100 km ride, for those who want a good day out but don’t fancy the full distance. We will also be offering a 50 km ride suitable for any member who chooses it. The shorter distance rides do not qualify for the badge.  Of course, if you’re lucky enough to look under 50, as the signs say in pubs, you can still ride 100 miles but you can’t have a badge. Something for the youngsters to look forward to.

All rides will be largely on the Surrey Cycleway, which is a network of pretty lanes with little traffic. It is not flat - Surrey isn’t - but it’s certainly not a hilly route, as none of Surrey’s famous hills is included. 

To earn your badge, which you will have to order from CTC at a cost of £4, you will need to complete your 100 miles in twelve hours. For many Wayfarers eight hours riding and an hour for stops will be plenty; some may choose a slower pace, some may choose a shorter distance. Every finisher, at every distance, will get a Finisher’s Certificate. 

Based on the Cricket Pavilion at Brockham, the first riders will leave at 0800. For each distance, there will be led rides of small groups, with the normal leader/back marker/corner marker arrangements. Times for these led rides are as follows:

0800:  100 miles, 12.5 mph

0830:  100 miles, 13.0 mph

0900:  100 miles, 13.5 mph

0930:  100 kms, 12.0 mph

1000:  100 kms, 12.5 mph

1030:  100 kms,  13.0 mph

1100:  50 kms,  10.0 mph

To join the event you do not have to participate in a led ride - you can ride by yourself, or with a couple of friends, if you prefer. There will be route cards and GPS files for those who want them. Every rider will have an Audax-style ‘Brevet Card’, that is stamped as proof of passage. This will serve as evidence for CTC Badge Claims, but it is not meant to be a rigorous thing. It’s a ride with friends and clubmates - claims are made on trust. 

As an illustration of how it works, here is the 100 mile route. It’s a figure of eight, almost all on the Cycleway, that starts at Brockham, returns to the Pavilion for lunch and then finishes there for tea and cakes. The 100 km and 50 km routes will be similar, taking shorter loops away from Brockham.

The Pavilion will be open from 0730, serving teas, coffees and biscuits to riders before they set off. Sandwich lunches will be available there from 1100 to 1500, with teas starting after that until the last rider is accounted for.

The rules are that twelve hours are allowed for the 100 mile ride. The first riders will leave at 0800, and the finish control will close at about 2030, depending on who’s still out on the course. It may be that for some, the finish control is one of the pubs on Brockham Green ...

The Wayfarers will charge £5 for the CTC Tri-vets ride, which is well below CTC’s recommended charge. For this you get teas and coffees, a sandwich lunch, cake at tea- time, a certificate, the organisation of the event and the use of the hall.

The event will be advertised on the CTC Web Site. As other CTC groups are doing, we plan to cap the number of riders at 80, as we can’t really cope with much more than that. Being close to London, the event may be very popular, so if you are interested you would be well advised to get your name on the list early. Speak to Simon, or drop him an email, to secure your place. 

Mark