We've a lot happening this year in order to try to even get close to last years total and we're very pleased the Phil's Ride Team is continuing to grow with more people wanting to help and participate.
This year we'd like to get as many people involved in our day as we can. As part of the team have set themselves the challenge of a 5 day trek across the Sahara Desert, we thought it only fitting to also include a sponsored walk element into our, giving everyone the opportunity to take part, even if they don't have two wheels.
Taking Part
If you would like to take part and join in, whether it be on 2 wheels or armed with your walking boots, simply turn up with your steed of choice at the Old White Bell, Southery (PE380PA) from 11.00am [onwards] on Sunday 30th August 2020. (NB: Due to the popularity of the event, car parking will be conjested, so we advise people arriving by car to park sensibly in the side streets, the extra parking facility opposite the Old White Bell and the Village Hall car park, located close to the playing field and of course be mindful and respect local residents.)
Itinery is as follows;
- 11.00amRegistration opens Hand in any sponsorship forms and collect the loan of Phil's Ride High Vis (NB: For riders only.)
- 12.30pm Motorcycles will ride a c.109 mile return route to Blakeney
- 12.35pm Bicycles will ride a local c.21 mile return route to Downham Market to the Wimbotsham Chequers. The exact route is TBA
- 12.40pm Sponsored Walk will have the option of walking 1 or 2 laps of the route commonly referred to as "The Common" which is either a 3 or 6 mile route
- 4.30pm All riders return
- 5.00pm Live Music Starts
- c.7.00pm Auction Bid on items that sometimes money just can't buy
- 10.30pm Close
All we ask for taking part is a donation in one of our two collection buckets upon arrival at time of registration of at least £5, or if you'd rather sponsorship forms are available to download (link TBA) and print. All donations, no matter how small, will be greatly appreciated.
A "Phil's Ride - In Aid of East Anglia Air Ambulance" high-vis will be loaned to all riders (subject to availbility) upon your registration. These have cost our sponsors quite a bit of money so please return this after your ride.
Bicycles
The bicycles will be organised into groups at registration for marshalling purposes consisting of Casual, Experienced and Enthusiast. The groups will have staggered starts to aid the marshals and the impact of the short ride on the A10 for other road users.
Should a cyclist be unable to do the full distance, simply wait for one of our support vehicles to take your and your bicycle back to the Old White Bell.
Motorcycles
The motorcycle ride will again be riding the c.109 mile to Blakeney as frequented so often by Phil and Jane on his bike.
We advise all motorcycles to brim their tanks before arriving. For those not familiar with the area, the nearest petrol station is Stone Cross, Downham Market, PE380AD to the north of Southery or BP, Littleport, CB61JJ if coming from the south.
The ride will be marshalled by riders in orange high-vis and will follow a fairly simple main road ride to Blakeney via Mundford and Swaffham, stopping at Blakeney where the burger van will [hopefully] be prepared for our arrival for a 40min stop. All being well, the petrol station as we arrive at Blakeney will be a functioning 24/7 pay-at-pump by then (I'll confirm as soon as I can on this) however if not, we'll make a fuel stop at Wells-Next-The-Sea which will be on our return leg shortly after departing Blakeney.
The return leg will be almost the same as 2019's route via Wells-next-the-Sea, turning left after Holkham Hall estate, through Burnham Market, left at the duck pond at Stanhoe, through the CITB at Bircham Newton, Fitcham, Grimston, Gayton, East Walton, Narborough and then pick up the Swaffham Road near RAF Marham and back to Southery. All being well, motorcycles will be entering the northern entrance to the village at 4.30pm and will escort the cyclists the last few hundred yards back to the pub.
Sponsored Walk
Although we'd recommend up to 2 laps of the "The Common" there is of course no reason for you to do more [or less] of the route as you wish and indeed if you want to drive sponsorship on the basis of 'laps' of the 3 mile circular route, please be our guests. Please note, if you're not familiar with the route, "The Common" is very flat open fenland with a mixture of gravel and tarmac surfaces both even and uneven.
As ever, full info for all our fundraising and events will be updated on our web page at http://www.philsride.org and you can email us on ride@philsride.org, so stay tuned to all the latest news as it develops.
