Devon and Cornwall Police Exeter to Lands End Charity Challenge 29th May 2016

The Cause – Little Bleeders

The Exeter HQ to Lands End Cycle Challenge 2016 will be supporting Alex Dowsett’s charity ‘Little Bleeders’. Alex Dowsett (Movistar rider and former world hour record holder, amongst other awards) is haemophiliac himself and has set up the charity to help children with the disease. Alex did want to do the ride with us but unfortunately (for us not him) he is currently down to ride in the Giro D’Italia in May so cannot make it. Alex plans to come down for a subsequent event to personally thank the riders for taking part.

Who can ride?

The ride is open to all SW Emergency Services, Royal Navy and Royal Marine Cycling Association and a couple of selected local Cycling clubs. The ride is not open to general public entrance but if you have a personal friend/riding buddy who would like to take part then please let me know and I will see if I can accommodate them.

Your Challenge

This is a challenge and not a race. For most the Challenge will be covering the distance however for others it may be time based. This is up to you and your group to decide. You are not in a challenge against others but to achieve something for yourself and help others in your team to achieve their goals as well.

The idea and route

The route is approximately 125 miles so please be sure that you can ride this distance as it is a long way. The distance is easily achievable within the day especially with the help and support of your colleagues.

The idea is to form groups of 4 or 5 riders and the start will be staggered to avoid having large groups of riders on the road. The route will be available on Garmin Connect to download onto GPS devices but you will also be provided with a route card ‘audax style’. We cannot provide signage on the road unfortunately so you will need to concentrate on where you are going. It won’t be a difficult route to follow and will avoid major dual carriageways to make it as safe as possible.

A welcome pack will be sent out to each rider which contains, amongst other things, a thank you letter from Alex Dowsett and sponsor forms. Alex is also writing a training plan for riders which will be available to download.

The Start

The start is D&C Police HQ, Middlemoor, Exeter. Teams will depart at ten minute intervals from 07:30hrs (approx)

En-route

En-route we will provide three feed stations which will hopefully have tea/coffee, cake and energy products from High5. We will be supporting local church and village halls to provide the venues for the stops.

The Finish

At the finish we hope to provide another feed station with hot food if possible.

We are looking at the options for getting riders home again including van hire, train etc. The best option however would be for a family member to collect a rider/s from the finish area if at all possible. A welcome party at the finish would be a nice incentive for the riders and good end to the day.

This is not a sportive so there is no compulsory entrance fee however in order to cover the cost of organising the ride we would ask for a voluntary contribution of £10 per rider. Please also try to obtain as much money for the charity as possible by using the supplied sponsorship forms.

As ever we would advise riders to consider British Cycling membership in order to take advantage of the insurance etc that is provided with membership. You are responsible for the safety of yourselves and others whilst taking part in the ride and all riders must comply with the Highway Code and Team DCP/MDCC etiquette at all times.

Further details will be updated as we have them.

Please contact me for further details or if you wish to take part in the challenge. I am also looking for volunteers to help with feed stations and other rider assistance.

Owen Messenger: Owen.MESSENGER@devonandcornwall.pnn.police.uk