Well Patrick let the cat out the bag in the "Long day in the Saddle" thread.
This is perhaps a dumb idea but here goes...
Summary
7 days, 7 teams, 7 start points, 7 end points, 7 base camps, 7 x 200miles = 1,400 miles .
...and a cheeky name given the proposed route (see below).
Each team will plan a route taking riders around their segment of the UK, as well as setting up a base camp facility and logistics support in their locale to be used by all the teams as they work their way round. The routes will be shared as .gpx files.
All on the old green lanes and by ways of Great Britain.
In the name of the TRF (tbc) to gain publicity for it by a Press Release or two, and to raise money for the Air Ambulance.
When
13th July – 20th July 2013 (tbc), this can be jiggled around to accommodate the core organisers.
Who
Well I guess its my idea so I have to pull it all together and be the central point of contact, set up some web pages and shared docs, do the PR etc. But there are of course 7 team leaders needed. I’ll be a team leader for Berks, Hants, Oxon, Wilts if needed – but there are probably better men than me. By necessity these will need to be based in or near their regions.
Teams
I am thinking teams of 8 riders + a ground logistics person or persons per team that stays at home but can help line up any spares or other help needed (so not a full time role, this person could be a dealer or someone working that week). Riding teams will have a Lead Navigator and Back Up Navigator, both having the tools to take care of navigation (ie Garmin or Sat Map and knowing how to use ‘em). The leaders will also take responsibility for tasks in the set-up of the event (his base camp, team list, payments etc).
Each team keeps 2 places free for overseas / guest riders. I’d love to see the core team being invited to the equivalent French / Italian / etc event in the future....So we’d need to put the word out on Adv Rider. Any guest slots not taken 3 weeks before the event will be released for additional local riders.
Base Camps
Originally I thought camp sites at a pub with 8 x single tents. Riders just bring sleeping bag liners. Hot food and showers are must haves. Then I thought YHA – anyone tried anything similar with them?
Bikes
I cant be arsed to map big bike friendly routes so just single cylinder trail bikes. Big bikes might slow proceedings down unreasonably.
Costs
Well this has to be the ride of your dreams, or why bother doing it. £5/day for air ambulance seems fair, plus campsite/hostels, plus a nice embroidered Polo shirt. About £200 (tbc). I am thinking we set an expectation that each rider raises a minimum of £50 for local charities within each of the 7 regions to help with PR – this could be included in a higher entry fee but refundable on successful sponsorship. Or is this making it all too convoluted?
Next Steps
Do you fancy it? Has it been done before? Is it inherently flawed?
Most important thing is finding the right 7 Team Leaders, and in the right locales – anyone offering themselves up for it?
Then I guess we should gauge demand, are there really 60+ people up for this?
Looking to the Future
A 2 week full tour of the UK for 2014....
Overseas tours....
PR Opportunity
I'd like to think we can use PR from this to the TRFs advantage We can invite a few press people along – TBR Chris Moss, Chippy Wood from Bike plus a couple of others are worth inviting I am sure.
All the TRF regions we pass thru can do a Press Release to local press and use the Air Ambulance money to generate good publicity, but local sponsorship within the teams to support local causes would be even better.
Where
Sadly not all the UK, not in a week and 1400 miles, and it will flex depending who signs up for this as Leaders. But roughly...
RBTR Simple Map by mfredriksen, on Flickr
Its only this shape as I doubt there is great laning to be had if we go out East more, but I don’t know that as a fact. It’s totally fluid at this stage.
What's the Next Step
Well its finding Leaders in the right locations, then of course validating that there are enough people that are actually daft enough to want to do it. Don't clutter the thread with replies, just send me a PM to let me know if you are interested, especially if you are interested to be a Leader - let me know your location too, of course,
So, lets see if we can make this happen. I reckon we'll all do a few lanes we wouldn't ride otherwise, and have some craic along the way.
Cheers, Mike F
This is perhaps a dumb idea but here goes...
Summary
7 days, 7 teams, 7 start points, 7 end points, 7 base camps, 7 x 200miles = 1,400 miles .
...and a cheeky name given the proposed route (see below).
Each team will plan a route taking riders around their segment of the UK, as well as setting up a base camp facility and logistics support in their locale to be used by all the teams as they work their way round. The routes will be shared as .gpx files.
All on the old green lanes and by ways of Great Britain.
In the name of the TRF (tbc) to gain publicity for it by a Press Release or two, and to raise money for the Air Ambulance.
When
13th July – 20th July 2013 (tbc), this can be jiggled around to accommodate the core organisers.
Who
Well I guess its my idea so I have to pull it all together and be the central point of contact, set up some web pages and shared docs, do the PR etc. But there are of course 7 team leaders needed. I’ll be a team leader for Berks, Hants, Oxon, Wilts if needed – but there are probably better men than me. By necessity these will need to be based in or near their regions.
Teams
I am thinking teams of 8 riders + a ground logistics person or persons per team that stays at home but can help line up any spares or other help needed (so not a full time role, this person could be a dealer or someone working that week). Riding teams will have a Lead Navigator and Back Up Navigator, both having the tools to take care of navigation (ie Garmin or Sat Map and knowing how to use ‘em). The leaders will also take responsibility for tasks in the set-up of the event (his base camp, team list, payments etc).
Each team keeps 2 places free for overseas / guest riders. I’d love to see the core team being invited to the equivalent French / Italian / etc event in the future....So we’d need to put the word out on Adv Rider. Any guest slots not taken 3 weeks before the event will be released for additional local riders.
Base Camps
Originally I thought camp sites at a pub with 8 x single tents. Riders just bring sleeping bag liners. Hot food and showers are must haves. Then I thought YHA – anyone tried anything similar with them?
Bikes
I cant be arsed to map big bike friendly routes so just single cylinder trail bikes. Big bikes might slow proceedings down unreasonably.
Costs
Well this has to be the ride of your dreams, or why bother doing it. £5/day for air ambulance seems fair, plus campsite/hostels, plus a nice embroidered Polo shirt. About £200 (tbc). I am thinking we set an expectation that each rider raises a minimum of £50 for local charities within each of the 7 regions to help with PR – this could be included in a higher entry fee but refundable on successful sponsorship. Or is this making it all too convoluted?
Next Steps
Do you fancy it? Has it been done before? Is it inherently flawed?
Most important thing is finding the right 7 Team Leaders, and in the right locales – anyone offering themselves up for it?
Then I guess we should gauge demand, are there really 60+ people up for this?
Looking to the Future
A 2 week full tour of the UK for 2014....
Overseas tours....
PR Opportunity
I'd like to think we can use PR from this to the TRFs advantage We can invite a few press people along – TBR Chris Moss, Chippy Wood from Bike plus a couple of others are worth inviting I am sure.
All the TRF regions we pass thru can do a Press Release to local press and use the Air Ambulance money to generate good publicity, but local sponsorship within the teams to support local causes would be even better.
Where
Sadly not all the UK, not in a week and 1400 miles, and it will flex depending who signs up for this as Leaders. But roughly...
RBTR Simple Map by mfredriksen, on Flickr
Its only this shape as I doubt there is great laning to be had if we go out East more, but I don’t know that as a fact. It’s totally fluid at this stage.
What's the Next Step
Well its finding Leaders in the right locations, then of course validating that there are enough people that are actually daft enough to want to do it. Don't clutter the thread with replies, just send me a PM to let me know if you are interested, especially if you are interested to be a Leader - let me know your location too, of course,
So, lets see if we can make this happen. I reckon we'll all do a few lanes we wouldn't ride otherwise, and have some craic along the way.
Cheers, Mike F
