Bob Kemp memorial ride

Updated 23 June 2017: A reconnaisance ride was completed yesterday (22 June). There is nothing unusual to report on road conditions, road closures, etc. The proposed rest stops are expecting us. Mileage on the recce ride was 120 miles, a flat 50 miles to Salisbury, and a less flat 70 miles return.

My thanks to Andy Henderson and Phil Beed for volunteering to be back-marker and co-leader respectively.

The Bob Kemp Memorial ride is a "full value" imperial century that is intended (like all our rides) to be a fun day out and to provide riders who may not have ridden 100 miles in a day with an opportunity to sample long distance cycling on a well-supported and relatively easy ride.

There are two start points: 5am in Havant at the Spring Centre and 6am in Wickham at the public toilets in Station Road, (about 17km or 1 hour from Havant). The early morning start means we will enjoy some exceptionally quiet roads for the first few hours and we will arrive in Salisbury around 9am in time for breakfast.

The finish will be late afternoon as usual. Bring a bit of food/emergency rations as there are few eating opportunities on the way out to Salisbury (especially at the time we will be riding). If the weather forecast is sunny bring sun tan cream. It's very important to bring a water bottle, basic toolkit and at least one spare inner tube. The most important thing of all is to be comfortable on whatever bike you use; comfort is the key to enjoyable long-distance riding. Get some rest the day before the early start, and aim to be well hydrated (avoid coffee and alcohol the evening before).

You don't need to worry that the pace will be too fast; the ride is more about energy conservation than speed. The toughest part of the ride is towards the end when people start to feel tired, so taking it steady is important. We will be off the bikes for food and rest for around 3 hours, so expect the 120 miles to take around 10 hours riding, back in Havant around 6pm.

Route information and a gpx track are the same as in 2016, see BKM 2016

Now the nights are drawing in again, take advantage of long daylight hours before it's too late!

About Saturday and Wednesday rides

Rides from Havant with stops for elevenses, lunch and sometimes tea. If you're unable to keep up or have a mechanical problem, someone will be available to help you - although we obviously cannot guarantee to solve all problems.

Riders are free to join and leave the ride at various points. Some ride directly to the elevenses stop.

Click either heading below to find out more about Wednesday and Saturday rides:

Wednesday rides

Wednesday rides are the largest of our rides and can provide a range of options to riders. We often split into multiple groups at the start, for example:

• A fast group that takes a longer and/or hillier route to the elevenses stop
• A ride which takes a more direct route to the elevenses stop at a moderate pace
• An elevenses ride comprised of riders going only to elevenses; the elevenses ride will have its own ride leader and might go to a different destination if the route to the main elevenses destination is long and/or hilly

On Wednesdays it is highly likely that there will be several riders coming back to the Havant area from the elevenses stop - although they might not include a PCTC ride leader. If that is what you'd like to do, please consult the ride leader at the start to ensure someone knows and is able to bring you back.

In addition, some rides split after elevenses to go at different paces or to alternate destinations. These are usually announced during the ride briefing. Please ask if you are unsure about the options available.

Saturday rides

Saturday rides are (usually) much smaller than Wednesday rides. As a result they offer fewer options for rides but more flexibility for routes and destinations.

The rides are often shown as 'informal' meaning there is no prescribed ride leader. Unless weather is particularly adverse, however, they always go ahead at the stated time and start point. We try to keep to the suggested elevenses destination to allow for people who want to ride directly there.

The lunch destination does change occasionally but we will always take views of riders into account. In particular, if you join a ride because you think you can manage the distance/hilliness, we would not substitute an alternative if it meant you couldn't join the ride.

If you want to ride with us but only to elevenses and need someone to help you with the route back, please use our general enquiry form to let us know in advance of the ride so we can try to arrange something for you.

This article describes what you should consider bringing with you on one of these rides.