VERULAM RELIABILITY RIDE (VRR)
Sunday 18th February 2024
Photos from last year (2023): See here.
Two classic routes:
The long route is 106km (66 miles) with 1,371 meters (4,062ft) of ascent, whilst the short route is 66.5km (41 miles) with 686m (2,251ft) of ascent.
Both start from our HQ in Redbourn (see details below). The main route has 6 significant climbs including Whiteleaf, Wardrobes, Wigginton Lane and New Road. The course is not particularly difficult but it is a tough test, making it a good training ride for the early Spring. The shorter route, 66km (c41 miles) misses out the main climbs and represents a much easier challenge.
Start times:
Registration from 8.30am for departures (long route) from 9.00am and (shorter route) 9.15am, leaving in waves of 10 (max).
HQ address:
Redbourn Parish Centre, The Park, Redbourn, Herts, AL3 7LR (see info here and map here).
Entry fee:
VCC Members: £7
Non-Members: £14
On the day: £14 & £21 respectively
Entries:
Book online in advance and on the day may be available (max 200 riders).
Riders:
See here for latest list of riders.
Arrivals:
There is some free car parking space near the Parish Centre otherwise park on local roads. The nearest Railway Stations are Harpenden (3.5 miles) or St Albans (5.4 miles).
Refreshments are included:
There will be tea and coffee available before the ride and a selection of food and hot drinks at the end. The HQ closes at 3.00pm. If you think you are going to be later than that, or if you decide to abandon at any time, please call us so we don't wait for you or send the search party out!
Maps and elevation profiles:
Long route / GPS track - see here (up-dated 23/01/2024).
Short route / GPS track - see here (up-dated 23/01/2024)
Note: The routes will not be signposted - so take a map or load up your Garmin (or equivalent) and check back as up-dates may be necessary nearer the time!
Route/Cue Sheets:
Long route - see here (up-dated 23/01/2024)
Short route - see here (up-dated 23/01/2024)
Inter-Club Competition [Not open to Verulam CC]:
The event includes a competition for the VRR Club Trophy. Each rider from a Club who completes the long route scores two points, whilst each rider completing the shorter route scores one point. The club with the most points will hold the trophy for a year, until the next event, when the trophy will return to be awarded again. Will your club be the winners?
Charity:
We’re pleased to be supporting Essex & Herts Air Ambulance for this event. A charity that has come to the rescue of VCC riders and so sits close to our hearts. Essex & Herts Air Ambulance receives no Government funding - a donation of £2 per rider will be made. More information about Essex & Herts Air Ambulance is available here.
Chiltern Classics:
The Verulam Reliability Ride is part of the Chiltern Classics series of Reliability Rides.
Under 18s:
There are risks associated with this ride, from bad weather conditions and the 100km route is a serious challenge so…
- Minimum age 12.
- Under 14s can only ride the 78Km event, with a parent or guardian.
- Under 16s can ride either distance with a parent or guardian.
- 16 and 17 year olds can ride either distance unaccompanied.
In every case (all under 18 riders) a signed Parental Consent Form must be completed and lodged with the organiser.
More information:
Any questions, please contact us:
Hazards:
The event takes place on public roads so normal care and attention is required. Please observe the Highway Code and show respect at all times for all other road users. The road into Aldbury (Stocks Rd) is in poor in places, otherwise just please take care as it's winter, there are potholes, mud, water and gravel. There are a number of hazards identified in our Risk Assessment we’d like to draw your attention to:
This is a Reliability Ride with a target speed range of 13 to 18mph. This equates to about 4 to 5.5 hours for the long ride and 3 to 4 hours for the shorter version. We expect that there will be some faster riders but, please remember, the events are challenges not races and are not timed. Riders will be set off at intervals to reduce the risks from riding in large bunches on narrow lanes. Please do not ride in groups of more than 10.
Insurance:
The event is being run by Verulam CC which is affiliated to Cycling UK. This provides Organisers’ Liability insurance as long as the event has no more than 200 riders. The ride is therefore limited to this number. We expect all riders to have their own third party liability insurance. This is intended to cover you should you ever be adjudged to have caused an accident which led to injury or damage to another cyclist, anyone else or their property. The main cycling organisations (Cycling UK, British Cycling and LVRC) all provide this as part of their membership benefits.
Rider Briefing:
The ride is not a race. A reliability ride is a test of a cyclist’s reliability and that of their bike coming out of the winter period.
Safety is paramount for everyone on the ride and it is imperative that participants ride responsibly and in accordance with the Highway Code so please take particular note of a few points
- The ride is self-supported, like a club ride and there is no emergency support or broom wagon
- Avoid groups larger than 10 riders and allow for sufficient gaps for cars to pass
- When riding as a group follow normal protocols of calling out hazards
- Follow the directions of the group leader
- Be polite and considerate to all other road users at all times; in particular single out when in very narrow or busy roads
Whilst we have taken care to design the route in recognition of the conditions there are stretches of road that need particular care, especially given the numbers of riders on the road. The routes were rechecked on Thursday and the points to note are:
- The S bends of Gaddesden Row, in both directions
- New traffic light-controlled roadworks on the descent into Markyate
- The descent into Dagnall past the golf club
- Take particular care on the Marlin Hill descent into Tring which can be hazardous, especially due to traffic and walkers at the bottom of the hill. There are also new roadworks on this descent and you will need to slow completely as there is single file access only
- On the short route there are roadworks on the climb of Stablebridge Road up towards Wendover Woods. The footpath remains open and is passable with care.
- Leaving Wendover there are new roadworks on the Edlesborough Road climb up after the railway bridge. These are passable with care but may involve using some of the pavement which remains open to pedestrians.
- Finally, towards the end take care on gravel path ascent which is being used rather than New Road out of Berkhamsted due to the Berkhamsted Half Marathon.
The rider HQ will aim to close around 3:00pm which should give plenty of time for everyone to complete. There will be sandwiches and cake available to all at the end of the ride.
