Bike
Clean your bike eight weeks before the event. Whilst cleaning, check your components for damage or wear and replace anything not roadworthy before your bike lets you down in the middle of nowhere.
If you are not able to maintain it yourself take it to a cycle dealer at least six weeks before the event (that is to make sure he has enough time to fix it and you have enough time afterwards to make sure everything is settled in again).
The key element of the ride is your comfort and safety.
Whatever type of bike you have it should be roadworthy. You must have two efficient brakes fitted correctly (or one brake and a fixed wheel with a locking ring).
You must not overstretch to reach pedals or handlebars, your cycle dealer or a club cyclist should be able to help you.
Although the organisers will be going round the course with some spare parts and pumps, if they are in the wrong place they may take a considerable time to get to you. It is therefore advisable to carry your own spare innertube, cycle pump, spanners, cable ties puncture repair outfit and tyre levers. Hopefully you will not need them, but you may be able to help someone else who does.
Carry as little as possible on your person and put as much as possible in bags attached to your bike. This is especially important for tools as they can hurt if you fall onto them.
We sincerely hope that we will have a nice warm summers day again, but make sure you have a lightweight waterproof coat in your bag just in case.
Make sure you have low gears or you may walk more than you would wish, especially to the last feeding station at Welsh Frankton.
Most important of all - Go and enjoy yourself - then for the next few weeks tell everyone about it!!
