FARNHAM RUFC BIKATHON – BRAMLEY TO THE SEA
 
WHEN: Sunday 9th May – you can start anytime between 9am and 11 am from one of three start points. If you want to get to the sea you need to choose a distance that you are confident to cover. The Marshals will come off duty at 4pm – and this will be the end of the timed event. You can continue to enjoy the route but it will no longer be part of the event.
 
WHERE: The Downs Link disused railway. 
See details of the route (Adobe document) 
The route is up to 35 miles (or 70 if you want to go both ways)
 
FORMAT: Four stages (you choose which and how many – starting from Bramley or Cranleigh or Christ’s Hospital)
-          Stage 1 – Bramley (The Old Station in Station Road, next to St.Catherine’s School) to Cranleigh (6 miles)
-          Stage 2 – Cranleigh (Recreation Centre off Village Way, south off High St) to Bax Castle Pub(10 miles)
-          Stage 3 – Bax Castle Pub (Two Mile Ash Road, Southwater, Horsham, RH13 7LA) to Cat&Canary Pub(8 miles)
-          Stage 4 – Cat&Canary Pub (Upper Station Road, Henfield)  to Shoreham Beach (Widewater Lagoon, off West Beach Rd, Shoreham-by-sea)  (10 miles)
 
WHO: Anybody associated with the Rugby Club who is keen to raise money for the rugby club move.
Non-Club members should donate £5 to a Club-Members sponsorship and then enter and raise funds
-          Children must be U12’s or above
-          Children under 16 must be accompanied by an adult (over 18)
-          No adult may be responsible for more than 4 children
 
SPONSORSHIP: Go to “just giving” – FARNHAM RUFC BIKATHON (http://www.justgiving.com)
We have set up a “just giving” website, which you should access by clicking on the link above.
You need to follow these instructions to set up your own “just giving” site linked to this bike ride:
- Find a charity - type in Farnham Rugby Club
- Choose Farnham Rugby Club
- Make your page on left hand menu
- Press make your page button in middle
- Choose 'organised event'
- Choose Downslink Bike Ride
You can now personalise this site. We recommend you include the following text (but otherwise do what you want)
 
“In aid of Farnham RUFC new ground appeal, hundreds of junior rugby players and their friends and families, will be cycling to the South Coast along the Downs Link disused railway line on 9th May 2010. Each cyclist is looking to raise as much money as possible so that the youth of Farnham can enjoy the spirit of rugby for years to come. They will be pushing themselves as far as they can along the 68 mile return route. Please make as large a donation to the appeal as you can by following the instructions below.”
 
We will know you have entered as soon as you set up your site
You will be asked to name your own site and you can this forward this link to your friends and family and ask them to donate
-          Sponsors should give fixed amount regardless of mileage
-          THE CHILD (under 16) THAT RAISE THS MOST MONEY WILL WIN AN I-POD TOUCH
F   
      REGISTRATION: We will know you have entered as soon as you click on the sponsorship link and set up a “just giving” page
      You will actually register for the event by turning up on the day at one of the three start points
You will be registered by one of the Marshalls and asked to sign a disclaimer
 
REFRESHMENT: Pubs will be expecting us at each stage – notable lunch stops at Bax Castle and Cat&Canary
Water will need to be carried by each participant
-          Water to fill up water bottles will be provided at each stage stop
-          For those who get to Shoreham you have the opportunity to swim in the sea and eat chips and Ice Cream at Mo’s Café (weather permitting)
 
LOGISTICS: Come and go when you want between 9am and 4pm
There is car parking at Bramley/Cranleigh/Bax Castle/Cat&Canary/Shoreham Beach
-          There will be registration/check-in at each of these points
-          It is compulsory to check in at each point and confirm whether you are continuing, turning-back or stopping
-          You are responsible for your own support vehicle (ie getting yourself & bike home)
 
SUPPORT: This is a self-help ride – you are all responsible for yourselves (hence the disclaimer on registration)
-          We will have marshals out to keep you under control (from 9am until 4pm)
-          The route is very clear but we will have marshals out at areas of concern
-          The health and safety of all involved is vital and requires common sense from us all
 
EQUIPMENT: You must provide your own:
-          - off-road bike (the paths are almost all flat and there is only one steep hill in stage 2, but 90% is off-road)
-          - puncture repair kit (enough for each group) – there WILL be punctures on the day (it could be you)
-         - water bottles
-         - mobile phone
 
NEXT STEPS: Get a team together
-          Talk to friends (this is a great day out for family and friends)
-          Put the date in the diary (no rugby that Sunday!)
-          Tell everyone you know that you are doing this and get them to sponsor you (send them the “just giving” link)
 
TIPS FROM THE WISE: Based on experience
Only fit adults will be able to manage the 68 mile round trip
10 miles per hour is a good speed – it will be less with the younger end age group kids
Getting to the sea is a great target
You WILL need a puncture repair kit – strongly advise carrying a spare inner tube as well
You can do a round trip OR have a support vehicle pick you up
Railway lines are STRAIGHT, so don’t turn left and right when lost! There are two exceptions which are marked on the map