Malvern Cycle Sport Early Season Reliability Ride.

Malvern Cycle Sport early season reliability ride.

2023 sees this ever popular event return with both our classic hilly 50 miler taking in two of the Malvern Hills most iconic climbs, and a less demanding, flat 30 miler, and both within the shadow of the Malvern hills too!

HQ will be at Welland Village Hall, Marlbrook Road, Welland, with the 50 mile ride setting off in phased groups from 9.00 am. Unlike most club run Reliability ride events, we will be signposting both routes the best that we can. There will also be an OS map with the routes clearly marked at sign on too.

Reliability rides are self-supported group rides – please read the pre-ride briefing notes below carefully to ensure the ride is as safe and enjoyable for you and the people you ride with as possible.

HQ, START TIMES AND ROUTES:

The HQ for the ride will be Welland Village Hall, with sign on from 8.15am. Tea, coffee, squash and cakes will all be available after the ride in the hall.

50 mile – first riders off at 9am

30 mile – first riders off at 9.30am

IMPORTANT PRE-RIDE NOTES:

1. There will be a maximum of 15 riders per group, setting off at 3 minute intervals

2. Helmets are compulsory

3. This is not a closed road event, and all road laws apply – this includes, but is not limited to: riding on the correct side of the road, observing all road signs and traffic signals, slowing down for horses and pedestrians to give them plenty of room

4. Check your bicycle before the event and ensure it is in a safe working condition

5. There will be an emergency contact number displayed at HQ – please call this number in the event of an emergency or if you are unable to finish the ride. We recommend that you carry a charged mobile phone with you on the ride

6. Be wary of changes in road conditions, and call out hazards including potholes to riders behind you

7. Long route: out to Guarlford, via Hanley Swan. Turn to Upton at The Ryhdd. When in Upton, take the road to Welland, BUT turn left at the top of Tunnel Hill for Longdon.  Don’t forget at the traffic lights in Ledbury,  turn LEFT onto the bypass to use whole by-pass around the busy main High St of Ledbury. CAUTION: after Hollybush climb, descent into Eastnor is fast, but with treacherous potholes on the Bronsil straight

8. Short route: out to Guarlford, via Hanley Swan. Turn to Upton at The Ryhdd. Follow the long route arrows until 25 mile point at Rye Cross 4 way staggered junction, then leave long route, by going straight on, to finish shorter route via Castlemorton and back to Welland.

9. We recommend wearing gloves to limit damage to hands in the event of an accident

10. We recommend the use of front and rear lights (non-flashing)

PARKING:

Parking at the HQ is plentiful, with spaces directly outside the hall, or across the road, opposite.

ENTRY FEE:

FREE for MCS members who bring cake to share with everyone; £3 for MCS members who arrive without cake, and £5 for non-MCS members. Please bring correct change for your entry fee.

WEATHER:

If the forecast looks like it will be icy on Saturday 25th February night, we will make a call on Friday 24th February evening as to whether the ride goes ahead - an update will be posted on the Malvern Cycle Sport Facebook public page