Description

Event Headquarters before and after the event: Llanarth Village Hall (OS Landranger 161: 373104) Please be quiet in the car park and drive slowly and sensibly in the village – be considerate and do not give local residents any cause for complaint The Start is at Timekeeper 3 position and will be marked From HQ, turn left and proceed to junction with Clytha/Abergavenny road Start is opposite the junction Rider Safety & Notes to Helpers Riders & Helpers should read this section with particular care (mainly obvious stuff – but it has to be said!) Obey all traffic regulations – the police monitor compliance at various points during the event – please do not put the future of the 12 at risk with irresponsible riding Any rider or a rider’s helpers failing to observe road traffic regulations may result in the rider being disqualified 1 Helpers: we are short of helpers so if you can persuade family/friends/club mates to turn out to help us on the event, the WCA would be very grateful. Particularly if you are fielding a team of riders, it would be good if your club could offer some support in marshalling the event. 2 Public relations: local residents will have put up with day-long road closures for the Velothon on 14 June. The closures were not popular so please do not give locals any reason for further complaint. 3 Traffic Lights on B4598 at Chainbridge: there are traffic lights at Chainbridge. Please obey the lights. We will monitor compliance through the day. 4 Traffic lights on A465: the traffic lights on Llangua Bridge (20 & 42 miles from the start) are a modern installation and can detect a cycle and change for it. They usually cause little problem but the lights must be obeyed. There are police video cameras monitoring these lights. 5 Stop sign at Usk must be obeyed by all riders: riders must obey the marshals’ instructions. Riders must be prepared to stop and put a foot down. This spot is busy during the middle of the day so you may be held up by traffic but please remain calm and be courteous to other road users. 6 Raglan village: the road through the village becomes very congested during late morning/lunch time. Drivers park on both sides reducing the road to a single track. We have had complaints from residents here so please do not give them reason to complain. 7 Helmets: a helmet is not compulsory but Cycling Time Trials and the Welsh Cycling Association do recommend that riders wear an approved cycling safety helmet. 8 Lights and visibility: for better visibility, riders are recommended to fit a rear flashing red light which will enable you to be seen clearly on the dual carriageway – especially on the finishing circuit. Recent 12s have been observed by Gwent Police which has advised that riders should have been using lights in poor visibility. Everyone participating in the event is advised to wear high-visibility clothing – including helpers as it helps to identify you as participating in the event. 9 Numbers & signing on: pick up your number and food at HQ when you sign on. Spare numbers are available to go with a change of clothing. Numbers will be given after you have signed on and handed in your car registration form. Any extra safety information will be given as you sign on. There will also be a number for your helpers to put on their car – this will help marshals to recognise your helpers. Please pin your number on securely and in a place where it can be seen by race officials (i.e. not half way up your back). 10 Number checks: please call out your number at the Chepstow 14 and Hardwick checking points and when passing each of the timekeepers on the finishing circuit. With poor light, flapping numbers, etc, it can be difficult to identify individual riders so please help. 11 Be quiet at HQ: please do not annoy the residents by shouting, slamming car doors, playing music, warming up on a noisy turbo trainer etc. 12 Toilets: there are toilets at HQ. Public toilets in Usk are now closed. If you are using alternative al fresco facilities, please be discreet. 13 Regulations: you have all signed an entry form stating that you are familiar with the Regulations. Riders and helpers must work within the Regulations so please make sure your helpers also read these instructions. The future running of the event relies on appropriate behaviour from riders and helpers. 14 Course signage: the course will be signed and marshalled as far as possible but not all turns will have marshals and some will not have them through the whole day. Please make sure you understand the route. Hardwick roundabout is the first you come to – it is big. It will be signed and there will be marshals at the key positions. Go round the system until you are directed to Hereford. All riders will go to Hereford and then onto the Chainbridge circuit. When the first rider on the road has completed six Chainbridge laps he/she, and all following riders, will be turned onto the finishing circuit – i.e. back up the A40 dual carriageway to start the finishing circuit at TK1. 15 Early finishers: please make sure you notify us if you decide to finish early. Tell the info desk or a marshal but – best of all – just take a short time-out and then carry on. 16 Notes to helpers: all cars must be registered. Handing in a car registration form does not entitle you to follow your rider around the course. Please use alternative routes to cross the circuit or find a nice spot and just wait. The course is based around short circuits to avoid the need to have a car sitting behind a rider all day. After the initial Hereford leg, a rider will never be more than 20 minutes away. 17 Bridge over the A40 (before Steel Horse Cafe right-hand turn): we know that this is a good place to congregate and see the riders but the Police have indicated that they will book anyone parking with wheels on the road. Please park at each end of the bridge. 18 Helpers must park sensibly: do not use pub car parks unless you are buying food or drink there. This applies particularly at the Hardwick pub – but parking on the bit of the “old road” adjacent to the pub is fine. 19 Navigating your way around the course: riders will be given a coloured sticky number when they sign if they have vehicular support. Please fix this to the windscreen. Marshals will see it and can direct you if you lose your rider. You can also contact the information desk at Hardwick roundabout and they will do their best to help. Remember the Chainbridge circuit is less than 25 miles so if you stay where you are, your rider is likely to come round before too long. Where practical, please support other riders with water, sponges, mechanical assistance, encouragement, etc. 20 Frequent passing (lay-by hopping): this is prohibited by CTT Regs. You must not pass your rider more than once every 10 miles and you must not follow your rider (Regulation 22). Following your rider and lay-by hopping is a nuisance to other riders and road users. Especially after the Hereford leg, we strongly recommend that helpers select a suitable spot on the circuit and wait for their rider to come by. Police will be monitoring the event. The local Police force in particular does not want the event to take place – do not give them an excuse to make a complaint. 21 Finding feeding places: the Hereford road is no problem – plenty of lay-bys. On the Chainbridge circuit, it is more difficult. There are some places on the B4598 to Usk but that means you will get snarled up in the Usk traffic – impeding riders. If you drive into Raglan, turn right at the Church and then left onto the A40 to rejoin the course at Raglan roundabout. This avoids Raglan village (see 4 above). There are 8 lay-bys on the A40 all suitable for feeding. 22 And finally: to everyone - be courteous to each other, the marshals and other road-users. All complaints regarding poor or inappropriate behaviour will be taken seriously. You are the public face of our Sport so make it a smiley one! Some useful information 1. Mobile Phone Reception. The 02 network covers all of the course. Vodafone service is patchy on the A40. Orange and T-Mobile are also reasonably good. 2. Toilets. There are toilet facilities at HQ. Sadly the public toilets in Usk are now closed 3. Fuel. Raglan services are closed – petrol station in the centre of Abergavenny (follow the A40) and in Usk (far end of stone bridge heading to Pontypool). Feeding Arrangements Last year, very few riders were taking the official feeds and most relied on their own helpers. With volunteers in short supply, there will again be more economical feeding arrangements this year to the extent that there will be no official feed. However, drinks (water and squash) and emergency food rations will be available at Hardwick but you will need to stop and collect it. It is possible to leave supplies on the course. Riders without helpers can leave bottles/food at the Hardwick info desk which will be manned throughout the event. If any clubs out there would be willing to field a team to man a feeding station, the WCA will provide you with all supplies and equipment Riders - do your bit to Keep Wales Tidy! Please do not drop bottles, bags & wrappers on the course