Phil's Ride 2023 Main Event
Sunday 27th August
The sun is booked and we're all raring to go although some things happen outside of our control and may be subject to change on the day, the following is how the day should plan out.
Taking Part
If you would like to take part and join in, no matter what form of 2 wheels/legs you have, simply turn up with your steed of choice at the Old White Bell, Southery (PE380PA) from 11.00am [onwards] on Sunday 27th August 2023. (NB: Due to the popularity of the event, car parking will be congested, so we advise people arriving by car to park sensibly in the side streets, the extra parking facility opposite the Old White Bell and the Village Hall car park, located close to the playing field and of course be mindful and respect local residents.)
The Itinerary is as follows;
- 11.00amRegistration opens Hand in any sponsorship forms and collect the loan of Phil's Ride High Vis (NB: For riders only.)
- 12.30pm Motorcycles will ride a c.109 mile return route to Blakeney
- 12.35pm Bicycles will ride a local return route to Downham Market to the Wimbotsham Chequers of c.20mile or complete the longer challenge to continue to The Heron in Stowbridge, a c.24mile ride. The exact route is TBA but will follow the previous years routes.
- 12.40pm Walkers will commence the two laps of Southery "Common"
- c.1.00pm Kiddies Corner opens including activities to keep the young ones occupied with activities such as Tractor Racing, Nerf Gun Alley, Play Doh, Bean Bag Throw, Snkaes & Ladders, Handprints, etc.
BBQ fires up, providing food at reasonable prices to patrons.
- c.2.30pm to 3.00pm Walkers return
- c.4.30pm Riders return
- c.4.35pm Live Music Starts
- 10.00pm Close
All we ask for taking part is a donation in one of our collection buckets upon arrival at time of registration of a suggested amount of [at least] £10, or if you'd rather, sponsorship forms are available to download and print. All donations, no matter how small, will be greatly appreciated.
A "Phil's Ride - In Aid of East Anglian Air Ambulance" high-vis will be loaned to all riders (subject to availability) upon your registration. These have cost our sponsors quite a bit of money so please return these after the event.
Bicycles
The bicycles will be organised into groups at registration for marshalling purposes consisting of Casual, Experienced and Enthusiast. The groups will have staggered starts to aid the marshals and the impact of the short ride on the A10 for other road users.
Should a cyclist be unable to do the full distance, simply wait for one of our support vehicles to take you and your bicycle back to the Old White Bell.
Walkers
The route is a simple 2 lap circluar route familiar to Southery residents called "The Common" and measures approximately 6 miles. Being a two lap route, the Old White Bell quite nicely is the end point as well as the halfway point should your joints need lubrication.
Route details will be provided upon registration on the day
Motorcycles
The motorcycle ride will again be riding the c.109 mile to Blakeney as frequented so often by Phil and Jane on his bike.
We advise all motorcycles to brim their tanks before arriving. For those not familiar with the area, the nearest petrol station is Stone Cross, Downham Market, PE380AD to the north of Southery or BP, Littleport, CB61JJ if coming from the south.
The ride will be marshalled by riders in orange high-vis and will follow a fairly simple main road ride to Blakeney via Mundford and Swaffham, stopping at Blakeney where the burger van will [hopefully] be prepared for our arrival for a 40min stop. The half way fuel stop is at Wells-Next-The-Sea which will be on our return leg shortly after departing Blakeney.
The return leg will be almost the same as previous years routes via Wells-next-the-Sea, turning left after Holkham Hall estate, through Burnham Market to Docking, left on to the B1153 toward Bircham Newton, then Fitcham, Grimston, Gayton, East Walton, Narborough and then pick up the Swaffham Road near RAF Marham and back to Southery - however this may be subject to change if there are any unforeseen roadworks, etc. All being well, motorcycles will be entering the northern entrance to the village at roughly 4.30pm and will escort the cyclists the last few hundred yards back to the pub. |
