a sneak preview of an article and system to be rolled out in August;
There has been a lot of interest in the “DIY + calendar” ride concept since it was introduced in 2005. Many riders have found the system a useful means of not only reducing their carbon footprint by avoiding car journeys to the start of events, but also as a means of extending calendar events and thus providing a convenient ride for RRTY and the SR series where there may not be a local alternative
However there were a few disadvantages to converting calendar events into DIY’s and a new system is to be given a trial to try to overcome these disadvantages and also to help reduce the workload on the already busy regional events secretaries who currently handle all “DIY + Calendar” entries.
The new system will enable the calendar event to which the add-on is attached to;
1.Retain the rider’s record as having completed it rather than it just becoming an anonymous DIY against the rides list; thus reflecting on the real number of riders who have ridden the calendar event
2.Retain any applicable AAA points
3.Remain eligible for the AUK points championship (the add-on portion will remain as a permanent ride for the purposes of the award)
A new ride will be available;
Extended Calendar Event and will be listed on the website in the permanents under my name (various combinations of distances are available; please contact me if you wish to devise another combination and it will be included)
In order to register for this new ride the rider must do the following; Enter the calendar event in the normal way; please if possible advise the organiser that you are extending the ride on the day by the use of the ECE as a courtesy; the organiser should however not be required to do anything different with your entry.
Enter the ECE through myself; either by using a standard entry form including an SAE or by using Paypal online entry, the fee for either system is £2.50. Much like existing DIY rides entrants must include details of controls from where they wish to start and finish the ride. Please also ensure that the number of the calendar event from the calendar is included as the add-on ride will only be validated on validation of the calendar event This can be anywhere provided the normal “proof of passage” in the form of a timed receipt or ATM slip clearly showing the location, or a suitable stamp, signature and time is obtained for each control point.
Unlike a normal DIY a special card is required and thus entries must be made to myself at least 14 days prior to the date of the calendar event; but please allow longer if possible in case I am away from home at the time of the ride. If you have entered via PayPal the information should be sent to me in a separate e-mail or included as a message with the PayPal payment.
Entrants are requested to, as far as possible, ensure that the proposed “add-on” ride covers the minimum required distance between controls and the start / finish of the calendar event. The actual distance of each leg to and from the event is not critical provided the total distance of the combined calendar event and the ECE is of the minimum standard Randonneur distance (ie 200 300 400 or 600km), only rides which give a total combined distance of these distances will be entertained for the trial period. Some riders may prefer to ride a longer distance to the start of the event and a shorter distance from the finish or vice versa. In some cases, for example if the rider returns by train the entire “add-on” may be before the calendar event. The minimum distance may be calculated by either Microsoft Autoroute or using the free online
ViaMichelin: Maps, route planner, route finder, UK maps, European maps, hotel booking, travel guides set to shortest route, be aware though that viamichelin only allows a limited number of control points. Control points should be a maximum of 70km apart.
Overdistance events of each distance are allowed and will be given a longer pro-rata time allowance; however only the minimum distance between control points and the calendar event start will be taken into account in calculating the overall time for the total ride. Riders are free to take whichever route they wish between control points and the calendar event start but please ensure it is not greatly in excess of the shortest route to give you enough time to complete all legs of the ride.
On receipt of the entry I will check the distance between the start of the ride and the calendar event to ensure it meets the minimum distance and if it does I will forward the proposed route to the AUK permanent events secretary and forward you a brevet card; this will have your proposed controls with the opening and closing times (based on a minimum and maximum overall average speed of 14.3- 30kph of the combined ride) of each written in. This card may not be re-used, in the event that the add-on is not ridden on the day only the calendar event will be validated.
If the proposed route is found to be underdistance I will advise on the shortfall and possible ways to correct it; so please allow plenty of time before you ride in case the route needs alteration. This may include additional “doglegs” to add extra controls and distance to the route if practicable.
On the day of the event; Ensure you leave enough time to ride from the add-on ride start to the start of the calendar event; no alterations to the control times or average speed of the calendar event (which may be lower or higher than 14.3kph) will be allowed and you must obtain proof of passage on the ECE brevet card at the start so allow plenty of time to do this and also prepare for the calendar event start.
Ride the calendar event as normal;
handing in the brevet card for the calendar event only at the end as the organiser will validate this, but obtain a stamp / sticker / signature in the appropriate box of the ECE brevet card.
Complete the remainder of the ECE ride (if applicable) obtaining proof of passage in the normal way.
In order to get the ride validated return the completed add-on brevet card to myself (make a copy or scan it in case it gets lost in the post) with another SAE. The card will be checked and forwarded to the AUK permanent events secretary. The additional points applicable to the add-on section will be added once the calendar ride has been validated and your card will be returned; the additional points will be allocated following validation of both rides, e.g
Calendar 100 + ECE 100 = 0 calendar points + 2 perm points
Calendar 200 + ECE 100 = 2 calendar points + 1 perm points
Calendar 300 + ECE 300 = 3 calendar points + 3 perm points
For the purposes of RRTY and Randonneur awards the combined total distance will be that applicable as before using the DIY permanent system
I hope the new system will prove popular; happy riding!
Martin