The event took place in mild weather with occasional sunshine and no rain. 275 rode on the day and this was made up of 33 Gladiators Maximus, 159 Gladiators, 33 Charioteers and 52 Family. 7500 miles were ridden on the day. About one third of the riders were new to the event. About 150 of the riders had taken part in the previous year.
The total number of riders is a record. The number of bookings was up again at 317, but a number did not show up on the day. We are at the maximum number that can be accommodated with the village hall and car parking. So book early for next year, to avoid disappointment. 1st April 2012 bookings will open.
The route marking stood up to the weather and most riders got around without getting lost. There were no recoveries needed by the organisers. We know that at least two of the signs were interfered with after being placed in the few days before the event. The most frequent complaint was about the sign-age at Pineham Farm just before the refreshment stop on the Gladiator. There were problems too in the country on the return after Tathall End.
There were 700 lemon drops and 700 flapjacks served at the refreshment stops on the route. A special thank you to Eve the WI member who prepared these (and was at the second refreshment stop).
Comments from Challengers will be added in due course. If you have feedback, please do send an e mail. It all helps in planning for next year.
We still have some items of lost property: a pair of glasses, a speedo head, a hat, a multi tool. If any of these are yours, please give a description and we will get them to you.
We have now completed adding the photos to the next page. If you would like an electronic copy of the original larger file, please send an email with the image number to the usual address, and we will send it to you.
Here are some of the comments we have recieved:
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Best signage yet - my 4th time at event I think ! - or maybe I just know the way now !
No complaints
Suggestions : just keep going - great fun
Well done
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Thank you – it was a great day as ever.
Looking forward to 2012!
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Just wanted to thank you for a great day, a well planned event and finished off with lovely food!!
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Many thanks for another enjoyable event. Please pass on our thanks to the ladies on the feed stations, probably a bit of a thankless task that one!
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Hi you have asked for feedback on the event. I have one criticism, although I very much enjoyed the Day I must say the signage was bad. Many people including me got lost on several occasions because we could not find the signs and in one case the sign told everybody to turn before the end of the field when you where required to go though the hedge before turning. at least a dozen of us had to take a large detour because of this.
Other than that a good day was had by all. Many thanks
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My only suggestion would be that I would love to see an on-road route through the countryside and villages, suitable for road racing bikes. I wouldn't even mind if we just got a map and there weren't signposts (as with the gladiator extension). I know a few people who would be interested in riding a route like this.
Looking forward to next year!
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Thanks to everyone involved in the organisation of the event. I did it with friends for the first time last year and managed to drag along a few more this year! I will certainly be there again in 2012.
I have heard a number of people say that they would happily pay a little more considering the 'hospitality' the riders receive. £15 would in my opinion be well worth it.
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Another excellent event and the weather gods were kind too! Having decided only to do the Galdiator route this year I found myself coerced into being the route finder for the Treads group that wanted to do the Maximus route - so more miles and more cake then!! Thanks to the stalwart ladies of the WI for superb food yet again - it's a shame that a bike ride has to get in the way of sustained eating!!!
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Getting to know the route and any variations quite well now so no problems on that front. One suggestion from "the family" - Emily in particular - would it be possible to find a route that's a bit longer than the Family route, but not quite as long/arduous as the Chariot route. I would think there are quite a few that would like to go a little bit further than just round the forest - but don't feel up to doing 22 miles off-road.
My initial thought was that the first section of the longer routes - through the forest, down the road and then over the fields back to Hartwell would be testing enough for some. Once at Hartwell they can loop back along to the forest and do the circuit there and back to the village hall for tea and cakes. Those fields are normally fairly good going even when wet and the hardest bits are on tarmac and/or stony tracks.
Just an idea for consideration anyway - I don't think it would involve too much extra planning/effort to include. One day I'll get my gps working and follow the route of the Maximus Plus I suggested previously (extra big loop round MK - mainly on bridleways) and send that through - but there probably wouldn't be many takers as there'd be a real danger of not getting back in time for food!
Thanks once again to everyone for all the hard work - it is much appreciated and I've already got next year's in the diary
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updated 17 November 2011 | 
