St Raphael thanks Hilly 50

St. Raphael's Hospice hes sent a thank you letter and Certificate for our efforts with the Hilly Fifty. May I repeat my heartfelt thanks to all who helped me make this a success, especially to Graham for putting so  much time and effort in to transfer the ownership of the event from C&M to the DA. Not least of the thanks go to all who road the event! I look forward to organising the event again next year & hope we are blessed with equally good weather! Mike M.

Author: mike morley

Hilly 50 Sat 8 March 2014

Thanks to all 58 riders who turned up signed on and enjoyed the ride. Thanks to V.C. Londres for such a splendid turnout. Sorry you thought that the start was so early but at least this year we had good sunny weather so the wait was not unpleasant and the extra trade for Rykas welcome. Thanks to Rykas for letting us use the venue as a "Start" If the young contingent (or anyone riding for first time ) would like a completion certificate then let me know.

 At the finish Daniel from Epsom CC. First home in 2hr.14min (last year he did 2h.04min) was Rimas Grigenas who usually finishes in the top 3 each year of Audax UK.

 Good to see the whole family supporting dad Will Mason at the finish. More recruits for future years.

Track stand at the finish Brilliant wish I could do that.  

 Good to see a few from KPRC riding and thanks to Dave V for effectively acting as sweeper-up by being last having done a sterling job in helping with the signing on.

Thanks especially go to Ray Dare for two stints of marshaling along with my helpers at the start, Angie, Geoff Shields, Mike Brown, Terry Lowe & Pete Barnard. Commiserations to Philip Burgin who was the only DNF due to gear problems.

In all we raised £300 for St. Raphael Hospice with two £5 donations on the day so well done to everyone that rode and helped. I think it was a success clearly the weather helped and I would be willing to run the event again next year with I hope similar support which was much appreciated and made my job on the day relatively easy. Mike M

Author: mike morley

Hilly 50 Saturday 8 March 2014 - Start Time 10am Rykas

Well everyone I checked the course yesterday and everything is fine as is the weather forecast. The big flood has gone so the course will not change. One positive thing about the rain is that it has washed the roads clean in many places.
A word of caution for parts of the course using the  marker points on the route map:
Past marker 4 Longmore Lane towards Westcott. The down hill can be fast watch for potholes and take care at sharp left hand bend. Remember there may be approaching vehicles on this narrow lane. Speed at you own risk go carefully its not a race! There is a shallow flood on this lane uphill before you get to A25.
After Wotton Hatch you ascend Sheephouse Lane very steep but the new surface is good. However the downhill beyond gets a bit muddy and watch out for more potholes!
After marker 7 there is a very fast downhill section, it's a bit wet and at one point multiple potholes difficult to miss. Do not go too fast at this point unless you are extremely good at bunny hopping!

The final point take extreme care at the traffic island at Burford bridge and as you feed to the right across the A24 to turn right into Chapel Lane & West Humble station.

HAVE A SAFE AND ENJOYABLE RIDE!

Author: mike morley