Our annual reliability ride in memory of the late Anthony Maynard
In March we hold our annual Anthony Maynard Spring Reliability Trial. The event starts in Thames Valley Park and finishes at Mapledurham Club.
Date for 2025 – Sunday March 2nd
There will be two routes as usual (with some slight differences from previous years) with target times for the different ‘speed’ groups. Please note this event is not a race, you should ride with normal consideration for your fellow riders and other road users, adhering to the
rules of the road. You must come equipped to repair your own mechanical problems, as it’s less likely that others might wait for you, compared with a normal club run!
All the fun of a sportive for a fraction of the outlay – we’d just like £6, or £3 for Under 18s and Students, to support our charities and you will also get a free tea/coffee at the finish.
Departures are from the Thames Valley Park & Ride bus stop which is off the first roundabout coming into Thames Valley Park from the A329 (M) and taking the first exit left. The start point is illustrated below. If you are travelling to the event by car, there’s parking on the left-hand side of the dual carriageway which is the second exit (straight on) off the same roundabout.
Sign on is from 08:30, and the first group will depart at 09:00. President Rides from 09:45
Please note that we might not release groups larger than 12 riders from the start at once. This is for your and other road users safety.
If the volumes for the any of the routes exceed 12 riders, we may split these into more than one group at our discretion. These groups will be set off in waves and the first wave will depart at the time advertised, and subsequent wave(s) at 2-minute intervals. If you want to go in the first wave of your speed group, then line up at the start early. The marshals will divide the groups on the line and gather info so we know your actual start times. Please co-operate with the start marshals who are volunteering to help run the event.
There are two routes. The President’s ride (suitable for juniors) with a 63km (583m ascent) route and a more challenging 96km (947m) route via Marlow.
We will be offering six groups in total, each with their average speed target. The aim of the Reliability Trial is to finish within (and as close to) your target time (ETA) for the route/group you set off in. And on this basis the winner is chosen i.e. a ‘0’ Reliability ride – so it is not a race! Times will be recorded to the next complete minute. As a guide, most riders finish within +/- 30 minutes of their target.
If you intend to participate, please join the relevant club event ride group set up in Strava. This is so we can judge the catering we are providing at the finish and adjust the groups if necessary. You can also download the relevant .gpx file from within Strava. These are also attached with this briefing note.
Please pay for your entry in advance using the online payments system we currently use for Club TTs. Please use this method for payment, so it’s one less thing the organisers have to worry about on the day. When paying please ensure you type your name and any details requested from the link. This is very IMPORTANT says our Treasurer, Suzanna. Please bring an electronic copy of your receipt on your phone and be prepared to show it when you sign on. Links are below:
- Adult link: https://square.link/u/GNtS4Mry
- Under 18/Student link: https://square.link/u/4jQooVoL
The start is at the Thames Valley Park & Ride bus stop, RG6 1PQ, with sign-on in the immediate vicinity. Please be at the Thames Valley Park start well in advance of your chosen start time to sign on.
The finish will be approximately 50 metres before the junction with the A4074 coming from Goring Heath and Trench Green, on the left hand at the side lane as shown in photo below. Look out for the RCC banners and RCC volunteers and helpers trying to record your finish time. Please slow down after the finish. Ensure you have a finish time recorded by the marshals before leaving the finish area.
If you are unable to complete the ride or get to the finish, please call and, or text to 07525 123 177 so we know you are safe and accounted for.
After ensuring your finish time is recorded, roll on, take care turning right onto the A4074 and take the first left into the Mapledurham Club entrance. Ride the few hundred metres up, into and through the car park to the club house itself. Carry on past the club house front door and follow the building round to the left to the Terrace Room. Bikes can be left here, at your own risk. Free tea and coffee and maybe a few biscuits will be available. You may also order food and drinks at your own expense from their bar and restaurant if you wish!
Any riders under 16 must be accompanied by an adult on the ride, whilst 16-17 year-olds (U18s) can ride solo. All need to provide a signed parental consent form which can be found on the Junior & Juvenile Members Page of the RCC website here.
The ride is named after Anthony Maynard (pictured below), a young man who’d grown up in the RCC family, and who was tragically killed in 2008. You can find out more about Anthony here.
We are supporting Anthony’s favourite charity; World Animal Protection (https://www.worldanimalprotection.org.uk) and the local Air Ambulance service, (www.tvacaa.org) hence the entry fees.
