RIDERS LIKE THE BIKE RIDE – OFFICIAL!

- Fri 10th Oct 2003

In August we sent out an extensive confidential questionnaire by e-mail to 200 riders, past and present, requesting their honest views and assessment of all aspects of the event and received over 60 replies, an encouraging number and certainly valid, statistically speaking. We are pleased to say that the great majority showed that they were very happy with the way that we organised the Ride this year and so there will not be many changes for Ride 2004 — only improvements, based upon their feedback. So, it’s Paris again, but there were a lot of votes for Versailles, so we shall be returning there another year. The votes were very much in favour of the 5 and 3 day ride combination, appealing both to regulars and newcomers, with the other options of 4 and 2 day rides, surprisingly not so called for. The great majority wanted to return on a Saturday, as we have in the last two years, rather than a Sunday, which should certainly please the support crew, if not people in business. Riders were particularly positive about the quality of the event, the hotel accommodation and the route notes, whereas we need to tighten up our organisation of the practice rides, the Welcome Home arrangements and ensure that we give value for moneyPractice Rides


These rides, mainly designed to get riders ready to take part in the main event and leading up to the ride in July, were also subject to scrutiny within the survey. The majority of riders who are local to Hayling find them very useful, but don’t wish them to be too long, preferring a mid-morning start and a break for lunch, where the family have the opportunity to join them. March is the preferred month for the start of these rides, although occasional rides in the winter months are welcomed, just to get the bike out of the shed, now and then. A revised approach to the format of practice rides is now being undertaken, as a result of the feedback to the survey. Our ‘Reunion Ride’ in August, to the Royal Oak at Hooksway, proved very popular, with over 50 riders taking part, on another hot and sunny day. We also look forward to our annual Father Christmas ride on 21st December, the Sunday before Christmas. We also have the Channel to Channel ‘super’ practice ride in May, organised by Peter McQuade.




Victory Vauxhall and P&O Ferries


Now that we have consulted the riders, we can feel free to make arrangements for next July, the preferred month of riders, but much depends upon the continued support of organisations which were so crucial to this year’s event. Victory Vauxhall, of Hilsea, provided a magnificent fleet of signwritten vans and both the organisers and the support crew would dearly like to have the use of them again. P&O Ferries provided us with excellent rates for our riders on the ferry crossings, which was particularly welcome in these times of high ferry costs. We are keeping our fingers crossed, in the hope that a similar arrangement will be offered by P&O for 2004.




Annual Reunion


We hope to have a record number of riders and supporters attending our Reunion on 25th October, starting at 8pm, once again at the Newtown House Hotel. All the ride awards have now been engraved and brought up to date for re-presentation and we hope that previous winners will be able to attend to make it a special event. Fred Dyer will be presented with a new Top Fundraiser trophy, following his success in raising over £8,000 for Cancer Research UK in 2002, in memory of his late wife, Judy. We also hope that most of the riders will be able to hand over their sponsorship on this evening, if not already sent in. It should be a good night as ever, with live music, the video and a buffet. Everyone is encouraged to bring their photos taken on the ride and relive those hot days in July! Arrangements are being made for accommodation at the hotel, since so many of our riders now live away from the local area. The AGM is also at the Newtown on the 24th at 7.30pm. Riders and support are asked to come along to give their support, see how we are getting on and maybe also to vote on or join the committee. We are sorry to lose our valuable Secretary, Kevin Stirzaker, as well as Reg Beacher, Mark Ringwood, and Routemaster Fred Dyer, the latter of whom is planning to move to France.




Video/DVD & Road Jerseys


Motorcyclist support Councillor David Collins has once again made a video record of the Ride and so we plan to make copies ready for the Reunion – perhaps a DVD version, too. All of the brilliant new road jerseys were sold and so we will be taking orders for a new supply.




Sponsorship and Gift Aid Forms


Sponsorship pledges already total more than £50,000, yet again. This will be added to the £528,000 already raised over the years of the Ride, leading us to speculate that we may reach $1,000,000, or even a million euros, following our 20th Ride in 2005. Riders are asked to complete Gift Aid forms and send in, so that their chosen charity can reclaim tax. The top fundraiser of 2003 will be presented with the new trophy at the charities evening at Seacourt in March.




www.hayling-cycle-ride.org.uk


We are planning to make more use of the website for putting across information and so will once again be giving it an overhaul, with the help of both Kevin Knight of Kezzmas and our Webmaster, Pascal Pichon. Please keep an eye out for developments




Details of Ride 2004


The dates for the event are: the 420 miles 5-Day goes out overnight on Sunday 11th July and the 210 miles 3-Day overnight on Tuesday 13th July. We shall all be in Paris on Bastille Day, 14th July, and return on Saturday, 17th July. Entry fees are £315 for the 5-Day and £215 for the 3-Day, with a deposit of £115 being required to secure a place. Standing orders can be supplied, to facilitate stage payments. A new promotional brochure entry form is in preparation and is planned to be ready for the Reunion, but places can be reserved in advance, with a deposit. Why not join us in 2004?




Phone enquiries to 023 9246 1412 or by post to Paris to Hayling, PO Box 30, Hayling Island, Hants, PO11 9UD. Mobile – 07770-888501.


Website - http://www.hayling-cycle-ride.org.uk


e-mail address – paul.fisher69@ntlworld.com

By forum user, Mat