Phil's Ride is now in its 5th/6th year and after 2019's amazing total of £26,820.31 raised, it seems our "1p more than previous year" mantra looks like an enormous mountain to climb especially after the Covid pandemic.
Phil's Ride 2021 Main Event
Sunday 29th August
This year will be a slightly more subdued event due to the obvious COVID pandemic however the main ride(s), live music, BBQ and evening should [hopefully] be largely unaffected. We will of course have to abide by any government guidelines which may be subject to change on the day.
Taking Part
If you would like to take part and join in, no matter what form of 2 wheels you have, simply turn up with your steed of choice at the Old White Bell, Southery (PE380PA) from 11.00am [onwards] on Sunday 29th August 2021. (NB: Due to the popularity of the event, car parking will be congested, so we advise people arriving by car to park sensibly in the side streets, the extra parking facility opposite the Old White Bell and the Village Hall car park, located close to the playing field and of course be mindful and respect local residents.)
The Itinerary is as follows;
- 11.00am Registration opens Hand in any sponsorship forms and collect the loan of Phil's Ride High Vis (NB: For riders only.)
- 12.30pm Motorcycles will ride a c.109 mile return route to Blakeney
- 12.35pm Bicycles will ride a local return route to Downham Market to the Wimbotsham Chequers of c.20mile or complete the longer challenge to continue to The Heron in Stowbridge, a c.24mile ride. The exact route is TBA but will follow the previous years routes.
- 1.00pm Mini ride starts for the up and coming cycling juniors lapping the pub car park
BBQ fires up, providing food at reasonable prices to patrons.
- 4.30pm to 5.00pm Riders return
- 5.00pm Live Music Starts
- 10.30pm Close
All we ask for taking part is a donation in one of our two collection buckets upon arrival at time of registration of a suggested amount of £10, or if you'd rather sponsorship forms are available to download and print. All donations, no matter how small, will be greatly appreciated.
A "Phil's Ride - In Aid of East Anglian Air Ambulance" high-vis will be loaned to all riders (subject to availability) upon your registration. These have cost our sponsors quite a bit of money so please return this after your ride.
Bicycles
The bicycles will be organised into groups at registration for marshalling purposes consisting of Casual, Experienced and Enthusiast. The groups will have staggered starts to aid the marshals and the impact of the short ride on the A10 for other road users.
Should a cyclist be unable to do the full distance, simply wait for one of our support vehicles to take you and your bicycle back to the Old White Bell.
Motorcycles
The motorcycle ride will again be riding the c.109 mile to Blakeney as frequented so often by Phil and Jane on his bike.
We advise all motorcycles to brim their tanks before arriving. For those not familiar with the area, the nearest petrol station is Stone Cross, Downham Market, PE380AD to the north of Southery or BP, Littleport, CB61JJ if coming from the south.
The ride will be marshalled by riders in orange high-vis and will follow a fairly simple main road ride to Blakeney via Mundford and Swaffham, stopping at Blakeney where the burger van will [hopefully] be prepared for our arrival for a 40min stop. All being well, the petrol station as we arrive at Blakeney will be a functioning 24/7 pay-at-pump by then (I'll confirm as soon as I can on this) however if not, we'll make a fuel stop at Wells-Next-The-Sea which will be on our return leg shortly after departing Blakeney.
The return leg will be almost the same as 2019's route via Wells-next-the-Sea, turning left after Holkham Hall estate, through Burnham Market, left at the duck pond at Stanhoe, through the CITB at Bircham Newton, Fitcham, Grimston, Gayton, East Walton, Narborough and then pick up the Swaffham Road near RAF Marham and back to Southery (however the full route may be subject to change.) All being well, motorcycles will be entering the northern entrance to the village at roughly 4.30pm and will escort the cyclists the last few hundred yards back to the pub.
As ever, full info for all our fundraising and events will be updated on our web page at http://www.philsride.org and you can email us on ride@philsride.org, so stay tuned to all the latest news as it develops.