Cycling in Wessex - The Gridiron

CTC Office: Parklands, Railton Rd, Guildford, Surrey GU2 9JX

Tel : 0870 873 0060 Email : cycling@ctc.org.uk

Company Limited by Guarantee - Registered in England No. 25185

THE EVENT HEADQUARTERS: is at the Boldre Village Hall (OS Grid Ref: SZ 328 982) and is convenient for IOW cyclists arriving from Lymington. You can check in from 09:00 onwards, get a lovely bacon roll for breakfast before setting off at 09:30 09:45 or 10:00. There will be plenty of free parking arranged.

THE GRIDIRON 100: Gets its name from the many cattlegrids to be found on the borders of the New Forest. You cross some of them on the route which takes you from Boldre clockwise around the periphery of the Forest.

CHECK IN: in good time please to collect your brevet card. You must carry this with you and get it stamped at each of the control points, and also at the finish. You keep this as proof of your successful 100km ride.

WHAT IS A RANDONNEE ? A randonnée means a "ramble" in French. In England it has become associated purely with cycling over long distances. You follow the set route at your own pace within maximum and minimum time limits.

IT IS NOT A RACE so please don't treat it as such. Have a good thrash by all means but don't act like you're in "Le Tour" and make yourself a nuisance to other road users. Go too fast and you'll likely find that the controllers are not ready for you - don't forget, we are club cyclists on our day off too. Slow up and enjoy the Autumn colours!

WHEN YOU'VE FINISHED: There will be tea and refreshments available at Boldre Hall. Our unique medallion will be on sale. Juniors get a free one. It is pictured at the top left of this page.

ROUTE FINDING: On a randonnée we encourage self-reliance. You are setting yourself a challenge, so its up to you to ensure that you are fit enough and that your bike is in good condition. Navigation is your responsibility. Study maps to supplement the written description and carry out a little homework beforehand and you'll not get lost. We don't sign the routes as signs can get removed, or changed.

MAPS: OS "New Forest Explorer" OL22 (4cm to 1km) or OS "Landranger" 196,195, 184 & 185 (2cm to 1km)

You will be sent a full route on entry.

Entry forms should be signed and returned with SAE and Entry Fee to:

“Gridiron”, 19 Leydene Avenue, Bournemouth, BH8 9JQ

Please make cheques payable to WESSEX CTC

CLICK TO DOWNLOAD – Gridiron 100km Entry Form

WESSEX CTC: will present the 16th "GRIDIRON 100" On-Road Cycle Randonnée, through the scenic roads of the New Forest. The Gridiron was founded in 1993 by Peter Davenport, one of our club members, to instant acclaim. Last year we achieved an entry of almost 500 cyclists ranging from hardened clubmen (and women) to total novices.

THE EVENT: is open to any cyclist, except unaccompanied riders under the age of 18. It is a scenic and sociable Autumn New Forest Ride and is part of our efforts to promote cycling in the New Forest. The time limits are between 4.5 to 8 hours

THE 16th GRIDIRON
100km Randonnée
Sunday 5th October 2008