Quick overview of event timings

PRE-REGISTRATION (The day before)

Argyll Hotel Dunoon PA23 7NE

Friday 3rd July 2020 | 1800 - 2200

REGISTRATION

The Queens Hall Dunoon PA23 7HH

Saturday 4th July 2020 | 0645 - 0745

SAFETY BRIEFING

The Queens Hall Dunoon PA23 7HH

Saturday 4th July 2020 | 0750

START

The Queens Hall Dunoon PA23 7HH

Saturday 4th July 2020 | 0800

Visit velo29events.com for all your event

information and check us out on social

media

#velo29events #returntolife

CONTENTS

Key Event Times 2

Welcome Notes 3

Hotels 4

HQ Location & Directions 5

Parking 6

Overview Medium 7

Overview Long 8

Registration 9

Environment 10

Signage 12

Route Profiles 13

Feed Information 14

General Information 15 - 18

App 19 - 21

The Jersey 22

WELCOME to the

VELO29 PRIMAL RETURN TO LIFE

Welcome to the Velo29 PRIMAL Return to Life

Sportive and our first sportive in Scotland. This

has to be one of the most scenic routes on our

calendar.

Why Scotland? Why Return to Life? Well it all started with a friend of a friend who runs the Return to Life charity contacting us at Velo29 to see if we could help put on a sportive.

At first we where very reluctant to shoehorn another event in a tightly packed season, however looking at the route it was a no-brainer because it is absolutely amazing.

Having looked into the route it has been used by quite a lot of professionals for training. We have even had a Tweet of Chris Boardman confirming this was a regular area to train.

The route also has a couple of the 100 greatest climbs, Bealach Maim and Rest and be Thankful.

If you only do one event this year, I urge you to come and participate in this most spectacular sportive.

Return to life is a charity that supports patients, families diagnosed with chronic kidney disease pre and post transplant. It is run by patients for patients. Life on dialysis is cruel so Return to Life helps promote organ donor awareness and save lives.

Please join the Velo29 and Return to Life teams

in the Argyll Hotel in Dunoon from 1800 for a

pre-race Q&A, drink and registration.

You can pick up your number and chip so all

you have to do on the morning is turn up

I wish you all a safe, successful and enjoyable

ride.

Please feel free to email any questions not

covered in this manual to events@velo29.com

James Sullivan

Head of Operations, Velo29

IMPORTANT

The contents of this manual are key to you

having a smooth and enjoyable time at the

event.

Please make sure you read it carefully, noting

all relevant times.

Please note in case of bad weather we would

encourage you to have lights on your bike and

wear bright clothing.

Have a great event.

A big shout out to

Who have helped us a great deal in the planning

of this fantastic event

Event organisation

Velo29 Events Limited

Event Director

James Sullivan

PRE-EVENT INFORMATION

HOTELS CARAVAN MOTORHOME & CAMPING INFORMATION

N

1

1. Argyll Hotel, Argyll Street, Dunoon PA23 7NE

01369 702059

2. Glenmorag Kilbride Road, Dunoon PA23 7QH

01369 702227

3. The Esplanade Victoria Parade, Dunoon PA23 7HU

01369 704070

4. Pucks Rest 54 Victoria Parade, Dunoon PA23 7HU

01369 702907

5. Selborne Clyde St, Dunoon PA23 7HT

01369 702761

6. Cedars Guest House 51 Alexandra Parade, Dunoon PA23 8AF

01369 702425

7. Douglas Park Guest House101 Marine Parade, Kirn, Dunoon PA23 8HH

01369 707932

2

4 5 3

6

7

Below is a selection of hotels and guest houses in Dunoon.

We have no affiliation with them it was the top seven on a

Google search

Camping, caravan and motorhome

information here

PRE-EVENT INFORMATION

HQ LOCATION

Event HQ Address

The Queens Hall

Dunoon

PA23 7HH

The event HQ in Dunoon may

require a short ferry ride.

The ferries run frequently and

only takes 20—25mins.

Gourock - Dunoon

Gourock Ferry Terminal

PA19 1QZ

Dunoon Ferry Terminal

PA23 7HJ

Foot passengers & bikes only

McInroy’s Point (Gourock) -

Hunters Quay (Dunoon)

McInroy's Point

Ferry Terminal

Gourock PA19 1AP

Hunters Quay Ferry Terminal

Kirn, Dunoon PA23 8HL

Vehicles allowed N

Click on the ferry symbols for timetable information

N

PRE-EVENT INFORMATION

PARKING MAP

Event HQ Address

The Queens Hall

Dunoon

PA23 7HH

West Bay Car Park

Kilbride Road

Dunoon

PA23 7QH

Col Pier Car Park

70 Argyll Street

Dunoon

PA23 7NE

Car parking is not the

responsibility of Velo29, you

park at your own risk and must

pay any charges applicable

Showers and changing are

available at the Leisure Centre

on Argyll Street 1 min from HQ

These are charged at only £1

Closes at 1700

Food at HQ also closes at 1700

N

PRE-EVENT INFORMATION

EVENT MEDIUM ROUTE OVERVIEW MAP

Event HQ Address

The Queens Hall

Dunoon

PA23 7HH

Medium Route Statistics

Distance:

64.3mi (103.6km)

Elevation:

4821ft (1469m)

Pre-Registration

3rd July | Argyll Hotel

1800 - 2200

Registration (on the day)

0645 – 0745

Event Brief:

0750

Ride Start:

0800 (in waves of aprox. 25)

Feed:

1. 39.1miles (62.9km)

N

PRE-EVENT INFORMATION

EVENT LONG ROUTE OVERVIEW MAP

Event HQ Address

The Queens Hall

Dunoon

PA23 7HH

Long Route Statistics

Distance:

93.1miles (149.9km)

Elevation:

6701feet (2043m)

Pre-Registration

3rd July | Argyll Hotel

1800 - 2200

Registration (on the day)

0645 – 0745

Event Brief:

0750

Ride Start:

0800 (in waves of aprox. 25)

Feeds:

1. 39.1miles (62.9km)

2. 67.8miles (109.1km)

At Velo29 we have a very quick registration process which simply

involves the scanning of two QR codes.

The day before the event you will receive a “See You Tomorrow”

email from Velo29 and this will include relevant information and a

QR code. You can either print this out or keep it handy on your

smart phone.

At preregistration or on the day simply approach ANY registration

desk with your QR code ready and scan it* at the desk when

directed by the Velo29 Registration Staff…that’s it; the Velo29 staff

will scan your event number and hand you an envelope containing;

Timing Chip to go anywhere on your helmet

Event Number which must go on the front of your bike

Twist ties to attach your event number

What if I don’t get an email with my QR code?

Don’t panic - sometimes these get filtered or lost. Simply turn up

and give your name to the staff at the registration desk; they will

find you very quickly on the system.

Please do not ring or email about QR codes as we are often very

busy at the event and more often than not can’t reply. Not receiv-

ing a QR code takes seconds to rectify on the day of the event so

please just turn up.

Key times for this event are:

PRE Registration Registration

Argyll Hotel - 3rd July Queens Hall - 4th July

Registration 1800 - 2200 0645 - 0745

Safety Brief N/A 0750

Start N/A 0800

*By scanning your QR code you are confirming you:

Have read the rider manual

Are starting the event

Will follow the rules of the road

Believe you can complete your chosen route

Your bike is in good working order

Understand this is an OPEN road event

PRE-EVENT INFORMATION

REGISTRATION

RESPECT THE ENVIRONMENT Velo29 events are lucky enough to travel through some of Britain’s

most beautiful natural scenery, including National Parks and Areas of

Outstanding Natural Beauty.

Whether you are a rider, member of staff, volunteer or spectator, please think

and act responsibly and leave the beautiful locations we travel through exactly

as we found them!

Velo29

Turn off your engine if stopped for

more than a minute and think about

car sharing.

Behave responsibly by reducing

your speed (less consumption and

less pollution!).

Use bins and recycling bins

provided at starts and finishes.

If there aren’t any bins available,

please keep your rubbish and

dispose of it responsibly later.

Riders

Please dispose of your rubbish in

the recycling bins provided at the

start, finish and at the feed

stations

Away from these areas, please act

responsibly and keep in your jersey

pockets till its possible to discard

appropriately

General Rules & Spectators

Where possible, when travelling to

the event please try and car share

or even better cycle to the event.

Please use bins and recycling bins

provided at starts. finishes and

feeds to dispose of waste.

In areas where suitable waste and

recycling bins are not available,

please keep your rubbish and

dispose of it responsibly later.

Smokers are urged to discard their

butts in an appropriate place. Please

do not litter the environment with

these.

We ask you to leave nothing but

footprints and take nothing but

photos and some amazing

memories.

THE ROUTES

GENERAL INFORMATION

SIGNAGE

Velo29 deploy a huge number of route signs in all our events and our signage is up there with the best.

We check the signs on the morning of the event and during the event and any issues highlighted in the

rider briefing.

After the first feed station

LONG route riders turn right and head north up the coast

MEDIUM route riders turn left and head inland

After the second feed station

LONG route riders turn left and head inland (opposite way to what you rode in)

We will use the following signs during the event:

Our signs:

• Are placed APPROXIMATLY 1 mile apart.

• Before a turn you will see a directional arrow

• At a turn you will see several directional arrows

• Shortly after a turn you will see a confirmation of route arrow

• Hazards along the way such as cattle grids and steep descents are clearly marked.

Feel free to use a GPS device in this event, such as Garmin or Wahoo but you can do the route without

such a device because of the excellent signage.

If in any doubt with the route on a GPS device then we would always say “FOLLOW THE SIGNS”

Medium Route Profile

Long Route Profile

53.1

mi (8

5.4

km

) 00.0mi (00.0km)

00.0mi (00.0km)

93.1miles (149.9km)

64.3mi (103.6km) 39.1miles (62.9km)

GENERAL INFORMATION

ROUTE PROFILES

20.2

mi (3

2.5

km

)

39.1

mile

s (

62.9

km

)

47.8

mi (7

7.1

km

)

67.8

mile

s (

10

9.1

km

)

Bealach Maim

20.2mi (32.5km)

Rest and be Thankfull

Hells Glenn

Bealach Maim

GENERAL INFORMATION

FEED SPECIFICS

Feed Location Miles from Start KM from Start Miles to Next

Feed KM to Next Feed Miles to Finish KM to Finish

Medium

1. Strachur Village Hall 39.1 52.9 N/A N/A 25.2 40.6

Long

1. Strachur Village Hall 39.1 52.9 53.9 86.8 75.1 120.9

2. Strachur Village Hall 67.8 109.1 N/A N/A 25.2 40.6

At the feeds will be a selection of ‘proper’ food

Pork Pies

Sausage Rolls

Variety of Sandwiches

Flapjack or Brownie

HIGH5 Energy Products

Hot Drinks

Water

We cater for vegans & vegetarians and all dietary requirements. We ask that you email us two weeks in advance of any dietary needs

Feed stops are not ’all you can eat’ buffets so please only take one of each savoury item and either a flapjack or brownie, please dont be a greedy guts.

GENERAL INFORMATION

WHAT TO BRING ON THE DAY

What to Bring On the Day

Velo29 sportives are well supported however we strongly recommend you

prepare yourself with some essentials.

Please arrive with the following:

• 2 Water Bottles - you can fill up at the feeds and HQ

• Enough food to keep you going for several hours of riding

• Water proof light-weight jacket in case the weather changes

• 2 x inner tubes, tyre levers and a mini pump

• Mobile phone pre-programmed with emergency contact number

– 07402 168 687

• Basic tool kit including chain tool

• If you use a GPS device such as a Garmin or Wahoo then don’t

forget it and preload it with the route!

A helmet must be worn by all riders, please contact us via email if you

are not able to wear a helmet.

The wearing of hard shell helmets conforming to CE standards EN1078 is

mandatory for all riders participating in Velo29 sportive events. It is the

rider’s responsibility to equip themselves appropriately prior to event day,

that the wearing of helmets is a requirement of the event. Participants

who start without a helmet, or choose to discard their helmet at any point

of the ride will be withdrawn from the event without refund.

GENERAL INFORMATION

RIDER CONDUCT

This is a challenge event aimed at riders of all abilities, it is not a race.

Please read this short but important message.

As an increasing number of us take to the roads, the focus from the public

on Sportives increases to grow. Sadly, not everyone is as excited about the

explosion of cycling as we are. In previous events, we’ve had a small

number of complaints regarding rider conduct and we fear that there is

potential for these negative comments to escalate putting Sportives on the

open road at risk.

As such we ask you all too please ride with every consideration to other

road users, including cars and horses. Be as courteous to others as you can

and absolutely follow the rules of the road 100% of the time.

Also, NO LITTERING please!

Velo29 do an increasing amount of work each year with the areas we pass

through to minimise the disruption and prevent any objection to Sportives

on the open roads. We need the riders to do the same, it’s in all our

interests to prevent public objection.

Please ride well and ride safely for yourself and other road users.

We’ve recently received complaints of urinating in public places which we

cannot tolerate. This is a criminal matter and we would support the police

in their prosecutions.

GENERAL INFORMATION

FITNESS AND THE BIKE

Fitness and the Bike

The responsibility is upon the rider to be physically capable of completing

their chosen distance and the accompanying climbing and elevation

involved.

Also, the rider is responsible for their own bike and you need to be

confident that it is safe and reliable enough to complete the distance.

There are professional mechanics available on the day but their role is to

assist with small mechanical issues which occur on the ride and any issues

which may have occurred on the way to the event.

If the event team, judge your bike not to be suitable for the ride, then you

will not be allowed to start. Refunds will not be given if the rider’s bike is

not suitable.

As this is a very challenging course, please check your bike is in full working

order, bikes should have a mechanical check and any issues resolved prior

to attending the event. There will be a mechanic available at the start fin-

ish on the day of the event to deal with any minor issues that may have

occurred en-route.

GENERAL INFORMATION

MEDICAL PROVISION, MECHANICALS & RECOVERY

Medical cover will be available at various locations on the route for the

duration of the event.

The Event Emergency number will reach event control who will record

your call and respond appropriately.

The best way to contact us is by using the Velo29 Ride App, this will tell us

who you are, what is wrong and importantly, where you are. The app can

be downloaded for free from Google Play and the App Store. Instructions

on the next page.

The emergency contact number is below; please add this to your phone

however it is also displayed on the back of your rider number.

Emergency Contact Number

07402 168 687 For breakdowns, rider recovery or non-emergency injuries call the above

number.

However for serious medical emergencies, please dial 999 immediately

and then please inform event control on the above number.

Please be aware that due to the size of the event you may have to wait a

while for recovery. In the first instance your best course of action is to go

forward or back to the nearest feed station if you are able. The staff there

can arrange recovery. If you need recovering from the course then you

may be dropped at a feed station then picked up by another vehicle and

this may take time. There are hot drinks and food at the feed stations so

you will be comfortable till help arrives.

If you are having mechanical issues then please call the number above

and we get help to you as soon as possible.

GENERAL INFORMATION

APP INSTRUCTIONS

The Velo29 Ride App

...the best way to get support during your ride Application Instructions for iOS & Android users.

The app is for Sportive riders on event day who need help. It

will send Velo29 Event Control your essential data and position

so we can assist you swiftly and safely.

Please use this app for mechanical/ medical or “off route/ lost”

assistance.

If a genuine medical emergency still default to 999.

Also if you’ve changed route i.e. dropped from long to medium

or have gone home without finishing the ride you can use the

app to tell us.

Download the app for free from

the Google Play/Apple app store

before the event.

Just search for Velo29 Ride.

At the time you need

assistance open the

app and enter your

rider number which is

on you handlebars.

Then enter the year you were

born, this is to identify you.

GENERAL INFORMATION

APP INSTRUCTIONS

You will be asked to confirm your chip

number, check it and press ‘Yep let’s go’ or

‘Got it wrong’ to go back and change it.

The app will then load your position on the

map. Select from the 3 options.

Then press ‘log in for support’.

GENERAL INFORMATION

APP INSTRUCTIONS

If you select Mechanical or Medical you

will get an alert. Press ‘OK’.

A text message will open, you MUST send

this message. Just press send.

Velo29 will respond back with a

confirmation text message and we’ll keep

youupdated via text message with an

ETA.

Use ‘confirm finished ride’ if you’ve not made

it back to HQ and wish to tell us OR if you’ve

changed route distance. Select the route

distance and press ‘select’. If you’ve not rid-

den over the finish line of course you won’t

get a time.

This service is only available to Velo29

Sportive participants during the event.

It will not work on any other day!

For tech support before the event email

events@velo29.com

VELO29 CLOTHING

OFFICIAL GARMENTS

Click the PRIMAL logo to view and purchase the official Velo29 clothing