Information for Bikeathon Entrants

This information may change or be updated, please check again.
(Latest update 30th August 2016)

Medical statement: Participants with existing conditions requiring medication (e.g. asthma inhaler) must bring it with them to the event and carry it with them on the course.

You should report medical matters to the next marshal that you encounter?

The roads are not closed for the event and the Highway Code,
Traffic Regulations, Road Signs and Traffic Lights are still applicable.
Highway Code for Cyclists

Before the day

• Check your bike before the Bikeathon to make sure that the bike is roadworthy and that tyres and brakes are in good condition.
• The Comfy Saddle located within Southend Central Railway Station, Clifftown Rd, Southend-On-Sea, Essex, SS1 1AB, will carry out free safety checks before the event. Any work resulting from these checks may involve a cost. Their telephone number: 01702 340864
• Training: See our website for more information. TRAINING PAGE

On the day

• Car Parking: Entry to Shoebury East Beach is via George Street (SS3 9AB).
  We are unable to provide free parking this year. You will have to pay for parking on the day but if you would like us to reimburse you please show your entry number and provide your car registration at the Late Entry Desk.
  
  If possible please ride to the event. See our website for maps.
  
  
• Please arrive at the Bikeathon 15 minutes before your allocated start time. Report to the Check in desks where for safety reasons we will note your presence and also ask you how much sponsorship money you expect to collect.
• T-Shirt Collect your free T shirt from the T shirt desk (behind the Check in Desks) and wear it for the ride. Late Entry and Information Desks will be in the same area.
• You will then be directed to the start.

The Bikeathon

Start: In the interests of road safety cyclists will start in small groups.

Control: Your Control Card will marked by marshals at the check points and at the finish as proof of the miles you have covered. Your Control Card can be used as proof of the distance you have ridden and this will help you to collect your sponsorship.

Route: A route map will be in your Bikeathon pack. You will be directed by signs and Marshals around the route. Marshals will also be at all major junctions on the route.

Personal Safety: RoSPA recommends that all cyclists wear a safety helmet that meets a recognised safety standard and parents cycle behind their children. In addition always follow the Highway Code, obeying all Traffic Regulations, Road Signs, Traffic Lights and Police instructions. Never ride more than two abreast and only then when other road users will not be obstructed. Where appropriate you must ride in single file.

Riders are responsible for any personal medication they may require, (e.g. asthma inhaler) and must bring it with them to the event and carry it with them on the course.

Ambulances will be present on the day and there will be a rescue vehicle touring the course to assist with any breakdowns

Please report any incidents/accidents to a marshal.

Refreshments will be provided at all Check Points and at the finish.

The Comfy Saddle will also be at Shoebury East Beach on the day to provide mechanical support. There may be a cost for any work carried out. There will also be a puncture repair kit and pump with each checkpoint manager available for your use

The last start time will be 11am and the course will be closed down and Marshals off duty by 2.30pm.

Why not bring a picnic or have a BBQ. There is a BBQ area at Shoebury East Beach.

Money: Please bring some cash with you if you'd like to buy anything extra on the day. There will be some activities eg Bouncy Castle that will involve a cost.

Have a very enjoyable day, it is not a race and hopefully it will be a fine sunny day.

After the Bikeathon

We would like to take this opportunity to underline the purpose of the Bikeathon. Not only is it to provide a truly enjoyable day for all taking part but it has the underlying target of raising funds for research into blood cancers. Your valued financial contributions, such as your Southend Bikeathon sponsorship go to Leukaemia & Lymphoma Research. The need for further research continues and we are working towards the day when all blood cancers are eliminated. Your donations remain a most important contribution to this research.

Since the charity started this fundraising some years ago the results have been absolutely amazing. You are joining a large group of people who have shown over the years that together we can achieve success. When Bikeathons were started some years ago out of every 10 children diagnosed with leukaemia 9 died. Thanks to the efforts of the fund raisers and the research that they have financed now NINE children live. Yes we have turned it around and that is thanks to you and people like you. Stay with us and help us get rid of this terrible disease for ever.

Your entry monies are used to meet the various costs and we can categorically assure you that all sponsorship money goes to Bloodwise formerly Leukaemia and Lymphoma Research. All the workers and helpers are genuine volunteers.

Whilst mentioning volunteers we are always pleading for more help. There are always a lot of Marshals around the course, directing, guiding and helping. We would be so grateful if any of your family or friends would like to help either before or for a period on the day - if so please phone Terry Joyce on 01268 785674 or email [email protected]. We are grateful to all helpers and those like Essex and Suffolk Water who provide bottled water free of charge and Marshals who give up their spare time.

1. We are a leading UK cancer research charity dedicated to improving the lives of patients with all types of blood cancer, including leukaemia, lymphoma and myeloma.
2. Around 38,000 people are diagnosed with blood cancer each year
3. Every year we stop more people dying of blood cancer and our researchers are even working to stop people developing blood cancer in the first place.
4. We improve the lives of patients with blood cancers such as leukaemia, lymphoma and myeloma because we believe everyone should be able to live their life to the full.
5. We've been working to beat blood cancer for over 50 years and we won't stop until we do. Be a part of our story and help us change the world
6. Childhood Leukaemia is the most common form of cancer in children and Blood cancer is the most common form of cancer death in the under 40's.
7. Your SOUTHEND BIKEATHON is rapidly approaching a total raised since 1995 of £1,000,000. All of these monies have gone into research to achieve the results mentioned above. You must agree that this is a worthy cause, so please help reach the magic million. You will be the first to know when we reach the target!

Experience has shown that sponsorship money is collected most easily immediately after the event (or set up an online fundraising page ((see website for details)). So please collect your money as soon as possible and pay it in.

Thank you for your kind support - we really appreciate what you are doing.

Please pay your sponsorship money before 31st October 2016.

Trophies are awarded to those raising the most money in each category and who have paid in by the 31st October 2016.

Paying in your Sponsorship money:

• Online Fundraising If you have raised money on a Just Giving page then your hard work is already done, as the money will automatically come to us.
  
  
• Post Write a cheque or postal order, payable to Bloodwise, for the total amount and send it in with your sponsorship forms to Bloodwise, 21 Brooklyn Drive, Rayleigh, SS6 9LW. Please do not post cash.
  
  
• Bank You can pay your sponsorship money into any Barclays Branch using the paying in slip included. If you pay in using the slip can you please send us a copy with your sponsorship forms.

Help: We depend on a lot of help to run a Bikeathon. As you have agreed to ride, would any of your family or friends like to help either before or for a period on the day - if so please email Terry Joyce

A TRULY ENJOYABLE DAY TO HELP BEAT BLOOD CANCERS

Car Parking: Entry to Shoebury East Beach is via George Street SS3 9ABThere will designated parking at Shoebury East Beach Car Park. Marshals will be present and we shall be grateful for your cooperation. If possible please ride to the event. See Maps

© Southend Bikeathon 2015.
This site was created and is maintained by Terry Joyce