| GENERAL RISKS - Updated 10/4/2010 | ||
| Risk
|
Description | Mitigation |
| 1 | The Chiltern Hills are very steep and there are a number
of fast descents with busy
roads at the bottom of the descent or on the descent.
|
Cyclists will be warned by a ‘prepare to stop’ sign in addition to direction signs.
All entrants
are made aware of the need to check both sets of brakes before riding.
|
| 2 | The Chilterns are made from chalk and flint. Shards of flint make the area more prone to punctures, especially following heavy rain in the preceding weeks. | All riders should carry at least one spare inner tube. Better
still two if there has been heavy rain in the area.
Riders will be
able to purchase additional inner tubes at refreshment stops.
Notice of heavy rains in preceding weeks will be indicated to riders in the Main Hall at the HQ prior to Registration. |
| 3 | Additionally, after heavy rain there can be a build up of loose
gravel at certain places, typically at the bottom of hills where riders will
be braking.
|
The organisers final drive round will endeavour to identify and
sweep up any substantial build up of loose materials likely to cause an
accident, but we cannot guarantee we get them all.
All entrants
under 18 must wear a helmet compliant to CE standards EN1078. All other
riders are very strongly urged to wear a helmet compliant with the standard.
Notice of
heavy rains in preceding weeks will be indicated to riders in the Main Hall
at the HQ prior to Registration.
|
| 4 | Following the 2008/9 and 2009/10 winter snows the roads have deteriorated badly with a number of potholes. The Councils have been and continue to be very active in fixing, but not all roads have been done. | We have been in touch with the relevant Council’s but there are many holes and in today’s economic climate it is unrealistic to expect them to fix all the problems. Fixes are either a patch work of new tarmac, or top dressing (tarmac sprayed on road followed by chippings). We urg you all, when riding in a group, to make the standard calls of group riding such as 'holes' and "gravel" to alert all riders in your group. For those unfamiliar with group riding click here to view a note on Group riding skills. |
| 5 | Watch out for Deer! No joking, there are 3 deer herds in the Ashridge Estate area. This affects the 'Gran' Fondo route between Berkhamsted to Dunstable Downs and Ivinghoe Beacon and Tring. Deer are herd creatures and if you see one the chances are there will be others in the woods. They tend to follow each other when running between woods and they cross the road at specific places. They will follow their leader. |
Triangular 'Deer warning' signs indicate their typical runs crossing roads. There is an automated deer crossing just after Ringshall (the lead deer has a transponder that sets the road sign flashing). The other likely/dangerous place is on the descent from Hudnall, where there is only a road sign. If you see deer crossing or running tell other riders and slow down. Allow the deer to cross and check for others following before you cross their path. A deer will easily weigh more than you so it will be you that gets knocked off your bike. Its happened! |
| GRAN FONDO: SPECIFIC RISKS 2010 | ||||
| Risk
|
Location | Description | Mitigation | Police Area |
| 1 | Before and south west of Berkhamsted at Hockeridge Bottom on an unclassified road. |
The route joins another unclassified road at a very acute angle and riders must give way. The dashed white lines have been repainted recently. Both roads are lightly used but to riders their visibility of the road on riders right that they join is limited. |
A ‘prepare to stop’ and direction signs will be deployed. |
Thames Valley & Hertfordshire |
| 2 | After Berkhamsted Station opposite canal side pub called ‘The Crystal Inn’. |
Shortly after Berkhamsted Station the route goes under the railway using a narrow road one van width wide. The junction is blind. The road is lightly used. |
There will be 2 direction signs and a warning sign ‘prepare to stop’ indicating the junction to riders. For oncoming traffic a ‘Cycle Event’ warning sign will be deployed. |
Hertfordshire |
| 3 | At the crossroads of unclassified road with the A4146 Hemel Hempstead to Leighton Buzzard road at Hudnall Corner, south of Dagnall. |
Riders come at this crossroads fast after a descent, but must give way to ‘A’ road traffic. |
2 direction signs and one ‘prepare to stop’ warning sign indicating the busy road ahead. |
Bedfordshire & Hertfordshire |
| 4 | On descent of Tom's Hill, on entry to Aldbury. | Riders come at this sharp left hand bend fast following a steep descent. The road is crossed by a number of footpaths and people from the village may be walking on the road. There is an inadequate pavement for pedestrians on the right. The bend is sharp and cars may be parked reducing sight lines. The road is lightly used. |
Riders should reduce speed immediately after the "Aldbury" village sign before the bend. This will help with a subsequent sharp left hand turn at crossroads in Aldbury. A ‘prepare to stop’ and direction signs will be deployed. |
Hertfordshire |
| 5 | At the T-junction at the bottom of Aston Hill of unclassified road with B4009, near Halton. |
Riders come at this T-junction during a very steep descent and will be travelling fast. The B4009 is busy, but cyclists must give way at T-Junction. |
2 direction signs indicating a junction and one ‘prepare to stop’ warning sign indicating the busy road. Medical services will be stationed at this junction. |
Thames Valley |
| 6 | At the crossroads of unclassified road from Loosley Row with A4010 south of Princes Risborough. |
The A4010 is busy, but cyclists must give way and take proper observation before crossing. |
Cyclists will be warned by a ‘prepare to stop’ sign in addition to the ‘Give way’ sign and direction signs. For oncoming A4010 traffic a ‘Cycle Event’ warning sign will be deployed in both directions. |
Thames Valley |
| 7 | On descending Chinnor Hill at T-junction. Both roads are unclassified. |
The T-junction comes during a steep descent and the junction is blind. These roads are lightly used. Riders must give way. |
There will be 2 direction signs indicating a junction and one ‘prepare to stop’ warning sign indicating the blind junction ahead. |
Thames Valley |
| MEDIO FONDO: SPECIFIC RISKS 2010 | ||||
| Risk
|
Location | Description | Mitigation | Police Area |
| 1 | At the T-junction at the bottom of Aston Hill of unclassified road with B4009, near Halton. |
Riders come at this T-junction during a very steep descent and will be travelling fast. The B4009 is busy, but cyclists must give way at T-Junction. |
2 direction signs indicating a junction and one ‘prepare to stop’ warning sign indicating the busy road. Medical services will be stationed at this junction. |
Thames Valley |
| 2 | At the crossroads of unclassified road from Loosley Row with A4010 south of Princes Risborough. |
The A4010 is busy, but cyclists must give way and take proper observation before crossing. |
Cyclists will be warned by a ‘prepare to stop’ sign in addition to the ‘Give way’ sign and direction signs. For oncoming A4010 traffic a ‘Cycle Event’ warning sign will be deployed in both directions. |
Thames Valley |
| 3 | On descending Chinnor Hill at T-junction. Both roads are unclassified. |
The T-junction comes during a steep descent and the junction is blind. These roads are lightly used. Riders must give way. |
There will be 2 direction signs indicating a junction and one ‘prepare to stop’ warning sign indicating the blind junction ahead. |
Thames Valley |
| CORTO FONDO: SPECIFIC RISKS FOR 2010 | ||||
| Risk
|
Location | Description | Mitigation | Police Area |
| 1 | At the crossroads of unclassified road called Icknield Way with A4010 south of Princes Risborough towards Loosley Row. |
The A4010 is busy, but cyclists must give way and take proper observation before crossing. |
Cyclists will be warned by a ‘prepare to stop’ sign in addition to the ‘Give way’ sign and direction signs. For oncoming A4010 traffic a ‘Cycle Event’ warning sign will be deployed in both directions. |
Thames Valley |
| 2 | After Cross roads at Stone riders enter the Waddesdon Manor Estate |
This road enters the estate and electric gates will usually be closed to stop through traffic. The gates swing open slowly when triggered by cyclists in the right position on the road. |
There is also a side entrance which is always open for cyclists and pedestrians to pass through. |
Thames Valley |
| 3 | At railway crossing after North Lea on road to Stone. |
The rails may be slippery. The railway line is lightly used on a Sunday. |
Cyclists will be warned by a ‘Cyclists prepare to stop Railway Crossing’ sign in addition to ‘Give way’ signs. Cyclists should cross carefully. |
Thames Valley |