Got a question about August’s Tour de Broads Summer event? Hopefully you should find the answer on this page somewhere, if not then send us your question using the form at the foot of the page and we will get back to you.

What are the start times?

The start times will be staggered to alleviate traffic congestion, with participants being set off in small groups at regular intervals.

The event village will be open from 7:30am until 6:00pm

What do I need to bring?

• Your bike (with your rider number attached to the front).
• Helmet and spares (see our survival guide for tips)
• Wristband (from your rider pack) – you will need to show this to get the correct finisher’s medal (and lunch for the 75 & 100 milers). Please add your emergency contact details in the box provided.
• Cash (optional). There will be opportunities to purchase additional food and drink at some of the drink stops and also at the event village.

Are there any restrictions on the type of bike we can ride?

There are no restrictions as long as the bike is roadworthy with brakes in good working condition and with bar end plugs. We ask that you ride responsibly, safely and with respect to other riders and road users. For example, please refrain from using aerobars when riding in group.

Can I bring my Tag-Along?

Tag-alongs are allowed at the Tour de Broads events

Are timing chips issued?

The Tour de Broads events are non-competitive, fun and social events, so riders will not be timed.

How do I collect my rider number and pack?

Your rider number and distance wristband can be collected at the venue on the day (from 7am) or from any Pedal Revolution store up until the day before the event. Just bring your confirmation email with us to help us find your entry. Your confirmation email should contain a link to download your rider information pack.

I’ve signed up to The Tour de Broads Summer event but have not received my confirmation email?

Your confirmation email should have been automatically sent to you after you signed up for the event. If you have a Hotmail, Gmail or BT Internet mail account, your email may have ended up in your spam or junk folders, so please check these. If the email still cannot be located, contact us confirming your email address and we will resend you the email.

Is there an age limit?

There is no age limit although we ask that those under 16 are accompanied by an adult rider for the duration of the ride.

Where is the Start / Finish?

The event village and start/finish line this year will be at Whitlingham Country Park, Norwich

What facilities are available at the event village?

Our venue is completely self-contained with all facilities onsite including:

• Toilets
• Mobile mechanic and broom wagon
• Food and Drink stands
• Merchandise
• Sports Massage (charity donation requested)
• Pre-ride mechanical support
• Photography
• Bag drop

Where can I park?

We have been able to secure parking onsite for all Tour de Broads entrants. The Car park will be open from 7:00am, and cost just £5 for the whole day. Please have CASH ready. If you are using satnav – the postcode for the car park is NR14 8QH

Please  follow directional signs to the car park. Staggered start times will alleviate car park queues, please try not to arrive too far in advance of your allocated time, there is plenty of space.
Please note that there is no access to this car park from Whitlingham Lane

Car park will be well signposted from the Lowestoft A146 Junction with blue Tour de Broads Car Park signs. The entrance is off the Kirby Road and will be signposted and be marked by our Tour de Broads Feather Flag.

• From Norwich or the Southern Bypass, follow signs to A146 Lowestoft.
• Turn Left into Kirby Road signposted Claxton, Rockland ST Mary, Surlingham, Bramerton, Kirby Bedon, Sewage Works
• Turn first left again onto the Crown Point estate entrance signposted as a cycle route to Trowse and Norwich. A Tour de Broads Feather Flag will mark the entrance. This road takes you back over the Southern Bypass and through Crown Point Estate to the entrance to the Car Park – the large field directly opposite Whitlingham Barn. Please park considerately and follow the Tour de Broads signs to the start.
Please drive courteously through the estate and remember that is it private property and someone’s home. Access to this field was granted after many months of negotiation and any complaints would mean we could not use it again for future events. Please take your rubbish with you and only use the toilets provided at the event village

A parking restriction notice is in force along Whitlingham Lane on the day to keep the lane safe and open for cyclists. No parking will be allowed along Whitlingham lane from 6am to 6pm. In order to keep spaces available for families with children, disabilities and other visitors to the park, Whitlingham Country Park will restrict entry to their car parks from 7am to 10am. We understand this is an extra charge but if you do not wish to park here please remember that Norwich has Free Parking on the side of the road in the appropriate places so please keep this in mind.

DISABLED parking will be in the car park adjacent to the Flint Barn, right next to the event village.

Can I sign up on the day?

Yes, as long as the event hasn’t sold out. On arrival, please head towards the registration tent. We are able to accept cash and card payment on the day.

Can I upgrade or downgrade on the day?

You do not have to complete the full distance you have entered, but you will not be entitled to refund if you choose not to complete the distance. We may be able to issue you with the relevant medal assuming that there are spares on the day. If you feel you would like to complete a longer distance, please contact our registration team on the day who will swap your wristband to ensure you receive the relevant medal and lunch. There will be a cash charge to upgrade.

What are the routes for the Tour de Broads Summer 2019 event?

The route maps and information can be found on our Tour de Broads Summer 2019 Routes page. We are frequently testing and fine-tuning these routes to ensure we are able to provide the best rider experience on all routes so they may be subject to a few tweaks up until the day of the event.

Can I download a .GPX route?

The links to each route on Ride With GPS are available on the Tour de Broads Summer 2019 Routes page. Here you will be able to download the relevant file for your bike computer. You are welcome to upload these to your bike computers but please follow the official Tour de Broads road signage on the day as routes may be subject to unforeseen last minute changes.

Is there anywhere to leave baggage in the event village

There is a free bag drop at the event HQ tent, at the rider pack collection point. You will receive a ticket which you will need to keep with you to claim your bag back on your return.

What will be provided at the drink/feed stops?

Water to refill your bidons will be available at all drink stops. There will be an opportunity to buy hot drinks and cake at the drink stops that are run by our charity teams.

A complimentary meal-deal style lunch with sandwich (meat or vegetarian option), banana, crisps and cake will be provided at the 50 mile point for the 100 and 75 mile riders. Please present your wristband to claim your lunch.

I have special dietry needs, can you cater for this?

If you follow a lactose-free, vegan or gluten-free diet, or have any food allergies, please contact us (using the any further questions form at the foot of this page) so we can ensure a suitable lunch is provided for you.

Is there a cut off?

There are no official cut off times although the event village will be closed down and packed away by 6pm.

What happens if I get a mechanical issue during the ride?

We would encourage all participants to be able to replace or repair a punctured inner tube (or at least ride in a group with another rider who can do it for you), it will be your responsibility to equip your bike with the necessary spares and tools to do this. There will be a mobile mechanic available if you have any issues that you cannot resolve. Any spares used by the mobile mechanic are chargeable. The mobile mechanic can be requested by calling the SOS contact number displayed on your rider number.

What happens at the end?

All competitors with a wristband and rider number will receive an exclusive Tour de Broads commemorative medal corresponding to the distance they have entere. Please stay a while, savour the moment and join us in welcoming home your fellow riders.

Will event photos be available?

Photographers will be positioned at the start and finish line and at certain points on the course. Links to view and purchase event photographs (all proceeds to Norfolk Blood Bikes) will be made available on the website and on our social media outlets following the event.