2023 Milton Keynes Raleigh Chopper & Grifter Ride Miscellaneous

The integral social evening is a major part of the weekend and gives new-comers and old-hands a chance to meet up, share a drink, share a meal and have a chance to talk before the ride as it can be difficult to talk to everyone on the day of the ride, as can be imagined. Historically, the social evening, like a vast number of things in life, started as an off-the-cuff meeting of attendees who had chosen to stay overnight ahead of the ride. It has since become a staple of the event and regularly attracts a good number of people. Laughs are had, friendships renewed, tales told and new-comers welcomed in a friendly and relaxed environment. It is also an opportunity to meet the organisers and discover just how laid back the event really is. Everyone attending the ride is welcome and it is highly recommended
Prizes will be awarded.
The meeting point and start of the ride is:
Weatherspoons,
201 Midsummer Boulevard
Milton Keynes
MK9 1EA
Social Evening (the enening before the ride)
15th April 2023 from 19:30 at the Weatherspoons Midsummer Boulevard, the starting point for the ride. As is usual, there will be a Raleigh Chopper bag on the able to signify where we are located.
Ride date is :
Sunday 16th April 2023. Ride starts at 10AM and should be finished by 5PM
As always, attendees are requested to arrive at least one hour before the start of the ride as this enables everyone to get organised and prepared and also gives those who wish to have breakfast, the time to do so. If you will be arriving later than the advertised start time due to problems with your mode of transport, you may have difficulty trying to catch up with us throughout the ride.
Please be at the start promptly because the Cycle track system in Milton Keynes is so diverse it would be very difficult to find us later. A contact phone number will be published here on the day for those in difficulty.
There is no "booking in" process, no fee to enter and no requirement for Hi-Viz or Cycle-Helmets.
The ride is fully marshaled and tools are carried by the team in case of breakdown. We do ask that you carry spare inner tubes if you can just in case of a puncture. It is, however, advised that you carry a minimal tool kit suitable to your bicycle and a small first aid kit just in case it is required. So far one has never been needed, however cuts and scrapes could occur if emergency maintenance is carried out or a rider has a small incident. Whilst we do carry our own minimal tool-kit, it is also wise to carry your own.
Please check your bike over before the ride to help avoid mechanical problems on the day.
The only request is that you ride safely and with consideration to other cyclists as well as any pedestrians we may meet along the way.
Please note that you are responsible for the safety of your bike and yourself. The organisers can not, shall not and will not accept any responsibility for any damage or injury to riders or any damage to or loss of their bikes or any costs that may arise as a result thereof.
How to find us:
By Rail:
Milton Keynes Station is a two minutes ride from the start point. London Northwestern trains run from Birmingham, Northampton and London Euston
Avanti Trains run from Manchester, Liverpool, West Midlands and Scotland but bike reservations in advance are needed on Avanti trains but not the London Northwestern Trains.
By Car. Milton Keynes at Junction 14 on the M1 about 50 miles North of London.
Parking details are as Follows:
Parking is 50p per hour at the venue. More information nearer the time.
As always, we recommend that you allow an additional 1 -2 hours on your parking ticket to allow for any unforseen delays during the ride.
The following information is important as it details the areas for parking and the price of parking for each "zone".
Red Zone: 50p per hour
Purple Zone:£2 per hour
Hotel Accommodation:
There are two Travelodges very near to Weatherspoons.
1) Travelodge Milton Keynes At The Hub
312 Midsummer Blvd, Milton Keynes MK9 2EA
2) Travelodge Milton Keynes Central
199 Grafton Gate, Milton Keynes MK9 1AL
There is also the following hotel in close proximity:
Jurys Inn
Midsummer Blvd, Milton Keynes MK9 2HP
Check on the internet for bookings and costs although at the time of posting a Room (for one or two people) was £29 with travelodge.

More details