Happy Saturday or, as we like to call it - Summer Cycle Eve!

We are super excited to welcome you all to the traffic free tracks of the lovely Leverhulme Estate tomorrow, from 10am, and are thrilled that so many people have signed up so thank you.

Following on from our video yesterday, we have put together a few pointers for you to read in advance of coming along tomorrow. Any questions please let us know and we will be happy to help:

EVENT START TIME - 10.00am

EVENT ENDS - 4.00pm

Important! Main start point

Claire House Children's Hospice, Clatterbridge CH63 4JD Directions

Start point for adapted cycles, wheel chair users and trikes

Brimstage Hall & Courtyard CH63 6JA Directions

NO TICKETS NEEDED

Please don’t feel the need to print off your tickets. We used Eventbrite purely as a method for keeping in touch.

TRAVELLING TO THE SITE

This is a cycling event so obviously we would love you to cycle to the event if possible but we are aware that this isn't possible for everyone so parking is available in a couple of locations:

The bulk of the parking is at Claire House (CH63 4JD) and will be manned by marshals and volunteers. It is free but if you wish to make a donation to Claire House there will be donation buckets at the parking site. Dig deep!

If you have an adapted cycle, please park at Brimstage Hall and Courtyard, either in the main parking site behind the courtyard or in the overflow parking field for the Maize Maze (CH63 6JA).

As always, please park safely and sensibly and keep an eye out for kids on bikes!

CONDITION OF THE TRACKS

The recent heavy downpour has caused issues across Wirral but we’re happy to report that the tracks you will be walking/cycling are good to go! There will be a few puddles remaining and perhaps the odd slippery section with all of the extra traffic, but we’re happy that you’ll really enjoy things.

These are farm tracks which are uneven, muddy and stony in parts, not tarmac roads. This is not a day for your Sunday best!! We’ll post some photos to our Facebook page today which should give you a good idea of what to expect.

COVID

We do not require you to provide evidence of a vaccination or a negative test to take part, and masks are not required but you are welcome to wear them if you prefer. All we ask that you are sensible and considerate of other people. To this end, please do not attend if you have any covid symptoms or are feeling unwell. We do not have additional facilities to offer (beyond the toilets) hand washing so bring hand sanitiser/wipes etc.

YOUR KIDS YOUR RESPONSIBILITY!

The Summer Cycle is a family day and we know that there are likely to be children capable of cycling without their grown ups help. The site is off road and is pretty much enclosed however your children remain your responsibility at all times. Please keep an eye on them - particularly around the car parking areas.

If you or your child do become separated from one another please tell a volunteer (in the hi-vis jackets) as soon as possible and we will put the ‘lost child’ protocol in place. A central meeting point should anyone get lost is the Wirral Unplugged stall which is located at the main roundabout.

FOOD AND DRINK

We have some gorgeous food and drink available to purchase so don't forget your wallet. There is tea, coffee, cakes, bacon butties, vegan offerings, ice cream and more at Brimstage Courtyard but you are welcome to bring your own if you'd prefer.

We have some hay bales for seating but bring a picnic blanket if you can as we’re expecting a lot of people!

NO BINS ON SITE - YOUR WASTE, YOUR RESPONSIBILITY!

A strange thing happened at our 2019 event. We forgot to organise bins at the event but, amazingly, there was ZERO litter on site when we checked the next day. Please please take responsibility for anything you bring and take any rubbish home with you. Leave only tyre tracks and foot prints.

WEATHER

No rain is scheduled for the day but sometimes the forecast can be wrong. Bring a rain jacket just in case and dress accordingly.

WHAT TO BRING

Waterproofs, sunhat and suncream, picnic blanket, money for fabulous food and delicious drinks and a donation to Clare House, food if you'd prefer to bring your own, BIKES/TRIKES, smiles and a sunny disposition!

NO DOGS

Although you are welcome to walk the tracks if you'd like, we are asking that no dogs are brought along. It is a working farm with certain types of livestock in the vicinity and, with so many people booked on, we want to avoid bikes getting tangled in leads or any other avoidable accidents.

Thanks so much and see you tomorrow at the site!

Many thanks, Tanya & Ed

Rethink Now CIC

Some final quick-fire FAQs:

IS FIRST AID AVAILABLE? Yes

WILL THERE BE TOILETS? Yes, at the roundabout and at Brimstage Hall

ARE KIDS WiTH STABILISERS OK? Yes, but it’s an uneven track so they might need a push every now and then!

IS THERE A MAP? Yes, you will be given a map upon registration or you can request one from our volunteers

WHAT KIND OF BIKE SHOULD I BRING? Road bikes with narrow tyres might struggle in the gravel and occasional puddle, but apart from that all kinds of bikes and cycles should be fine! There are a couple of hills but the gradient is quite shallow across the whole of the route

HOW LONG IS THE ROUTE? If you ride all of the tracks it’s probably around 4 miles. Nothing too demanding and perfect for kids. There’s nothing stopping you doing the route a few times of course!

ARE HELMETS MANDATORY? No, wear whatever you like and feel comfortable in

WHEN DO THE GATES SHUT? 4pm! We’d advise you arrive no later than 3pm so you have time for a good look around.

IMPORTANT - VIDEO UPDATE AVAILABLE HERE!

Right then, we've had to put a cap on registrations now. Our main concern is around parking provision at Claire House (this is the main start point). Can you turn up anyway? Well... yes, and ESPECIALLY if you are riding to the event. We'd ask as many people as possible to arrive by bike. It's a nice ride past Claremont Farm and over the small bridge beyond to get to Claire House. The more people that cycle to the event, the more we can get in :-)

Thank you to everyone who has registered! We'll be sending out more instructions in the run up to Sunday.

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CYCLISTS of all ages and abilities can explore tree-lined tracks of Wirral's historic Leverhulme Estate in a popular event returning later this year.

Please note - this year we are starting at Claire House, near Clatterbridge Hospital. We have space for about 100 cars on site here but we are really hoping as many people as possible can arrive by bike. Sign up and we'll email more details in the run up to the event. Not long now!

The Leverhulme Summer Cycle was last held in 2019 with hundreds of cyclists of all ages enjoying the opportunity to explore some of the hidden paths of the Estate.

A leisure bike ride, it will include the opportunity to sample the delights of various independent stall-holders located on the cycle route and outlets at Brimstage Hall and Courtyard.

This is a free event to attend but we're asking folks to register this year just so we can update everyone with any last minute instructions and possible restrictions on numbers relating to COVID-19.

For more details and FAQs, visit www.summercycle.co.uk