VERULAM RELIABILITY RIDE
Sunday 22nd February 2026
Two classic routes:
The long route is 108km (66 miles) with 1,124 meters of ascent, whilst the short route is 66km (41 miles) with 671m of ascent.
Both start from our HQ in Redbourn (see details below). The main route has 6 significant climbs including Whiteleaf, Wardrobes, Wigginton Lane and New Road. The course is not particularly difficult but it is a tough test, making it a good training ride for the early Spring. The shorter route, 66km (c41 miles) misses out the main climbs and represents an easier challenge, although it does include the full length of Aston Hill.
Entries:
Book Online in advance. On the day may be available (max 200 riders).
Start times:
Registration from 8.30am for departures (long route) from 9.00am and (shorter route) 9.15am, leaving in waves of 10 (max).
HQ address:
Redbourn Parish Centre, The Park, Redbourn, Herts, AL3 7LR (see info here and map here).
Entry fee:
VCC Members: £7
Non-Members: £12
On the day: £10 and £15 respectively
Riders:
See here for 2025 list of riders. Note: this list will be populated in the New Year (and then manually updated from time to time).
Arrivals:
There is some free car parking space near the Parish Centre otherwise park on local roads. The nearest Railway Stations are Harpenden (3.5 miles) or St Albans (5.4 miles).
Refreshments are included:
There will be tea and coffee available before the ride and a selection of food and hot drinks at the end. We aim to close the HQ at 3.00pm. If you think you are going to be later than that, or if you decide to abandon at any time, please call us so we don't wait for you or send the search party out!
Maps and elevation profiles:
Long route / GPS track - see here (up-dated 18/02/2026).
Short route / GPS track - see here (up-dated 18/02/2026)
Note: The routes will not be signposted - so take a map or load up your Garmin (or equivalent) and check back as up-dates may be necessary nearer the time!
Inter-Club Competition [Open to organising clubs of the Spring Classics series]:
The event includes a competition for the Spring Classics Shield. Each rider from the host Club who completes either route scores one point whilst each rider from another club scores three points. The club with the most points at the end of the series wins the Shield. Will your club be the winners?
Charity:
We’re pleased to be supporting Essex & Herts Air Ambulance for this event. A charity that has come to the rescue of VCC riders and so sits close to our hearts. Essex & Herts Air Ambulance receives no Government funding - a donation of £2 per rider will be made. More information about Essex & Herts Air Ambulance is available here.
Chiltern Classics:
The Verulam Reliability Ride is part of the Spring Classics series of Reliabuility Rides.
Under 18s:
There are risks associated with this ride, from bad weather conditions and the 100km route is a serious challenge so…
- Minimum age 12.
- Under 14s can only ride the 78Km event, with a parent or guardian.
- Under 16s can ride either distance with a parent or guardian.
- 16 and 17 year olds can ride either distance unaccompanied.
In every case (all under 18 riders) a signed Parental Consent Form must be completed and lodged with the organiser.
More information:
Any questions, please contact us:
Hazards:
The event takes place on public roads so normal care and attention is required. Please observe the Highway Code and show respect at all times for all other road users. Please take care as it's winter, there are potholes, mud, water and gravel. This winter has not been kind to local roads. There are a number of hazards identified in our Risk Assessment we’d like to draw your attention to (see below).
This is a Reliability Ride with a target speed range of 13 to 18mph. This equates to about 4 to 5.5 hours for the long ride and 3 to 4 hours for the shorter route. We expect that there will be some faster riders but, please remember, the events are challenges not races and are not timed. Riders will be set off at intervals to reduce the risks from riding in large bunches on narrow lanes.
Please do not ride in groups of more than 10.
Insurance:
The event is being run by Verulam CC which is affiliated to Cycling UK. This provides Organisers’ Liability insurance as long as the event has no more than 200 riders. The ride is therefore limited to this number. We expect all riders to have their own third party liability insurance. This is intended to cover you should you ever be adjudged to have caused an accident which led to injury or damage to another cyclist, anyone else or their property. The main cycling organisations (Cycling UK, British Cycling and LVRC) all provide this as part of their membership benefits.
Rider Briefing:
The ride is not a race. A reliability ride is a test of a cyclist’s reliability and that of their bike coming out of the winter period.
Safety is paramount for everyone on the ride and it is imperative that participants ride responsibly and in accordance with the Highway Code so please take particular note of a few points
- The ride is self-supported, like a club ride and there is no emergency support or broom wagon
- Avoid groups larger than 10 riders and allow for sufficient gaps for cars to pass
- When riding as a group follow normal protocols of calling out hazards
- Follow the directions of the group leader
- Be polite and considerate to all other road users at all times; in particular single out when in very narrow or busy roads
Whilst we have taken care to design the route in recognition of the conditions there are stretches of road that need particular care, especially given the numbers of riders on the road. The routes have been re-checked twice recently and the points to note are:
- The S bends of Gaddesden Row, in both directions
- The descent into Dagnall past the golf club
- The roundabout in Dagnall is particularly potholled.
- Passed Chiltern Velo on Hawridge Hill there is a sharp left turn unto Wiggington Road, the sat nav direction will take you to the second of the two turns as the first is completely a road failure now.
- Leaving Berkhamsted you take a left to go under a railway Bridge onto New Road. This area is very potholed and works in the surrounding area have made this short section very difficult.
The HQ will aim to close around 2:00pm which should give plenty of time for everyone to complete, in-keeping with the times of other Reliability Rides. There will be sandwiches, drinks and cake available to all at the end of the ride.
