MEMBERS of Liphook Crankers and Liphook and District Businessmen’s Association (LiDBA) have completed their annual pre bike-ride to check out route conditions and any safety issues on the roads before the 26th Liphook Charity Bike Ride this weekend.

The main 25-mile ride is due to start on Sunday, June 12, at Bohunt Centre, in Longmoor Road, at 10am, with the junior ride starting at 10.30am.

The check-in opens at 8.30am.

Liphook’s Square will be closed to all through traffic between 9.55am and 10.20am to allow riders to get started without any hold-ups.

In order to reduce any queuing on the day, a pre-ride registration and advance number collection will take place this year at the Millennium Centre, in Ontario Way, between 9am and noon on Saturday, June 11.

Ride chairman Alistair Halliday told The Herald: “We are very pleased with all the preparations so far and most grateful for the offers of support we have received.

“Please remember the no helmet, no ride policy and children under the age of ten are only allowed on the 25-mile ride if they are on a tagged bike, while anyone under 16 must be supervised throughout the ride.

“If anyone wants to be marshal on the day please get in touch.

“We encourage as many riders as possible to collect their numbers either the day before at the pre-ride registration or arrive in good time on the day so as to keep queues to a minimum.”

The Crankers have also retained a professional sports photographer who will be on the route taking high quality photos of every rider taking part.

Petersfield Air Cadets will once again be providing support to car parking on the playing field at Bohunt Centre and Liphook Guides are manning refreshment stops en route, while many charities are expected to be present with stalls and facilities to add to the atmosphere.

On-line registration via the Liphook Bike Ride website is going well and to date more than 350 riders have already entered with more signing up each day.

Those who have entered on line will simply need to collect their number on the day.

As before, riders who have not registered will still be able to register on the day and pay either in cash or by credit card.

All riders are encouraged to arrive in good time in order to collect their numbers which this year for the first time will be attached to their bikes.

The Liphook bike ride website contains a wealth of information on the ride as well as key information for sponsors and charities and links to British Cycling.

Anyone who wishes to take part should visit liphookbikeride.com. Online entries are £15 in advance or £25 on the day.

For more details, email info@liphookbikeride.com.

The Crankers are pictured outside The Royal Anchor pub before checking the 25-mile route. Picture order no: LD23-39-16.