LAYOUT: An A4 page of instructions can be organised into four quarters for easy folding. Left, right and centre margins should be at least 10mm, to allow trimming to fit a typical AUK-provided plastic brevet card bag, which is a handy size for holding whilst riding.

Print size should be large enough to read on the move -

small enough to convey the average instruction in one line.

Text should be left justified - straight left, ragged right like this page - the uneven gaps on fully justified print reduce ease of reading - as does excessive use of CAPITALS.

Places that riders pass through or very close by should be listed and CAPITALISED. Places that are signposted but the rider will not be passing through should be left in plain text.

One instruction per line, is the ideal, and one paragraph between controls.

CONTROLS and INFOS should be capitalised.

Info control questions should not be on route sheets.

Intermediate distances between instructions plus a running total of distance from the previous control are helpful to the rider in unfamiliar territory, are regarded as standard by overseas riders, and should always be given for National standard events.

TERMINOLOGY & ABBREVIATIONS: aim to provide instructions which can be marked on a map and followed on the road ie all relevant road numbers and villages plus landmarks where neccessary.

Left or Right or L or R indicates a turn in that direction and implies onto a more minor road. If it is several km to the next turn, this should be made clear.

Immediate L or R implies a turn arriving unexpectedly, eg, over a hump-backed bridge.

Fork L indicates a gentle turn, like a slip road. Sharp L indicates a turn doubling back.

SO indicates straight on.

Over implies SO over a road junction with a more major road ie junction against the rider.

T implies a T-junction with road junction against the rider.

X implies a cross-roads with road junction against the rider -

(X) an X-road, junction with the rider.

Rdb or Rab or sometimes O indicates roundabout - the exit should be numbered eg 1st exit.

Specifying mini-rdb or mini-O where applicable is useful.

TL indicates traffic lights (NOT pedestrian lights - and NOT turn left).

$ or sp in brackets indicates the place on a signposted turn which the cyclist rides either to (CAPITALS) or towards (lower case) - thus - 'L at A6 ($ BUXTON)' or 'R at A6 ($ Stockport)'.

Unsignposted turns should be labelled no $ or no sp and landmarked as far as possible.

To or continue to implies that there will be a clearly signposted route, which may involve many junctions, to the next place highlighted.

CARE - used sparingly, means unusual hazards, which should be specified - 'bad level crossing' or 'steep descent ending in a T'.