Etape Caledonia sabotaged

HillheadHornet

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/scotland/tay ... 054215.stm

Words cannot describe how disgraceful this is. I am shocked.

jonmack

Read about it on the front page, it's disgusting.

Gazzetta67

Typical of those Snobs in Perthshire - Tory Voting B£&*$rds

a few hours and they want to protest like this - if i had caught one of them i would have kicked their fecking teeth in after giving one of them a good old Glasgow Kiss.

rkdj

I was in the race today - the first race I have ever done and the longest I have ever ridden for. I only started riding a road bike last September and I am 41 years old! My time including the delay when the race was stopped for about an hour, the shortened course, and two puncures was 5.18. One bloke who helped me had retired after 4 punctures in less that 4 miles. There were others as well who retired. At some points the road was littered with bikers fixing tyres - a sad sight indeed.

I am a local guy and it disgusts me that one of my fellow locals probably did this.
I will allow NOT these idiots to spoil what was for me a great day out with other like minded individuals.

Huge thanks to the 2 guys who helped me with my first puncure - i could not get the tyre back on!

Huges thanks to the organisers - who I feel did a first class job.

Huge thanks to the other participants who were all friendly, supportive and patient.

Oh - and by the way I am not a B****RD or a snob and i certainly do not vote Tory. (Although I do understand the previous posters annoyance.)

I will be back next year and I really hope this does not deter other racers. I for one will welcome you back with open arms.

Tusher

Oi! Gazzetta67- over here and I'll give ye a proper Glasca kiss fae a Glesca miss.


Glaswegian born and proud of it, but raised in Perthshire, I was disgusted this morning. Hubby was riding his first sportive- never been involved in anything like this before. He's done all the training, nervous as a kitten first thing this morning, and I was so proud of him finishing. Fantastic atmosphere, and great to meet other cyclists. The organisation was first rate.

Although we were staying with in-laws in Perthshire, I reckon I spend £70 in Pitlochry last night and today. In addition to raising around £400 in sponsorship. I'm sure there are hundreds/thousands who spend and raised more.

If I ever get my paws around the neck of whoever did this........................

(PS I would rather chew my own leg off than vote Tory)

nicklouse

well discussed here http://www.bikeradar.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=12624261

etapecaledonia

Etape Caledonia: Sunday 17th May 2009



Official Statement from the Organisers of the Etape Caledonia



As organisers of the Etape Caledonia we wanted to fully update everyone of exactly what happened at this year’s event – specifically regarding the course sabotage.



A large number of carpet tacks were scattered along sections of the course, by who we can only assume to be protestors of fact that it is a fully closed roads cycling event. This safety issue was highlighted by the lead group of cyclists experiencing punctures at a specific section 43 miles into the route. Subsequently hundreds of additional cyclists also received punctures as they approached the area.



As a result of safety concerns, in co-ordination with the local police and council, we implemented immediate safety contingencies. This included temporary stopping the race mid course while the roads were made as safe as possible. Once we were satisfied with the safety of the course the event was resumed. We are continuing to work with the local police and council to get to the bottom of what happened this year and ensure it won’t happen again.



As organisers of many mass participation events, we want to wholeheartedly thank every single competitor for their amazing attitude, patience and spirit. It was an inspiration.

peanut1978

Was my second sportive and was disgusted with the sabotage.

Hopefully it will not prevent the event running next year.

Wish they could have found the people responsible and taken them to the Shehallion junction to receive a rightful kicking from the few thousand waiting cyclists.

Fortunately I didnt suffer any punctures, but felt very bad for all the riders who did.

Got back to Pitlochry in a time of 4 hours, but the whole affair leaves a bad taste.

peanut1978

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/scotland/tay ... 055240.stm

Paul Bright from Fortingall said: "How refreshing to see that the public has taken direct action to halt an unwanted event forced on them by the local county council.

PAUL BRIGHT IS AN ARSEHOLE

Crapaud

peanut1978 wrote:

... Wish they could have found the people responsible and taken them to the Shehallion junction to receive a rightful kicking from the few thousand waiting cyclists. ...

FromThe Courier

The Courier wrote:

Tayside Police has confirmed it is investigating in the area and is following positive lines of inquiry.

And...

The Courier wrote:

There has always been vocal opposition from a tiny minority of residents to the staging of the Etape—the UK’s only closed-road cycle event.

rkdj

plus one re paul bright

etapecaledonia

Etape Caledonia: Organisers Defiant in the Face of Adversity

IMG, organisers of the Macmillan Cancer Support Etape Caledonia, are today defiant in the wake of a deliberate attempt by mindless vandals to endanger cyclists’ lives and wreak havoc with the event. Buoyed by an influx of messages from local residents, businesses, politicians and business organisations, IMG are determined to implement their plan to open entries immediately for the 2010 Etape Caledonia.

IMG have already taken steps to meet with Tayside Police and Perth & Kinross Council leaders to ensure that there will be no repeat of yesterday’s incident next year.

Jon Hazan, event director, said, “This is an important event for IMG and we are committed to ensuring it is a success, not only for our participants but for the local community.”

“We’ve been overwhelmed with messages from individuals and businesses who are, quite simply, appalled at what has happened on their doorstep, expressing their direct support for the event and encouraging us to return to the area in 2010. I can confirm that the actions of whoever is responsible will do nothing to deter us from returning to Highland Perthshire and strengthens our resolve to make the event a continuing success in 2010.”

Entries are now available for the 2010 Macmillan Cancer Support Etape Caledonia event at www.etapecaledonia.co.uk


The organisers were alerted to a major safety incident early on Sunday morning on a section of the closed road cycle challenge, requiring the event to be halted for 1 hour and 25 minutes. It was discovered that a large number of carpet tacks had been thrown along significant sections of the course and as a result of safety concerns the organisers, in co-ordination with the local police and council, implemented immediate safety contingencies. Once the organisers were satisfied with the safety of the course, the event was resumed.

Expressing his view on the unwelcome incident, Tayside Joint Police Board Convener Ian Mackintosh said today: ‘‘The actions that led to the disruption and considerable inconvenience during the event are nothing short of contemptible.”

He continued, ‘‘Whilst I am appalled that anyone would act in such an irresponsible fashion and run the real risk of injuring large numbers of people, I was greatly heartened by the outcry that followed and the widespread condemnation directed at this dreadful behaviour.”

‘‘The Etape Caledonia is a true highlight on the sporting calendar that attracts thousands of competitors, as well as their friends and family, to one of the UK’s most stunning landscapes. The event and the many people that it draws to Perthshire are warmly received by the overwhelming majority of the local community.”

He concluded, ‘‘I would ask anyone with information that could assist enquiries to come forward and having spoken with the Deputy Chief Constable today I am confident that Tayside Police will work swiftly to identify those responsible and hold them to account. Furthermore, I would hope when those responsible are put in front of the court that a very strong line is taken.’’


Charity partner Macmillan Cancer Support, who had over 1000 fundraisers riding in the event, also expressed their support for the future of the event. Eleanor Whitfield, challenge events co-ordinator from Macmillan commented “Thanks to the effort and determination of 3,500 cyclists, Sunday’s 81-mile Macmillan Cancer Support Etape Caledonia was a huge success raising a staggering £250,000 for Macmillan Cancer Support.”

She continued, “Macmillan would like to say very big thank you to all the participants for their patience and camaraderie - despite the incident on the course, the mood remained positive throughout and disruption to both the enjoyment and fundraising was minimal. Team Macmillan are very much looking forward to Etape Caledonia 2010 when we hope to raise even more money for Macmillan to help provide vital support to people affected by cancer.” She continued.

With police investigations still in progress, Tayside Police continue to follow a positive line of enquiry into what they describe as “reckless and irresponsible actions”. They are appealing to anyone who has any information that could assist the investigation to call Tayside Police on 0300 111 2222, or speak to any officer.

Councilor John Kellas, Perth & Kinross Council's Convener of Enterprise & Infrastructure, piled further condemnation on the incident in support of the event.

He said, "The entire Enterprise & Infrastructure Committee deplore this irresponsible and, frankly, dangerous behaviour. It is fortunate that no-one was injured as a result. We are all disgusted by this reckless act. We fully support Tayside Police in their efforts to track down whoever is responsible and encourage anyone with information to contact the Police.”

"I am pleased however that yesterday's incident did not prevent thousands of people from enjoying the Etape Caledonia, the community events that complemented it and what Highland Perthshire has to offer. Furthermore, it will not deter us, or the organisers, from our wider shared purpose - to deliver massive benefits to the local economy."

Mike Beale, President of Perthshire Chamber of Commerce, issued a statement on behalf of the many businesses in the area that have contacted them, also condemning the actions of the saboteurs. Mike commented:

“We have been contacted by many local businesses today expressing their dismay and anger that a single criminal act of such a mindless minority could take place in what is a most beautiful part of Scotland. I was fortunate to be at the event as a spectator and personally witnessed how mutually supportive the participants were of each other’s shared plight and their spirit in the face of adversity is much to be admired.”

“On behalf of the local business community I would urge the organisers not to be put off by the vandalism that this year’s event has experienced. They clearly have strong support from the local business community to continue growing an event that has a demonstrable and positive impact on Destination Perthshire.”

proto

I was talking today to somone, a furniture maker we do work for, who lives in Aberfeldy. Sensible intelligent fellow, a Scot, a non cyclist but someone who would give a fair and unbiased opinion on the race and its 'local' problem.

I asked him about the Etape. He answered that the route goes past his door and on Sunday movement is difficult, but it's only a few hours, and with a bit of forethought not a problem, and he was in favour. He thought that this would be the opinion too of the vast majority of locals, especially as now in the last two years local businesses have caught onto the idea of making good money out of the event.

He went on to say though, that he thought the organisers had made a seious blunder when establishing the Etape three yeras ago. They had opened discussions with the council but failed to engage in any way with the local community. No explanation or consideration, just presented a 'fait accomplis'. Inevitably a few locals, who dislike being told what to do irrespective of the circumstances, dug in.

peanut1978

any ideas who the guy who has been charged is?

peanut1978

http://www.cyclingweekly.co.uk/news/62_ ... 82864.html

JWallace

Anyone on Sunday who suffered damage to their Cycle i sugest you invoice this man directly

[deleted - don't do this - Jeff Jones]

JWallace

The way Forward would be to take small claims court action against the convicted person/s involved in Sundays action,if enough people did this it would bankrupt the person/s involved

Jim Wallace