Etape Caledonia

12357…10

Comments

  • Shaved Legs
    Shaved Legs Posts: 12
    Road races are subject to BCF rules and you need to provide a certain level on-road security. There needs to be escort vehicles, etc and the numbers are normally limited to 80 depending on the insurance story. You don't specifically need police permission, although you do need to inform them, as in general you're not asking for the roads to be closed.

    The proposal from ACRE is total pish, just like most of their arguments. I use the word "their" cautiously as in reality ACRE is one person (Peter Hounam) who has a handful of moaners rounded up to hold up placards. He's very good at writing letters and generating publicity, but he doesn't have any real support - tack spreading nutters aside.

    Given that you have timing chips in the event it is arguably a time trial already. In a road race all competitors start together, in a TT you start at timed intervals as you do with the staggered start times in the Etape. The only difference to a TT is you have multiple competitors starting at the same time.
  • aberdeen_lune
    aberdeen_lune Posts: 547
    The last time I did the EC there was a bit of drafting going on. That's not allowed on a time trial. Maybe it's a wheelsuckers TT.
  • bompington
    bompington Posts: 7,674
    If you look up Peter Hounam you'll see that he's most famous to the non-cycling world for his role in the story of Mordecai Vanunu (the Israeli who blew the whistle on their nuclear stuff).
    Also, I notice his book "Who killed Diana" in the bibliography, apparently he argues that Prince Philip was seen scattering carpet tacks in the path of the mercedes on that fateful night.

    Anybody got any Israeli contacts? Should we invite a Mossad team to enter the Etape?
  • thecrofter
    thecrofter Posts: 734
    bompington wrote:
    Anybody got any Israeli contacts? Should we invite a Mossad team to enter the Etape?

    Ahh, but Mossad doesn't exist :wink:
    You've no won the Big Cup since 1902!
  • BigG67
    BigG67 Posts: 582
    thecrofter wrote:
    bompington wrote:
    Anybody got any Israeli contacts? Should we invite a Mossad team to enter the Etape?

    Ahh, but Mossad doesn't exist :wink:

    Though there are some pretty nasty British tennis enthusiasts out there... :wink:
  • thecrofter
    thecrofter Posts: 734
    BigG67 wrote:

    Though there are some pretty nasty British tennis enthusiasts out there... :wink:

    Sorry, not with you
    You've no won the Big Cup since 1902!
  • BigG67
    BigG67 Posts: 582
    The Mossad agents in Dubai who carried out the assasination were dressed in tennis gear incl rackets and some had false UK passports....all allegedly of course....
  • thecrofter
    thecrofter Posts: 734
    Ahh yes I remember


    or do I, with all these "alledgedly's" and conspiracy theories did it happen, did anything happen, am I having this conversation, DO I EXIST.

    I suppose I'll know I exist on Sunday about 12.30 'cos only pain is real and I'm pretty sure there will be some of that
    You've no won the Big Cup since 1902!
  • Joycie
    Joycie Posts: 127
    Ok this is probably a bit of a weird question but what do you do with your bike when you go to the toilet if you're using one of the cubicles at the food stops.

    My bike is fairly new so I hate to leave it unattended anywhere, particularly with no locks on it. Any ideas? Should it be fine unattended for a few moments?

    Sensible suggestions please - sadly enough it's my biggest worry about the day... :shock:
  • kelsen
    kelsen Posts: 2,003
    Joycie wrote:
    Ok this is probably a bit of a weird question but what do you do with your bike when you go to the toilet if you're using one of the cubicles at the food stops.

    My bike is fairly new so I hate to leave it unattended anywhere, particularly with no locks on it. Any ideas? Should it be fine unattended for a few moments?

    Sensible suggestions please - sadly enough it's my biggest worry about the day... :shock:

    You could fit the D-lock bracket to your frame and carry the lock with you around the course, then when the call of nature beckons, just shackle your bike to the nearest sheep leg :D
  • toontra
    toontra Posts: 1,160
    There's a far more balanced piece in today's Courier - perhaps as a response to emails of complaint on their last effort! :wink: - http://www.thecourier.co.uk/output/2010/05/12/newsstory15048131t0.asp

    a serious case of small cogs
  • bompington
    bompington Posts: 7,674
    If you see a dodgy looking bloke on a rusty old raleigh hanging around the toilet cubicles, it's not some perv, it's just me seeing what I can swap the raleigh for!

    TBH I've never even considered the question, I think that you can assume that most sportive types are not going to nick your bike, but now that you mention it, it would be a good place for a bike thief to hang out - as long as you could pedal fast enough to get the bike away...

    I guess if you're really worried, you could just take the front wheel off and take it in with you, that should deter all but the most serious thief. Or just park it in front of a marshall and ask them to keep an eye on it.

    EDIT: I've got Mossad watching my bike for me anyway
  • BigG67
    BigG67 Posts: 582
    Same here; never thyought about it!

    The stop in Rannoch itself is in the town but the one at the top of the climb is only going to have participants at it.

    Ask the bloke in the que for the loo to watch it....or don't stop! Go all TdF and pee from the bike*







    *do not do this...I'm only kidding Mr ACRE
  • thecrofter
    thecrofter Posts: 734
    Moi oci. Never considered it as a possibility. I'd be dumbfounded if anyone was brazen enough to nick a bike at an event like this, especially in rural Scotland, now if it was heading through Niddrie or Castlemilk or the Hilltown, but then I wouldn't be stopping there anyway.
    You've no won the Big Cup since 1902!
  • shane515
    shane515 Posts: 139
    Anyone staying in Pitlochry on the sunday night fancy a post ride beer/food/beer/ etc etc??

    Shane
  • brin
    brin Posts: 1,122
    Just follow Paula's example, nobody noticed :wink:

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W6I2-YP4 ... re=related
  • bompington
    bompington Posts: 7,674
    Bump onto this thread for an accommodation offer:

    My school have a cottage just outside Pitlochry (where the road north out of the town meets the A9), 5 mins slightly downhill to the start line.

    There should have been a bunch of us occupying it, but due to Dundee United's presence in the Scottish cup final the team seems to be thinning - so there are bunk spaces available on the sat night for any forumites* who are still looking for a bed, or if you were planning to travel in the morning but might prefer not to. Couple of ££ towards costs.

    PM me if you're interested

    *unless you're dodgy looking, a PC brigade member, racist etc. And you have to promise not to shake your Assos at me or laugh at my Aldi gear
  • daviesee
    daviesee Posts: 6,386
    shane515 wrote:
    Anyone staying in Pitlochry on the sunday night fancy a post ride beer/food/beer/ etc etc??

    Shane

    Shane,
    I will be staying up but as I can't predict my energy levels I don't want to commit and let people down later.

    How about we pick a rendzvous cafe/restaurant /bar for people to drop into if they can make it?

    I have no personal experience so would be looking for someone with the knowledge to recommend somewhere.
    None of the above should be taken seriously, and certainly not personally.
  • bompington
    bompington Posts: 7,674
    Sorry I'll not be there on Sun night, but the 2 places I would eat in Pitlochry are chips at the Plaice To Be, or quality pub grub and beer at the Moulin.
  • Alain Quay
    Alain Quay Posts: 534
    Moulin is great but very busy.
  • Wamas
    Wamas Posts: 256
    Go to Fishers for scampi in a basket, oh and remember to keep your lycra on to scare the old grannies on the coach tour!!
  • cframe
    cframe Posts: 171
    For something a bit more $$$ and sit-down-ey Fern Cottage has some awesome food http://www.ferncottagepitlochry.co.uk/menu.php

    The Moulin Inn is a great place too, cracking pub grub
    How's that for a slice of fried gold?
  • daviesee
    daviesee Posts: 6,386
    Moulin @ 12:20 if all goes well then 8)
    None of the above should be taken seriously, and certainly not personally.
  • shane515
    shane515 Posts: 139
    daviesee wrote:
    Moulin @ 12:20 if all goes well then 8)
    :D

    Moulin gets my vote but i was thinking 1130! Failing that, any time after 3 :)

    Shane
  • daviesee
    daviesee Posts: 6,386
    12:20 is possibly optimistic for me anyway :oops:

    I had a thought while out on the bike tonight (surprise!).
    Anywhere that may show the Giro?
    None of the above should be taken seriously, and certainly not personally.
  • shane515
    shane515 Posts: 139
    After 2 sounds good, Giro showing bar it is lol
  • rokkala
    rokkala Posts: 649
    Is there a particular amount of time before your start slot that you are supposed to be there for on the Sunday? Or is it just a case of ensuring your on the line for your allocated start time and thats all that matters?

    Less time i spend standing about in the cold doing nothing the better!
  • Dr U Idh
    Dr U Idh Posts: 324
    You need to be coralled into your "wave" and it's a very bust street with 4,000 cyclists milling around. Just make sure you have time to get through the crowd. If it works like last year, you can go in a later wave anyway.
  • rokkala
    rokkala Posts: 649
    Any advice on how long to give myself then to ensure i get away in my allocated 'wave'? An hour, half an hour?

    I'd imagine missing your start time will screw with your time?
  • neilmacd
    neilmacd Posts: 128
    Anyone planning on going for a wee spin late tomorrow afternoon or on Saturday to loosen the legs before the main event on SUnday.
    I'm travelling up tomorrow and staying over until Monday so reckon I've got a fair bit of time to kill
    Scott CR1 Team
    Bitsa training bike. Bitsa this Bitsa that.......
    I'd rather quit than buy from Halfords

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