Velo Birmingham 2017
Comments
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On the application page you had to state what ability level you were, I kinda assumed they'd put all the faster riders at the front, rather than mixing everyone up. I certainly don't want to be getting in anyones way.paul2718 wrote:Good for you! This is a big part of what these events are about.
But the other part is the opportunity to ride 100 miles on closed roads at a decent pace in groups. Getting a bit of the race experience. And this is incompatible when mixed with a large number of beginners. Last year's RL my team started at 6.06 and it was a brilliant experience. This year for some unknown reason 7.38 and it was miserable and dangerous.
So when they announced the costs I decided £115 was taking the mickey.
Regardless the route looks good, harder than the RL100 and passing through some beautiful countryside.
(I'm almost talking myself into it...)
Paul
Anyway, I have 12 months to get prepared, with a keen cyclist friend who is going to help me and do the ride with me. With a bit of luck I won't be too slow or wobbly
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lettingthedaysgoby wrote:
On the application page you had to state what ability level you were, I kinda assumed they'd put all the faster riders at the front, rather than mixing everyone up. I certainly don't want to be getting in anyones way.paul2718 wrote:Good for you! This is a big part of what these events are about.
But the other part is the opportunity to ride 100 miles on closed roads at a decent pace in groups. Getting a bit of the race experience. And this is incompatible when mixed with a large number of beginners. Last year's RL my team started at 6.06 and it was a brilliant experience. This year for some unknown reason 7.38 and it was miserable and dangerous.
So when they announced the costs I decided £115 was taking the mickey.
Regardless the route looks good, harder than the RL100 and passing through some beautiful countryside.
(I'm almost talking myself into it...)
Paul
Anyway, I have 12 months to get prepared, with a keen cyclist friend who is going to help me and do the ride with me. With a bit of luck I won't be too slow or wobbly
Well done - great to sign up for a personal challenge - hope it goes well and you enjoy it
I hope you don't meet any of the people who have not been supportive here of your challenge. Most cyclist aren't like that. Everyone had a starting moment like you - they just won't admit it.0 -
thegreatdivide wrote:ugo.santalucia wrote:[My feeling is that people take way more risks descending if they assume there is nobody coming up the road. Etape Caledonia is relatively flat, so it might have a better record in that respect.
And as if by magic...
Forgot there is in fact one descent at 5 % averageleft the forum March 20230 -
ugo.santalucia wrote:thegreatdivide wrote:ugo.santalucia wrote:[My feeling is that people take way more risks descending if they assume there is nobody coming up the road. Etape Caledonia is relatively flat, so it might have a better record in that respect.
And as if by magic...
Forgot there is in fact one descent at 5 % average
How's the organising for your bike meet going Ugo? Yeah, thought so...0 -
thegreatdivide wrote:ugo.santalucia wrote:thegreatdivide wrote:ugo.santalucia wrote:[My feeling is that people take way more risks descending if they assume there is nobody coming up the road. Etape Caledonia is relatively flat, so it might have a better record in that respect.
And as if by magic...
Forgot there is in fact one descent at 5 % average
How's the organising for your bike meet going Ugo? Yeah, thought so...
WTF are you trying to imply?left the forum March 20230 -
Captain Chaos wrote:
Well done - great to sign up for a personal challenge - hope it goes well and you enjoy it
I hope you don't meet any of the people who have not been supportive here of your challenge. Most cyclist aren't like that. Everyone had a starting moment like you - they just won't admit it.
Er, no, not quite :roll:
Personally I like bikes/cycling, bought one and rode it.
I did start running to lose weight (or 'personal challenge' if you prefer).
Similar thing there though. I bought trainers and went for a run.
I lost the weight and subsequently entered running events because I liked them/running.
I just don't agree with entering the biggest cycling (or running) event you can find without having any interest in cycling (or running).0 -
lettingthedaysgoby wrote:
On the application page you had to state what ability level you were, I kinda assumed they'd put all the faster riders at the front, rather than mixing everyone up. I certainly don't want to be getting in anyones way.paul2718 wrote:Good for you! This is a big part of what these events are about.
But the other part is the opportunity to ride 100 miles on closed roads at a decent pace in groups. Getting a bit of the race experience. And this is incompatible when mixed with a large number of beginners. Last year's RL my team started at 6.06 and it was a brilliant experience. This year for some unknown reason 7.38 and it was miserable and dangerous.
So when they announced the costs I decided £115 was taking the mickey.
Regardless the route looks good, harder than the RL100 and passing through some beautiful countryside.
(I'm almost talking myself into it...)
Paul
Anyway, I have 12 months to get prepared, with a keen cyclist friend who is going to help me and do the ride with me. With a bit of luck I won't be too slow or wobbly
Don't worry about it. When I took up riding again I hadn't been on a bike for 20 years. I bought a bike in January, first went out on it in Feb and did my first 100 in May, in less than 6hrs. You'll be fine.0 -
Why not? It's about a personal challenge, pushing yourself, just doing something different and/or a bit silly.Carbonator wrote:I just don't agree with entering the biggest cycling (or running) event you can find without having any interest in cycling (or running).
I took part in the world bog snorkelling championships last year for the same reasons
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[Castle Donington Ladies FC - going up in '22]0
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Carbonator wrote:Captain Chaos wrote:
I just don't agree with entering the biggest cycling (or running) event you can find without having any interest in cycling (or running).
Typical elitist bollocks. The hugely oversubscribed London Marathon and Great North Run attract thousands who have never run or are total novices. Long distance triathlon attracts novices, my first tri was Iron distance and less than a year after I learnt to swim. I don't recall any disasters in the swim and I was out in less than 90.
My local cycling club are equally elitist, no place for you if you can't average 20mph for 60 miles. Presumably a reason why they have a few dozen members and a low local profile and why another group in the same town who have group rides for every speed and distance, have family and social events have hundreds.
The argument that the city and countryside aren't a match for London and Surrey is flawed, sure London is great but there are some proper shit areas, Worcestershire and Herefordshire are beautiful, Box Hill is famous but there are equal or better climbs in the Midlands.
Incidentally I live in Birmingham and haven't entered, partly because I'm expecting surgery to repair my knackered ankle early next year but mainly because I've seen the reports of carnage at Ride London. But that's my choice and I won't knock anybody for giving it a go.0 -
ChippyK wrote:Incidentally I live in Birmingham and haven't entered, partly because I'm expecting surgery to repair my knackered ankle early next year but mainly because I've seen the reports of carnage at Ride London. But that's my choice and I won't knock anybody for giving it a go.
To be fair what puts some people off about the number of novices is the carnage you mention. You read the reports of ride london and people are complaining about "club riders" overtaking too close or on both sides and you realise that not everyone is comfortable with the kind of bunch riding you are. That's fair enough - no reason there shouldn't be events for everyone - but I can understand why people might not want to ride these mass participation affairs because of the number of inexperienced riders.
That said it wouldn't bother me too much, I don't see how it can be more risky than a 3/4 circuit race ![Castle Donington Ladies FC - going up in '22]0 -
Galatzo wrote:lettingthedaysgoby wrote:First post here.
Well, I signed up for it and paid my 75 quid. Yes, it's a lot of money, but I live in Birmingham and like to support local events. The closed roads part really appeals to me also.
Just a few minor issues I have to get out the way though:
1 - The last time I was on a bike in any meaningful way was almost 20 years ago
2 - I am mildly overweight and extremely unfit
3 - I don't own a bike
So, the next 12 months are somewhat of a personal challenge
Glad your getting back in to cycling but for me your another reason why I wouldn't do this (not just you personally mate).
There will be a lot of people with poor bike handling skills/manners (newbies and mamils) and thinking they are in a race and can do what the hell they like, it'll be like the Sa Calobra in April (by that I mean riding etiquette of course).
I'd rather take an early Sunday morning on quiet but not closed roads round my way than this.
Closed roads are great but with the right crowds. I did one in Austria and it was truly amazing if completely, 12 hour, exhausting.
These observations may be fairly general but here goes;
UK sportives seem to attract a different type of rider to those on the continent, usually a less experiences rider so there will be less competent people riding in groups - this is just one of those things and to be honest the organisers need to appreciate that.
Rides like this will appeal to the newcomer and fair play. They get a chance to ride on closed roads and will hopefully get more confident and be happier riding on the open road as a result.
It is most likely the riders who have been riding for 18-24 months who cause problems as they think they are experienced and won't be told by anyone that they aren't and possibly need to be more careful. There is nothing worse than a rider whose perceived ability is massively different to their actual ability.
As far as seeding the start grid goes, pretty much every man entering will overestimate his ability which is fine as they all do so. Ladies are generally more honest so it'll be less experienced men riding with more experienced ladies - this causes problems, especially on climbs / descents.
Having slower riders in the front pen will cause problems.
I completely sympathise with your Sa Calobra comments - Majorca is full of half wits who can't ride bikes. Go somewhere else, this problem isn't going away.
Closed road sportives are more suited to the newer riders. Experienced riders and those while will 'race' it are generally the problem.0 -
Rodrego Hernandez wrote:
These observations may be fairly general but here goes;
UK sportives seem to attract a different type of rider to those on the continent, usually a less experiences rider so there will be less competent people riding in groups - this is just one of those things and to be honest the organisers need to appreciate that.
Rides like this will appeal to the newcomer and fair play. They get a chance to ride on closed roads and will hopefully get more confident and be happier riding on the open road as a result.
It is most likely the riders who have been riding for 18-24 months who cause problems as they think they are experienced and won't be told by anyone that they aren't and possibly need to be more careful. There is nothing worse than a rider whose perceived ability is massively different to their actual ability.
If that was true it would be great, I totally get the need for mass participation events who encourage newcomers in the sport... generally these closed roads 10+K entrants rides attract more than one type though... they do in fact attract pretty fit folks who want to smash the course at 25 mph, as well as those dressed like bananas who want to ride for McMillan. My feeling is that the former should find something better to do... there are more challenging events for those who seek a personal challenge and there are proper races for those who want to race, so that market is already catered for extensively... I think it's just mental laziness to be honest... a bit like going to Tesco instead of doing a butcher + grocer trip in townleft the forum March 20230 -
The ToC is a race, followed by a sportive followed by a leisure ride. It seems like a pretty good setup to me.
The problem is fast groups trying to find their way through crowds of riders not paying attention, and the way that on any slight incline someone will more or less stop leading to the road filling with riders hard on the brakes. In the RL this year this happened in (I think) the Limehouse tunnel. Which goes down then up. So an 'experienced' group will be doing well over 30mph down and expecting to hold most of that up and be back on the flat before noticing, but a 'beginner' group will be coasting down, waiting for the speed to drop on the up, changing into the little ring and treating it as a climb. When the former catch the latter in the near dark it is just dodgy.That said it wouldn't bother me too much, I don't see how it can be more risky than a 3/4 circuit race !
Paul0 -
Well, they're saying there's now less than 750 places left :shock:0
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You have a year to get ready and the training will support health gains throughout the course of the year. Good luck, exactly the type of story I love to hear attached to these events.lettingthedaysgoby wrote:
Carbonator wrote:
Entering a 100 mile sportive without a bike or having ridden one for 20 years is whats pathetic.
Well, that's certainly made me feel welcome, thanks.
I wish you all the best mate, but just completely disagree with your stated solution to your stated problem.
Its in many ways like entering a marathon without owning a pair of trainers or run for 20 years.
Personally I would get some trainers, have a jog around the block, and enter a 5k first.
I've done loads of events in Scotland, England and France, throw in a bit of touring and some cx racing (way off he back) yet underneath all the experiences I'm still bog average. By that I mean in terms of speed and many of the aspects which many people like to use to elevate their cycling status. Couldn't care less any more so my advice is do your own thing, work hard and have fun.
Might see you there as my wife has asked for me to help her build up to 100 miles after Achilles surgery has kept her off the bike for a year.0 -
lettingthedaysgoby wrote:First post here.
Well, I signed up for it and paid my 75 quid. Yes, it's a lot of money, but I live in Birmingham and like to support local events. The closed roads part really appeals to me also.
Just a few minor issues I have to get out the way though:
1 - The last time I was on a bike in any meaningful way was almost 20 years ago
2 - I am mildly overweight and extremely unfit
3 - I don't own a bike
So, the next 12 months are somewhat of a personal challenge
Good luck with it.
You're in for a lot of work, and you will find it hurts, but if you stick at it you'll get there.
Despite all the negatives you hear, there's no need to feel you have to 'qualify' in some way like you were entering the grand prix. When all's said and done, it's still just a ride around on a bike.
The older I get, the better I was.0 -
I think you overly positive guys are making the negativity up.
I am fully behind lettingthedaysgoby from the point he is now at (and think most cyclists would be), I just disagree with the concept of (and am not saying this is him) being fat/overweight for years, and thinking the magic cure is to simply enter a massive event.
To me thats pathetic (it could not be more minimal!), but it is a start and if thats what works for people, then great.
I think the reality (much more useful than positivity/negativity) is that a lot of people doing this will not train properly and not achieve what they set out to.
In the worse cases this is unhealthy/dangerous, and at best its unhelpful/expensive.
You are quite right, there is no actual qualification needed for this event, but surely you need to be competent and able to finish in the time allowed?
Am I (and other people) really being elitist for thinking that?
What if someone who is very overweight/unfit etc., does not own a bike and has not ridden for 20 years, who enters such an event, then does bugger all for a year and borrows a bike a fortnight before the event?
Is that ok?
Cycling is easy and fun.
What about running?
Enter the London Marathon and buy your trainers the previous weekend?
Sure people do it, but for sure, its pathetic.
Like you say though, it will be hard.
I have lost weight, and it was hard.
I wish it was as easy as just entering an event a year down the line, but its not.
That will not help at all IMO. You have changed nothing in your life other than your bank balance!
Its merely a deadline and if all goes well, a fun day out for the new you.
On a positive note, its worth all the hard work, and I genuinely wish anyone the best in getting there 0 -
We all need motivation, something to aim for. For health and injury reasons I decided not to get a race licence this year and didn't bother entering the Marmotte or Maratona with others I know as I didn't know if I'd be healthy enough to train for them. Upshot is with nothing to train for although there is no medical reason I can't get out on the bike my monthly mileage is about what I'd normally do in a week and I couldn't go out with the guys I'd normally train with as I'd last about 20 minutes. . It might not work for everyone but I reckon most novices would find the VeloBrum ride something to aim for, if a few end up not training and then winging it well no harm done - I wouldn't call it pathetic - we need people who fail anyway otherwise it looks easy![Castle Donington Ladies FC - going up in '22]0
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Sold out on Tuesday. Charity places left.
I now note on their Facebook page that the moaners at the price or the server crash are now moaning because it's sold out and they missed their chance because they were too busy moaning.0 -
The big climb seems to come after 30 miles - looking at the race profile - sure Clent at 80 miles is tagged as the KOM - but theres a few other lumps in there. The blurb IMO tery to make out its a flat route with one climb at the end - looking at the profile that's not the case.0
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So having read through the six pages of this thread, to summarise its a load of posters bitching and whining about an event they weren't ever planning to do, and was definitely going to fail because its dead expensive, even though its sold out.
Jeez, does the weight of your negativity not make the hills a struggle?0 -
Beatmaker wrote:So having read through the six pages of this thread, to summarise its a load of posters bitching and whining about an event they weren't ever planning to do, and was definitely going to fail because its dead expensive, even though its sold out.
Jeez, does the weight of your negativity not make the hills a struggle?
Pretty much sums it up.0 -
They've had 15,000 entries ? Blimey. Is that bigger than Ride London ?0
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The route has been released, interactive map and gpx files available.
https://velobirmingham.com/the-route/0 -
Wel, 6,555 feet is more than I was expecting...0
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Some fairly major changes to the route have been announced. I'm guessing they couldn't get the road closures they needed.
https://velobirmingham.com/the-route/
1754m/5754' of climbing now, which is a bit easier iirc0 -
lettingthedaysgoby wrote:Some fairly major changes to the route have been announced. I'm guessing they couldn't get the road closures they needed.
https://velobirmingham.com/the-route/
1754m/5754' of climbing now, which is a bit easier iirc
Even looks easy for me........If St Kenelms is the biggest hill .....easy peasy.....0 -
The rumour is they cocked it completely, basically they anounced road closures before even consulting the local councils... you can imagine the rest... it'll be interesting to see wat happens on the dayleft the forum March 20230
