Velo Birmingham 2017

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Comments

  • lettingthedaysgoby
    lettingthedaysgoby Posts: 1,732
    ugo.santalucia wrote:
    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 day
    More likely is that they consulted with the councils who then faced objections from miserable locals leaving them with no choice but to change the route.
  • ugo.santalucia
    ugo.santalucia Posts: 28,313
    lettingthedaysgoby wrote:
    ugo.santalucia wrote:
    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 day
    More likely is that they consulted with the councils who then faced objections from miserable locals leaving them with no choice but to change the route.

    Yes, but the fact remains that they advertised a closed roads route before consulting the councils about it, which is not the correct way round. I've heard heads have fallen
    left the forum March 2023
  • kingrollo
    kingrollo Posts: 3,198
      ugo.santalucia wrote:
      lettingthedaysgoby wrote:
      ugo.santalucia wrote:
      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 day
      More likely is that they consulted with the councils who then faced objections from miserable locals leaving them with no choice but to change the route.

      Yes, but the fact remains that they advertised a closed roads route before consulting the councils about it, which is not the correct way round. I've heard heads have fallen

      I thought it was joint venture. Its a private company running it on behalf of the council. Originally it was plannned for 2018 - but then swiftly brought forward. ....there is not expected to be a 2018 velo birmingham.
    • kingrollo
      kingrollo Posts: 3,198
      Whats everybody hoping for for average speed ? - just read on the birmingham velo FAQ that the last rider off will need to average 11.8 mph to finish in time. I would think loads aren't going to make that....
    • ugo.santalucia
      ugo.santalucia Posts: 28,313
      kingrollo wrote:
      Whats everybody hoping for for average speed ? - just read on the birmingham velo FAQ that the last rider off will need to average 11.8 mph to finish in time. I would think loads aren't going to make that....

      Judging by the rumours, they might have to cut things even shorter than the current 95 mile shortened route, as there is a bit of a revolt going on in Staffordshire. To be honest I completely symphatise with residents and businesses and I don't think events of this scale on closed roads in densely populated areas should be allowed to go ahead.
      left the forum March 2023
    • lettingthedaysgoby
      lettingthedaysgoby Posts: 1,732
      It's for a few hours of one day in a year. Some people just delight in finding things to complain about.
    • lettingthedaysgoby
      lettingthedaysgoby Posts: 1,732
      kingrollo wrote:
      Whats everybody hoping for for average speed ? - just read on the birmingham velo FAQ that the last rider off will need to average 11.8 mph to finish in time. I would think loads aren't going to make that....
      16.5 is my target.
    • kingrollo
      kingrollo Posts: 3,198
      ugo.santalucia wrote:
      kingrollo wrote:
      Whats everybody hoping for for average speed ? - just read on the birmingham velo FAQ that the last rider off will need to average 11.8 mph to finish in time. I would think loads aren't going to make that....

      Judging by the rumours, they might have to cut things even shorter than the current 95 mile shortened route, as there is a bit of a revolt going on in Staffordshire. To be honest I completely symphatise with residents and businesses and I don't think events of this scale on closed roads in densely populated areas should be allowed to go ahead.

      Well I have a ex colleague who works for one of the councils and as far as he is aware all the road closures are agreed.

      He told me the council has received a small number of complaints from shops\cafes on the original route complaining it has been routed away from them !
    • kingrollo
      kingrollo Posts: 3,198
      lettingthedaysgoby wrote:
      kingrollo wrote:
      Whats everybody hoping for for average speed ? - just read on the birmingham velo FAQ that the last rider off will need to average 11.8 mph to finish in time. I would think loads aren't going to make that....
      16.5 is my target.

      14 is mine. ive 60 miles averaging 15.5 with 3,000 ft of climbing - but that's on roads I know and a couple of 40mph descents....I will back off descending on unfamiliar roads and lots of cycle traffic.
    • ugo.santalucia
      ugo.santalucia Posts: 28,313
      I'd be surprised if in a closed road peloton style ride you'll average less than 20 mph
      left the forum March 2023
    • kingrollo
      kingrollo Posts: 3,198
      Anyone else got there start time.
      My is 8.00am B1.
      Seems behind each wave there is a broom wagon - and is you average under 11.8 mph - you will asked to get off you bike and be transported to the finish line. Could make it a bit tight for some if get a puncture or other mechanical.
      Everyone gets 8.5 hours - you don't get more time if you start early - perhaps this is the norm Ive never done a closed road sportive before.
    • lettingthedaysgoby
      lettingthedaysgoby Posts: 1,732
      kingrollo wrote:
      Anyone else got there start time.
      My is 8.00am B1.
      Seems behind each wave there is a broom wagon - and is you average under 11.8 mph - you will asked to get off you bike and be transported to the finish line. Could make it a bit tight for some if get a puncture or other mechanical.
      Everyone gets 8.5 hours - you don't get more time if you start early - perhaps this is the norm Ive never done a closed road sportive before.
      I don't think this is right - in the rider guide it says the sweep vehicles will depart 10 minutes after the final wave.

      I'm in B4, 8:20am. Would have preferred something a bit earlier but hey ho.
    • kingrollo
      kingrollo Posts: 3,198
      lettingthedaysgoby wrote:
      kingrollo wrote:
      Anyone else got there start time.
      My is 8.00am B1.
      Seems behind each wave there is a broom wagon - and is you average under 11.8 mph - you will asked to get off you bike and be transported to the finish line. Could make it a bit tight for some if get a puncture or other mechanical.
      Everyone gets 8.5 hours - you don't get more time if you start early - perhaps this is the norm Ive never done a closed road sportive before.
      I don't think this is right - in the rider guide it says the sweep vehicles will depart 10 minutes after the final wave.

      I'm in B4, 8:20am. Would have preferred something a bit earlier but hey ho.

      So it does. it also says every ride gets 8.5 hours to complete the ride - yet it would seem the earlier (presumably faster) riders will get more ? - perhaps it should have said 'at least 8.5 hours'
    • lettingthedaysgoby
      lettingthedaysgoby Posts: 1,732
      Yeah. Think in practical terms - how would cars after each wave work? It would imply you couldn't overtake into any group ahead of you...
    • lettingthedaysgoby
      lettingthedaysgoby Posts: 1,732
      There seem to be quite a few people moaning about their start times - seems some fast people have ended up in the later start slots. I've also seen a few people saying that they're not sure they'll be able to get round in 8.5 hours and that they should be in the first groups because of this. The potential safety issues this would cause don't seem to register...
    • SR7492
      SR7492 Posts: 190
      My start time is 7.20; happy with that as I wanted a earlier time so I don't get caught up in bottlenecks into the ride (mind you, I still will)

      Plus most of my friends are all starting with me; pretty excited.

      I initially wondered how they eeked out 6k of climbing but having taken a more in depth look at the route and terrain, this is a full on rolling hills ride; with some sharp but small inclines. Nothing flat and fast about this ride (good job I cycle in Yorkshire then)
    • kingrollo
      kingrollo Posts: 3,198
      ugo.santalucia wrote:
      I'd be surprised if in a closed road peloton style ride you'll average less than 20 mph

      How do you arrive at the conclusion ? -sure there aren't many big climbs - but I don't see much straight fast road either.
      OK - if you link up with a group that goes at your pace that will speed you up a little - but equally battle to stay or just go with too fast a group. you going to burn yourself out.
      I rode a section of it a the weekend and a group of us averaged just a tad under 14mph
    • graememacd
      graememacd Posts: 386
      kingrollo wrote:
      ugo.santalucia wrote:
      I'd be surprised if in a closed road peloton style ride you'll average less than 20 mph

      How do you arrive at the conclusion ? -sure there aren't many big climbs - but I don't see much straight fast road either.
      OK - if you link up with a group that goes at your pace that will speed you up a little - but equally battle to stay or just go with too fast a group. you going to burn yourself out.
      I rode a section of it a the weekend and a group of us averaged just a tad under 14mph

      I would have thought 17-18mph would be easily achievable being on closed roads. Although talking about Staffordshire residents moaning, my local news paper stated that farmers in Bobbington were talking about blocking the route with tractors. They have form for anti cycling rants in the past but this would be a new level of small mindedness from them
    • kingrollo
      kingrollo Posts: 3,198
      I rode around 60 miles of the route with a local club. Its quite lumpy with a few dragging hills - the big hill at 85 miles isn't to bad. The good news is there are some sections of fast road so enough to keep your average up.
      I averaged 14.3 over 50 miles of it.
    • ugo.santalucia
      ugo.santalucia Posts: 28,313
      kingrollo wrote:
      I rode around 60 miles of the route with a local club. Its quite lumpy with a few dragging hills - the big hill at 85 miles isn't to bad. The good news is there are some sections of fast road so enough to keep your average up.
      I averaged 14.3 over 50 miles of it.

      Peloton effect, you'll be a lot quicker on the day... especially on the fast sections... 20 mph on your own can easily become 26-27 in a peloton
      left the forum March 2023
    • kingrollo
      kingrollo Posts: 3,198
      ugo.santalucia wrote:
      kingrollo wrote:
      I rode around 60 miles of the route with a local club. Its quite lumpy with a few dragging hills - the big hill at 85 miles isn't to bad. The good news is there are some sections of fast road so enough to keep your average up.
      I averaged 14.3 over 50 miles of it.

      Peloton effect, you'll be a lot quicker on the day... especially on the fast sections... 20 mph on your own can easily become 26-27 in a peloton

      I will be happy with 14+
    • EagleDay
      EagleDay Posts: 16
      Did the ride yesterday, no problem with the distance but came out about 2.5mph under pace so I have decided to withdraw. Not happy about the broom wagons starting 10m after the last wave. I would still have taken part for the experience if I felt I could have had a half decent ride before being picked up. No doubt there will be a lot of inexperienced first timers that would appreciate more time also.
      I hope there will be no problems with agitators or protestors, there is a lot of spite toward cyclists. All the bus stops on the 255 route through Wombourne have been posted as "out of use for the duration of Velo 100". The only time the ride conflicts with the bus route is Hinksford Lane in Swindon. A couple of minor detours would have solved any problem. I overheard somebody saying a carboot has been cancelled.............plenty of alternative routes to get to the site.
      My guess is somebody is trying to stir up even more venom toward cyclists.
    • barongreenback
      barongreenback Posts: 229
      ugo.santalucia wrote:
      kingrollo wrote:
      I rode around 60 miles of the route with a local club. Its quite lumpy with a few dragging hills - the big hill at 85 miles isn't to bad. The good news is there are some sections of fast road so enough to keep your average up.
      I averaged 14.3 over 50 miles of it.

      Peloton effect, you'll be a lot quicker on the day... especially on the fast sections... 20 mph on your own can easily become 26-27 in a peloton

      Never ridden in a big group before until I found myself in the middle of a Wiggle sportive. Amazing how much difference it makes. Anyway, I’m hoping for 16.5 mph average. I bet the start will be slow though.
    • kingrollo
      kingrollo Posts: 3,198
      EagleDay wrote:
      Did the ride yesterday, no problem with the distance but came out about 2.5mph under pace so I have decided to withdraw. Not happy about the broom wagons starting 10m after the last wave. I would still have taken part for the experience if I felt I could have had a half decent ride before being picked up. No doubt there will be a lot of inexperienced first timers that would appreciate more time also.
      I hope there will be no problems with agitators or protestors, there is a lot of spite toward cyclists. All the bus stops on the 255 route through Wombourne have been posted as "out of use for the duration of Velo 100". The only time the ride conflicts with the bus route is Hinksford Lane in Swindon. A couple of minor detours would have solved any problem. I overheard somebody saying a carboot has been cancelled.............plenty of alternative routes to get to the site.
      My guess is somebody is trying to stir up even more venom toward cyclists.

      Are you in the last wave ?
      The lack of slowing down at junctions and bunch riding effect would give you some more speed. But I get your point who wants to ride one step ahead of the broom wagon ?
      Im off at 8 ...so think i have more time than those in the last wave.
    • lettingthedaysgoby
      lettingthedaysgoby Posts: 1,732
      EagleDay wrote:
      Did the ride yesterday, no problem with the distance but came out about 2.5mph under pace so I have decided to withdraw. Not happy about the broom wagons starting 10m after the last wave. I would still have taken part for the experience if I felt I could have had a half decent ride before being picked up. No doubt there will be a lot of inexperienced first timers that would appreciate more time also.
      I hope there will be no problems with agitators or protestors, there is a lot of spite toward cyclists. All the bus stops on the 255 route through Wombourne have been posted as "out of use for the duration of Velo 100". The only time the ride conflicts with the bus route is Hinksford Lane in Swindon. A couple of minor detours would have solved any problem. I overheard somebody saying a carboot has been cancelled.............plenty of alternative routes to get to the site.
      My guess is somebody is trying to stir up even more venom toward cyclists.
      I'd still do it - the closed roads and bunch riding will get you round in time.
    • sh3p
      sh3p Posts: 98
      did the wales velothon earlier in the year,and the closed roads and group riding for pretty much the full route upped our estimated average from 16.5mph to 19.8mph, i would say 1mph of that was just not having to stop.
      i doubt the broom wagon will catch you :)
    • ugo.santalucia
      ugo.santalucia Posts: 28,313
      sounds like pre-ride anxiety to me... just go out and enjoy yourself... you paid a lot of money, nobody will sweep you out of the road.
      You will be just fine
      left the forum March 2023
    • lettingthedaysgoby
      lettingthedaysgoby Posts: 1,732
      Well, my bike now has a number on it. Can't wait for tomorrow :)
    • EagleDay
      EagleDay Posts: 16
      Should've listened to some of you folk. Just looked at the result, some took as long as 15hrs.
      I'll know better next year.
    • barongreenback
      barongreenback Posts: 229
      Really well organised event and for a first time event, the support was amazing (people of Bewdley, give yourself a massive pat on the back - I will be visiting again and spending my cash there). Miles 80-90 were tough!!!

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