Velo South 2018
Comments
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Latest news from Stop Velo South is that they are organising large groups of protesters to walk along sections of the route. I presume with the intention of blocking the road so the 'Lycra Louts' (us) cannot get through.
One of their main arguments was how long the roads will be closed for. If they do go ahead then delays will only keep the roads shut for even longer!
Ouch... Another own goal for Stop Velo South!!0 -
Will be interesting to see a) how many actually do that and b) how many hold their nerve when several thousand bikes approach them at 20mph or more...0
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... Or maybe 12 mph...lettingthedaysgoby wrote:Will be interesting to see a) how many actually do that and b) how many hold their nerve when several thousand bikes approach them at 20mph or more...0 -
iglooboy wrote:Latest news from Stop Velo South is that they are organising large groups of protesters to walk along sections of the route. I presume with the intention of blocking the road so the 'Lycra Louts' (us) cannot get through.
One of their main arguments was how long the roads will be closed for. If they do go ahead then delays will only keep the roads shut for even longer!
Ouch... Another own goal for Stop Velo South!!
I’ve got a mini D lock. It fits around my fingers.0 -
It'll be a lovely day for a walk, what with no cars polluting up the place.iglooboy wrote:Latest news from Stop Velo South is that they are organising large groups of protesters to walk along sections of the route. I presume with the intention of blocking the road so the 'Lycra Louts' (us) cannot get through.
One of their main arguments was how long the roads will be closed for. If they do go ahead then delays will only keep the roads shut for even longer!
Ouch... Another own goal for Stop Velo South!!
Traditionally MY West Sussex is all huff & puff but no trousers (well apart from the odd red corduroy) I don't envisage too much of a protest certainly no tacks on the road.
I would suggest the blatantly obvious - play nice and be whiter than white, anyone really wanting to be an arse will be desperate for retaliation, they'll have their phones ready.
"Lovely day isn't it, and so peaceful"
I did see one 'Yes to cycling - No to Velosouth' sign, but it wasn't on the route anyway.
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It's mainly smooth tarmac, whatever tyre you are using will be fine, just get your pressure up.Slowbike wrote:I'll be on a mix of 4000's and 4seasons - as I have those on the wheels on my bike ... assuming I take that one - I might take another bike - which will have a slightly different mix ...
It's country lanes - there may be a little bit of smooth tarmac somewhere - but don't bank on it - if you're changing tyres then it may be as well to go slightly wider unless you already do...
You lot are bibbling on like you're riding through The Somme.
Sure Spithandle Lane is on the route, but even that has been recently top dressed.
I was talking a friend through the route and miles 21 to 34 & 52 to 71 are to be enjoyed.
You will encounter some potholes but you'll soon get a sense of where they are most likely, away from civilization and over hanging trees ought to get your spider senses tingling.0 -
PostieJohn wrote:
I was talking a friend through the route and miles 21 to 34 & 52 to 71 are to be enjoyed.
The section 21 to 34 miles are the dullest ride I’ve ever done, I mean truly brain damagingly tedious. 52 to 71 miles are a nice opportunity to get yourself ready for the climbs, and there’s a cracking little pub, called the red Lion on that stretch, ( it’s possibly the Red Lyon, I forget ) they’re both on the route, I forget which one is which. Of course, I imagine most people will be too busy ‘smashing it’ to notice, or bother stopping there, but ( as far as I know ) there’s no rule about not stopping for break at somewhere like that.0 -
Fair enough I am quite partial to a 'smash it' section on my rides, the road is smooth, undulating but a little downhill and potential tailwind, what's not to like!Bottom briquettes wrote:
The section 21 to 34 miles are the dullest ride I’ve ever done, I mean truly brain damagingly tedious. 52 to 71 miles are a nice opportunity to get yourself ready for the climbs, and there’s a cracking little pub, called the red Lion on that stretch, ( it’s possibly the Red Lyon, I forget ) they’re both on the route, I forget which one is which. Of course, I imagine most people will be too busy ‘smashing it’ to notice, or bother stopping there, but ( as far as I know ) there’s no rule about not stopping for break at somewhere like that.0 -
DaveP1 wrote:
... Or maybe 12 mph...lettingthedaysgoby wrote:Will be interesting to see a) how many actually do that and b) how many hold their nerve when several thousand bikes approach them at 20mph or more...
Or closer to ~8mph up www.strava.com/segments/18793605 ================
2020 Voodoo Marasa
2017 Cube Attain GTC Pro Disc 2016
2016 Voodoo Wazoo0 -
Even that will seem fast after a month of not riding with a broken scapula...NitrousOxide wrote:DaveP1 wrote:
... Or maybe 12 mph...lettingthedaysgoby wrote:Will be interesting to see a) how many actually do that and b) how many hold their nerve when several thousand bikes approach them at 20mph or more...
Or closer to ~8mph up http://www.strava.com/segments/187936050 -
As I spend a long time in the French Alps from June to Sept I knew nothing about this event, and it all came as a bit of a surprise when I was out cycling close to where I live in the UK to see all these signs and then some quick Googling I discover the event and then the feckin StopVelo, just amazing, can you really imagine that happening in France or anywhere else!
So hope you don't mind if I take advantage (subject to the weather) of some of the closed roads I'll have on my doorstep next Sunday
And in the meantime, for the past 15 or so years I run a weather site for the wind and kitesurfing community with a weather station uploading live data minute by minute from the beach at Worthing and naturally I keep a very close eye on the weather to determine if it's kiting or cycling weather and I blog accordingly as to what the weather prospects might be.
Currently seven days away it's too far off to make any exact calls.
For sure this coming week there's a lot of weather tracking in from the Atlantic. We should start to have a better idea Tues/Wed.
As for tyres when back in the UK I ride all the lanes / roads being used in the Velo South. One thing is if there is heavy rain on the Saturday then that will wash gravel and tiny shards of flint into the lanes, so apart from gravel on the bends to watch out for it can also be puncture city, so keep an eye on rainfall in the preceding couple of days.
I personally use Conti 4 Seasons 28mm
Link to my weather page / blog
http://www.anotherharddayattheoffice.co ... ercam.html0 -
Would love to know how you forecast the weather from one side of the Downs to the other. I think the Met Office station is at Shoreham Airport but I tend to look at the forecast for Horsham as its usually closer to what happens north of the Downs.GavinBay wrote:As I spend a long time in the French Alps from June to Sept I knew nothing about this event, and it all came as a bit of a surprise when I was out cycling close to where I live in the UK to see all these signs and then some quick Googling I discover the event and then the feckin StopVelo, just amazing, can you really imagine that happening in France or anywhere else!
So hope you don't mind if I take advantage (subject to the weather) of some of the closed roads I'll have on my doorstep next Sunday
And in the meantime, for the past 15 or so years I run a weather site for the wind and kitesurfing community with a weather station uploading live data minute by minute from the beach at Worthing and naturally I keep a very close eye on the weather to determine if it's kiting or cycling weather and I blog accordingly as to what the weather prospects might be.
Currently seven days away it's too far off to make any exact calls.
For sure this coming week there's a lot of weather tracking in from the Atlantic. We should start to have a better idea Tues/Wed.
As for tyres when back in the UK I ride all the lanes / roads being used in the Velo South. One thing is if there is heavy rain on the Saturday then that will wash gravel and tiny shards of flint into the lanes, so apart from gravel on the bends to watch out for it can also be puncture city, so keep an eye on rainfall in the preceding couple of days.
I personally use Conti 4 Seasons 28mm
Link to my weather page / blog
http://www.anotherharddayattheoffice.co ... ercam.html0 -
Spent 4 hours today all over the eastern half of the Velosouth route. It was possibly the best day I have ever encountered for courteous driving, I don't think we had one close pass.
Fingers crossed for good weather next weekend, and if there are any protests let's hope they are only verbal0 -
DaveP1 wrote:Would love to know how you forecast the weather from one side of the Downs to the other. I think the Met Office station is at Shoreham Airport but I tend to look at the forecast for Horsham as its usually closer to what happens north of the Downs.
You make a good point as the weather can be totally different from one side of the Downs to the other, so it's knowing what type of weather is going on as it were, and where it's at.
First up I'm a fair weather cyclist and combine that with kitesurfing you'll very rarely see my out in the wet riding as invariably if the weather is grim (wet n'windy) I'll be out on the sea.
So if we're looking at a series of lows/depressions tracking across from the Atlantic weather we get S Side of the Downs will be similar to N Side, and could well be the case next Sunday, but still too early to make the call.
From May to September we will get other weather patterns that are a little easier to second guess.
First rule as ever is to get out early in the morning if the weather is suspect, not only to avoid the traffic but weather has yet to kick in, namely winds build in the morning along with convection over the Downs producing clouds inland.
Rain radar is a great tool to see where the showers are and how they are tracking, there tends to be a definite route from showers out in the Channel / Solent tracking up through the M3 / A3 corridor, we look at those to determine how they might affect the wind if they do come our way as they can affect the sea breeze and winds can switch offshore along with squalls not good if kiting and those are the squalls heavy showers that can drench you if cycling inland in the afternoon.
https://www.netweather.tv/live-weather/radar
There's also a great app Weather&Radar which is worth the small outlay
If it's High pressure then it tends to be dry though wind's can still be fresh NE'lys.
This weekend we had a breeze circa 16mph so route choice was interesting to avoid being exposed to head on winds and that's the beauty of the Sussex lanes in that you can hide yourself away from the winds, route I did yesterday was a good example of that. https://www.strava.com/activities/1845161404
Currently weather for Sat is grim, strong winds and rain heavy at times*, good news is that the precipitation might just track through leaving a fresh W'ly air flow for the Sunday.
*will make lanes gritty as per my first post0 -
If that was aimed at me - then .... Charming .... I'm proposing doing nothing to my bike - no tyre change, no gearing change, no change at all ... but then I ride roads in the area week in week out ...PostieJohn wrote:You lot are bibbling on like you're riding through The Somme.0 -
I think you should all stop obsessing about the weather.
If I had to trust the weather forecast, yesterday it was supposed to rain for 3 hours and there was 15-18 mph wind with 30-35 mph gusts... I should have stayed home...
Instead I went for a 9 hour ride and it was a wonderful day!
Pack a waterproof (always!) and ignore the forecast is my adviceleft the forum March 20230 -
Personally - I don't ignore forecasts - I can think of things worse than 9 hours in howling wind and rain on my bike ... but if I'm going to be doing that then I want to be a bit more prepared ... contrary - if the forecast is for there to be no chance of rain and a nice day - then I'm not going to be carrying everything I would be if it's going to be wet all day.ugo.santalucia wrote:I think you should all stop obsessing about the weather.
Pack a waterproof (always!) and ignore the forecast is my advice
But doing anything other than looking at the forecast for indication this far out is a bit nuts .. it'll change before the day ...0 -
Slowbike wrote:
Personally - I don't ignore forecasts - I can think of things worse than 9 hours in howling wind and rain on my bike ... ...ugo.santalucia wrote:I think you should all stop obsessing about the weather.
Pack a waterproof (always!) and ignore the forecast is my advice
But the thing is that the forecast didn't give an accurate picture... yes it was windy, but in the lanes I was very sheltered and it didn't rain at all... well, I think it rained for one minute...
Likewise, I have been out on perfect forecasts just to find out that it wasn't so perfect after all.
Always pack a waterproof and ignore the rest, unless there is a weather warning or something...left the forum March 20230 -
ugo.santalucia wrote:Slowbike wrote:
Personally - I don't ignore forecasts - I can think of things worse than 9 hours in howling wind and rain on my bike ... ...ugo.santalucia wrote:I think you should all stop obsessing about the weather.
Pack a waterproof (always!) and ignore the forecast is my advice
But the thing is that the forecast didn't give an accurate picture... yes it was windy, but in the lanes I was very sheltered and it didn't rain at all... well, I think it rained for one minute...
Likewise, I have been out on perfect forecasts just to find out that it wasn't so perfect after all.
Always pack a waterproof and ignore the rest, unless there is a weather warning or something...
I know what you're saying - forecasts are rarely accurate - especially when you're riding through valleys & over hills - it's knowing which forecasts are better and what they're actually saying that's key - local knowledge really helps here!
Always pack a waterproof? Nope - not me - not if I know it's not going to be wet - and if it's going to do a little bit of rain - then I'll go for a gilet instead...
Right now - BBC have forecast a grey saturday and better on sunday. MetOffice are forecasting greyer saturday with more chance of rain and a reasonable sunday...
Fairly mediocre then - I'm certainly not going to be sorting out my foul weather kit just yet - better make sure my sunglasses are ready though
- but just need to keep an eye because there's obviously a weather front going to come through at some point around the weekend - let's just hope it's not on sunday.... 0 -
It's how this low pressure develops and how fast it tracks across.
The image will update automatically and date / times will change accordingly.
It's one reason why I don't enter events like this in the UK as if it's uber windy etc then the sea is the best place
Mind you today was glorious packing in 1,100m in 72km over the South Downs.0 -
GavinBay wrote:It's how this low pressure develops and how fast it tracks across.
The image will update automatically and date / times will change accordingly.
It's one reason why I don't enter events like this in the UK as if it's uber windy etc then the sea is the best place
Mind you today was glorious packing in 1,100m in 72km over the South Downs.
There are about six Atlantic lows active at present, which could track our way, before Sunday. My ( usually pretty accurate ) farmer buddy, is of the opinion most of them will miss, but his computer modelling thing is giving a 60 percent chance of a particularly horrible looking one, hitting on Saturday or early Sunday. I’ll do what I normally do for events in this neck of the woods, at this time of the year. Pack everything I need, for tropical conditions, and everything I need for Arctic storm conditions, I can’t go wrong then. I’m told It looks like we’re in for an El Niño winter, so that shouldn’t be so bad.0 -
Well guys various weather models as ever are disagreeing about what might happen.
Kiting mates last night were getting excited about this for the weekend, and you'll see that the Low comes in Sunday and not Saturday, and if indeed those windspeeds (knts) are realistic the organisers might start to get Health & Safety cold feet about the event.
https://old.windguru.cz/int/index.php?sc=47912
I tend never to use the above and dear old Met Office still has breezy day but nothing too dramatic, but it will depend on how that Low tracks across and how it develops.
Here today on the South Coast blowing nigh on 40mph
This is the link to the synoptic charts - http://www.anotherharddayattheoffice.co ... tml#charts
Current Weather at : 8:17
Date 18/09/18
Wind SW
5 min average top wind speed: 36.0
10 min average top wind speed: 38.0
Highest Gust past 24hrs: 40.0 at 7:22
Wind Chill: 14.1 °C
Pressure: 1007.4 Rising Slowly
Temperature: 18.2 °C
Sunrise: 6:40
Sunset: 19:070 -
Windy tends to have the same as above ie 20-25kts coming from the SW for Sunday (Windy is a great app for android/IOS). I never use the BBC/Met Office as reguarly this year they have said it would be bright and sunny for the current time whilst pi**ing it down and vice versa, and if they cant even get the current weather right, their crystal ball is definitely off kilter0
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Look for the positives, if the weather is foul the SVS gang will quickly lose interest and return to the dry and warm to protest via their keyboards.0
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You guys seem obsessed enough to try weather Bagel... some folks swear by it :-)
http://www.weatherbagel.com/left the forum March 20230 -
ugo.santalucia wrote:You guys seem obsessed enough to try weather Bagel... some folks swear by it :-)
http://www.weatherbagel.com/
Nice idea - but thing is like the WindGuru image above, which is totally out of sync with others, you can't / shouldn't really rely on one model.
For Sunday, it will only be on Saturday that you can have a better idea as to when that Low arrives or not.
It was only a few years ago that a big Sportive over the N Downs was cancelled due to the weather (can't remember which one) and I'm sure the organisers will be evaluating this, just hope they don't make the wrong call too early, would really have to be on the day. Tough decision to make either way.0 -
ugo.santalucia wrote:You guys seem obsessed enough to try weather Bagel... some folks swear by it :-)
http://www.weatherbagel.com/
Forensic tyre choices, complex weather modelling.... is this sportive or formula one?
anyone just fancy going for a ride?0 -
It’s possible to enjoy both. I’ll point my bike up the road no matter what the weather on Sunday, but I still enjoy all this chit chat beforehandPoweredByIdris wrote:Forensic tyre choices, complex weather modelling.... is this sportive or formula one?
anyone just fancy going for a ride? 0 -
GavinBay wrote:
It was only a few years ago that a big Sportive over the N Downs was cancelled due to the weather (can't remember which one) and I'm sure the organisers will be evaluating this, just hope they don't make the wrong call too early, would really have to be on the day. Tough decision to make either way.
Bit too much at stake to cancel... mammooth organisation that can't be replicated easily. In case of weather warning they'll probably just curb the route to some very essential and turn it into a non-refundable farse. Could even end up being 20 laps of Goodwood circuit... Slowbike is a sucker for laps
Has anyone read the smallprint about event changes/cancellation?left the forum March 20230 -
Eh? Am I? 15k riders going around Goodwood?! actually, it won't be - it'll be a couple of thousand max as most will have wimped out....ugo.santalucia wrote:Could even end up being 20 laps of Goodwood circuit... Slowbike is a sucker for laps
Has anyone read the smallprint about event changes/cancellation?[/quote]
yup - basically you only get your money back if they change the date of the event and you inform them you can't do it within 7 days of publication...
Anything else - including court judgements - you're stuffed ...
However - I think it could be argued under 9.3.2 for fraud or fraudulent misrepresentation; if the court decides they can't close the roads as it was sold as a closed roads sportive - which if they cannot provide then that's arguably mis-sold ... it'd be one for the courts anyway 0
