Velo South 2018

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  • PhilipPirrip
    PhilipPirrip Posts: 616
    Imposter wrote:
    Bottom briquettes wrote:
    Imposter wrote:
    Bottom briquettes wrote:
    Slowbike wrote:
    Strong winds at the end of September into October is not unusual.... it’s almost predictable
    Not this strong. My buddy reckons this is the worst he’s seen coming in, since 1987.

    Sounds like your weather-watching 'buddy' is about as well-informed as you usually are. There have been far worse weather events since 87 and while Sunday's weather looks rough, it is likely to be a long way from the apocalypse you appear to be predicting.. :roll:
    Give it rest.

    Says the guy who has now posted on this thread under three different usernames. Is that a record?
    I'm surprised with all the doom-mongering someone hasn't used the name Chicken Licken.
  • imposter2.0
    imposter2.0 Posts: 12,028
    PhilipPirrip wrote:
    I'm surprised with all the doom-mongering someone hasn't used the name Chicken Licken.

    It's just a matter of time...
  • dombo6
    dombo6 Posts: 582
    mrfpb wrote:
    l'etape London seems to be going ahead.

    Looking at comments earlier about poor support for Velo Birmingham riders, vs my experience of l'etape Wales (as one of the last finishers, I was escorted in by a motorbike marshall, I got my medal, I got my pint of horrible alcohol free beer), it seems to me that CMS are quite poor at the support side and contingency planning considering the expense of the event. I don't think I'd sign up for any of their events.

    What is it with sportive organisers and that stuff? We were given pints of it after the Dragon Ride, when all you want is an egg and bacon sarny, a couple of pints of Brains SA, and a Mars bar.
  • dannbodge
    dannbodge Posts: 1,152
    Imposter wrote:
    Tashman wrote:

    BUT, Velo South will try again. And so we may have to call on your good services again in the future.

    I would have thought that now was the perfect time for SVS to initiate their stated aim of putting on a 'better' event. Sadly, it seems all they are doing in this statement is re-committing to preventing any other events of a similar nature. Bunch of liars...

    Agreed.

    Surely a better statement would be "We look forward to working with CMS and the council etc to put together a plan for future planning of events etc"
  • Bottom briquettes
    Bottom briquettes Posts: 198
    Dombo6 wrote:
    mrfpb wrote:
    l'etape London seems to be going ahead.

    Looking at comments earlier about poor support for Velo Birmingham riders, vs my experience of l'etape Wales (as one of the last finishers, I was escorted in by a motorbike marshall, I got my medal, I got my pint of horrible alcohol free beer), it seems to me that CMS are quite poor at the support side and contingency planning considering the expense of the event. I don't think I'd sign up for any of their events.

    What is it with sportive organisers and that stuff? We were given pints of it after the Dragon Ride, when all you want is an egg and bacon sarny, a couple of pints of Brains SA, and a Mars bar.

    The organisers are on a kick back from the manufacturers. After Velo Birmingham, the free beer was actually a quite acceptable local craft beer, it was in a can, but it wasn’t bad. The problems really only occurred if the riders were so slow, they finished when people were packing everything away.
  • Bottom briquettes
    Bottom briquettes Posts: 198
    Dannbodge wrote:
    Imposter wrote:
    Tashman wrote:

    BUT, Velo South will try again. And so we may have to call on your good services again in the future.

    I would have thought that now was the perfect time for SVS to initiate their stated aim of putting on a 'better' event. Sadly, it seems all they are doing in this statement is re-committing to preventing any other events of a similar nature. Bunch of liars...

    Agreed.

    Surely a better statement would be "We look forward to working with CMS and the council etc to put together a plan for future planning of events etc"

    They appear to be a selfish bunch of anti cyclist NIMBYs. All they seem to want, is to do anything to stop cyclists using ‘their roads’.
  • imposter2.0
    imposter2.0 Posts: 12,028
    Bottom briquettes wrote:
    The organisers are on a kick back from the manufacturers.

    Otherwise known as 'sponsorship'... :roll:
  • dombo6
    dombo6 Posts: 582
    Imposter wrote:
    Bottom briquettes wrote:
    Slowbike wrote:
    Strong winds at the end of September into October is not unusual.... it’s almost predictable
    Not this strong. My buddy reckons this is the worst he’s seen coming in, since 1987.

    Sounds like your weather-watching 'buddy' is about as well-informed as you usually are. There have been far worse weather events since 87 and while Sunday's weather looks rough, it is likely to be a long way from the apocalypse you appear to be predicting.. :roll:

    Really? Could you tell us which ones were worse than 1987?
  • imposter2.0
    imposter2.0 Posts: 12,028
    Dombo6 wrote:

    Really? Could you tell us which ones were worse than 1987?

    2013 and 2017 come to mind - but it depends on how you are categorising 'worse'. 87 was mainly as bad as it was due to the lack of preparedness as much as anything else.
  • dombo6
    dombo6 Posts: 582
    Imposter wrote:
    Dombo6 wrote:

    Really? Could you tell us which ones were worse than 1987?

    2013 and 2017 come to mind - but it depends on how you are categorising 'worse'. 87 was mainly as bad as it was due to the lack of preparedness as much as anything else.

    According to the Met Office neither were as bad as 1987. Cost of damage and lives lost would be a good measure.
    So in 1987 we could have somehow dried out the sodden ground and removed the leaves from the trees before the storm hit to prevent them being blown over? And of course we had the same forecasting accuracy then as we do now.
  • imposter2.0
    imposter2.0 Posts: 12,028
    edited September 2018
    Dombo6 wrote:
    So in 1987 we could have somehow dried out the sodden ground and removed the leaves from the trees before the storm hit to prevent them being blown over? And of course we had the same forecasting accuracy then as we do now.

    Clearly we did not have the same forecasting accuracy then as we do now - because the 87 storm was not forecast, and therefore not expected. If it had been expected, perhaps some of the 18 people who died as a result of the storm might have been able to make alternative plans for that evening... :roll:
  • slowbike
    slowbike Posts: 8,498
    Oh for sprockets sake - why are we arguing about the ferocity (or not) of a storm - it really doesn't matter - the event has been cancelled because there's a good chance of weather that would make it dangerous to ride for a good number of the participants - participants are getting refunds - that's all there is to it.
  • kingstongraham
    kingstongraham Posts: 28,183
    Imposter wrote:
    Dombo6 wrote:

    Really? Could you tell us which ones were worse than 1987?

    2013 and 2017 come to mind - but it depends on how you are categorising 'worse'. 87 was mainly as bad as it was due to the lack of preparedness as much as anything else.

    I know it's off topic, but... my local memory was that every road and rail line out of Haslemere was blocked for several days, no electricity to the whole town for a couple of days because all the power lines were down. I don't think you can avoid that by having a day's notice.

    I wouldn't have fancied cycling in it.
  • davep1
    davep1 Posts: 837
    I'm kind of glad the organisers have taken the decision away from me. I missed 4 weeks of riding mid August, and the 50 miles last Sunday told me I would have had a personal battle on my hands for the second half of the ride. If it does rain from 3 pm Saturday all through the night the road surface will be sketchier than usual, and the thought of being blown down Spithandle lane with some nervous/infrequent riders in the rain...

    The organisers say they hope to put it on next year, but I wonder if the thought of the protesters getting arsey again might put them off.

    I don't believe any of that tosh the protesters put up about wanting to put on a better event, I am sure that wasn't on their website until a few weeks after. I think they just put that up to seem more reasonable, and not just a bunch of moaning self-righteous tossers. Is there any way we can get on their site and let them know what we think of them?
  • dombo6
    dombo6 Posts: 582
    Slowbike wrote:
    Oh for sprockets sake - why are we arguing about the ferocity (or not) of a storm - it really doesn't matter - the event has been cancelled because there's a good chance of weather that would make it dangerous to ride for a good number of the participants - participants are getting refunds - that's all there is to it.

    He started it :lol:
  • imposter2.0
    imposter2.0 Posts: 12,028
    DaveP1 wrote:
    Is there any way we can get on their site and let them know what we think of them?

    Not without hacking it, unfortunately. Although there is a FB page which appears to be the same people.. https://www.facebook.com/groups/stopvelo/
  • mrfpb
    mrfpb Posts: 4,569
    l'etape London now postponed or cancelled (they haven't decided which).
  • Bottom briquettes
    Bottom briquettes Posts: 198
    mrfpb wrote:
    l'etape London now postponed or cancelled (they haven't decided which).

    That’ll be cancelled then.
  • N0bodyOfTheGoat
    N0bodyOfTheGoat Posts: 6,061
    For what it's worth, I did a hilly ~50 miler a bit earlier and all the tree lined cat4 climbs were littered with hazardous bits of branches and dead leaves (fine while climbing, but the ones I descended on were taken very cautiously), not to mention the nasty gust crosswind as I descended North Lane after climbing Harvesting Lane.

    Given today is supposed to be as good as it gets until after the weekend, I think Velo South made the right call, I was questioning my own sanity (again) as I descended after climbing Harvesting with a tailwind because I knew the forecast was talking about ~50mph gusts on Butser Hill before I left.
    ================
    2020 Voodoo Marasa
    2017 Cube Attain GTC Pro Disc 2016
    2016 Voodoo Wazoo
  • shipley
    shipley Posts: 549
    ugo.santalucia wrote:
    ...so in the end local residents will feel like they won the battle but not the war yet. I suspect there won't be a 2019 Velosouth. They have the momentum on their side to fight any possible rescheduling. At some point local councils will realise it's just not worth all the hassle involved and will take the opportunity to pull out...

    although there might be legal and ifinacial implications in doing so...

    What a palaver for a bicycle ride!

    I agree - what a mess, and ultimately nobody wins.

    I’m a local and the road closures would have included my road but I would’ve enjoyed using the conveniently closed roads for my normal Sunday ride. I have (limited) sympathy for some people affected by the closures. For example all buses to our village were cancelled for the day disrupting some people who work Sundays in the nearby town.

    I have no sympathy for the idiots who were campaigning as if this was a 2 week closure and even less for CMS who made such a hash of introducing this event without any real local consultation. I doubt therefore that they will get another opportunity as the peasants are now revolting. I’m pleased they will be hit in the pocket - they seem to be a very poorly run organisation.

    I do hope there is no residual anxt against local cyclists although I’m expecting a few close passes on my forthcoming rides so will be armed with my GoPro. What a shame it can’t be the same as Belgium or France where our sport is embraced.

    Ho hum......
  • Bottom briquettes
    Bottom briquettes Posts: 198
    Shipley wrote:
    ugo.santalucia wrote:
    ...so in the end local residents will feel like they won the battle but not the war yet. I suspect there won't be a 2019 Velosouth. They have the momentum on their side to fight any possible rescheduling. At some point local councils will realise it's just not worth all the hassle involved and will take the opportunity to pull out...

    although there might be legal and ifinacial implications in doing so...

    What a palaver for a bicycle ride!

    I agree - what a mess, and ultimately nobody wins.

    I’m a local and the road closures would have included my road but I would’ve enjoyed using the conveniently closed roads for my normal Sunday ride. I have (limited) sympathy for some people affected by the closures. For example all buses to our village were cancelled for the day disrupting some people who work Sundays in the nearby town.

    I have no sympathy for the idiots who were campaigning as if this was a 2 week closure and even less for CMS who made such a hash of introducing this event without any real local consultation. I doubt therefore that they will get another opportunity as the peasants are now revolting. I’m pleased they will be hit in the pocket - they seem to be a very poorly run organisation.

    I do hope there is no residual anxt against local cyclists although I’m expecting a few close passes on my forthcoming rides so will be armed with my GoPro. What a shame it can’t be the same as Belgium or France where our sport is embraced.

    Ho hum......

    Quite.
  • kingrollo
    kingrollo Posts: 3,198
    dunno ...its a forlorn hope ...but maybe as they take refuge in there houses as the storm hits - and dont fancy going down the pub....it just may cross there minds ...' was it all really worth it'

    I didnt think there would be a 2nd velo brum - but there is.....velothon wales went through a ropey through years with protests ....but is now pretty much accepted.
    VS 2019.....Count me in !
  • ugo.santalucia
    ugo.santalucia Posts: 28,318
    Storm in a teacup? Hasty decisions?

    Looks like a normal autumn day now

    https://www.metoffice.gov.uk/public/wea ... 2018-09-23
    left the forum March 2023
  • kingrollo
    kingrollo Posts: 3,198
    ugo.santalucia wrote:
    Storm in a teacup? Hasty decisions?

    Looks like a normal autumn day now

    https://www.metoffice.gov.uk/public/wea ... 2018-09-23

    yeah....they should just have asked you shouldnt they ?
  • gavinbay
    gavinbay Posts: 144
    Shipley wrote:
    ...I agree - what a mess, and ultimately nobody wins.

    I’m a local and the road closures would have included my road but I would’ve enjoyed using the conveniently closed roads for my normal Sunday ride. I have (limited) sympathy for some people affected by the closures. For example all buses to our village were cancelled for the day disrupting some people who work Sundays in the nearby town.

    I have no sympathy for the idiots who were campaigning as if this was a 2 week closure and even less for CMS who made such a hash of introducing this event without any real local consultation. I doubt therefore that they will get another opportunity as the peasants are now revolting. I’m pleased they will be hit in the pocket - they seem to be a very poorly run organisation.

    I do hope there is no residual anxt against local cyclists although I’m expecting a few close passes on my forthcoming rides so will be armed with my GoPro. What a shame it can’t be the same as Belgium or France where our sport is embraced.

    Ho hum......

    Totally agree with all the above.

    If closing roads you can't do it for 9.5hrs - The Etape du Tour manages similar numbers and major roads are closed for only 2.5hrs with the broom wagon picking up stragglers - apart from the final climbs that is.

    There should be more thought into the route and the subsequent hours that roads needs to be closed.

    Tomorrow is still looking foul and it's the weather later today through the night that would have been problematical for the event.

    And as a major Sods Law goes, weather for all next week is looking glorious all be it with a fresh breeze at times, which is good as I had a "Bike Fit" with Simon Macnamara of South Downs Bikes mid week and will be interesting to see if it sorts problems out which have been exasperated this week kiting in the superb conditions we've had all week.

    Mate going big
    lew_2209.jpg
    Cycling Routes in the Hautes Alpes Serre Chevalier Briancon
  • ugo.santalucia
    ugo.santalucia Posts: 28,318
    kingrollo wrote:
    ugo.santalucia wrote:
    Storm in a teacup? Hasty decisions?

    Looks like a normal autumn day now

    https://www.metoffice.gov.uk/public/wea ... 2018-09-23

    yeah....they should just have asked you shouldnt they ?

    At no point the Metoffice showed conditions beyond cycling... maybe other sites, who glamorise weather forecast for money, but not the Metoffice.

    Anyway, I am sure their liability in case of accidents during a yellow warning made it impossible to carry on... I guess the solution is to pass on the liability to the riders... but then they wouldn't get approval for road closures and such things... basically back to square one about the real opportunity of these events
    left the forum March 2023
  • kingrollo
    kingrollo Posts: 3,198
    ugo.santalucia wrote:
    kingrollo wrote:
    ugo.santalucia wrote:
    Storm in a teacup? Hasty decisions?

    Looks like a normal autumn day now

    https://www.metoffice.gov.uk/public/wea ... 2018-09-23

    yeah....they should just have asked you shouldnt they ?

    At no point the Metoffice showed conditions beyond cycling... maybe other sites, who glamorise weather forecast for money, but not the Metoffice.

    Anyway, I am sure their liability in case of accidents during a yellow warning made it impossible to carry on... I guess the solution is to pass on the liability to the riders... but then they wouldn't get approval for road closures and such things... basically back to square one about the real opportunity of these events

    personally I think 15,000 cyclists in predicted average 30mph winds ...with 50 mph gusts ....it would be a brave organiser who gives that green for go.
    another cycling l etape has also been cancelled.

    a poster on here who rode part of the course yesterday....agrees with the cancellation.

    but theyve all got it wrong and ugo was right all along.

    Ffs ...he was even suggesting people shell out £200 on an overnight stay then abandon the ride after 5 miles...

    i think he must also hold the records for most posts in a thread discussing an event he never had any intention of riding !!!!
  • Bottom briquettes
    Bottom briquettes Posts: 198
    edited September 2018
    The storm that’s coming through for tomorrow does look pretty extreme. I’ve been watching the BBC weather animations. That’s a lot of dark blue, and a lot of strong wind. It’s right over the route, exactly when the majority of the riders would have been on the course. I reckon it’s a good call, from the organisers.

    https://www.bbc.co.uk/weather
  • ugo.santalucia
    ugo.santalucia Posts: 28,318
    kingrollo wrote:

    a poster on here who rode part of the course yesterday....agrees with the cancellation.

    but theyve all got it wrong and ugo was right all along.

    Ffs ...he was even suggesting people shell out £200 on an overnight stay then abandon the ride after 5 miles...

    i think he must also hold the records for most posts in a thread discussing an event he never had any intention of riding !!!!

    What's yesterday got to do with tomorrow?

    Anyway, it doesn't have to be "ad hominem"... I have the right to have an opinion, even if I never had any intention to ride the event.

    I think in their position they had little choice but to curb or cancel, or wait a little longer. Looking at it now, it is probably on pair with RL 100, which did go ahead with not many more problem than previous years (in 2014 the very wet weather was forecasted well in advance and it did go ahead with a mildly revised course). If they held their nerves a few hours longer, maybe they could have got away with running a wet event. Wind doesn't seem a big issue now... 15 mph with gusts of 30-35 is hardly newsworthy.

    I appreciate that cancellation plays your game, as you had already made up your mind days before, so there will be no FOMO and no losses, but that doesn't make it the best outcome and I bet come tomorrow the organisers will regret it. I don't see this happening in 2019 or ever after. Going ahead with a moderately revised course would have set a precedent and maybe the opportunity to run it again in the future.

    Decisions, decisions... as it stands I think cancelling was the wrong decision, maybe the forecast will change again :wink:

    The important thing is that we keep being civilised and not insult and finger point each other, innit? :wink:
    left the forum March 2023
  • kingrollo
    kingrollo Posts: 3,198
    ugo.santalucia wrote:
    kingrollo wrote:

    a poster on here who rode part of the course yesterday....agrees with the cancellation.

    but theyve all got it wrong and ugo was right all along.

    Ffs ...he was even suggesting people shell out £200 on an overnight stay then abandon the ride after 5 miles...

    i think he must also hold the records for most posts in a thread discussing an event he never had any intention of riding !!!!

    What's yesterday got to do with tomorrow?

    Anyway, it doesn't have to be "ad hominem"... I have the right to have an opinion, even if I never had any intention to ride the event.

    I think in their position they had little choice but to curb or cancel, or wait a little longer. Looking at it now, it is probably on pair with RL 100, which did go ahead with not many more problem than previous years. If they held their nerves a few hours longer, maybe they could have got away with running a wet event. Wind doesn't seem a big issue now... 15 mph with gusts of 30-35 is hardly newsworthy.

    I appreciate that cancellation plays your game, as you had already made up your mind days before, so there will be no FOMO and no losses, but that doesn't make it the best outcome and I bet come tomorrow the organisers will regret it. I don't see this happening in 2019 or ever after. Going ahead with a moderately revised course would have set a precedent and maybe the opportunity to run it again in the future.

    Decisions, decisions... as it stands I think cancelling was the wrong decision, maybe the forecast will change again :wink:

    The important thing is that we keep being civilised and not insult and finger point each other, innit? :wink:

    I thought you were sneering at a shortened course ...as a shameless money grab earlier ?

    see the post from BB above about the weather forecast....or is that wrong as well.

    had it gone ahead and there had been serious incidents ...i wonder what you would have been posting here...

    "they put cyclists lives at risk to increase their profit margins"

    .....you always wanted this event to fail....maybe you should join svs ....

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