Velo South 2018
Comments
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BikerGroveish wrote:Whether or not the organisers are ‘money grabbing whatever’s’ or not is of no consequence to me. I paid for a closed road 100 mile ride if anyone tries to ‘disrupt’ it god help them if it affects me.
it sounds like your sense of entitlement is exactly the one I described a few posts above...
Money is there to buy your happiness and if that comes to the detriment of others, it is of no consequence to you.
I see why people get frustrated with this new breed of entitled cyclists... :roll:left the forum March 20230 -
BikerGroveish wrote:I hope anyone who tries to ‘disrupt’ this event gets what they deserve. Whether or not the organisers are ‘money grabbing whatever’s’ or not is of no consequence to me. I paid for a closed road 100 mile ride if anyone tries to ‘disrupt’ it god help them if it affects me.
And another thing... :roll:
the event was advertised and payment was being taken before anyone who lived in the area knew about it !!!
Of _course_ you want to do it, but what makes you think you have any _right_ whatsoever to ride on _closed_ roads ???
What you are signing up for is 'special treatment' at the expense of others. Very democratic... not.
I have nothing against anyone riding the event personally, but I want it to be a complete failure so the organisers dont do any more events like it.0 -
ugo.santalucia wrote:BikerGroveish wrote:Whether or not the organisers are ‘money grabbing whatever’s’ or not is of no consequence to me. I paid for a closed road 100 mile ride if anyone tries to ‘disrupt’ it god help them if it affects me.
it sounds like your sense of entitlement is exactly the one I described a few posts above...
Money is there to buy your happiness and if that comes to the detriment of others, it is of no consequence to you.
I see why people get frustrated with this new breed of entitled cyclists... :roll:
what he supposed to say ?
well ive paid my £100 - but dont mind if somebody stops me riding it.
if someone stopped ugo riding one of his £9 audaxes ....jesus we never hear the end of it !
if he has paid his fee and the road closures are legally agreed hes entitled to ride the event ...obvious innit ?0 -
kingrollo wrote:what he supposed to say ?
well ive paid my £100 - but dont mind if somebody stops me riding it.
if someone stopped ugo riding one of his £9 audaxes ....jesus we never hear the end of it !
if he has paid his fee and the road closures are legally agreed hes entitled to ride the event ...obvious innit ?
He could say "had I known the organisers were such pricks, I wouldn't have signed up... I have, so I will ride it, but next time I'll do my research, because I don't want to upset locals"
As for the Audax... obviously nobody has ever closed a road, not even for the 7,000 and counting Paris-Brest-Paris, it's against the spirit of these things.
Some organisers go as far as advising riders not to park on public roads close to the event start and cause annoyance in the neighbourhood, even when it is perfectly legal to do so.
There are many ways to do the same thing, some more considerate than others. I try to associate myself with the former.
As for the price... some are 9 quid, some are 45, depends what you get... generally it's quite a lot for the moneyleft the forum March 20230 -
Just breathing upsets some locals.ugo.santalucia wrote:He could say "had I known the organisers were such pricks, I wouldn't have signed up... I have, so I will ride it, but next time I'll do my research, because I don't want to upset locals"
At time of publishing there were no details as to how long the roads would be closed or even confirmation of the route - this has happened in subsequent months.
Having read quite a number of the "concerns" there are some very dubious reasons for not closing the road - even suggestions of having it closed roads for the first few - clearly unpractical and fails to protect the slower - and therefore usually less confident riders.
I must admit - I was quite surprised at the length of road closures - but then looking at the start times and the sunrise times it's less surprising at the event timing.
Sunrise on the 23rd September is 06:50 - first rider off is 07:00 - with general entry riders being set off between 07:30 and 09:00.
They've allowed until 18:00 for riders to finish - so 9 hours after the last start - average of just over 11mph with no stops.
They could've restricted the event to those who could do the distance at 15mph - and had the last finish being 16:00 - but that would've dissuaded many doing 100 miles for the first time from entering.
They couldn't really start it much earlier than 0700 as there wouldn't be enough light - and I'd suggest it's probably not sensible to send groups of 100's of riders off in the dark.
The alternative would've been to have the event on open roads - but then, it's just another sportive and you couldn't have the number of riders - couldn't justifty the expense of the venue (many riders will revel riding around the track) and not attract the sponsorship - ie, it just wouldn't happen.
Someone on here mentioned a "Democratic" process in deciding the route/road closures or even the event taking place - last time I looked, the Velo South petition had attracted a little over 1000 signatures - 25000 entrants for the ride - is that democratic enough?
Also mentioned was a suggestion that the riders taking part regularly ride these roads. Well - I don't - not all of them, it'll be my first time riding some of them. I know of at least 30 others coming from further afield who will be new to the majority of the route and even most of local riders doing the course will be on virgin territory.
Ultimately - why does it have to be a closed road sportive? It doesn't - but we couldn't have the numbers of riders taking part (raising money for charity) - and many of the entered riders wouldn't do 100 miles on these roads - not least because the amount of inconsiderate driving that occurs. It should be a pleasure to ride these roads - but there are too many impatient road users (of all sorts). Does that justify closing a road for a few (thousand) riders?0 -
Slowbike wrote:
Just breathing upsets some locals.ugo.santalucia wrote:He could say "had I known the organisers were such pricks, I wouldn't have signed up... I have, so I will ride it, but next time I'll do my research, because I don't want to upset locals"
At time of publishing there were no details as to how long the roads would be closed or even confirmation of the route - this has happened in subsequent months.
Having read quite a number of the "concerns" there are some very dubious reasons for not closing the road - even suggestions of having it closed roads for the first few - clearly unpractical and fails to protect the slower - and therefore usually less confident riders.
I must admit - I was quite surprised at the length of road closures - but then looking at the start times and the sunrise times it's less surprising at the event timing.
Sunrise on the 23rd September is 06:50 - first rider off is 07:00 - with general entry riders being set off between 07:30 and 09:00.
They've allowed until 18:00 for riders to finish - so 9 hours after the last start - average of just over 11mph with no stops.
They could've restricted the event to those who could do the distance at 15mph - and had the last finish being 16:00 - but that would've dissuaded many doing 100 miles for the first time from entering.
They couldn't really start it much earlier than 0700 as there wouldn't be enough light - and I'd suggest it's probably not sensible to send groups of 100's of riders off in the dark.
The alternative would've been to have the event on open roads - but then, it's just another sportive and you couldn't have the number of riders - couldn't justifty the expense of the venue (many riders will revel riding around the track) and not attract the sponsorship - ie, it just wouldn't happen.
Someone on here mentioned a "Democratic" process in deciding the route/road closures or even the event taking place - last time I looked, the Velo South petition had attracted a little over 1000 signatures - 25000 entrants for the ride - is that democratic enough?
Also mentioned was a suggestion that the riders taking part regularly ride these roads. Well - I don't - not all of them, it'll be my first time riding some of them. I know of at least 30 others coming from further afield who will be new to the majority of the route and even most of local riders doing the course will be on virgin territory.
Ultimately - why does it have to be a closed road sportive? It doesn't - but we couldn't have the numbers of riders taking part (raising money for charity) - and many of the entered riders wouldn't do 100 miles on these roads - not least because the amount of inconsiderate driving that occurs. It should be a pleasure to ride these roads - but there are too many impatient road users (of all sorts). Does that justify closing a road for a few (thousand) riders?
Yes, but these things have already been discussed.
Ultimately, the modus operandi of this company is that of selling the tickets before the event even exists. Once they have secured the money, they find ways to make it happen.
THis is no different from selling 50,000 tickets to see Madonna, without she even being aware of it and then negotiating her performance at a later stage.
It is very convenient for the organiser, but it is less so for local councils, who are under pressure on two sides and they have to spend valuable time deliberating on bollox like a closed roads bike ride instead of going on with more urgent matters.
Local resident are disrupted, to which extent is hard to say... minor annoyance for some, big deal for others...left the forum March 20230 -
yet people are still arguing itugo.santalucia wrote:Yes, but these things have already been discussed.ugo.santalucia wrote:Ultimately, the modus operandi of this company is that of selling the tickets before the event even exists. Once they have secured the money, they find ways to make it happen.
THis is no different from selling 50,000 tickets to see Madonna, without she even being aware of it and then negotiating her performance at a later stage.
It is very convenient for the organiser, but it is less so for local councils, who are under pressure on two sides and they have to spend valuable time deliberating on bollox like a closed roads bike ride instead of going on with more urgent matters.
Local resident are disrupted, to which extent is hard to say... minor annoyance for some, big deal for others...
well - it is chicken and egg situation - do you lay on an event - with everything ticked - and risk no one wanting to turn up - or do you check demand for the event (ie registration) then when that shows sufficient demand (sold out very quicky) - you then organise everything.
Actually - you're suggesting that the organisers have done the later - which isn't actually true - they were in discussions with the councils prior to launching the event - they'd need to be, to establish if such an event could feasibly take place. The reports are (as I wasn't there I have to go on reports) that the council were in favour of the event - so they're as responsible for the event as CSM are.
Unfortunately, a few locals are acting like bad motorists - assuming their use of the road is more important than anyone elses.0 -
ugo.santalucia wrote:Slowbike wrote:
Just breathing upsets some locals.ugo.santalucia wrote:He could say "had I known the organisers were such pricks, I wouldn't have signed up... I have, so I will ride it, but next time I'll do my research, because I don't want to upset locals"
At time of publishing there were no details as to how long the roads would be closed or even confirmation of the route - this has happened in subsequent months.
Having read quite a number of the "concerns" there are some very dubious reasons for not closing the road - even suggestions of having it closed roads for the first few - clearly unpractical and fails to protect the slower - and therefore usually less confident riders.
I must admit - I was quite surprised at the length of road closures - but then looking at the start times and the sunrise times it's less surprising at the event timing.
Sunrise on the 23rd September is 06:50 - first rider off is 07:00 - with general entry riders being set off between 07:30 and 09:00.
They've allowed until 18:00 for riders to finish - so 9 hours after the last start - average of just over 11mph with no stops.
They could've restricted the event to those who could do the distance at 15mph - and had the last finish being 16:00 - but that would've dissuaded many doing 100 miles for the first time from entering.
They couldn't really start it much earlier than 0700 as there wouldn't be enough light - and I'd suggest it's probably not sensible to send groups of 100's of riders off in the dark.
The alternative would've been to have the event on open roads - but then, it's just another sportive and you couldn't have the number of riders - couldn't justifty the expense of the venue (many riders will revel riding around the track) and not attract the sponsorship - ie, it just wouldn't happen.
Someone on here mentioned a "Democratic" process in deciding the route/road closures or even the event taking place - last time I looked, the Velo South petition had attracted a little over 1000 signatures - 25000 entrants for the ride - is that democratic enough?
Also mentioned was a suggestion that the riders taking part regularly ride these roads. Well - I don't - not all of them, it'll be my first time riding some of them. I know of at least 30 others coming from further afield who will be new to the majority of the route and even most of local riders doing the course will be on virgin territory.
Ultimately - why does it have to be a closed road sportive? It doesn't - but we couldn't have the numbers of riders taking part (raising money for charity) - and many of the entered riders wouldn't do 100 miles on these roads - not least because the amount of inconsiderate driving that occurs. It should be a pleasure to ride these roads - but there are too many impatient road users (of all sorts). Does that justify closing a road for a few (thousand) riders?
Yes, but these things have already been discussed.
Ultimately, the modus operandi of this company is that of selling the tickets before the event even exists. Once they have secured the money, they find ways to make it happen.
THis is no different from selling 50,000 tickets to see Madonna, without she even being aware of it and then negotiating her performance at a later stage.
It is very convenient for the organiser, but it is less so for local councils, who are under pressure on two sides and they have to spend valuable time deliberating on bollox like a closed roads bike ride instead of going on with more urgent matters.
Local resident are disrupted, to which extent is hard to say... minor annoyance for some, big deal for others...
From what I can gather you don't live anywhere near the event.
you clearly have no intention of riding (Hooray !)
Yet you are permanently on here coming up with increasingly feeble excuses why this ride shouldn't go ahead - and those 15,000 who have signed up are somehow committing so cycling crime - because the event deviates from what you think it should be.
Other posters not in favour of the event have come up with far more valid concerns than your 'middle class entitlement argument'
Seems to me that on Sept 23 other contributors to this thread will be riding their bikes on the route - whilst you will frantically pressing F5 hoping that some chaos has ensued just so you can be proved right.....
it takes all sorts I suppose.0 -
Just to note - I mentioned 25000 entrants - oops -overcooked by 10000 - it is, as KR says - 15000 ...0
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I live on the route (I’m not riding it as I only ride my organised events on the continent as it’s far more pleasant) and don’t like the way this event was created. It’s caught all the useless local / parish councils on the hop (probably the intention of CMS) and unable to collectively engage West Sussex County Council to properly discuss its impact.
Although the roads in our village will be closed for most of the day I’m not bothered, I am however bothered about the negative view of cyclists that this thing is causing.
I just hope that when CMS depart the county with all their spoils that they don’t leave behind a population that treats cyclists with even more contempt than they currently do.0 -
ugo.santalucia wrote:BikerGroveish wrote:Whether or not the organisers are ‘money grabbing whatever’s’ or not is of no consequence to me. I paid for a closed road 100 mile ride if anyone tries to ‘disrupt’ it god help them if it affects me.
it sounds like your sense of entitlement is exactly the one I described a few posts above...
Money is there to buy your happiness and if that comes to the detriment of others, it is of no consequence to you.
I see why people get frustrated with this new breed of entitled cyclists... :roll:
“New breed”
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BikerGroveish wrote:
“New breed”
Yes, new breed.... I am the one in unfashionable yellow
https://www.theguardian.com/environment ... ndon-audaxleft the forum March 20230 -
f*** - After all the training I have done for this and looking forward to it for the best part of year - I might now not be able to do it.
Had a very minor 'off' around 10 days ago - since then I have noticed a black spot in my eye - and today I had an episode of flashes (which I have had before) - Trip to the GP - who insisted I go to the eye hospital straight away - and tomorrow I have another appointment at the eye hospital 'flashers and floaters clinic' to check if it is retina detachment or not - if it no cycling for a few months
Reading around the web it all fits - the only thing I don't have is a shadow - don't look good folks !0 -
Ah crap ... hope all goes well and it's just a little too many "additives" in your bottle ...
It's only a ride - and I'm sure you'll be fine to turbo (just don't use knobbly tyres)0 -
ugo.santalucia wrote:BikerGroveish wrote:
“New breed”
Yes, new breed.... I am the one in unfashionable yellow
https://www.theguardian.com/environment ... ndon-audax
Ok. “The new breed of Ultra cyclists” sound a bit like the kids at school who are trying far too hard to be different but somehow still want everyone to look at them. On the one hand telling everyone who will listen that the popular way is ‘well crap’ or something whilst simultaneously saying “look at me everybody I’m well different and not being like those big ‘crapos’ over there with their ‘crapo’ normal popular stuff” or whatever. I prefer riding distances with no contrived devices ( medals goody bags etc) I prefer not doing any sort of externally organised events if possible. That’s the whole point of cycling for me. Going places seeing stuff and being away from the grind for as long as possible. Closed road events are the only exception to that for me. An opportunity to ride a route without motons / carzis causing grief is a good thing:0 -
Surely they had to be some sort of prior agreement between the organisers and the council that a closed road event could be held in the area, before the event was announced.
In which case, the upset locals are barking up the wrong tree, they should be getting more involved with local politics if councillors are doing things they don't agree with. That doesn't mean they will always sway councillors, because money talks... I would love to know what sort of amount of the event fees is paid to the council for events like this.
No doubt there is a percentage of the entrants who are mainly doing the event because the roads are closed, even though when I covered part of the route on a Friday afternoon in May between Brow Hill and West Marden, it was fairly quiet. Having never been there on a Sunday, I couldn't say how busy the area is with cyclists and motor traffic. But can you imagine the potential carnage of 15000 cyclists of wildly varying fitness, with modern day impatient drivers attempting to get around them, during a single day?
One potential solution would be to split the entrants into a number of paced groups, where there is no going off at your own pace, you have to stick with your group's set of cycling marshals. With a number of time windows where roads will be open for public use. But then that will upset the entrants who really want to ride it like a race and covering the wages of masses of marshals will no doubt offset any fee money that presumably is being paid to the council to have a closed road event... Plus no doubt you would still get public who would throw their toys out of the pram because the time window of open road isn't good enough.================
2020 Voodoo Marasa
2017 Cube Attain GTC Pro Disc 2016
2016 Voodoo Wazoo0 -
The only reasons I'm doing it is because it's closed roads and local to me, plus with my mates not wanting to do Revolve24 this year I needed something to work towards.0
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NitrousOxide wrote:Surely they had to be some sort of prior agreement between the organisers and the council that a closed road event could be held in the area, before the event was announced.
In which case, the upset locals are barking up the wrong tree, they should be getting more involved with local politics if councillors are doing things they don't agree with. That doesn't mean they will always sway councillors, because money talks... I would love to know what sort of amount of the event fees is paid to the council for events like this.
There was no prior agreement, and CMS have been crying out locally for months for volunteer marshalls.0 -
At the risk of keeping this thread on topic, does anybody have their start time yet?0
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No, but I went for the fast track option, so I hope to be somewhere between 7-7:30am.theboyfold wrote:At the risk of keeping this thread on topic, does anybody have their start time yet?0 -
Anybody heard anything yet ?
When I did velobirmingham - there were loads of updates - 60 days to go etc - nothing since I signed up !
I heard it suggested at the weekend they might have lost peoples data !
Does seem odd - that under 3 weeks we have heard nothing.0 -
It says on the website that start times will be sent out around two weeks in advance.0
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My Start time just arrived by Email0
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have you all paid up?
for the phantom ride?0 -
I just got the email with my start time too0
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Yep, just had the email. I paid for fast track (for parking and to avoid having to go to registration on the Saturday) so I'll be away between 7-7:25. So, should just be about finished by lunchtime, I'm aiming for anything under 6 hours.0
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From the rider guide:
"all participants must have lights fixed to their bike for safety reasons"
Errrrr, what?0 -
lettingthedaysgoby wrote:From the rider guide:
"all participants must have lights fixed to their bike for safety reasons"
Errrrr, what?
er - lights - fix them to your bike ... unless they specify otherwise - just a see-me light will do
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I don't remember having to do this at Velo Birmingham, that's all. It will be daylight for the entire duration of the ride. I don't really see the point.Slowbike wrote:er - lights - fix them to your bike ... unless they specify otherwise - just a see-me light will do0 -
Slowbike wrote:lettingthedaysgoby wrote:From the rider guide:
"all participants must have lights fixed to their bike for safety reasons"
Errrrr, what?
er - lights - fix them to your bike ... unless they specify otherwise - just a see-me light will do
Doesn't state that lights have to be on or even work...0
