Velo North - 01/09/19

lettingthedaysgoby
lettingthedaysgoby Posts: 1,732
edited March 2019 in Sportives/audaxes/training rides
A teaser video has just appeared on my Facebook feed, no indication of where yet, but apparently 100 miles on closed roads...
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Comments

  • Tyresome
    Tyresome Posts: 113
    lettingthedaysgoby wrote:
    A teaser video has just appeared on my Facebook feed, no indication of where yet, but apparently 100 miles on closed roads...

    Given the last couple of efforts ( Velo South ) and National champ Sportive have both gone tits up, I don’t think I’ll bother.
  • lettingthedaysgoby
    lettingthedaysgoby Posts: 1,732
    What’s happened with the national champs one? (Which wasn’t the same company?)

    As for Velo South, the cancellation was pretty much out of their control, and the way they handled refunds was swift and efficient, so I can’t really complain.

    Will see how Velo Midlands goes in May I guess.
  • Tyresome
    Tyresome Posts: 113
    lettingthedaysgoby wrote:
    What’s happened with the national champs one? (Which wasn’t the same company?)

    As for Velo South, the cancellation was pretty much out of their control, and the way they handled refunds was swift and efficient, so I can’t really complain.

    Will see how Velo Midlands goes in May I guess.
    The national champs one has had to be made open road ( just for the Sportive, not the pro race ) they’re giving the option to transfer to the open road version with a partial refund, cancel for a full refund, or transfer to the Tour of Cambridge.
  • davep1
    davep1 Posts: 837
    I saw the video too, but until they put the route up, or at least the start and finish, how can anyone decide if they want to enter? "North" covers a huge area - my Worthing mates think Horsham is north, never mind London! - so the logistics of getting to and from the event can't be worked out, never mind if you think the route is worth riding.
  • lettingthedaysgoby
    lettingthedaysgoby Posts: 1,732
    DaveP1 wrote:
    I saw the video too, but until they put the route up, or at least the start and finish, how can anyone decide if they want to enter? "North" covers a huge area - my Worthing mates think Horsham is north, never mind London! - so the logistics of getting to and from the event can't be worked out, never mind if you think the route is worth riding.
    Yeah. I get that these teaser things are now the marketing tool du jour, but they just annoy me and everyone I know. Just release the details and let us choose...
  • slowbike
    slowbike Posts: 8,498
    Well - Velo South isn't happening this year - apparently the Director involved has left ...
    probably a good thing ...
  • ugo.santalucia
    ugo.santalucia Posts: 28,310
    Slowbike wrote:
    Well - Velo South isn't happening this year - apparently the Director involved has left ...
    probably a good thing ...

    so in the end you agree with me... :D
    left the forum March 2023
  • BorderCyclist
    BorderCyclist Posts: 14
    There are a few people on FB saying that the host city is Durham. Plus there's this...

    https://www.chroniclelive.co.uk/news/no ... tBSwrY8dgM
  • homers_double
    homers_double Posts: 8,268
    I've pre-registered for this and Durham would be a fairly easy drive for us,
    Advocate of disc brakes.
  • Tyresome
    Tyresome Posts: 113
    Slowbike wrote:
    Well - Velo South isn't happening this year - apparently the Director involved has left ...
    probably a good thing ...

    They seem to think it will. I doubt it personally.

    j6vnlXK.jpg

    Although to be fair, they do say 2020.
  • cruff
    cruff Posts: 1,518
    BorderCyclist wrote:
    There are a few people on FB saying that the host city is Durham. Plus there's this...

    https://www.chroniclelive.co.uk/news/no ... tBSwrY8dgM
    It's a miracle! That post has been up on their website since valentine's day - and even with the snide remark about the council footing the bill, the gammon brigade haven't found the comments section yet
    Fat chopper. Some racing. Some testing. Some crashing.
    Specialising in Git Daaahns and Cafs. Norvern Munkey/Transplanted Laaandoner.
  • Philip Whiteman
    Philip Whiteman Posts: 470
    Cruff wrote:
    BorderCyclist wrote:
    There are a few people on FB saying that the host city is Durham. Plus there's this...

    https://www.chroniclelive.co.uk/news/no ... tBSwrY8dgM
    It's a miracle! That post has been up on their website since valentine's day - and even with the snide remark about the council footing the bill, the gammon brigade haven't found the comments section yet

    Indeed... https://democracy.durham.gov.uk/documen ... 0North.pdf
  • BorderCyclist
    BorderCyclist Posts: 14
    £75. I dont think so
  • mrfpb
    mrfpb Posts: 4,569
    Philip Whiteman wrote:
    Cruff wrote:
    BorderCyclist wrote:
    There are a few people on FB saying that the host city is Durham. Plus there's this...

    https://www.chroniclelive.co.uk/news/no ... tBSwrY8dgM
    It's a miracle! That post has been up on their website since valentine's day - and even with the snide remark about the council footing the bill, the gammon brigade haven't found the comments section yet

    Indeed... https://democracy.durham.gov.uk/documen ... 0North.pdf
    So local councils have previously spent £200,000 on a Velo event, so Durham are setting aside £250,000 as a contingency. Doesn't sound like value for money for the local taxpayer.

    Durham would be a good place for a 100 mile ride. I recall when I lived there that the Phillips road atlas that covered the whole county had one page that was totally blank - no roads, no geographical features. The moors to the south of the county are perfect wild and open spaces. Expect wind and rain all day.

    On the other hand, I recall that most journeys in Durham had only one realistic route, so closing a road has a big impact for the local residents. Outside of the big towns, there is not a lot of traffic, so closing the roads gives very little benefit to the rider.
  • k3vinjam3s
    k3vinjam3s Posts: 266
    BorderCyclist wrote:
    £75. I dont think so

    I sort of agree but verybrare to have anything like this in the north east. Im just south of durham so eagerly waiting for details of the event. Hope it happens but not set in stone yet.
  • mrfpb
    mrfpb Posts: 4,569
    k3vinjam3s wrote:
    BorderCyclist wrote:
    £75. I dont think so

    I sort of agree but verybrare to have anything like this in the north east. Im just south of durham so eagerly waiting for details of the event. Hope it happens but not set in stone yet.

    £65 for locals according to the document linked by Phillip Whiteman.
  • ugo.santalucia
    ugo.santalucia Posts: 28,310
    BorderCyclist wrote:
    £75. I dont think so

    I am planning to charge £ 2.50 for the X-Rated loop of Birmingham... just saying :wink::lol:
    left the forum March 2023
  • lettingthedaysgoby
    lettingthedaysgoby Posts: 1,732
    ugo.santalucia wrote:
    BorderCyclist wrote:
    £75. I dont think so

    I am planning to charge £ 2.50 for the X-Rated loop of Birmingham... just saying :wink::lol:
    Male the roads car free and I’ll be there... :wink: 8) :mrgreen:
  • k3vinjam3s
    k3vinjam3s Posts: 266
    Route out today? Opinions?
  • slowbike
    slowbike Posts: 8,498
    ugo.santalucia wrote:
    Slowbike wrote:
    Well - Velo South isn't happening this year - apparently the Director involved has left ...
    probably a good thing ...

    so in the end you agree with me... :D

    yup :p
    just ordering my sandals ... ;)

    I enjoyed the closed road sportives I've ridden - but tbh, I'd prefer if drivers would just give us all a bit of room when overtaking. Most if this years rides (commutes) have been fine with plenty of space given ...

    I think VS not returning for 2019 is probably a good thing because of all the hassle we got as normal cyclists last year - we just don't need that sort of negativity around cycling in general.
  • slowbike
    slowbike Posts: 8,498
    Tyresome wrote:
    Slowbike wrote:
    Well - Velo South isn't happening this year - apparently the Director involved has left ...
    probably a good thing ...

    They seem to think it will. I doubt it personally.



    Although to be fair, they do say 2020.

    I think 2020 may not be in this locality - I could be wrong though ...
  • davep1
    davep1 Posts: 837
    Slowbike wrote:
    ugo.santalucia wrote:
    Slowbike wrote:
    Well - Velo South isn't happening this year - apparently the Director involved has left ...
    probably a good thing ...

    so in the end you agree with me... :D

    yup :p
    just ordering my sandals ... ;)

    I enjoyed the closed road sportives I've ridden - but tbh, I'd prefer if drivers would just give us all a bit of room when overtaking. Most if this years rides (commutes) have been fine with plenty of space given ...

    I think VS not returning for 2019 is probably a good thing because of all the hassle we got as normal cyclists last year - we just don't need that sort of negativity around cycling in general.

    I didn't perceive much of a change in behaviour around the date of the event, drivers are feckin awful all the time anyway! Yes, there were some placards and banners saying Stop Velosouth, particularly around Plaistow, but actual driving didn't seem to get any better or worse.
    Maybe if the one up north is an amazing success, it will encourage them to put it on in Sussex. I'm still torn about paying £75 to ride roads I usually ride, but will give it a go the first year, if they manage to stage it.
  • slowbike
    slowbike Posts: 8,498
    DaveP1 wrote:
    I didn't perceive much of a change in behaviour around the date of the event, drivers are feckin awful all the time anyway!
    Hmm - well, I perceived a bit - and members of the club reported encounters - both on and off their bikes.
    One of the usual bike coffee & cake stops was anti it - and quite vocal about it too - way to encourage your main clientele!
  • homers_double
    homers_double Posts: 8,268
    I'm guessing the entry fee will belong the lines of the southern affair, ~£75.

    I'll probably enter along with a few mates as it's good to do an event like this, even though it's expensive but I only generally do one a year so it's not too bad overall.

    Cheaper than RL as it need not include a 500 mile round trip and a hotel.
    Advocate of disc brakes.
  • lakesluddite
    lakesluddite Posts: 1,337
    Well I'm in. £65 with BC discount. A lot of money but I want to do a closed road sportive at least once just to see what the fuss is all about.
    I managed to get a Travelodge in nearby Chester-Le-Street, so I'll have a 5 mile warm up beforehand! Cobblers to paying £150 for student accommodation!
  • homers_double
    homers_double Posts: 8,268
    You got the same email as I got this morning then? We'll probably just drive up on the day as its 2 hours away from me.
    Advocate of disc brakes.
  • k3vinjam3s
    k3vinjam3s Posts: 266
    LakesLuddite wrote:
    Well I'm in. £65 with BC discount. A lot of money but I want to do a closed road sportive at least once just to see what the fuss is all about.
    I managed to get a Travelodge in nearby Chester-Le-Street, so I'll have a 5 mile warm up beforehand! Cobblers to paying £150 for student accommodation!

    Your already signed up? Thought entries werent open till tomorrow?
  • homers_double
    homers_double Posts: 8,268
    BC members get preferential treatment, I still haven't signed up though.
    Advocate of disc brakes.
  • k3vinjam3s
    k3vinjam3s Posts: 266
    Im in. Got discount for being in county durham.
  • Matthewfalle
    Matthewfalle Posts: 17,380
    k3vinjam3s wrote:
    Im in. Got discount for being in county durham.


    gotta have some good points we suppose.....
    Postby team47b » Sun Jun 28, 2015 11:53 am

    De Sisti wrote:
    This is one of the silliest threads I've come across. :lol:

    Recognition at last Matthew, well done!, a justified honour :D
    smithy21 wrote:

    He's right you know.

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