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Author Topic: The cycling thread  (Read 98417 times)

Online paul_e

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Re: The cycling thread
« Reply #285 on: September 21, 2017, 12:29:46 PM »
Weren't a couple of the specialist time-triallers a bit unhappy about it?

Yep but it made for a brilliant race, Dumoulin was a level above everyone else but other than that there was some brilliant shifting about of places between the final time check at the bottom and the finishing positions because it added some great tactical decisions about changing bikes and how much to save for the climb.

The commentators on the BBC were all for it and thought it was a great change, most of the complaints were that the women didn't get a chance to do the same course.

When the rain came as the last group were coming out I thought it might have an impact but it wasn't all that heavy, Bergen can have some horrific storms at this time of year and some of the roads they were using would've turned into 3-4 inch deep rivers very quickly in that case.  because it's so rocky very little water gets soaked up, the road that goes under the hospital and into the centre (about 3/4s round the circuit) can be particularly bad.  This was more of a risk for the team event though because Bones is one of the worst places for heavy flooding, I've seen the road they used round there with water well over a foot deep (but that's normally March April because of the snowmelt).

Offline SteveN

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Re: The cycling thread
« Reply #286 on: September 21, 2017, 12:37:49 PM »
Tremendous ride by Dumoulin but hats off to Froome. Dumoulin had targeted this from the start of the season and it will be interesting to see if he takes Froome on in 2018's Tour de France.

Offline Ad@m

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Re: The cycling thread
« Reply #287 on: September 21, 2017, 05:39:49 PM »
Tremendous ride by Dumoulin but hats off to Froome. Dumoulin had targeted this from the start of the season and it will be interesting to see if he takes Froome on in 2018's Tour de France.

He nearly caught Froome up that climb - shows how incredible his ride was.

Offline Scratchins

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Re: The cycling thread
« Reply #288 on: September 25, 2017, 11:11:22 AM »
I am still angry about the organisation of Velo Birmingham . Some of my family live within the closed circle of roads. They had no notice of the extent of the closures and how difficult it would be to get out of the ‘ring of steel’ I had a family bbq near to Cannon Hill Park, it took the first 3 relatives an hour and a half to get from Quinton, the 3 children and their mom didn’t manage to get here as it proved impossible to get into Quinton to pick them up. They had to order a take away which took 2 hours as the suppliers had the same problem. There were no stewards along the route to advise drivers, it involved trying a road then turning back at the closed sign.
I learned this morning that Lodge Hill Cemetery was completely inaccessible as it was surrounded by closed roads.
I now see that “People have got to expect that roads are not just going to be about cars. It’s about sharing that space.”(Councillor Ward)  This wasn’t sharing space, it was denying car drivers the use of roads that they have paid to use. Are cyclists now going to pay to share the space?

Offline Ad@m

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Re: The cycling thread
« Reply #289 on: September 25, 2017, 12:57:18 PM »
I am still angry about the organisation of Velo Birmingham . Some of my family live within the closed circle of roads. They had no notice of the extent of the closures and how difficult it would be to get out of the ‘ring of steel’ I had a family bbq near to Cannon Hill Park, it took the first 3 relatives an hour and a half to get from Quinton, the 3 children and their mom didn’t manage to get here as it proved impossible to get into Quinton to pick them up. They had to order a take away which took 2 hours as the suppliers had the same problem. There were no stewards along the route to advise drivers, it involved trying a road then turning back at the closed sign.
I learned this morning that Lodge Hill Cemetery was completely inaccessible as it was surrounded by closed roads.
I now see that “People have got to expect that roads are not just going to be about cars. It’s about sharing that space.”(Councillor Ward)  This wasn’t sharing space, it was denying car drivers the use of roads that they have paid to use. Are cyclists now going to pay to share the space?

Here we go again.  What do you think funds the roads?

Anyway, it was one day, a Sunday, in September.  Whilst I'm sure there'll be lessons learnt about pre-event communication to say people had no notice of something with the profile of the Velo is an absolute nonsense, unless you don't own a TV, listen to the radio, or use the internet.

London manage to cope with the Ride London (equivalent event) and London Marathon.  Newcastle cope with the Great North Run.  Manchester copes with their marathon and there doesn't seem to be anywhere near as much fuss made of the Birmingham half-marathon.  Also, judging by the size of the crowds along the route it seems that the vast majority of people were extremely positive about it, giving up their own time to cheer random strangers on and get to know their neighbours.

Online RonBurgundy

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Re: The cycling thread
« Reply #290 on: September 25, 2017, 06:42:59 PM »
I am still angry about the organisation of Velo Birmingham . Some of my family live within the closed circle of roads. They had no notice of the extent of the closures and how difficult it would be to get out of the ‘ring of steel’ I had a family bbq near to Cannon Hill Park, it took the first 3 relatives an hour and a half to get from Quinton, the 3 children and their mom didn’t manage to get here as it proved impossible to get into Quinton to pick them up. They had to order a take away which took 2 hours as the suppliers had the same problem. There were no stewards along the route to advise drivers, it involved trying a road then turning back at the closed sign.
I learned this morning that Lodge Hill Cemetery was completely inaccessible as it was surrounded by closed roads.
I now see that “People have got to expect that roads are not just going to be about cars. It’s about sharing that space.”(Councillor Ward)  This wasn’t sharing space, it was denying car drivers the use of roads that they have paid to use. Are cyclists now going to pay to share the space?

Here we go again.  What do you think funds the roads?

Anyway, it was one day, a Sunday, in September.  Whilst I'm sure there'll be lessons learnt about pre-event communication to say people had no notice of something with the profile of the Velo is an absolute nonsense, unless you don't own a TV, listen to the radio, or use the internet.

London manage to cope with the Ride London (equivalent event) and London Marathon.  Newcastle cope with the Great North Run.  Manchester copes with their marathon and there doesn't seem to be anywhere near as much fuss made of the Birmingham half-marathon.  Also, judging by the size of the crowds along the route it seems that the vast majority of people were extremely positive about it, giving up their own time to cheer random strangers on and get to know their neighbours.

So i did the Velo yesterday - in the lead up i'd read a lot about angry residents and local businesses and was wondering what kind of reception we'd get. Apart from one anti poster the reception on the roads was fantastic - felt like the whole of Bewdley had come out to support in particular. There were lots of people with chairs outside their houses enjoying themselves - even saw a few with bottles of champagne out drinking enjoying the atmosphere.
I did hear when i finished that someone had thrown nails and sharp things across the road, but on the whole i thought it was well received by those on route.

I do appreciate that this inconvenienced a lot of people and whilst maybe Birmingham can point to the economic benefits its a tougher sell for outlying areas where residents and small business were impacted.
That said, if my road was closed for some event on a Sunday i'd like to think i'd be ok with it - the point above about how other cities manage and embrace these kind of things is a good one.

Hopefully for next year lessons will have been learned for how to engage with local communities impacted that can avoid some of the ill feeling.

Online luke95

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Re: The cycling thread
« Reply #291 on: September 25, 2017, 06:50:07 PM »
I am still angry about the organisation of Velo Birmingham . Some of my family live within the closed circle of roads. They had no notice of the extent of the closures and how difficult it would be to get out of the ‘ring of steel’ I had a family bbq near to Cannon Hill Park, it took the first 3 relatives an hour and a half to get from Quinton, the 3 children and their mom didn’t manage to get here as it proved impossible to get into Quinton to pick them up. They had to order a take away which took 2 hours as the suppliers had the same problem. There were no stewards along the route to advise drivers, it involved trying a road then turning back at the closed sign.
I learned this morning that Lodge Hill Cemetery was completely inaccessible as it was surrounded by closed roads.
I now see that “People have got to expect that roads are not just going to be about cars. It’s about sharing that space.”(Councillor Ward)  This wasn’t sharing space, it was denying car drivers the use of roads that they have paid to use. Are cyclists now going to pay to share the space?

Lodge Hill cemetery was open & all 3 gates were accessible with no road closeures within 3/4-a mile away .
In fact the buses that usually do Bartley Green to town were diverted around Weoley Castle/Lodge Hill

Offline Scratchins

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Re: The cycling thread
« Reply #292 on: September 26, 2017, 09:22:12 AM »
It is a shame that the organisation has caused controversy over what was an enjoyable experience for a lot of people. I don’t know why the man at Lodge Hill yesterday said that he had to return as he couldn’t gain access on Sunday.
Of course people knew that the event was taking place but were not aware of the extent of disruption and that they would be trapped inside the road closures. When Cannon Hill Park or the cricket ground have major events we have information posted through the door detailing times, closures etc. To my certain knowledge this did not happen in Quinton.
What was just a Sunday in September for some was a birthday celebration, anniversary of a death or other significant event for others.
My councillor has replied “I am as livid as you and have already started asking questions about how and when they publicised the road closures – I think they have a statutory duty to advertise them and if they did, they certainly didn't consult with the Cllrs. I am complaining!” 
Something went wrong and hopefully will be corrected in future.

Offline Ad@m

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Re: The cycling thread
« Reply #293 on: September 26, 2017, 12:12:16 PM »
This news article from the middle of August quotes a South Staffs councillor saying that all affected businesses and residents had already been told at that point.  There's also a quote from a local business saying that residents had received letters.

https://www.expressandstar.com/news/local-hubs/staffordshire/south-staffordshire/2017/08/19/bike-ride-will-cost-us-thousands-say-traders-/

I think the phrase is "You can't please all of the people all of the time" but on balance I think the Velo was an overwhelming success and I hope it becomes a regular thing.  It's the sort of thing Greater Birmingham should be doing if we want to be seen as a truly global city.

Offline Jon Crofts

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Re: The cycling thread
« Reply #294 on: September 26, 2017, 01:33:40 PM »
Still at least nobody has mentioned the fact cyclists don't pay road tax eh?






Offline Ad@m

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Re: The cycling thread
« Reply #295 on: September 26, 2017, 03:15:45 PM »
Still at least nobody has mentioned the fact cyclists don't pay road tax eh?

Are cyclists now going to pay to share the space?

Not sure if this was deliberately tongue in cheek - if so, sorry!

Offline Jon Crofts

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Re: The cycling thread
« Reply #296 on: September 26, 2017, 06:11:28 PM »
Still at least nobody has mentioned the fact cyclists don't pay road tax eh?

Are cyclists now going to pay to share the space?

Not sure if this was deliberately tongue in cheek - if so, sorry!


Apology accepted ;)

Offline SteveN

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Re: The cycling thread
« Reply #297 on: October 30, 2017, 05:56:45 PM »
Watched day 6 of the London 6 Day, great entertainment even if it can get a tad confusing at times.  Good performance by Cavendish and Kennaugh to finish second particularly as it was Kennaugh's first 6 Day.

Offline aev

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Re: The cycling thread
« Reply #298 on: December 13, 2017, 07:22:10 AM »
Froome. Hmmmm.....

Offline Jon Crofts

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Re: The cycling thread
« Reply #299 on: December 13, 2017, 08:30:26 AM »
No surprise really, it was always just a matter of time.

 


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