Boxhill Original Sportive
Discussion
While I can see that sportive events may be scaled back there is no doubt that you can't stop people riding down there, and it will likely only get more popular.
The village folk are a small population, and I doubt what they have to say matters really. If someone gave me a flyer and asked if the increase of traffic is effecting my qaulity of life where I live I would sign it but nothing will change.
Still not sure what the big deal is about driving up there, why not walk up it? Or drive up from Headley where the road is much more car friendly, truth is once you get away from the view point and the zig zags then there is almost no obstruction for cars. Line of sight is clear and it's perfectly fine to overtake. As for your comment on having to go into the bushes, that is par for the course in any rural place, there are many lanes in Surrey where you'd have to do the same if you met another car.
The village folk are a small population, and I doubt what they have to say matters really. If someone gave me a flyer and asked if the increase of traffic is effecting my qaulity of life where I live I would sign it but nothing will change.
Still not sure what the big deal is about driving up there, why not walk up it? Or drive up from Headley where the road is much more car friendly, truth is once you get away from the view point and the zig zags then there is almost no obstruction for cars. Line of sight is clear and it's perfectly fine to overtake. As for your comment on having to go into the bushes, that is par for the course in any rural place, there are many lanes in Surrey where you'd have to do the same if you met another car.
Mobile Chicane said:
Ah. Nuts to 'em indeed.
However, with respect, you're wrong, and moreover disrespectful.
I moved to Box Hill in 2008. There were the odd cyclists and the odd race, two triathlons a year - all accommodated.
However, since the run-up to the Olympics - and everything that has happened since - its just gone crazy.
Cyclist traffic on the Zig Zag has increased by 500%. It's a narrow road, with hairpins.
The scratches on the LHS of my car will attest to the number of times I've had to dive for the hedge, in order to avoid the crazy downhillers coming the other way.
As said previously, 94% of villagers consider their lives negatively impacted by cyclists.
I don't venture out at weekends in my car because it is too much hassle. I am not alone in this. Your sport is not remotely 'benign'. Football, rugby, are 'benign',since they take place away from areas where people live and drive.
We live here, it is our village. You lot - f
k off.
Having had to visit family in Twickenham for almost 40 years, and having lived there for over 6 years, I can assure you that Rugby is not 'benign'. 90,000 people swarming through a town does have an impact on anyone's life life in or around that area. When we first used to visit it was nowhere near as bad as it is now, simply due to its popularity and the venue trying to recoup money by any means but you know what, sHowever, with respect, you're wrong, and moreover disrespectful.
I moved to Box Hill in 2008. There were the odd cyclists and the odd race, two triathlons a year - all accommodated.
However, since the run-up to the Olympics - and everything that has happened since - its just gone crazy.
Cyclist traffic on the Zig Zag has increased by 500%. It's a narrow road, with hairpins.
The scratches on the LHS of my car will attest to the number of times I've had to dive for the hedge, in order to avoid the crazy downhillers coming the other way.
As said previously, 94% of villagers consider their lives negatively impacted by cyclists.
I don't venture out at weekends in my car because it is too much hassle. I am not alone in this. Your sport is not remotely 'benign'. Football, rugby, are 'benign',since they take place away from areas where people live and drive.
We live here, it is our village. You lot - f
k off.Edited by Mobile Chicane on Thursday 9th October 00:10
t happens.Mobile Chicane said:
yellowjack said:
Mobile Chicane said:
A recent survey of Box Hill villagers reveals that 94% of residents think that the increased volume of cyclists post Olympics impacts negatively on their lives.
If you can't stay away, be respectful.
Ah, nuts to 'em.If you can't stay away, be respectful.
They're just like the NIMBY halfwits in the New Forest, all jabbering on about how cyclists jam up the roads, preventing ambulances and fire engines going about their business, and "won't someone think of the wildlife" when, as reported last week, the vast majority of the 'halfwits' who have accidents involving a collision with livestock/wildlife in the area are locals tearing about the place, well over the 40mph forest speed limit at dusk.
Sorry to be the bearer of bad news, but Box Hill and the surrounding area has been a Mecca for cyclists since long before most of these "concerned residents" even thought of moving there. Sometimes life won't bend to your will, that's the nature of it. Besides which, it's a public road, being used by people exercising their inalienable right to pass and re-pass over it. If a small number of those riders are inconsiderate, they are probably only being as inconsiderate as a similar proportion of drivers in that area. If respect isn't willingly given by those who want it returned, it amounts to gross hypocrisy. If 'outraged locals' are allowed to marginalise a sport or recreational pastime that is as benign as cycling, it's only a matter of time before just 'going for a drive' in the area in certain types of car becomes subject to the same sort of restrictions. You see where I'm going with this, as a PHer, right?
However, with respect, you're wrong, and moreover disrespectful.
I moved to Box Hill in 2008. There were the odd cyclists and the odd race, two triathlons a year - all accommodated.
However, since the run-up to the Olympics - and everything that has happened since - its just gone crazy.
Cyclist traffic on the Zig Zag has increased by 500%. It's a narrow road, with hairpins.
The scratches on the LHS of my car will attest to the number of times I've had to dive for the hedge, in order to avoid the crazy downhillers coming the other way.
As said previously, 94% of villagers consider their lives negatively impacted by cyclists.
I don't venture out at weekends in my car because it is too much hassle. I am not alone in this. Your sport is not remotely 'benign'. Football, rugby, are 'benign',since they take place away from areas where people live and drive.
We live here, it is our village. You lot - f
k off.Edited by Mobile Chicane on Thursday 9th October 00:10
Whatever.
Some people are failing to understand the word "public" in "public highway"
IME the road up to Box Hill can be equally clogged with cars going to park at the top before they go for a walk, or motorcyclists. It's public space, for use by everyone. The fact that you live there doesn't give you any extra entitlement over the roads in that area.
People selfishly using their cars slow me down every day, despite my excellent filtering skills, but I don't whine about it or demand they get out of my way - it's something you have to accept as part of using public roads.
IME the road up to Box Hill can be equally clogged with cars going to park at the top before they go for a walk, or motorcyclists. It's public space, for use by everyone. The fact that you live there doesn't give you any extra entitlement over the roads in that area.
People selfishly using their cars slow me down every day, despite my excellent filtering skills, but I don't whine about it or demand they get out of my way - it's something you have to accept as part of using public roads.
Mobile Chicane said:
A recent survey of Box Hill villagers reveals that 94% of residents think that the increased volume of cyclists post Olympics impacts negatively on their lives.
I love these sorts of surveys!! What it should say is 94% of people who felt strong enough to reply to a survey aimed at vilifying cyclists who use Boxhill!!! Exactly what % of the local population the 94% represents would be interesting.....
A similar survey was held in my village to do with a housing development about a year ago, 98% of the residents objected to the plans.........what it actually boiled down to was 98% of 120 people who responded objected. The village has a population of circa 7,500......
Mobile Chicane said:
Ah. Nuts to 'em indeed.
However, with respect, you're wrong, and moreover disrespectful.
I moved to Box Hill in 2008. There were the odd cyclists and the odd race, two triathlons a year - all accommodated.
However, since the run-up to the Olympics - and everything that has happened since - its just gone crazy.
Cyclist traffic on the Zig Zag has increased by 500%. It's a narrow road, with hairpins.
The scratches on the LHS of my car will attest to the number of times I've had to dive for the hedge, in order to avoid the crazy downhillers coming the other way.
As said previously, 94% of villagers consider their lives negatively impacted by cyclists.
I don't venture out at weekends in my car because it is too much hassle. I am not alone in this. Your sport is not remotely 'benign'. Football, rugby, are 'benign',since they take place away from areas where people live and drive.
We live here, it is our village. You lot - fk off.
Where does the figure 500% come from? Is that a recorded fact, or some number you and the anti-cycling brigade have plucked out of the air?However, with respect, you're wrong, and moreover disrespectful.
I moved to Box Hill in 2008. There were the odd cyclists and the odd race, two triathlons a year - all accommodated.
However, since the run-up to the Olympics - and everything that has happened since - its just gone crazy.
Cyclist traffic on the Zig Zag has increased by 500%. It's a narrow road, with hairpins.
The scratches on the LHS of my car will attest to the number of times I've had to dive for the hedge, in order to avoid the crazy downhillers coming the other way.
As said previously, 94% of villagers consider their lives negatively impacted by cyclists.
I don't venture out at weekends in my car because it is too much hassle. I am not alone in this. Your sport is not remotely 'benign'. Football, rugby, are 'benign',since they take place away from areas where people live and drive.
We live here, it is our village. You lot - f
k off.Edited by Mobile Chicane on Thursday 9th October 00:10
And if you are scratching the LHS of your car, I would suggest your driving isn't up to the conditions; slow down, take more care of other road users, and therefore more care of your car. And football and rugby benign?! Really?! Have you ever been near a ground an hour before or after kick off? And of course we all know how friendly and welcoming football fans can be...
Why don't you and the 94% devolve Boxhill, and set up your own border controls? IT'S A PUBLIC ROAD AND WE CAN ALL USE IT.
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