Velo Birmingham
Discussion
Good luck too all taking part in this.
If you're not familiar with some of the route, take care through Halesowen past Leasowes park. It's a very steep down hill (Mucklow Hill), with a tricky roundabout by the B&Q. You'll approach it at a good speed so be wary and if it's wet, be wary x3.
Needless to say, that'll be my vantage point.
All the best
If you're not familiar with some of the route, take care through Halesowen past Leasowes park. It's a very steep down hill (Mucklow Hill), with a tricky roundabout by the B&Q. You'll approach it at a good speed so be wary and if it's wet, be wary x3.
Needless to say, that'll be my vantage point.
All the best
I did a 100km loop of the first half and it was 1300m climbing.
It definitely felt like there was more climbing in the first half.
The second half after Wolverley is actually a nicer rolling route, still 1200m climbing but not as noticeable execpt for the big hill at Clent.
Is anyone being dropped off by car on the day? I'm trying to work out how to ride across to my C2 starting pen.
It definitely felt like there was more climbing in the first half.
The second half after Wolverley is actually a nicer rolling route, still 1200m climbing but not as noticeable execpt for the big hill at Clent.
Is anyone being dropped off by car on the day? I'm trying to work out how to ride across to my C2 starting pen.
The_Jackal said:
Is anyone being dropped off by car on the day? I'm trying to work out how to ride across to my C2 starting pen.
I'm being dropped off on the morning (B1). I got this from the FAQ pages;Is there a convenient Drop Off point on Sunday morning?
If you’re getting dropped off near the start line before the ride starts on Sunday morning, we recommend you come in from the A457 and head to Summer Hill Street.
St K's is not too bad, it isn't steep enough to stop you. I ride it on my commute most days. If you think of the hill not starting until the Vine (pub on your left just before the road turns into the 'pass' it helps, first section is to some metal railings where you can drop your heart rate a bit, second ramp takes you past the house on the right, then it goes almost level, through some twisty left right left, third effort brings you nearly to the top and then there is a little 'pimple' on the top. KOM times are for people who can ride the whole thing flat out, which I haven't been able to
Shilvers said:
Good luck too all taking part in this.
If you're not familiar with some of the route, take care through Halesowen past Leasowes park. It's a very steep down hill (Mucklow Hill), with a tricky roundabout by the B&Q. You'll approach it at a good speed so be wary and if it's wet, be wary x3.
Needless to say, that'll be my vantage point.
All the best
That's definitely a point to be careful, also another one will be at the bottom of grange lane coming into Stourbridge, this is a fast downhill into a tight roundabout. If you're not familiar with some of the route, take care through Halesowen past Leasowes park. It's a very steep down hill (Mucklow Hill), with a tricky roundabout by the B&Q. You'll approach it at a good speed so be wary and if it's wet, be wary x3.
Needless to say, that'll be my vantage point.
All the best
Anyway I hope everyone has a good safe ride and enjoys the day as due to the inward looking, nimby and general backwards attitude of people in the surrounding areas it's likely to be the last!
G321 said:
Anyway I hope everyone has a good safe ride and enjoys the day as due to the inward looking, nimby and general backwards attitude of people in the surrounding areas it's likely to be the last!
Agree with the best wishes and desire for everyone to be safe and enjoy themselves.On the question of being the last one, there is a five year contract with Birmingham. Worcestershire only a one year agreement and it will be reviewed, but to be fair the council is making unfavourable comments about a repeat, suspect they also haven't been impressed with the way treated by organisers. Anyway plenty of country in the other direction.
Problem is firstly the timing, this is the third weekend in a row where we will have had major road closures for big event, Tour of Britain, City Run, Velo, and on the fourth weekend the Tour of Worcester, which isn't closed roads admittedly, but considering the number of starters will be very disruptive over some of the same roads.
Secondly monopolising so many of the major river crossings in a single area means difficulties for those who have to carry on carrying on. Tried to make arrangements for another day, both myself and another party have tried to shift a long standing arrangement, but a third party has made this impossible. So anyone who gets frustrated by a socking great van towing a triple axle transporter down lanes that otherwise would be avoided, apologies in advance.
If that is regarded as backwards and nimby, tough, we will just carry on with commitments made long ago, at some extra cost might add.
FiF said:
G321 said:
Anyway I hope everyone has a good safe ride and enjoys the day as due to the inward looking, nimby and general backwards attitude of people in the surrounding areas it's likely to be the last!
Agree with the best wishes and desire for everyone to be safe and enjoy themselves.On the question of being the last one, there is a five year contract with Birmingham. Worcestershire only a one year agreement and it will be reviewed, but to be fair the council is making unfavourable comments about a repeat, suspect they also haven't been impressed with the way treated by organisers. Anyway plenty of country in the other direction.
Problem is firstly the timing, this is the third weekend in a row where we will have had major road closures for big event, Tour of Britain, City Run, Velo, and on the fourth weekend the Tour of Worcester, which isn't closed roads admittedly, but considering the number of starters will be very disruptive over some of the same roads.
Secondly monopolising so many of the major river crossings in a single area means difficulties for those who have to carry on carrying on. Tried to make arrangements for another day, both myself and another party have tried to shift a long standing arrangement, but a third party has made this impossible. So anyone who gets frustrated by a socking great van towing a triple axle transporter down lanes that otherwise would be avoided, apologies in advance.
If that is regarded as backwards and nimby, tough, we will just carry on with commitments made long ago, at some extra cost might add.
G321 said:
I am a local myself and there will be of course genuine cases for grievance I understand that. But reading comments on facebook and on the websites of local papers where people are talking about being 'imprisoned in their homes' and others saying they will be throwing stones at the riders on the day are nothing but pathetic. Probably the most dramatic of the quotes in the local paper was from a resident of Belbroughton fearing 'a second Hillsborough', unbelievable!
Haven't seen those comments but agree they are pathetic. Anyone throwing stones or any other disruptive or dangerous actions need to be dealt with heavily, no question. The event is being held legally, there may be questions about certain issues, but the event is there legally.Personally, as written weeks ago, I am worried about backlash by idiots against the Tour of Worcester sportive riders on open roads.
FiF said:
Haven't seen those comments but agree they are pathetic. Anyone throwing stones or any other disruptive or dangerous actions need to be dealt with heavily, no question. The event is being held legally, there may be questions about certain issues, but the event is there legally.
Personally, as written weeks ago, I am worried about backlash by idiots against the Tour of Worcester sportive riders on open roads.
Also the farmers of Bobbington were talking about blocking the route with tractors. Their dissent is nothing new though as they have been disruptive before to local cycling clubs.Personally, as written weeks ago, I am worried about backlash by idiots against the Tour of Worcester sportive riders on open roads.
Hopefully this is all a storm in a teacup and it will pass off as great day for all with no disruption. It would be good to have it as an annual event and hopefully the organisers have learn't from their mistakes for next time.
Jimmy Recard said:
My neighbour has written to the council to complain about it. I wouldn't do that but I'm unhappy about not being allowed to leave or enter my street by car all day
Actually, I think writing to the council is the right thing to do. Then, when deciding whether to allow it again next year, they can consider all letters objecting against those supporting, along with all the money paid for the road closures that they can put towards helping fund local services. Better that than those guerilla attempts to ignore democracy and get their own way regardless being mentioned that the farmers threatening.SixPotBelly said:
Jimmy Recard said:
My neighbour has written to the council to complain about it. I wouldn't do that but I'm unhappy about not being allowed to leave or enter my street by car all day
Actually, I think writing to the council is the right thing to do. Then, when deciding whether to allow it again next year, they can consider all letters objecting against those supporting, along with all the money paid for the road closures that they can put towards helping fund local services. Better that than those guerilla attempts to ignore democracy and get their own way regardless being mentioned that the farmers threatening.Assuming it all goes well, despite my comments and the probable inconvenience, will be writing to generally support but with, hopefully, some constructive suggestions.
SixPotBelly said:
Actually, I think writing to the council is the right thing to do. Then, when deciding whether to allow it again next year, they can consider all letters objecting against those supporting, along with all the money paid for the road closures that they can put towards helping fund local services. Better that than those guerilla attempts to ignore democracy and get their own way regardless being mentioned that the farmers threatening.
If it was a week I probably would write to the council, but for one Sunday I can put up with it 
ETA: I said I was unhappy about the road closures and that’s true, but I don’t expect to be delighted about every single thing that happens. It’s only a minor inconvenience for a day
Edited by Jimmy Recard on Tuesday 19th September 22:46
Jimmy Recard said:
If it was a week I probably would write to the council, but for one Sunday I can put up with it
ETA: I said I was unhappy about the road closures and that’s true, but I don’t expect to be delighted about every single thing that happens. It’s only a minor inconvenience for a day
Shame a few more people don't think like you. This kind of thing really highlights how reliant on cars people are. I have several neighbours who will regularily drive journeys that are less than half a mile, the worst of which drives to see her mother 150 metres away every dayETA: I said I was unhappy about the road closures and that’s true, but I don’t expect to be delighted about every single thing that happens. It’s only a minor inconvenience for a day
Edited by Jimmy Recard on Tuesday 19th September 22:46
Jimmy Recard said:
If it was a week I probably would write to the council, but for one Sunday I can put up with it
ETA: I said I was unhappy about the road closures and that’s true, but I don’t expect to be delighted about every single thing that happens. It’s only a minor inconvenience for a day
Good on you. For a while I lived on a road that was closed one day a year for a half marathon. I was either working or on standby, but when the latter I'd park the car somewhere else the night before in case I got called in and then go out and cheer them past on the day. I just treated it as something different and, like you, accepted that people were getting something out of it they couldn't if the road wasn't closed. I'm sure those riding on Sunday will be grateful to you. ETA: I said I was unhappy about the road closures and that’s true, but I don’t expect to be delighted about every single thing that happens. It’s only a minor inconvenience for a day
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