Velo Birmingham
Discussion
AndStilliRise said:
wobert said:
I’m staying at the AC in the Mailbox tonight as it’s wifey’s Birthday today.
Needless to say she isn’t very impressed with sharing a room with this.....
0730 start for me.
Good luck to everyone who is riding!
Nice. But shouldn't the bike be facing towards the door?Needless to say she isn’t very impressed with sharing a room with this.....
0730 start for me.
Good luck to everyone who is riding!
wobert said:
I’m staying at the AC in the Mailbox tonight as it’s wifey’s Birthday today.
Needless to say she isn’t very impressed with sharing a room with this.....
0730 start for me.
Good luck to everyone who is riding!
Ah well my wife is distinctly unimpressed that she is at home in Sussex whilst I am in Birmingham. She had planned to come up with our daughter, go to Cadburys World etc. Instead of which she is taking daughter to a swimming gala in Bognor tomorrow, where daughter is in 2 races of around 40 seconds each!Needless to say she isn’t very impressed with sharing a room with this.....
0730 start for me.
Good luck to everyone who is riding!
I am in the Bull Ring Travelodge, here tomorrow night as came up by train. Looking forward to tomorrow even less has now have stinking cold, which I am blaming daughter for!
The Velo organisers arranged for each entrant to be trackable by their family and friends, and while it worked earlier it was truly brilliant but it failed at around 3:30pm and it's been rather chaotic in trying to understand where people are since then. I have family members waiting for two riders who should have crossed the line at about the time the tracker failed, and no-one has seen them.
I went along to Droitwich to watch the riders pass. I knew about 8 of them, so had them on my phone using the tracker but they all apparently managed to pass me without my seeing a single one of them. I know there were a LOT of riders but there's no way I missed all of them pass me. I now wonder whether the tracker had any validity.
Last week I supported my company in a 100 mile ride and we tracked the riders using the iPhone "Find Friends" app which worked faultlessly. Admittedly, 100 miles is about the limit of a phone's battery to constantly provide GPS info as well as log each ride, but it really was good.
As a spectator I'm a little irked about today's tracking but it looked like a brilliant day for the riders - a great opportunity to have a look at the West Midlands from a different perspective. I imagine the organisers will get it sorted for next year and I'll go to watch again.
I went along to Droitwich to watch the riders pass. I knew about 8 of them, so had them on my phone using the tracker but they all apparently managed to pass me without my seeing a single one of them. I know there were a LOT of riders but there's no way I missed all of them pass me. I now wonder whether the tracker had any validity.
Last week I supported my company in a 100 mile ride and we tracked the riders using the iPhone "Find Friends" app which worked faultlessly. Admittedly, 100 miles is about the limit of a phone's battery to constantly provide GPS info as well as log each ride, but it really was good.
As a spectator I'm a little irked about today's tracking but it looked like a brilliant day for the riders - a great opportunity to have a look at the West Midlands from a different perspective. I imagine the organisers will get it sorted for next year and I'll go to watch again.
I had a great time, so much fantastic support through all the towns and villages. Loads of people came out to cheer us on, it was truly inspiring. Great weather too.
Some delays to the start it's true, but I read that they were removing tacks from the route?
The organisers definitely need to expand the feed zones. The 55 mile stop was carnage, way too small for the numbers of people. The queue to get in and out was epic. And no food left apart from fruit pastilles. I didn't bother with the next two.
Some delays to the start it's true, but I read that they were removing tacks from the route?
The organisers definitely need to expand the feed zones. The 55 mile stop was carnage, way too small for the numbers of people. The queue to get in and out was epic. And no food left apart from fruit pastilles. I didn't bother with the next two.
My take on the day; ok delayed start but not that bad lack of loos ar the start was.
I only stopped at one water station at the 60mile marker and that one was quiet although a lot of the others looked like carnage and riders struggled to get in and clear the road quickly.
The "tracker" was an oversell, with the mylap system iirc it records you as you pass over the sensors, it then forecasts when you will cross the following points and moves the dot to match that forecast, it's not a gps so the only true trackers are find my phone, strava beacon or garmin livetrack all of which use your phones.
Route side support, was as ever great to see and some of the towns were absolutely amazing!
Finally the route....... Ouch!
I only stopped at one water station at the 60mile marker and that one was quiet although a lot of the others looked like carnage and riders struggled to get in and clear the road quickly.
The "tracker" was an oversell, with the mylap system iirc it records you as you pass over the sensors, it then forecasts when you will cross the following points and moves the dot to match that forecast, it's not a gps so the only true trackers are find my phone, strava beacon or garmin livetrack all of which use your phones.
Route side support, was as ever great to see and some of the towns were absolutely amazing!
Finally the route....... Ouch!
Amateurish said:
I had a great time, so much fantastic support through all the towns and villages. Loads of people came out to cheer us on, it was truly inspiring. Great weather too.
Some delays to the start it's true, but I read that they were removing tacks from the route?
Really? That's so terrible. Some people are so hateful. Some delays to the start it's true, but I read that they were removing tacks from the route?
Amateurish said:
The organisers definitely need to expand the feed zones. The 55 mile stop was carnage, way too small for the numbers of people. The queue to get in and out was epic. And no food left apart from fruit pastilles. I didn't bother with the next two.
Whilst I think the general ambition of "closed roads" must have been very difficult to pull-off, there have been elements of shambolic organisation. In addition to the lack of adequate food at the stops, the tracker was woeful. My family, who it claimed arrived at the finish at 3:30pm, have only just arrived So I did "miss" them as they passed me by in Droitwich, they simply hadn't arrived yet.And there hasn't been enough time allocated for the riders to get back - hundreds are still arriving and the roads are back open again. My uncle said it was terrible - and he has to ride a further 3 miles from the finish to his car with the roads now open.
Some lessons to be learned for next year I think:
1. More food
2. Better organisation at food stops
3. Greater capacity at the food stops, especially the first one
4. Tracker
5. Riders allowed to park at the start/finish so there's none of the nonsense many are now experiencing in the dark.
Gutted I didn't do this. I signed up when 1st announced but the cost and September weather put me off.
Suffice to say it was a nice day, I did go out early this morning on the bike and saw the event when I got home as it went by my road so about 100 yards away.
The start was delayed because of tacks,nails, razor blades on a part of the route. Some nails also found at the top of drews Holloway.
Also someone pouring oil on the road hence the part with the covered straw and a sign saying Lycra louts not welcome.
Those folks living in the country are so nice.
Suffice to say it was a nice day, I did go out early this morning on the bike and saw the event when I got home as it went by my road so about 100 yards away.
The start was delayed because of tacks,nails, razor blades on a part of the route. Some nails also found at the top of drews Holloway.
Also someone pouring oil on the road hence the part with the covered straw and a sign saying Lycra louts not welcome.
Those folks living in the country are so nice.
Watchman said:
Some lessons to be learned for next year I think:
1. More food
2. Better organisation at food stops
3. Greater capacity at the food stops, especially the first one
4. Tracker
5. Riders allowed to park at the start/finish so there's none of the nonsense many are now experiencing in the dark.
Agree with, 1,2,3 & 4 but with #5 they were very clear with the broom wagon speed and they did make the allowance for the delayed start plus said you would be allow d to continue the ride but it would be on open roads, unlike London where they chop off bits of the ride and then put you on to open roads.1. More food
2. Better organisation at food stops
3. Greater capacity at the food stops, especially the first one
4. Tracker
5. Riders allowed to park at the start/finish so there's none of the nonsense many are now experiencing in the dark.
As for parking, there was official parking 200m from the start/finish.
The Velo was my first closed roads event and also my first century.
Closed roads are a revolation, it's so nice to be able to ride and concentrate on placing the bike in the road as you wish (other riders dependent of course)
We did set off late, but that didn't bother me. Can't say I personally noticed the lack of loos at the start. Others did though.
The pit stops were a shambles, way way too busy. The 2nd one had run out of food and water by the time we got there. The signage, marshalling and support was all ace I thought.
I saw the oil slick, couldn't believe that somebody would actually do that. Otherwise the support was amazing, had such a positive effect on me, and was also great high fiving those stood by the road side.
The route was good, Mount Ribble was a "was that it?" moment for me. The run into Brum from there was great though. It felt like I flew through the last 10 or so miles.
Overall I'd certainly do it again and will be looking forward to Ride London next summer.
Closed roads are a revolation, it's so nice to be able to ride and concentrate on placing the bike in the road as you wish (other riders dependent of course)
We did set off late, but that didn't bother me. Can't say I personally noticed the lack of loos at the start. Others did though.
The pit stops were a shambles, way way too busy. The 2nd one had run out of food and water by the time we got there. The signage, marshalling and support was all ace I thought.
I saw the oil slick, couldn't believe that somebody would actually do that. Otherwise the support was amazing, had such a positive effect on me, and was also great high fiving those stood by the road side.
The route was good, Mount Ribble was a "was that it?" moment for me. The run into Brum from there was great though. It felt like I flew through the last 10 or so miles.
Overall I'd certainly do it again and will be looking forward to Ride London next summer.
I'd echo the comments already made.
The late start wasn't an issue for me, the sweepers adjusted accordingly (although they did still close the NIA at 6.30pm when some of the slower riders had only just cracked their can of Lawless).
Apparently there were tacks on the road which needed to be cleared and a a few marshals that weren't quite in position which delayed the start time.
No food or water at the second pit stop was definitely an oversight from the organisers - but it was the first year it had been run, and being involved in long distance fell races it is so hard to know how much food and drink participants will want. I suspect they expected more people to be self-sufficient (Personally I carried my own food, and a bit too much of it) and will adjust appropriately for next year.
The lack of water was disappointing, BUT was totally made up for by locals pulling hosepipes to the road side and filling jugs from their taps to top up our bottles. The support all around the route was just amazing - I have a slightly sore palm from high-fiving so many children on the way round.
I also would argue that the tracking was pretty good - I received a text with my finish time as soon as I got to the NIA entrance and the live times I crossed each station matched my own times. Short of providing everyone with a personal GPS tracker (which would increase the entrance fee significantly - we work on an additional cost of at least £30 per participant for live GPS tracking, increase the time for registration and mean every finished HAD to be 'handled' to cut off the tracker) I'm not sure what else they could have done.
Well done to everyone who took part, the camaraderie (at the slower end of the field!) was great and everyone who came out and supported made the ride a fantastic thing to be part of.
The late start wasn't an issue for me, the sweepers adjusted accordingly (although they did still close the NIA at 6.30pm when some of the slower riders had only just cracked their can of Lawless).
Apparently there were tacks on the road which needed to be cleared and a a few marshals that weren't quite in position which delayed the start time.
No food or water at the second pit stop was definitely an oversight from the organisers - but it was the first year it had been run, and being involved in long distance fell races it is so hard to know how much food and drink participants will want. I suspect they expected more people to be self-sufficient (Personally I carried my own food, and a bit too much of it) and will adjust appropriately for next year.
The lack of water was disappointing, BUT was totally made up for by locals pulling hosepipes to the road side and filling jugs from their taps to top up our bottles. The support all around the route was just amazing - I have a slightly sore palm from high-fiving so many children on the way round.
I also would argue that the tracking was pretty good - I received a text with my finish time as soon as I got to the NIA entrance and the live times I crossed each station matched my own times. Short of providing everyone with a personal GPS tracker (which would increase the entrance fee significantly - we work on an additional cost of at least £30 per participant for live GPS tracking, increase the time for registration and mean every finished HAD to be 'handled' to cut off the tracker) I'm not sure what else they could have done.
Well done to everyone who took part, the camaraderie (at the slower end of the field!) was great and everyone who came out and supported made the ride a fantastic thing to be part of.
A great day out.....
Closed roads kind if made it for me and the support roadside was superb and a bit of a motivator. It certainly counteracted the naysayers in terms of the road closures.
I decided to miss the first stop at 20 miles, so the 55 mile stop having only water and no food was a bit of a disaapointment. I ended up in a petrol station a mile down the road to stock up on savouries (ham sandwich and some chicken sticks)
A hundred yards further was a chippy, boy it smelt good as I went by!
I was OK for sweet stuff, as I usually carry enough to be self sufficient - the coffe shots at 75 miles were good.
Positives:
Registration was straight-forward and uncomplicated
Road side support was ace
Closed roads - made the day for me, not having to worry about other road users
Weather - we seemed to drop really lucky with the conditions
Marshalls and volunteers were helpful and enthusiastic
Route was pretty good, Clent not all it was cracked up to be!
Free beer at the finish was a nice touch.
Auto phot upload to FB is a good feature.
Negatives:
Access to pit stops wasn't great - need more positive coralling of riders stopping vs those passing by.
Ensure there is enough food at each stop - Perhaps limit the stuff people were taking, I saw people taking 3-4 bananas each, when it was obivous there wasn't enough to go around.
Delayed start meant I got a little chilly first thing - it didn't take long to warm up though, once I got going.
Summary:
If the organisers can fix the "negatives" then they will have a good event on their hands.
Closed roads kind if made it for me and the support roadside was superb and a bit of a motivator. It certainly counteracted the naysayers in terms of the road closures.
I decided to miss the first stop at 20 miles, so the 55 mile stop having only water and no food was a bit of a disaapointment. I ended up in a petrol station a mile down the road to stock up on savouries (ham sandwich and some chicken sticks)
A hundred yards further was a chippy, boy it smelt good as I went by!
I was OK for sweet stuff, as I usually carry enough to be self sufficient - the coffe shots at 75 miles were good.
Positives:
Registration was straight-forward and uncomplicated
Road side support was ace
Closed roads - made the day for me, not having to worry about other road users
Weather - we seemed to drop really lucky with the conditions
Marshalls and volunteers were helpful and enthusiastic
Route was pretty good, Clent not all it was cracked up to be!
Free beer at the finish was a nice touch.
Auto phot upload to FB is a good feature.
Negatives:
Access to pit stops wasn't great - need more positive coralling of riders stopping vs those passing by.
Ensure there is enough food at each stop - Perhaps limit the stuff people were taking, I saw people taking 3-4 bananas each, when it was obivous there wasn't enough to go around.
Delayed start meant I got a little chilly first thing - it didn't take long to warm up though, once I got going.
Summary:
If the organisers can fix the "negatives" then they will have a good event on their hands.
Had a great day out despite the well under par feed stops, the support at the side of the road was incredible especially from Bewdley but generally all the way round it was fantastic. I am from the area and rode very close to my house and it was great to see so many people out on the roads.
Unfortunately the disruption around Halfpenny green vineyard and Bobbington was pathetic but also very predictable. Oil on the ground and tacks having to be removed along with the local farmer cutting the hedges the day before so the sharp cuttings were all over the road was not only incosiderate but down right dangerous! Bobbinton you are an embarrasment to the midlands! hopefully next year the organisers will avoid the village as it's not worth the hassle.
Overall the positives hugely out weighed the negatives and i'll be doing it again next year
Unfortunately the disruption around Halfpenny green vineyard and Bobbington was pathetic but also very predictable. Oil on the ground and tacks having to be removed along with the local farmer cutting the hedges the day before so the sharp cuttings were all over the road was not only incosiderate but down right dangerous! Bobbinton you are an embarrasment to the midlands! hopefully next year the organisers will avoid the village as it's not worth the hassle.
Overall the positives hugely out weighed the negatives and i'll be doing it again next year
FiF said:
Hedge cutting was courtesy TractorBob, very definition of an arse. I expected him to go out on the day itself and get arrested.
This - felt like getting off the bike to t
t the c***! Absolutley no need for this and was done deliberatly. Bet he was prick who spilt oil on the road too.Other than that, great ride.
I only stopped at feedstation @ 55 miles, wasn't bad at all and plenty of food.
Route was tough but managed to get round in 5 hrs 29 mins (Strava average moving speed 19.8mph) so was well chuffed with that.
There were a lot of drain covers that should have been sorted out, very dangerous and surprised no one went off. Plus I nearly went flying off and I hit a pothole on the last 75 meters leading to the finish as we sprinted to the finish (that could have been nasty)
Good event all in all!
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