Velo Birmingham

[loudlashadjuster]

OK, their launch was a bit (OK, a lot) of a shambles and the cost is eye watering but I'm signed up for next year. The lure of closed roads is too strong

Anyone else get a place?

[loudlashadjuster]

Herman Toothrot said:

A friend of mine asked me to do it as a team I said yes until I got to payment details, £115 having a laugh. I changed my mind not doing it.

Yes, the fast track entry is a complete piss-take. £75 is just about bearable but is already much more than RideLondon which includes postage of race pack and has start time determined from your estimated finishing time - much more sensible.

Why not just do a 'normal' entry?

[loudlashadjuster]

SixPotBelly said:

Not doing planning to enter myself, but if I understood correctly the fast track saves you having to go up/down/across the day before to pick up your race pack. £40 extra but you don't have to pay for dinner and a hotel. Or spend all weekend in Birmingham. (Sorry Birmingham, I don't love you, it's not you it's me etc...)

Bugger, you're right. I'd forgotten about the trip to ExCeL for RideLondon.

[loudlashadjuster]

S10GTA said:

fking obscene price.

For the 'fast track'? Totally agree.

The normal price is expensive, but looking around it's only a £5-10 more than other closed road century sportives so not too gougey.

Considering they don't seem to have a marquee sponsor like RideLondon but still have to close off a fair chunk of a large city (unlike Etape Caledonia etc.) it's perhaps understandable.

[loudlashadjuster]

simonpieman said:

I signed up knowing that it is likely to be chaotic. The attraction is the promised road closures. If that gets canned, I expect many will want their money back.

Indeed, I certainly will.