[Closed] Anyone Velo Birminghaming on Sunday?

Yeah, setting off in a fairly late pack (sadly):

Start Time: 08:40
Wave Number: C3

Also slightly concerned about the hills and potential rain! I was out on Saturday in the rain and my MucOff dry lube stuff washed off after an hour or so, might need a better plan.

My start time is 7:45 (I think).

I've got dry lube on too, if the weather looks rubbish it'll be getting wet lube'd beforehand

Yep, I'm in a late group, 8:50 I think, look for the tall, thin bloke with a beard riding a black Sensa.

I have done virtually no training and haven't ridden more than 30 miles in 1 ride since May. This is mainly as I'm doing the Brum Marathon in 4 weeks and have prioritised that. The hope is that my fitness is as good as it's ever been and that this will drag me through, we shall see...

Yes, luckily I've got a 7.35 start time. Hoping to average 16-17mph though I tend to get pain on the outside of my right knee at around 60 miles, if it flares up then the last 1/3rd might be a bit grim.

I tend to get pain on the outside of my right knee at around 60 miles, if it flares up then the last 1/3rd might be a bit grim.

especially as the main climb is at mile 85 apparently 😐

especially as the main climb is at mile 85 apparently

Nope, but may take advantage of the closed roads

The hills really aren't that bad, drags at best.

The worst were taken out when they changed the route.

Not doing it but it goes past our house so I'll give you all a wave (from inside, if it's raining 🙂 ). Think you go past us early* so if you've forgotten tubes/levers/co2/water etc, shout on here and if I can I'll dig something out. 🙂

* That's if the route goes clockwise - let me know if it's anti-clockwise, I'll set up a mile 95 STW tea and cake stop! 🙂

although it's a hillier route than I realised

a lot of people are going to get caught by this, St Kenelms pass at 86 miles is a bit cruel!

we've had customers buy bikes last week who are doing it and have told us "i've not ridden a bike for 20 years"

I'm doing it, I had a new hip 18 weeks ago, I think I might struggle. I've never thought St Kenelms pass was too difficult but it might bite a lot of people due to it being towards the end. My start time is 8.35.

I'm doing it, start time of 7:30am.

I've done some training but know I'll struggle in the last 30 miles, especially with the client climb at 85 miles. I went up there last month and it was fine but it'll be very different with 80+ miles in my legs by then.

I think the climbing will catch out a lot of people. I did the Ride London in August but this is roughly double the climbing. The route guide says the route from Droitwich to Clent is mostly flat and I can assure you that it most certainly is not, there are at least 3 climbs in between that will test out tired legs and various 'lumpy' bits.

Stil looking forward to it, mostly just for the closed road novelty, even though a lot of the route is on my doorstep that I ride regularly anyway.

I am in and trust me the climb is not that bad maybe after 85 miles it might be!.
Ribble are helping out on the climb with some surprise things not sure what these are.
I am of at 8.00 and riding for charity should anyone wish to give a few quid towards Birmingham hospital cancer patients.

http://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/davidparry14

I should add I am really looking forward to it I know what pace I could set but just want to enjoy the day and the closed roads, training has gone well with a few 80 mile days under my belt so should be fine I think 😳

When I entered I was 100% a cyclist, that was all I did and so I was looking forward to a good summer of riding, racking up the miles and then going for a fast 100 milers on closed roads.

Fast forward a year or so and I appear to have turned into a runner who cycles a bit. Last week I ran three 5k's and one 22k...I commuted in to work once (25 miles round trip) and did a bash on the turbo for 30 mins. My longest ride this year was a 70 miler in April.

I never thought I'd be nervous about a 100 mile ride but this time I am. And I'm not sure the 20 mile run I have planned on Friday will help either.

If anyone's looking for a place, my other half can't make it so her spot is going begging (too late for a refund now). You'll just have to pretend to be my wife 🙂

Seems a lot of folk have their nose out of joint over this

Local businesses (who will have to stay closed), residents who need to get to work etc

Questions being asked over route choice (bottlenecks eg tigh turning left into Toys Lane Colley Gate)

And then the traffic disruption

Not happy in Bobbington, but they rarely are...forever moaning about the local club run passing through for a couple of minutes three times a week.

Farmer often brings his tractor out to disrupt TT’s that happen nearby and ignored a marshals flag when the South Staffs RR went through.

Hope all goes well.

I'm in. Number 12303, riding a white and black Planet X, starting at 8:35.
Done plenty of miles this year, just not in one long ride (yet). Really looking forward to the closed road aspect and the idea at least of having lots of like minded riders around. Fingers well and truly crossed for a dry day and a chilled vibe.

Fingers well and truly crossed for a dry day

Amen brother.

I'm off at 7:45, on a Ritchey Road Logic if anyone wants to say hi.

Any recommendations for somewhere decent to eat in Brum on Saturday evening? Will be going into the NIA to register at six-ish and then out to find some grub.

I'm doing it with 2 mates, route looks fairly gentle and there are plenty of feed stops by the looks of it. should be fun

Brum food assuming you don't want posh, JuJu's cafe is close to the NIA and very good. Or Nosh&Quaff and/or Pure Bar on Colemore Row.
In fact, just google Independent Birmingham and go from there, loads of good places to go.

It was on the news last night, people moaning about not being able to drive half a mile to get a newspaper.

Nosh&Quaff

"And the Hipsta****a award for Most Pretentious Catering Establishment Name goes to..."

I shall, however, google Independent Birmingham, thanks

I'm in...number 86 rings a bell...
Black)red propel

N&Q has a dodgy name but ignore that, the food is good value, plentiful and the beers good as well. Have the beef ribs, trust me.

Pop into Digbeth and go to Digbeth Dining Club, it's got very good food and good beer.

I only realised it was on last week.
It goes passed my old primary school and home in Wolverley.
As you go up the hill out of the village toward Sladd lane, try and picture a young Jkomo doing a frame stand coming down full speed on a chromo Ammaco bmx with lilac skyways.
We had such a great childhood round there.
Looks great guys, enjoy it!

There seems to be a fair amount of moaning about this going on in the local rag and on the local news. 🙄
Local busy bodys claiming that all those cyclists won't fit through the traffic calming in Kinver high street and it'll be like Hillsborough. 😯
****ing idiots

Local busy bodys claiming that all those cyclists won't fit through the traffic calming in Kinver high street and it'll be like Hillsborough.
**** idiots

lol, yeh i read that....i think he thinks it's actually starting in Kinver!!

not doing it, but should be out supporting SW of Wolves or possibly at the top of the climb from stourton to where it meets Greensforge lane,..that is a bit sharp and people may need some encouragement or the climb out of kinver, lol...good luck folks!

plan to do it next year if all goes well.

Going to the bike show, hopefully it'll be quiet with 15,000 cyclists annoying people elsewhere 8)

I shall mostly be watching people go past from the Gardeners arms in Droitwich as it's only 200yds from my shop.

It was on the news last night

Didn't get to see it, was too busy, but I was in the background whilst they were filming the other day... Anyone know if I made it onto Midlands Today? 😆

Nice pint in there Mark

Cycle show! Good plan, and a gaming expo opposite, that’s Sunday sorted!

I shall mostly be watching people go past from the Gardeners arms in Droitwich as it's only 200yds from my shop.

Well, look out for a couple of fellas, one on a Ritchey, one on a horrible plastic KTM thing 😉

Yes, a few people moaning, but I’ve been doing my bit to try and shut them up. Though was blocked from Bobbingtons parish council FB page (worth a visit if you’re that way inclined)

Take extra tubes as some hedges and verges have been cut over the last few days (whether done on purpose in time for the ride or not I don’t know)

Take extra tubes as some hedges and verges have been cut over the last few days (whether done on purpose in time for the ride or not I don’t know)

Noticed a few long standing pot holes have been repaired over the last few days, will probably be lost on the moaners as many of them won’t actually stray that far anyway.

I'm off at 7.20.

Its all essentially local roads to me and St Kenelms is a regular for me. Its not hard just a bit longer than people may expect and there is a little kicker at the top which might catch a few out. I think there will be a little shock for people when they come down from Romsley after the climb and then turn up Day House Bank - its short but steep and I'll bet there will be many pushing up it! The route is otherwise a bit undulating. The runs south out of Bewdley and then from Droitwich to Belbroughton are beautiful and a bit undulating.

PS Some of the NIMBYS in Belbroughton are planning a protest with anti-velo banners. Sorry on behalf of the rest of the village. We don't all feel this way,

My best up St Kenelms is 5.34 but I suspect I'll be well off that tomorrow!!!!

Good luck all.

Some of the NIMBYS in Belbroughton are planning a protest with anti-velo banners

I shall be sure to give them a cheery wave and hello 🙂

Dont what ever you do stop at nimmings cafe at the top of st kenelms, the NT nazi pounces on you if your bike isn't in the designated bike rack

"Because you might hit a child"

I offered him £10 if he could fit my fat bike in the rack as i surveyed the completely devoid of children area in front of the cafe

I'm off at 8.45 a black trek with discs, and if its cool a bright pink pair of overshoes and a yellow rain cape thing

Some of the NIMBYS in Belbroughton are planning a protest with anti-velo banners. Sorry on behalf of the rest of the village. We don't all feel this way,.

I live very close to this and have not heard about it but have had lots of people moaning at me about the velo.
I have not been very polite the last few days sick of people moaning about it.
Then I tell them I have raised inbetween 800 and 900 quid for charity and I get told oh well do the ride elsewhere. 😥

people in Belbroughton are weird though anyway, just go in the Talbot at the weekend and see for yourself. the scarecrows have more human qualities

Well I know one MTB’er who lives there (don’t know if he still uses this site) so hopefully his family may be out cheering

I may have a bimble through there being overly nice to the grumpy ones that may be out

So, pre-ride prep is going well, I'm currently on my 3rd cocktail which followed 2 pints. Off for filthy food shortly. Carbo loading you see...

Dont what ever you do stop at nimmings cafe at the top of st kenelms, the NT nazi pounces on you if your bike isn't in the designated bike rack

This is true, I had a similar experience - a proper knob.

Six Ashes is a good slog, not steep but coming early on there’ll be a few fresh legs caught out...also rolling a bit from there to Kinver, not many opportunities to recover before Church Hill

lol I think we've come across that little NT Hitler in the Nimmings car park.
When I said are you gonna chase my bike if a scrote nicks it, he said "yes I used to be 100m champion at school" lol Not anymore mate too many pies I think.
He also gave me the line that I couldn't rest my bike against a bench because "we had a bike fall over and seriously injure a kid"

@Donkeydave, do the Belbroughton NIMBYs get up in arms when the road closes for the scarecrow-thingy?

@bullandbladder

I think we both know the answer to this. 😀

Everyone have a good ride and be safe.

Oh and sign up your interest for 2018 velo Birmingham on the site.
Let's keep this going and hopefully little by little attitudes will change towards cyclists.

All set for 8:15 start, on a dark blue Mason, see y'all in the morning..

If I'm back from holiday in time I might mtb across to the cat at Enville and wave a pint at you strange people.

Must be a bit of a queue, mate due to start at 0730 still hasn't

Apparently some tack were laid down in Bobbington but I didn't see any issues. It was a great day out, lots of support from the locals in Bewdley, Belbroughton and Droitwich. Hope to do it again next year.

Hope you all had a good one guys, I had a carvery Saturday Eve as it was under our hotel, then up from 2am with stomach cramps and lots of trips to the bathroom. Thought imodium had sorted me out but felt sick for about 15 miles, pulled off and was lots sick. Limped back towards Birmingham and got picked up...

enjoyed a lovely few hours encouraging people, rather loudly, up church hill in Kinver.

Helped a guy with a chain stuck down the back of the cassette, had my wizard chain breaker and brute strength from another rider.

wash of hands and a pint in the vine for my efforts.

people in Belbroughton are weird though anyway, just go in the Talbot at the weekend and see for yourself

Hey I grew up in Belbroughton and used to work in the Talbot!!
Only thing I saw were positive comments on facebook!
That scarecrow bollocks didnt start till after I moved away..do they still do the pram race on new years day?

Really enjoyed that, harder than Ride London.

Thank you to everyone who came out to wave, encourage, slap hands etc. Really makes it very different to "just going out and doing a long ride".

Cracking day out. Lots of really potivr people cheering, good route and generally a fine way to spend a Sunday. And how good was the ride through Bewdley? I thought I was on a Tour mountain stage with all the people cheering.

Well flip me, that was flipping hard work, I'm completely flipped.

Good event though, great organisation, friendly spectators.

Bewdley was great. I rode on my own down the middle of the high street, both arms outstretched, soaking in the cheers 🙂

my OH hasn't long finished and sounds like she's had a good day. Proper proud of her - big ride on next to no training

I am now weary, it was hard, 8500ft of climbing according to my garmin, liked the course but not the eed stations, I stopped in agarage and got flapjack and water

Thoroughly enjoyed that. Course was just challenging enough for hilliness without being too extreme. I bypassed the food stops, though I heard good reports from those that did with short queues and good bike service on hand. My wave was about 25 minutes late setting off, last guys out must have been a full half hour late, but weather was kind at the startline and throughout.
Closed roads are a blast - no stopping at junctions, no sore neck from looking out for traffic behind, pick your line through corners. It's going to be harsh reality check when I get back on the commuter run this week.
And the crowds. The good folk of the Midlands did themselves proud. So supportive and vocal with it. I heard one girl saying to a friend 'I'll treasure this day' as I went past (probably not just directed at me!!) which made me feel very connected with the area and the event. I hope it survives into a second year.

Feed stations were a joke, I didn’t even try to enter them given there was queuing into tor roads. I too hit a petrol station, 2 bottles of water, a sausage role and a Soreen bar for me and then got by on a couple of gels.

Really glad to hear the glowing reports - there was some idiocy by us (heard a story of yoofs kicking cones at passing cyclists and of people driving down the closed roads, heard and saw that myself), but if the overall impression is good then the idiots didn't spoil it. Ace! 🙂

I really enjoyed myself, the last 20 miles seemed to be hill after hill but nothing to bad. The crowds through Bewdley were amazing, In fact the spectators everywhere were really good. I'll definitely do it again next year.

the last 20 miles [s]seemed to be hill after hill but nothing to bad[/s][b]were an absolute bastard[/b]

Fixed that for you chap 🙂

8500ft of climbing according to my garmin,

Seems a bit high, course notes said 1750m, which is about 5700ft.

I'm not saying it didn't feel like 8500ft mind

All the internet types to be found here https://m.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=1835800779767919&id=166522910029056

Great ride today - what a blast! Lots of climbing - ups & downs - & my Garmin says 6942 feet of climbing. There was a 30min hold up at the start because of an 'incident' on the course. There was some oil spilled that had straw over it & was clearly controlled by marshals - which may have been the problem. Also some unfortunate hedge cutting (coincidence?) that gave me a puncture with a 1/2 thorn in my rear....

I put a 34T cassette on the rear which made the climbing much easier - a great ride & very enjoyable. Av speed 17.5mph - which I'm pleased with given the climbing.....

We were up in Bewdley for the weekend, hadn't even heard of the event beforehand, looks like the locals had taken it to heart stacks of decorated bikes lined up on the river front.

Yep - most of the locals were brilliant - the streets were lined with cheering supporters in must towns. Children slapping the hands of passing cyclists, music playing, bells / cow horns going & people clapping & encouraging riders by their names (which were on the ride numbers). It was pretty well organised too - so qudos to the organisers.

One for the calender next year.......

The support from the locals was great, but it could have been reciprocated more from the riders I thought. I made a point of waving back, saying thanks etc but I was in a very small minority. If we want to build public support for the road closures and other inconveniences that the event does unarguably cause, we have to show gratitude.

The support from the locals was great, but it could have been reciprocated more from the riders I thought

Bewdley was amazing as was Belbroughton, but in truth, pretty much every town had it's fair share of people out.

I have to admit, I did very nearly ride into the back of someone else when high-fiving some kids 😳

I only saw one 'anti-Velo' sign, apparently there were a few in Belbroughton but I didn't see them. Saying that, one of the spectators told my mate to ignore the signs and enjoy himself 🙂

I nearly fell off after a little girl high-fived me slightly too enthusiastically. Great event though, probably the best I've been to, the crowd especially.

Tainted slightly by the food stations totally running out for the back groups, I didn't eat anything until the 73 miler due to this, at which point I had a couple of bananas. Not great. A random spectator filled up my water shortly after the empty 55 stop 🙂

Had to smile,... there was guy in Kinver who was happily sat down in a cafe, noshing and drinking away, he didn't seem to be in a rush to get on with it at all. 🙂

"I didn't eat anything until the 73 miler due to this"

You set off on a 100 miler with no food of your own?

You set off on a 100 miler with no food of your own?

I had the same question.

I always take my own food, anything else is a bonus. Saying that, I stopped at the 73 mile stop at about 14:00, and there was plenty of food.

Slight gripe with the water stop at 40 miles; massive water bowser, but only two taps, so the queue was pretty big.