It's 'elf 'n' safet...
 

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[Closed] It's 'elf 'n' safety gone mad I tell ya!

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Posts: 36
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http://www.singletrackworld.com/2009/02/giant-and-specialized-postpone-glyncorrwyg-demo-day/

OK, so there's going to be a bit of snow and ice on Whites, but really:

Health and safety at any of our events takes precedence and we will not expose anyone to dangerous riding conditions.

hmmmm.

Giant and Specialized are committed to promoting safe cycling, so it is with regret that we will be postponing the first event of this series.

spin classes, coming to a Giant stockist near you soon. "Safe, doods"

🙁


 
Posted : 05/02/2009 8:59 am
 Nick
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probably because they don't think as many people will turn up so using it as a partial excuse to cancel


 
Posted : 05/02/2009 9:02 am
 aP
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Most people or organisations that talk about Elf'n'Safety really mean "I have no understanding of the term risk" and I don't think that my insurers will cover me.


 
Posted : 05/02/2009 9:25 am
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as you suggest aP, it almost opens the organisers to a greater liability should someone hurt themselves in fine weather and conditions due to their implied approval that it is "safe" that day by letting the session run.


 
Posted : 05/02/2009 9:27 am
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Sounds reasonable to me.


 
Posted : 05/02/2009 9:31 am
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probably because they don't think as many people will turn up so using it as a partial excuse to cancel

More likely because the staff can't be arsed to stand outside in the cold, wet snow all day....


 
Posted : 05/02/2009 9:34 am
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[touchpaperlightingon]It's cos specialized bikes are fair weather machines and fall apart in rain, snow and mud. Orange bikes would be fine.[/touchpaperlightingoff]

😉


 
Posted : 05/02/2009 9:39 am
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I would have thought the actual driving to such an event is far more of a worry that actually riding in the snow and ice. So if I was throwing such an event, I'd be worried about not enough people turning up, so would postpone it rather and save the cost. Plus, these sorts of things get riders of all sorts of abilities. I doubt a manufacture would want to encourage riders to ride in conditions that are out of their skill level. Hardly health and safety gone mad, more thinking and looking out for people. You are still welcome to ride there on your own bike if you want. If they stopped you doing that, then I'd agree it would be health and safety gone mad.


 
Posted : 05/02/2009 9:48 am
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Probably a combination of aP and PeterPoddy reasoning. They have to look after their employees as well as the public.
Riding someone elses bike in icy conditions when the rider does not have to worry too much about bending the bike. What could possibly go wrong. 😆


 
Posted : 05/02/2009 9:50 am
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It's perfectly sensible to postpone it. Anyway most ppl would probably quite like to test bikes in non-snowy conditions given that's what it will be like 95% of the time they ride.


 
Posted : 05/02/2009 9:57 am
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[i]It's perfectly sensible to postpone it[/i]

maybe so. but for what reason?


 
Posted : 05/02/2009 9:59 am
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All of the above.


 
Posted : 05/02/2009 10:11 am
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The place isn't shut you can still ride your bike, if you want!

Nothing unreasonable in that.


 
Posted : 05/02/2009 10:15 am
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Fair enough. The bikes are unlikely to get a decent ride and review if wet cold riders are picking their way through the snow instead of going balls out in the dry.


 
Posted : 05/02/2009 11:07 am
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all of which are great excuses. So why is the HSE one used instead?


 
Posted : 05/02/2009 11:10 am
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Because its easier. Ppl are used to blaming everything on H+S.


 
Posted : 05/02/2009 11:13 am
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From a professional point of view, it's not H & S gone mad at all. It's responsible, dynamic risk assessment, put into practice.
I think they've done the right thing.


 
Posted : 05/02/2009 12:04 pm
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Agreed - just what is the problem with being healthy and safe? If you went out on a bike you didn't know, with tyres not designed for snow and ice, and (for example) ended up with a cracked ankle on the far side of Whites (not all that unlikely)... after about ten minutes of sitting in the cold with a bit of pain and shock working its way into your system you'd be thinking that it was unwise to run the event I can assure you.


 
Posted : 05/02/2009 12:16 pm
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There's also the factor that their bikes are more likely to get damaged in slippery conditions.


 
Posted : 05/02/2009 1:42 pm
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One word:

Strathpuffer.


 
Posted : 05/02/2009 2:38 pm