More than a little disappointed

[Easytigers]

Know this should probably come under another topic but just couldn't believe today...went to the Milton Keynes Skyride...you know the one that says 'See the city/town like you've never seen it before'...
Oh my!
At first we thought we'd got the wrong day or time. Was supposed to start at 10.00...we were early because we wanted to be towards the front of the masses...no need to worry! At 10am there were at least 18 people waiting at the start line...that was about it as the time passed by. We heard that there was another starting point so obviously realised that that was where everyone was at...they weren't...40 people waited...I kind of expected a couple of hundred at least.
There were some positives from the day...
Got some free energy gel packs...nice
Was actually quite nice to have the roads to ourselves...and as we only occasionally met other riders was again quite cool!
Didn't have to feel bad about going through red lights as we were allowed!!!
Met a couple of the team Sky riders...but wondered why they weren't at the racing that's on the tv!
Negatives...
This was supposed to make people want to get out and do what I have come to love doing...cycling! If people saw today I unfortunately think that they might just say 'What's the point'

The celebrity was Jeff Brazier...nothing wrong in that and was glad that someone is doing something to try and elevate cycling in people's lives...was just a bit embarrassing when an organiser came up to us and pretty much begged us to go to the signing desk...we did jest 'You struggling???'...she said 'Yes...'
Are they all like this???
Russ

 

[apollo179]

So what were your expectations.
Its not clear other than the numbers why you were disatisfied.
The fewer the riders the better from a selfish pov.
You got to meet some sky team cyclists !

 

[Piemaster]

Fair few people at the Hull one last week. Not massive crowds but enough. Weather was pretty good too which must have helped.

The quiet due to lack of motor vehicles was nice though, much nicer without it.

 

[MissTillyFlop]

Are they all like this???
Russ

Not the London one - seriously take some of ours! Last year we went around about 2 miles an hour and you couldn't move sideways at all!

But it was great to see literally TENS OF THOUSANDS of people cycling at the same time!


I also won a SaddleSkedaddle holiday last year - so I thought it was pretty top!

 

[Red Light]

Know this should probably come under another topic but just couldn't believe today...went to the Milton Keynes Skyride...you know the one that says 'See the city/town like you've never seen it before'...
Oh my!
At first we thought we'd got the wrong day or time. Was supposed to start at 10.00...we were early because we wanted to be towards the front of the masses...no need to worry! At 10am there were at least 18 people waiting at the start line...that was about it as the time passed by. We heard that there was another starting point so obviously realised that that was where everyone was at...they weren't...40 people waited...I kind of expected a couple of hundred at least.

They were probably all out cycling the Redways instead

 

[Easytigers]

Not the London one - seriously take some of ours! Last year we went around about 2 miles an hour and you couldn't move sideways at all!

But it was great to see literally TENS OF THOUSANDS of people cycling at the same time!


I also won a SaddleSkedaddle holiday last year - so I thought it was pretty top!

Hi Apollo179
Although it sounds strange to want to hampered by the sheer number of riders, that is kind of what I expected and that's why I was disappointed. It was kind of like going to a football match and only a few supporters turning up...yes you might get the pick of the seats but not the atmosphere you expected.

Free holiday???...Red Light...major bonus...what did you have to do?

 

[DTD]

Went on this year's Manchester and Blackpool SkyRides – numbers seemed down on last year – it was raining(!) in Manchester which might have explained it.

The Blackpool one did seem a bit half-hearted.

Whilst I wouldn't want it to be so packed you can't ride, I too would be disappointed if it was empty – at least part of the appeal is meeting other cyclists, having a look at other people's bikes and feeling a bit of camaraderie, oh yes and wearing a Wapping "Don't buy the Sun, News of the World, Times or Sunday Times T-shirt (is it really 25 years since Wapping?).

The novelty of riding freely on normally gridlocked streets is good, but after one lap it wears off, so without the numbers it loses its novelty and interest.

I do know a couple of people who have got into cycling through SkyRides.

 

[apollo179]

Hi Apollo179
Although it sounds strange to want to hampered by the sheer number of riders, that is kind of what I expected and that's why I was disappointed. It was kind of like going to a football match and only a few supporters turning up...yes you might get the pick of the seats but not the atmosphere you expected.

Free holiday???...Red Light...major bonus...what did you have to do?

hi Russ
Yes i see the football analogy.
40 participants is not many - surprising.

 

[MissTillyFlop]

Free holiday???...what did you have to do?

It was just a prize draw, just popped my name on a list, but it was the LCC stand and hardly anyone stopped there cause they didn't have any free stuff!

 

[Easytigers]

Thankfully it did get busier but not by much

I would be interested to see the official numbers (if they were taken) I can only estimate but in the first 3 hours that we were there I would say that there were about 300...but like I said only a few of these were at the starting line.

 

[Easytigers]

Sorry MissTillyFlop (cool name by the way!)for calling you RedLight

 

[MissTillyFlop]

No probs!

 

[Moodyman]

Went to a couple of the Bradford rides and was pleased with the turnout.

Bradford is hilly and isn't known for being a cycling city, so it was good to see people riding.

 

[sheddy]

BTW if anyone has attended or organised any of the Local Skyrides (not the City Rides) for Buckinghamshire, please share your experiences.

I'd like to know how these are organised and what the response has been ?