Pedal for Scotland 2009

[just jim]

The coned off section out of Kirkliston - was it some kind of proficiency test? They were starting to intrude quite dangerously -and how could you re-align them without risking it from frustrated drivers on one side and cyclists on the other?
I saw two cars meeting along this stretch just at the s- bend with nowhere to go but backwards for one unlucky driver.

The milk was nice and cold though - most refreshing!

 

[Ranger]

I had an OK day, but to be honest the thing it taught me was I don't like cycling with lots of other cyclists around me, the CC rides are fine but that was madness.

I seemed to have more near misses than I have in the last 2 years commuting as I just couldn't predict what people were going to do and where they were going to place themselves. Even when I was stopped I felt hemmed in and vulnerable.

I don't think I will do it next year

 

[HJ]

Magnatom did have a go at re-aligning one of the traffic cones, unfortunately strait into Bhoyjim's path, hope the shoulder is feeling better today Bhoyjim. Maybe you could get Mag to teach you how to do a breakfall roll...

 

[top-tube]

I agree with Mr Pig's earlier comments - this event has gotten too big. I'm all for mass participation events which encourage responsible cycling, but those riding several abreast, occupying 3 lanes of Glasgow suburbia's roads, did nothing to enhance the image of cycling in the eyes of the sometimes irate motorists, or other cyclists. Some of the riding at times was frankly irresponsible, and ultimately counter productive to the sport.

Last year was not as busy, and was much better organised (particularly catering and lack of queues). You would think that with an increase of 2000 participants, and the increased amount of road on the route, that organisation would have been more focussed, rather than less. I think this event has 'jumped the shark'.

 

[HJ]

Rubbish, the only problem is that not enough road space has been made available for the number of participants. Every year I see pictures on TV of the streets of London of people dressed in fancy costumes stumbling along, but no one says the London Marathon is bad for the sport of running!! Secondly this event has nothing to do with sport, this cycling is about transport, it is about getting people out of their cars. All that is needed is more closed roads.

Yes there were irresponsible riders, but at least on this occasion they were out of their cars. What is needed is more education about how to ride safely on the roads.

I was surprised by how few irate motorists I saw this year, and most of those look the type who get upset when ever they see one or more cyclist daring to cycle on their road, the road they alone have paid for, how dare these tax dodging cyclist use it...

 

[gavintc]

Rubbish, the only problem is that not enough road space has been made available for the number of participants. Every year I see pictures on TV of the streets of London of people dressed in fancy costumes stumbling along, but no one says the London Marathon is bad for the sport of running!! Secondly this event has nothing to do with sport, this cycling is about transport, it is about getting people out of their cars. All that is needed is more closed roads.

Yes there were irresponsible riders, but at least on this occasion they were out of their cars. What is needed is more education about how to ride safely on the roads.

I was surprised by how few irate motorists I saw this year, and most of those look the type who get upset when ever they see one or more cyclist daring to cycle on their road, the road they alone have paid for, how dare these tax dodging cyclist use it...

HJ, you are quite correct. It simply needs more willingness to close some roads for the event. 7000 is a lot of people and this should be supported not discouraged. For you and me, we are both converts. But for the vast majority of this 7000, this was a new experience for them and will prove to them that cycling is not all that bad, can be fun and they can do more than cycle round the duck pond.

 

[Mr Pig]

Well my knee is still goosed! Cycled to work today, much to my wife's surprise, but I was like an old man. I would've been slower if I only had one leg but only just. My left leg can't take any pressure at all, wonder how long this'll take to sort itself out.

No idea how many of the riders were repeat offenders but I have to take my hat off to young, fat or ill-equipped and prepared Pob's who crossed that finish line. You'd see them crying at the side of the road into Airdrie or pushing their bike up a slight incline but miles later, there they'd be, still going. So if you're one of the people with your knees between your arms or ten-pounds of pressure in your knobbly tyres I salute you. It's easy to forget amid all the criticism just how big an achievement that was for many of the riders, well done every one of you.

Sorry to moan about the organisation again but how hard would it be to post a video on the PFS site giving people tips on how to prepare themselves, their bikes and how to behave on the road? This thing's been going a long time now but I often feel it's going sideways instead of forward.

 

[Backache]

Well this was my third year of PfS and it certainly could be my last. The cycle in that weather was very pleasant.
But

The transport arrangements from Edinburgh and unpacking of the lorries and total inability to direct you to the start meant that it took hours to actually start after getting up early, after 10:30.

Actually this late start combined with a slow group did mean that the roads were never congested with bikes though the centre of AIrdire was quite busy with cars.

The food was appalling, the home cooking had sold out and all we could eat for most of the trip were banannas or the cuppa soup and a dry roll at Linlithgow. I know the entrance money is meant to go to charity but advertising a lunch and then not providing it is not on. If the weather was like it was two years ago it would have been a misery then the good ladies at Lilithgow with their hot pasta made the occassion.

Have to say when we finished late (5pm) the marshalling and directions at the Edinburgh end were quite good except for two marshalls who were too busy talking to each other to direct people and there was no signs as you turn off the road for the final descent to place near Barnton whose name escapes me.

Edinburgh St Andrews this year was a more enjoyable far better run event.
As a mass participation event it is a great idea but the organisation is not coping with its increasing popularity.

 

[Mr Pig]

If the weather was like it was two years ago it would have been a misery then the good ladies at Lilithgow with their hot pasta made the occassion.

I did that one too. Can you imagine doing that ride and getting cupa-soup in a field for lunch? I think there would've been people wearing cupa-soup.

Incidentally, just to clarify. When I congratulated everyone who completed the event I did not mean the guy who was riding with bare feet. You're an idiot mate! ;0)

 

[BIGSESAL]

I would be happy to join you guys for a ride. When/where is the next one. Plus I work as a mechanic in a bike shop so punctures will be mended in seconds for free.

 

[goo_mason]

I did that one too. Can you imagine doing that ride and getting cupa-soup in a field for lunch? I think there would've been people wearing cupa-soup.

Incidentally, just to clarify. When I congratulated everyone who completed the event I did not mean the guy who was riding with bare feet. You're an idiot mate! ;0)

Wonder how raw the guy doing it in a kilt felt at the end (where presumably his end would also be very raw )

 

[JiMBR]

I like you!

 

[goo_mason]

I agree with Mr Pig's earlier comments - this event has gotten too big. I'm all for mass participation events which encourage responsible cycling, but those riding several abreast, occupying 3 lanes of Glasgow suburbia's roads, did nothing to enhance the image of cycling in the eyes of the sometimes irate motorists, or other cyclists. Some of the riding at times was frankly irresponsible, and ultimately counter productive to the sport.

Last year was not as busy, and was much better organised (particularly catering and lack of queues). You would think that with an increase of 2000 participants, and the increased amount of road on the route, that organisation would have been more focussed, rather than less. I think this event has 'jumped the shark'.

There were FAR more irate motorists last year. This year was remarkably good-natured despite the idiots who continued to block the wrong side of the road despite having a car up their backside for miles. One of the held-up vehicle convoys I witnessed had a police car in second place, and yet they didn't turn their sirens and lights on and try to get the wobblers off the wrong side of the road to let the traffic pass....

On the whole though, the West Lothian / Edinburgh end of the ride needs some serious looking at if they want to keep growing the numbers. You can't lead so many cyclists down a coned-off road or down one narrow path for the last few miles.

 

[viniga]

I would be happy to join you guys for a ride. When/where is the next one. Plus I work as a mechanic in a bike shop so punctures will be mended in seconds for free.

It's being discussed here.

 

[MrRidley]

Update on the injuries, woke up today and could'nt move, felt as though i'd been hit by a truck, right elbow has a big lump, neck seems to be suffering from whiplash from my head hitting the ground, went out on the bike today, had to chuck it after 4mls, as the vibrations were too much, i think i'll stick to the smaller CC rides from now on, and on routes with no cones please