You don't need to be an 'investor' to invest in Singletrack: 6 days left: 95% of target - Find out more
just make a singletrackworld club on strava. there you go.
don't worry about it, strava is a training tool/mechanism for banter.
honestly,some people.
Look at it this way:
One relatively popular STW user proposes a friendly "Race" that isn't really a race but everyone knows it's a bit of a race.
All done in the spirit of camaraderie, community and sharing, this is met with pretty much universal support and acclaim.
There's a bit of a question over how the definitions used for this event might affect it's liability status/insurance but anyone who questions it is shouted down by the great and the good...
Another STW user proposes a friendly Race that isn't really a race but everyone knows it's a bit of a race really, all done in the spirit of Camaraderie, community and sharing, this is met with hostility and accusations of irresponsibility and stupidity on user's persons part. the key differences really being, he's not CTBM, he proposed using Strava (boo Hiss!) to time people on bikes (sort of it's purpose)...
CTBM was pretty open in his SSUK thread about creative use of terminology to get around those pesky rules on the definition of a "race". I don't personally think He's really doing anything wrong, his motives and those of this threads OP are actually not a million miles apart, and in the interest of the sport and MTBing community...
I wonder why STW is seen by some as a Den of Toss-Bandits by some...
How about billing the events as a ‘featured segment of the month’? You wouldn’t be doing anything that isn’t already available in Strava, just bringing people’s attention to a nice trail.
Do a video if you like, a bit of a description and possibly suggest a route which takes in the segment or multiple segments to make it more ‘gravity enduro’. No mention of racing, no prizes and massive caveats about respecting other trail users, riding responsibly etc.
And if the KOM at the end of the month gets details of a nearby geocache which just happens to contain “something suitably "Northern" like a box of tea and some biscuits or possibly a trophy made from manly working stuff like bits of metal and old tools” then that would be lucky wouldn’t it.
Threads like this are why I love you guys,
Thinking it through, concerns re the SSUK event are reasonable. It's 2 months off yet, let's see what happens.
(Off-road sportives with 1000 riders on rights of way? That volume of traffic on a bridleway effectively denies its peaceful use to other users. I can't see that lasting).
It'll be the two of us on the podium every month then?aracer - Member
I don't have a 6" travel all mountain steed, but I do have GPX editing software - can I race?
Seriously though - it's simply too easy to cheat with these things (intentionally or otherwise). It makes a mockery of the whole concept.
I know this isn't the sort of measured, nuanced debate you get on, say, Pinkbike, but if you could try and take in the following points.
SSUK(G) is an official event with insurance cover, organised by an easily traceable local business owner, not some random with an assumed internet name.
The course is 25 miles long, so you're not going to get people going balls out the whole way.
99% of the entrants are going to be treating it as a hungover pootle, not a training exercise.
Prizes will be awarded on a completely random basis, such as prowess at dancing to rubbish glam rock, and the person who comes home first will be clapped and forgotten about rather than being feted as an INTERNET LEGEND.
Even with all this, I still don't think unleashing 200 hungover mountain bikers in Dorset on a Bank Holiday weekend is a risk-free proposition, but I have more faith in that to pass off smoothly than countless little unregulated internet pissing contests, entered by the sort of people who throw a hissy fit when their segment along a shared-use pavement outside a nursing home is flagged as hazardous.
countless little unregulated internet pissing contests, entered by the sort of people who throw a hissy fit when their segment along a shared-use pavement outside a nursing home is flagged as hazardous
rofl. and the wittiest people are definitely on the 'nay' side of the fence!
Firstly, I applaud STW's decision to let this debate run.
It prompts an interesting consideration around which "rules" an individual chooses to respect and which they don't.
Are you happy to race your riding buddies down a track that happens to be catagorised as a BW?
Are you happy to use Strava for something outside of it's specific terms of use?
Are you happy to ride uninsured?
Yes to all? OK, I'll summarise that as "I'd be happy to take part, BUT..."
So, what's the "BUT"?
I'm interpretting this as simply, ...how would this be perceived if it was widely publicised, attracted unwanted attention from nay-sayers, gave them opportunity to voice their unshakable views?
Was it wise to publicise this as a race on an open internet forum? Not sure - Maybe not, but does it hurt to have someone do something that tests the boundaries of the debate occasionally? Definately not.
I can't help but feel that we're all expected to [b]be seen[/b] to condemn this.
You're absolutely right of course Mr A, the OP by posting up a Strava route has, like some sort of cycling pied-piper, bated countless MTBers to certain death on a BW in the lakes...
Of course I don't think anyone actually thought the OP of this thread was proposing an event on anything like the scale or seriousness of even SSUK...
He wanted people to have a go along his shared route and see how they got on, "Race", "Sportive", "time trial", just "going for a ride" call it what you will, I don't think it presents anything like the scale of risks you're bleating about.
The point was pretty simple, if the internet jabberings of this threads OP:
At the end of the month the fastest mens and womans times will be rewarded with something suitably "Northern" like a box of tea and some biscuits...
Can be attributed as liability in some future "Death by Strava" court case, as you seem to contend, then CTBM is on shakey ground liability wise with...
.there is a race, it is a race, we will be racing... But don't tell anyone with a clip board
If then goes on to obtain insurance for something that isn't a race...
So if one thread should be deleted, then so should the other IMO...
STW censorship rules being what they are I wouldn't hold my breath though.
The reason you jumped all over the OP of this thread is clearly the mention of Strava. Which seems to get certain Mary's in a proper H&S froth for some reason, because someone once cut a corner on their shitty trails and they decided that Strava made them do it by subliminal suggestion or something...
I've seen not actual constructive criticism directed towards the OP, no suggestions on how he could organize properly or perhaps scale back his proposal to avoid making himself liable for unintended injuries (clearly your prime concern).
No you you lot just felt the need to put the boot in to an essentially well meaning individual who wanted to take part and share in the MTBing community, because basically you're a barrage of ****s...
I await my ban ****s...
sorry Ecky, but all that stuff about "what we are expected to be seen to do" is a load of waffle.
I do agree with you that debate about what's OK and what isn't OK is fine.
But there's no need to be fuzzy about the issue in this case -it was not wise to publicly promote a race on a BW; it is illegal to do that.
[i]The reason you jumped all over the OP of this thread is clearly the mention of Strava[/i]
I think a number of people have explained their misgivings and they don't revolve aroudn Strava, however convenient you find it as a vehicle for your ire.
Up until your last two sentences I was happy to discuss stuff but, really, is that the best you can do?
[because basically you're a barrage of ****...I await my ban ****s...
Up until your last two sentences I was happy to discuss stuff but, really, is that the best you can do?
+1 Indeed, so many full stops! *Reports post to the grammar police.*
But there's no need to be fuzzy about the issue in this case -it was not wise to publicly promote a race on a BW; it is illegal to do that.
But there's two issues in that single quote alone Asterix.
1. to promote
2. to race
That's furtile fuzziness in which to grow a whole crop of waffle from me.
😉
[Edit] make that 3 issues... "3. publicly" [/Edit]
Cumbriamonkey: go see a lawyer, pay him some money and get a retraction of all this proposal drafted and state it was a silly Idea, I don't advocate this at all. Becuase when someone comes suing you, and they will, this entire exchange will be exhibit A. Seriously this poorly thought out and will end up costing you time and money. Next time you have a greta idea and want to put it out on social media, it might be worth getting advice first.
Personally I think the "Barrage of ****s" point is about the most concise descriptor for a group of STW users that I've read to date...
Lets be honest this "Debate" was never really going anywhere, try to make a reasoned point on here and your called names or miss-quoted, just thought I'd join the fun and try to earn an STW-ASBO so I could do some work... Ya great big ****-Chops!
The reason you jumped all over the OP of this thread is clearly the mention of Strava
As someone who seems to have done more than their fair share of the jumping (sorry about that) I can assure you that it has absolutely nowt to do with strava. In fact, I don't even get why you think it is - looking back on the comments, apart from a few "isn't that against strava T&Cs?" comments early on (and a few observations that it's perhaps sub-optimal as a timing system for races), the objections don't seem to have anything at all to do with strava, more the "promoting of illegal racing on bridleways" issue. Have you actually read the thread?
I don't even get what this has to do with strava, any more than it has to do with what tyres the guy on the video was using, or what video camera he shot it on. Am I missing something?
Ecky - your last reply made me smile sir
[edit - actually the only point I made above was that it was unwise to [i]publicly [/i]promote a race on a BW. It is, however, also unwise to promote a race on a BW. And it is also unwise to race on a BW]
this reminds me of the Wesley Crushers 🙂
wise words DrBob. Mr Monkey - this thread, your FB, your videos, are all evidence to be used against you by anyone with a mind to. You're making it easy for them.
@cookeaa you're losing it. calm down.
I do wonder if he's just trying to get the thread closed.
The main reason Strava threads attract earnest finger-wagging bores like myself is that until its invention, it was hard (if not impossible) to organise timed racing between people who didn't know each other on open multi-user trails. Now it's easy, but it encourages dickish riding, it makes mates' races and cheeky trails findable on Google, and accuracy issues mean the results are worthless. Is that a good thing?
And look at this FFS. [url= http://www.thecrankset.com/index.php/2013/01/22/seven-things-i-hate-about-strava/ ]From this supremely whiny article.[/url]
[img] 
[/img]
If you respond to this sort of marketing, then you should probably sell your bikes immediately.
Ahh, okay, I think I get it now, the "strava is bad" thing.
No, I don't get it, sorry. Like blaming the gun for a shooting, or the car for bad driving. You might as well blame the bike as the GPS tracking software. Surely it's riders being nobs that's issue, not their software?
Sorry, I'm still missing something, clearly. Don't explain it to me, I'm happy to stay perplexed by this one.
What's the matter, have you just gone Premium?
Hoping to beat my position of 24th in the dark tonight obviously I will only be racing myself and I will have two bright lights so the walkers can seem me coming.
Do i get bonus points for riding 7 miles to get there!
Mr Agreeable - I think your views on Strava are clear - there's a real danger that other concerns get lost in the bickering and points scoring over Strava and I think that would be wrong?
Having read the whole 3 pages of this...plus my own preconceptions/experience I have come to the following conclusions:
1) using strava for mates racing is probably just about OK assuming your mates are complete nobbers and will sacrifice their "strava run" when other trail users are about.
2) putting it on open social media/forums is f***** retarded.
3) The SSUK thing is probably not much better and asking for trouble if something goes wrong. Have a group[u] ride[/u] then a little minirace on private land if you must. But calling it a reliability trial but then putting a comment on an open forum that is really a race is really daft.
For the record:
Have I used strava? Yes
Do I quite like Strava? Sort of. I found myself competing against others and more to the point myself far too much and it took some of the joy out of my riding.
Do I think Strava is bad idea in general on BWs and cheeky trails? Yes. It'll end in tears soon enough.
It's hard being a grown-up sometimes, innit
You know what, I have faith that CTBM will organise a responsible event and manage the risks for himself, the riders and other trail users sensibly and professionally, no matter what he has said online to reassure the SSUK crowd that it will still be worth attending.
If the OP was my mate, I'd have said why bother.
There's a shed load of racing if that's what you want, and keep riding 'just riding'.
I kind of admire the OPs enthusiasm though, even if in my opinion it is misguided.
On a personal note I think it makes a mockery of the hard work done by those organizing 'proper' events.
And I always think this sort of competition to be a bit snide. It's unequal, inaccurate, open to manipulation, but worse of all anyone doing poor times can just say they weren't competing.
Just so you know, I do put a lot into the sport. One of the races we organised last year.
[img] 
[/img]
It's also the big events stretching the rules,
this one may have issues as IIRC they cross the bridleway through the site
http://www.whinlatterchallenge.co.uk/results.asp
time, postion, categories and I assume prizes, challenge or a race?
I'd imagine they'd have a shed load of permisions/insurance in place.
Yep it's on the BC site, so they're taking a slice of the pie.
I think it's a good idea, and if a segment appears near me I'll give it a go.
Organised races cost a fortune for various reasons, and most people don't give too much of a shit as they'll never win, although they'd still like to see where on the scale they did finish.
Strava offers all this on your doorstep ... for free!
I sometimes wonder if this forum is predominantly filled with lawyers and HSE employees.
Strava offers all this on your doorstep ... for free!
Using Strava isn't the issue here at all.
How about instead of promoting illegal racing on BW's, spend all that enthusiasm on getting access or building and/or maintaining legal trails?
If the OP published segments around here, and people got wind of it, it could set us back over ten years work getting some trails that folk travel from all over to ride.
Would you be happy to destroy all that work for this?
oldgit - MemberI'd imagine they'd have a shed load of permisions/insurance in place.
Yep it's on the BC site, so they're taking a slice of the pie.
obviously they don't cross the bridleway that runs through the site, BC are clear that no racing on or crossing Bridleways can happen for an MTB race my understanding is that you can't even get a closure of a Bridleway
as they don't comply with section 2.8 of this document
it must be a race surely not?
How about instead of promoting illegal racing on BW's, spend all that enthusiasm on getting access or building and/or maintaining legal trails?
one is "fun" and one is dull as dishwater and requires dealing with various stakeholder groups who will just maon at you 😉
I see that often broken, and wonder about it. The event I did Sunday lists the times along side an alphabetical list of names and no prizes.
Though again they'd be paying a levy ammongst other things.
Makes me glad I'm not in the UK anymore. Most of the recent races I have done have been on open trails with no closures at all. We are all asked to give way to others and not be ****s about it. We manage. There is strava based challenges on segments all over the world. Anywat I'm off to get my kom through the boeljng green back what tyres for mashing through pensioners?
I hear this years uk gravity Enduro series will be using Strava/smartphone apps for the timing system, can anyone confirm?
A great deal of this thread goes on about the op's challenge being possibly illegal. Amore valid point would be wether it does any harm or not. well maybe it might techniclly be not quite legal but when racing bicycles became illegal on B/W nobody would have dreamed of a strava segment type event, it would have ben head to head racing with multiple contestants, maybe not such a good idea. Over a month people turning up at random and doing what they've always done, not what the law makers had in mind I'm sure. Maybe not on here but out in the wide world, most people don't realy give a stuff about breaking some technical aspect of law if they feel no harm is being done by thier actions. I don't think the op's event will do that anymore than a lot of other riding. You'd probably be hard pushed to even notice anything was going on. Unlike big " legal " events with hundreds of competitors wich can seriously disrupt other peoples ability to enjoy a place as they see fit.
Legal; riding along a BW with no ulterior motive and abiding by the ROW.
Cheeky; What a lot of us actually do anyway.
Illegal; Racing on a BW.
I might be over reacting, but if everyone took the OPs view places like Woburn would now be fenced off and bulldozed land, and not great trails and jumps as it is now.
I might be over reacting, but if everyone took the OPs view places like Woburn would now be fenced off and bulldozed land, and not great trails and jumps as it is now.
I know you ride a lot and care about the sport OG, but I think you and a lot of people are over reacting to this. Its for a month, people will ride as they allways do, but at the end of the month someone gets a box of tea. The bulldozers wont move in, and apart from those in the know nothing will have happened.
You'd probably be hard pushed to even notice anything was going on.
Except for the Facebook page, the videos, and the forum postings that is.
For anyone wanting to make an issue of bike access to the trails, it's a gift.
I know you ride a lot and care about the sport OG, but I think you and a lot of people are over reacting to this. Its for a month, people will ride as they allways do, but at the end of the month someone gets a box of tea. The bulldozers wont move in, and apart from those in the know nothing will have happened
it depends, if you have a militant rambler/ horserider there will be formal complaints going into the local council/highways/PROW team if they get a whift of it. All written from an informed understanding of the relevant legislation and probably a confontational approach to the council etc
I hear this years uk gravity Enduro series will be using Strava/smartphone apps for the timing system, can anyone confirm?
Can't make it any less accurate 🙂 if I was entering I'd be using a garmin to check for massive errors.
I'm in two minds about this one really. I do think the organisers have been pretty foolish/naive to not even try and claim its not a race, and no disclaimers about riding safely etc. That is also a fairly poor choice for a segment IMO as it often gets really busy with walkers, being right by Ambleside. Definitely could end up being used as ammo by those wanting to limit access for bikes.
On the other hand some of the criticism on here is pretty OTT, and it is interesting to note the different treatment of CTBM. Nicely shot video btw.
open to manipulation
You think? 😈
this one may have issues as IIRC they cross the bridleway through the site
My understanding is that there isn't any issue with crossing a bridleway during a race. I've taken part in events where bridleways have been OOB due to the legal situation, but we've been allowed to cross them. It's certainly not illegal to do so. BC rules may say something different, but they don't apply to a lot of events.
On the other hand some of the criticism on here is pretty OTT, and it is interesting to note the different treatment of CTBM. Nicely shot video btw.
Maybe yes, it doesn't anger me or anything, and it shows some passion. It's the way the OP has waded in. I think the OP believes this is a free country 😉 And has broken the unwritten rules of cheeky'ness.
I wish I could offer advice or something, but I don't think you can take racing and riding and mix them together, it's not that the end result doesn't taste nice, it's just pointless.
I'm with cookieaa here. This site has frequently been wonderful, but this thread epitomises everything that is wrong with some long standing members on here who feel the need to object to pretty much everything that fits in with their idea of mountain biking (unless it comes from a name they recognise).
I'm afraid that for most people these days mountain biking is about going as fast as is reasonable on descents, it has moved on from slogging around the edges of fields on a Marin Mount Vision. I know that 10 years ago when I joined STW I was riding much tamer trails on a much less capable bike, and judging by the bikes being shown in the "What bike have you got threads" I know most people have also progressed. Now things have moved on and this is how it is, and being backward about it will not stop fun things like unofficial races like this happening.
No one will sue anyone. Everything will be fine. It's not even really racing any more than what Strava does already. People will ride the trail as fast as they ever have, perhaps even as fast as they did before they rode it with Strava. Strava is not really making people change how they ride, the people that use it were always riding as fast as they could. Which is, for all but a few who are out for the view, the point of riding bicycles down hills. You see a walker, you slow down. Simple. We all do it, have done for years and this doesn't change anything.
And mates have been racing mates on trails for years, pretty much every time they go out together. Sometimes they say it's a race, usually they don't. It's still competing with each other.
I hope this goes well for you OP, I will certainly have a crack at some of it if I'm up that way and not riding a big old mountain. And as someone who has organised more official events I don't consider this to make a mockery of what I do, it's a totally different thing.
OP has been naive in calling his informal bit of fun a 'race', that's all.
But if 'racing' along BWs is the epitome of evil, how are the organisers of [url= http://www.xcracer.com/raceentry/viewevent.php?event_id=436 ]this[/url] going to manage? I'm wondering how they will create a long route around here that will avoid all BWs and FPs and still be any good. And it's definitely badged as a race.
I hear this years uk gravity Enduro series will be using Strava/smartphone apps for the timing system, can anyone confirm?
If that's true (and I smell a wind-up) it's pretty poor. Imagine if other cycling events were timed to within 15m accuracy. World Cup DH? Road race bunch sprints?
Sorry yeah I was joking, thought it would be obvious. 🙂
if 'racing' along BWs is the epitome of evil
No-one's arguing that. I've done plenty of events like the HONC which use BWs and even private land, but these are advertised beyond groups of mates on Facebook, marshalled at crossings, permissions are obtained, the emphasis is on the challenge rather than pinning it, and they're only for one day a year. To compare them to open "challenges" that demand people to go out and treat a short open section of bridleway like a closed DH track is missing the point by a mile.
My understanding is that there isn't any issue with crossing a bridleway during a race. I've taken part in events where bridleways have been OOB due to the legal situation, but we've been allowed to cross them. It's certainly not illegal to do so. BC rules may say something different, but they don't apply to a lot of events.
If you cross a bridleway you are "on" it and therefore fall foul of the relevant legislation
It's not just BC with this view, I've seen it from other sources.
A high profile example was the Manchester Commonwealth Games where the course was heavily constrained because it could not [b]cross[/b] the bridleways in the area
Hyperbole on my part, I admit - but it remains that permission cannot be granted at any level for cycle racing on bridleways, regardless of marshalling and insurance. It's possible the event I linked avoids BWs altogether (wondering how though!) and has got the permissions to use FPs, but even so, it's badged as a race, and that means that plenty of folk will be trying to push it hard, even if some are treating it as a distance challenge.
I take your point about extending the 'race' over a month, but I'm struggling to see how walkers having to look out for hundreds of riders racing on one weekend day is much better than a handful of facebookers scattered sporadically over a longer period.
Not sure I'd be that interested in either event (the OP should think about maybe including a climb or two rather than just descents), but the opprobrium that has been heaped on him seems OTT to me.
I do find it interesting how differently CTBM's event is being treated by some here. He's admitted that really it's a race, and will be using public ROW, and from what people have said it sounds like there will be a fair bit of alcohol involved.
Drunk bearded guy on a SS bike takes out a walker on a BW doing something that looks suspicuously like a race? I highly doubt in those circumstances any insurance policy will be worth the paper it's written on. Oh but it's ok someone did a risk assessment on the back of a fag packet.
Usual STW double standards in full effect.
I'd agree that billing "races" on open RoW sends out the wrong message and could come back to bite organisers, but there's a huge difference between the way people ride an endurance event of 50 miles and an all-downhill event of 0.5 miles. It's totally disingenuous to pretend otherwise.
What about when they're pissed?
And it's not disingenuous - you have a different opinion.
I believe said event [i]finishes [/i]at the pub. Unless someone finishes the race, necks a few pints, then heads off for a 25-mile victory lap, how is the scenario you describe going to transpire?
Its for a month, people will ride as they allways do, but at the end of the month someone gets a box of tea. The bulldozers wont move in, and apart from those in the know nothing will have happened.
They won't though - some people will push that little bit harder, because they're competitive, it's natural. Perhaps they're 5 seconds off, so they go for another go. They hit a walker who gets hurt, friend comes along and says without thinking "I'm really sorry, we're doing a race". There's an excellent chance that it will pass completely unnoticed by those who care.
But there are massive ramifications if that doesn't happen!
My 2p worth… which has been stated previously in the thread.
The issue is that it has been promoted as a “Race”.
If there is an incident that results in an injury or a potential for legal action it will get back to the promoter and you will be in trouble. No permission, no insurance, no risk assessment, no marshals, no warning signs, no closure notices and no first aid provision. Trust me, as a race promoter myself there is an awful lot of ball ache that I could do without but it is necessary. We’ve seen disputes with other trail users and broken bones, dislocations, asthma attacks, bad gashes etc that have required mountain rescue call outs - with police in attendance (police get notified automatically of a MR call out). If they get a whiff that this is anyway organised they will want to see the paperwork. If it is in order and you haven’t been reckless you won’t hear any more. If it isn’t then I dread to think what would happen. My races have to have public liability insurance for £5,000,000 per incident. Have you got that much, in case you need it?
Keep it amongst yourselves and it is fine. Promote it and you have to play by the rules. If you promote it you have a duty of care to everybody that is involved.
It doesn’t matter if you think this is nanny state-ism, them’s the rules.
I believe said event finishes at the pub. Unless someone finishes the race, necks a few pints, then heads off for a 25-mile victory lap, how is the scenario you describe going to transpire?
Pretty sure I've seen numerous things about people getting pissed before/during SS events. In fact look here at what you said:
Thing it, if it's anything like previous SSUKs it'll be the least competitive "race" ever run. [b]People don't do beer stops in the middle of Strava runs do they?[/b]
And he also said there would be no marshalls, first aid etc
But hey it's ok because hey it's just some cool guys on niche bikes having fun, not these young punks with their Strava obsession. 🙄
I'm pretty sure that anyone who does drink at SSUK will be taking readings of their blood alcohol content and posting them online for everyone to see, along with a video of them shotgunning a six-pack.
I see you've discovered the web page, did you clock this bit?
It’s not a race, it’s an off road reliability trial.
Yes, and I also clocked the bit where he said on a public forum that actually it is a race.
there is a race, it is a race, we will be racing... But don't tell anyone with a clip board.
It also says there won't really be marshalls/medics, and it starts at a pub, goes to another pub before doing another lap.
I've already agreed the guys in the OP have been a bit daft/naive, but the bile and double standards here are ridiculous.
I'm pretty sure that anyone who does drink at SSUK will be taking readings of their blood alcohol content and posting them online for everyone to see, along with a video of them shotgunning a six-pack.
:swoon:
For the record... Racing and promoting racing on the BW network is illegal. As far as we are concerned at ST it's also irresponsible and puts shared trail users at an unacceptable risk that will potentially backfire on the whole MTB community.This is an accident waiting to happen and Singletrack does not endorse this event.
Take it off the BW network on to dedicated trails with permission, liability insurance etc and it's a different matter entirely.
are you certain about that?
http://singletrackmag.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/05/video-this-is-sheffield-mass-start-dh/
I don't have a 6" travel all mountain steed, but I do have GPX editing software - can I race?
count me in 🙂
If the Workingmans Series had something as strongly-worded as this on their FB page I might not have been as critical.
You’re Strava time is not the most important thing, the use, acceptance and permanence of the trail are. If there are others on the trial, give way to them, give them a smile, you can always have another go. DONT **** IT UP FOR EVERYONE ELSE.All we ask is that you ride responsibly. Be respectful to other trail users, the trail itself and yourself. Don’t piss anyone off, Do unto others as you would have them do unto you. Simple. There’s not prizes, only bragging rights. You race completely at your own risk. We take absolutely no responsibility for your actions or any injuries sustained to you or anyone else.
Instead they put shite like this:
Only 9 Days left for YOU to take the KOM & QOM on this months segment. Have you seen what you can win? The coveted WMRS February Segment trophy!
In fact has anyone else looked at their page recently? It's removed all mention of "racing" or even riding bikes. Shame that's not the way the Internet works eh...
The Whinlatter Challenge must be a race the Endurance Series news story on here describes it as such.
Anyone got a GPX of the course, I want to ask BC how the rest of the mtb xc world can use the lessons learnt from Whinlatter to get new and better courses.
it looks like the OP is changing stuff on the FB page (e.g. next months 'segment' looks like more of a loop in a forest that may not be BWs, and there is mention of a 'revised mission statement'), which I think sounds good and they should get some applause for that
If the Workingmans Series had something as strongly-worded as this on their FB page I might not have been as critical.
Of course you could have just suggested something like that rather than ranting on about how everyone that uses Strava is a bellend.
In fact has anyone else looked at their page recently? It's removed all mention of "racing" or even riding bikes. Shame that's not the way the Internet works eh...
So basically they've listened to people's concerns and you're still slating them?
lol they removed the 'r' from the logo
Even the Strava segement has been renamed...
Blimey.
I have been making this up as I go along. Busking my pants off, and now everything important is in place.
What has been said earlier, may not be the case on the weekend. Many details have changed: the date, there is a fee, the Dorset rough riders MTB club are marshalling the iffy road crossing, the bit where it's easy to get lost, and anywhere that the risk assessment rides showed as iffy. We are an actual affiliated proper club.
It's not a race,It's a reliability trial, at 25 miles per lap and the keen guys going for 2 laps, it won't be flat out. There may well be a tattooist at the finish. There might be racing, but that is something else, not the main event, and it may involve a wall of death pursuit race or beach racing (not all details are nailed down) .
It's on my local trails, all bridle paths and this is a small community, and people know who i am and where to find me, I don't want to fight off angry farmers throwing dead burning sheep through my door., so everyone will be told not to be a dick, slow for walkers, don't skid, be nice, only crash into yourself, stay classy. Break any one of those rules and I will wee in your helmet, break more than one rule and it will be whilst you are still wearing your helmet.
The format is no different to the 1000 people wiggle sportive, or the Sunday morning dual carriageway TT. On a local level our 150 ish riders is a drop in the pond. The sandbanks ferry will be conveying 50 cyclists, three times an hour, all day, everyday... out of Poole and into the neighbourhood.
I attended wiggles impressively organised event, and the 1000 people were so spread out it was barely noticeable. Just like any other Sunday really. I think they missed some excellent trails (shame) and went down a very fast wide descent (not challenging but risky), but we will be pushing our bikes up that one. Our route takes in the best bits, but where it can get busy, we are climbing, or avoiding in favour of the legal singletrack nearby.
What may appear as a cheeky thrown together drunken shambles is in fact a well planned cheeky thrown together drunken shambles (refering to the whole weekend). I've done the whole lot by myself, a team of one, testing a theory that we can have an event without debt and hassles, and the hurdles that have stopped events previously. What started out as an informal gathering has evolved into a cycling club doing an off road sportive( with a roasted pig ) . The money is all spent now, but I hope there is a legacy for 2014. Someone can pick up this model and do the same next year, and the year after. If we go back to full on closed circuit XC racing, that is ace, but we also have this option, so never again will the proud and honourable one speed gentlemen of Great Britain have to go without a good knees up.