Anyone witness the complete prat cycling DOWN Wimbledon Hill? And not being particularly slow at it. He wasn't part of the event, just a regular joe prat with zero patience or sense.
I went down to Wimbledon at the start of the hill for a couple of hours to cheer on the riders. Witnessed all kinds of bikes, and riding ability.
Well done to everyone that finished, sad to hear about all the issues - my view is the numbers are way too high for the event. Possibly even were last year imo. A bit of common sense needs to take place and appreciate that not everyone rides at the same level, speed, or expertise - that goes both ways. Riders will ride how they want and to the speed they feel comfortable, and while the organisers can't improve peoples common sense, or respectfulness, they can at least minimise issues by not packing in more and more riders each and every year - the roads aren't getting any wider after all.
Anyway, one thing riders normally miss at Wimbledon is to the right of the bend, where lots of stalls are out, BMX dudes are doing what BMX dudes like to do, and balloons are twisted and contorted into all shapes and sizes for the amusement of little people.
Went to the Wimbledon bend at the base of the hill...
Then relocated to a short way up the hill. Some found it to be the final straw with cramps a plenty on show, across from me seemed a popular "F**k It Zone", while there were some (mostly Bianchis) that kicked the motors in and zoomed away up the hill at an incredible speed. By motors I'm making no allegations!
There were plenty of shouty zones, with enthusiastic young shouty people shouting words of encouragement. I tried my best too, though as someone else told me, my words were probably met with a giant "pee off!" in most riders heads.
Apologies for some of the shots, HDR and moving things don't always go well with each other.
The red is roughly where I was and the blue roughly where the tyre let go. The car park obviously being the village hall.
