Sky Rides - Good, bad or downright ugly?

[Donger]

A couple of years ago my Brummie mate Andy and I decided to see what a Sky Ride was like, and we did the Birmingham 2012 event. I probably shouldn’t slag it off too much, as I guess it is aimed primarily at new cyclists and kids, and British Cycling presumably wouldn’t be involved if it wasn’t worthwhile. However, I have just rediscovered a photo I took on the day, and thought I’d share my experience with you.
I went into it expecting to be able to cycle some of the major city centre roads that you would normally never feel safe riding – perhaps New Street, Corporation Street and round by the Cathedral etc. What we actually got was an unispiring procession up and down the Pershore Road, through Cannon Hill Park, (where, correct me if I’m wrong, you can always cycle anyway), and through the Bull Ring Indoor Market. Here we were treated to wacky Sky minions leaping out unexpectedly, trying in vain to get us to smile for the cameras and look like we were having a zany, fun-packed day. This did not work with me, as I am the sort of grumpy who is generally opposed to all forms of enforced merriment. It got worse. A surreal trek through the dingy darkness of a half deserted indoor market followed, guided only by rows of “Sky” placarded crowd barriers. We then emerged back into the light to sample the delights of (I kid you not) the Birmingham Egg Company lorry park. (See photo, and you too can experience the joy!).
The whole day was rescued for me, though, by an incident later on in Cannon Hill Park. At regular intervals throughout the day, various celebrities were to make public appearances in the park. One of those who came and went a few times was Victoria Pendleton, and I decided to queue up to get her autograph for a mate in Gloucester who is besotted with her. The queue was 3 or 4 deep and a hundred yards long, so Andy nipped to the front to check who was there in the signing tent. At the same time someone else had the same idea. As he got to the front he loudly shouted (in broad brummie) “Nah! It’s only Lorraine Kellay!”. Lorraine Kelly, OBE, promoter of cycling and good causes, and all round bubbly and likeable celebrity, looked up to see my mate Andy in front of her looking sheepish and three quarters of the queue melting away in instant disappointment. Whether she thought he was the bloke who shouted it or not, we will never know – but the look on her face …..!

 

[Pale Rider]

Lots of Sky Rides so it's hard to generalise.

The one I did about 18 months ago was well-organised, including leaders who had done a recce and tail end Charlies.

I tested the infrastructure by falling off the Brompton - hit a pedal on a speed hump.

The leaders were very attentive, I was offered first aid, a lift home, etc.

The main leader asked me to fill in a risk assessment form before we parted, a bit much I thought, but I suppose it is correct organisational procedure.

He also told me Sky had paid for him to go on a couple of ride leader courses.

Typical Sky, if they do something they generally throw plenty of resources at it to do the job well.

 

[shouldbeinbed]

the Manchester one is a North -> South of the centre ride that mixes the grim industrialness round the back of Piccadilly Station and the Velodrome with a ride through some of the usually busy city centre streets to Castlefield and a circuit round Man City's ground. Some of the lanes are pretty thin as they're used on the out and in route and it highlights just how scabby some of the roads I take for granted day in day out are when you see and hear kids and novices bumping, bouncing and moaning over them.

I did them when the kids were a couple of years younger and it was a safe ish way of getting them on roads they wouldn't usually do and they enjoyed the novelty of riding in Manchester centre. Nowadays they're not as interested & its roads I ride an awful lot anyhow so, meh.

 

[snorri]

I did them when the kids were a couple of years younger and it was a safe ish way of getting them on roads they wouldn't usually do and they enjoyed the novelty.

Perhaps it was you I caught on my cam as you were on your way to the Skride?

 

[LutherB]

I've done quite a few steady/challenging ones over the past two years in the Windsor area, and nearly all of them have been decent in terms of the route and organisation.

 

[jdtate101]

Yep I was there at the Brum 2011 one, but it was fun only as I had my boys in the trailer with me. I won't do it again for exactly the same reasons as the OP states, not inspiring routes at all. But here is the vid I did with my lads in 2011, they enjoyed it!!!:

This was back in 2011 when I had just started cycling again and was 7st heavier than I am now and riding a BSO so heavy it had it's own gravity field. I think the SKY rides are great for a family cycle, especially if you have young kids who would normally only get out in the local park on their bikes, but for adults I think it's maybe a bit pointless.

 

[stu9000]

Ah. Nice little family vid there James.