oldroadman
Veteran
- Location
- Ubique
Speaking to some friends down south, the local BC people were called in by police and the upshot wass that while the police could do nothing about the sportives/charity rides/etc using the New Forest almost EVERY WEEK from April to September (and beyond) they could stop proper races. Which has happened. No races there after April and before October - so effectively almost nothing. So there is a direct effect on competition. The local moaners only see people on bikes with numbers on, to them it's a race, and having personally witnessed the minority lunatic fringe who treat it as such, I can see why they are moaning!
As I said already, I suspect that if we (as the sport and pastime) don't get our own house in order, someone will step in and the results will not be good for cycling.
I do agree (having visited during the week) that the Forest roads are busy and plenty of 4x4 and Volvo types are in evidence, sometimes going too fast for the conditions, but that's real life I'm afraid, and the culture change to shift that will take time and government will to do something. The Dutch managed it but it took many years, it didn't just happen.
As I said already, I suspect that if we (as the sport and pastime) don't get our own house in order, someone will step in and the results will not be good for cycling.
I do agree (having visited during the week) that the Forest roads are busy and plenty of 4x4 and Volvo types are in evidence, sometimes going too fast for the conditions, but that's real life I'm afraid, and the culture change to shift that will take time and government will to do something. The Dutch managed it but it took many years, it didn't just happen.