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@kiwimike
I'm rather appalled that people hereabouts got their tits so in a tangle about an alternative group springing up. I mean Jesus guys - *don't use social media if you don't want people to be social FFS*. What was proposed was a regular ride in London, explicitly NOT on the Tweed Run dates. What on earth is wrong with that idea? and what did you expect to happen?
Or are Tweed Run PLC now the only organisation in London with a mandate to organise fashion-based cycling events?
Frankly having sweated blood to get an entry I feel rather put off the Tweed Run now, it does not leave a good taste in the mouth to see this sort of bullying and character assassination by those claiming to 'defend' the Tweed run going on. 'General Lucifer' - what a gent you are sir (other four-letter words may apply, but I'll with-hold judgement as I don't know you in person).
Guess what y'all - there WILL be rides organised that are not the Tweed Run. They won't focus on 'Tweed' - a fabric now rather tainted with the whiff of two-wheeled elitism and 'We were here first' hubris. Had the Tweed Run orgs seen the pent-up desire and actually, y'know, communicated with those helping tap into/steer it, maybe that would see what I think we all want to see - more people on bikes in London. But no - we get nasty sniping and name-posting with the clear intent to see others say/do bad things to fellow cyclists. This is just shameful. The motoring lobby must be laughing their heads off. Let's limit cycling in London to 450 hand-picked weirdos, once a year. No way do we want more, spontaneous, diverse groups. We only want Official Approved Sanctioned Organised Rides to Set Locations in an Orderly Fashion.
Now I've personally put many thousands of hours into organising cycling events, so don't fans be giving me the 'organisers are holier than thou / beyond reproach' line. There is a right and wrong way to engage with communities, and using the big stick instead of talking first was not a good move.
There was no need to call in the Facebook police, and certainly no need for what's gone on here.
'nuff said. Pedal on. I'm not getting into a flame war here either.
Mike