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• #176
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The Big Ride got in the Italian press http://roma.repubblica.it/cronaca/2012/04/28/foto/la_bike_protest_di_londra_gemellata_con_salvaiciclisti-34106994/1/
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Was big, wet, slow, controlled, sociable, hi-viz, invisible and sterile.
Something about this, wasn't great when a marshal told me and others not to make any noise as it was meant to be a "family" event, I thought it was meant to be a carnival atmosphere and we spent about 15 minutes cheering for cameras at the start. Kinda killed the mood down Piccadilly and made us wonder what the point. Started wooping and chanting a bit when the marshal went away.
Still a great turn out.
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Was big, wet, slow, controlled, sociable, hi-viz, invisible and sterile.
Not sure what the point wasI was there, and enjoyed it on balance, although I sort of agree.
At the start, at the back of the ride the marshalls were telling everyone to speed up and bunch up with the main group, which led predictably to congestion and a slower than walking pace. After a few minutes of scooting along in the cold and wet we decided to stop off for a coffee.
After the coffee we enjoyed a ride along a deserted, closed street (still marshalled - we got told off for going through a stop sign) and rejoined the back of the ride some 15 minutes later.
Event was badly marshalled / planned IMHO. Would have been much better (more enjoyable and more visible) to let people set off at a slower pace and with bigger gaps between the riders.
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I was there, and enjoyed it on balance, although I sort of agree.
At the start, at the back of the ride the marshalls were telling everyone to speed up and bunch up with the main group, which led predictably to congestion and a slower than walking pace. After a few minutes of scooting along in the cold and wet we decided to stop off for a coffee.
After the coffee we enjoyed a ride along a deserted, closed street (still marshalled - we got told off for going through a stop sign) and rejoined the back of the ride some 15 minutes later.
Event was badly marshalled / planned IMHO. Would have been much better (more enjoyable and more visible) to let people set off at a slower pace and with bigger gaps between the riders.
Sorry but I can not be bothered with this sort of negativity yes it was not perfect but actually we got 10,000 cyclists on the streets and it was pissing with rain so stop being so bloody negative
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Greetings folks,
What a massive day out. Great pics people and well done to one and all who turned out for this...
I got caught in the peleton for most of the ride but hit 8 mph with the sprint to the finish.
Nice chatting with Jacqui, Ed, Clive and all the others.
Peace and Love,
Tim -
Sorry but I can not be bothered with this sort of negativity yes it was not perfect but actually we got 10,000 cyclists on the streets and it was pissing with rain so stop being so bloody negative
OK, sorry I didn't mean to be as "bloody negative" as I perhaps came across - I agree that it was a great achievement. But the person I went with - a rain or shine commuting cyclist - commented that she wouldn't go on another. That's a shame. I would go again cos I think it's a great idea and I support any event which raises the profile of cycling in the capital.
Could my post be reinterpreted as constructive criticism? I'd just like to see the next one even better. :)
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I was there, and enjoyed it on balance, although I sort of agree.
At the start, at the back of the ride the marshalls were telling everyone to speed up and bunch up with the main group, which led predictably to congestion and a slower than walking pace. After a few minutes of scooting along in the cold and wet we decided to stop off for a coffee.
After the coffee we enjoyed a ride along a deserted, closed street (still marshalled - we got told off for going through a stop sign) and rejoined the back of the ride some 15 minutes later.
Event was badly marshalled / planned IMHO. Would have been much better (more enjoyable and more visible) to let people set off at a slower pace and with bigger gaps between the riders.
Sorry but I can not be bothered with this sort of negativity yes it was not perfect but actually we got 10,000 cyclists on the streets and it was pissing with rain so stop being so bloody negative
Your post was constructive and there is no harm in criticism . It was an achievement getting 10000 people on bikes in London. (how does that compare to skyride?). I still think that there is a certain ambiguity as to the aims and message of the event as well as the visibility to the general none cycling world.
@zebra cyclist do you not think here is value in discussion here and feedback to improve and focus future events and campaigns? -
Dave,
Yes criticism or preferably analysis is always useful as I said I know the big ride was not perfect but it was a massive gamble and a hell a lot of work for the people at LCC and it came off. It has put LCC exactly where I think it should be as a vibrant campaigning organisation. The cycling community is full of people who carp and do nothing most of the cycling events which forumongers attend are products of individuals dedicating their time and energy to make it happen so there is a right and wrong way to make comments about those events.
Zebs
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@skydancer. Skyride off the top of my head was 30,000.
Nope, make that 85,000.
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@skydancer. Skyride off the top of my head was 30,000.
The biggest one was over 80,000 IIRC.
Ah, ninja edit. :)
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On further reflection about this and thinking from the road danger reduction angle (http://www.lfgss.com/thread62209.html) the timing of ride, just before the election really focussed and coalesced the campaigning groups forcing the mayoral candidates to recognise that the election could be swayed by such a huge lobby prepared to ride in the rain en mass over the issue (as evidenced by the recent bbc report on the hustings: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-london-17902307). So this generated some last minute promises as well as Boris' strange rant about brown calves and dreadlocks.
In terms of general promotion of cycling as a normal activity anyone can do. Perhaps this was less effective than Skyride which has much more of a populist appeal (due to Sky mass reach). I think the big ride demographic was largely the already converted though the main point wasn't promotion of cycling but raising the issue of safety, (which is almost the opposite of promotion)
All that said. and despite having some reservations about the 'go Dutch theme, Zebs is right about recognising the effort and dedication of campaigners to get all those people out on a rainy Saturday. Well done!
Matt
Zebra_Cyclist
reulbg
ObiWomKenobi
bluetomgold
JAH_tim
photoben
skydancer
Oliver Schick
conker-
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2012-04-28 - Love London, Go Dutch - The Big Ride
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@Jacqui
