Happened to watch it pass the Ecclesall Road and Psalter Lane junction today. What a foul up! There were dozens of officials and police on motorbikes poncing around and blasting along dead fast - but none of them blocked the junctions with the side roads, so cars were just pulling out into the race - they weren't to know what was about to swoop down on them. What directions the police gave was ambiguous with each cop requesting different moves from the same motorists.

Also an 'official' standing in the road kept waving cars down Eccy Road to keep the way clear for the race to go on Psalter Lane - except he waved 3 groups of the race bikes down the wrong road - he got a few cusses from the bikers.

Everyone standing near me said the same - the whole effort was badly organised and dangerous - I hope it got better further into town.

Originally posted by nuf_said
Happened to watch it pass the Ecclesall Road and Psalter Lane junction today. What a foul up! There were dozens of officials and police on motorbikes poncing around and blasting along dead fast - but none of them blocked the junctions with the side roads, so cars were just pulling out into the race - they weren't to know what was about to swoop down on them. What directions the police gave was ambiguous with each cop requesting different moves from the same motorists.

Also an 'official' standing in the road kept waving cars down Eccy Road to keep the way clear for the race to go on Psalter Lane - except he waved 3 groups of the race bikes down the wrong road - he got a few cusses from the bikers.

Everyone standing near me said the same - the whole effort was badly organised and dangerous - I hope it got better further into town.

Good thing the olympics arent in sheffield then!

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We actually stumbled upon the race while in town this afternoon and found it a really great event.

I for one am proud Sheffield hosts such brilliant events. It encourages youngsters into activities and is a lovely atmosphere to experience.

Great stuff!! :clap:

And a very big well done to the cyclists!

I had no idea this was on until I had to fetch some dry-cleaning from opposite the Peace Gardens this afternoon. At first I thought it was a great idea as it added something different to the city centre. Later on when there were huge tailbacks along Mappin Street, Broad Lane and other surrounding areas, it made me wonder if it was worth it though. :(

only sheffielders moan this event puts sheffield on the map and is the best section of the race between glasgow and london buxton is tommorows start point

caught a bit in town today , great atmosphere i have to say even though i'm not particularly fussed about cycling!
am gutted i didn't get one of those big inflatable pink hands they were selling , all sold out , boohoooooo :(
:hihi:

Yea, come on you lot - have a little joy :D Great event and nice to have a stage finish in Sheffield. I watched it from Psalter Lane and even after watching cycling for many years still am amazed at the uphill speeds.

Originally posted by Pseudonym
LOL! Great report, Nuf...

Let's hope they decide to stay the hell out of Sheffield in future, we've quite enough traffic-flow problems without being saddled with a bunch of racing cyclists causing roads to be closed and traffic to be diverted for their convenience!:rant:

You need to go and have a word with yourself mate! :rolleyes:

This is arguably the biggest cycling race to hit our shores. It comes once a year, puts our great city on the map and is a great day out.
Why people like you moan and complain about a bit of traffic is beyond me :?

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Well we had better tell both football teams to pack up their minority interest sports too - terrible congestion, terrible, terrible.

Originally posted by Pseudonym


To route an event that is of interest only to the minority, through a city, with all the upheaval to traffic that entails, is the work of idiots!

But then, we have to remember that it's 'Sport'... and nothing can possibly stand in the way of that can it!!!

It was of interest to the thousands that turned out to see it.
I noticed afterwards that the cyclists were stuffing themselves in to cars. 4 or 5 of them in one car. How many people did you have in your car during the rush hour today?

Maybe people who moan about traffic congestion can learn something from "the fool routing it through a busy city" :loopy:

And NO!, nothing can stand in the way of sport.

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Today's stage will have brought a lot more money to Sheffield than you ever will Pseudonym.
The topic your trying to raise has been covered many times on this forum. To the Left of your screen you will see a little box that says 'Search Site' in it. I suggest you use it :wink:

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Originally posted by Pseudonym
In turn, Vidster, may I suggest that you use your powers of observation, you may then note that the diversion from the thread was initiated by 'Tony (co-admin)' I did not raise it, nor am I attempting to, I merely commented on it.


Did i miss something?

I was working so I missed it agian. I can remember it being a great event and I used to race around the town hall when I was in my teens.

What I like about Sheffield is the City life with all its facilities and then within ten miles you have the rural stretches towards Manchester which are great for cycling.

The problem with cycling in Sheffield is the weather, the hills and the bad ass bus and lorry drivers who dont give a f*** about knocking you into the gutter.

I recently read that cyclists that ride on the road are doing themselves more harm than good as deisel pollutants cause heart desease.

This can be decreased by 90% though if you ride 10 metres away from the road. Dont see how that helps really seeing that all cycle paths are at the side of the road.

Good advert for the trans pennine trail though. Sheffield City Council please take note.

the only problem this year was the line up was not as good as last year due to tour of spain was told yesterday that it is hoped to be extended i miss the city centre road race laps these were very exciting as i said before u can say anything and someone will moan an afternoon of upheaval in one year thats not that bad

A big shout for how quick the whole operation was taken down two hours there were a lot of lorrys hopefully it will be back next year

[QUOTE]Originally posted by Pseudonym
[B]My guess is that most of Sheffield never even knew about the event, including the poor suckers stuck in traffic, puzzling over the delays and closure of roads!


Signs were put up on the route about a week before the event. Mind you I don't suppose many drivers noticed them - too busy talking on mobiles, looking for somewhere to park illegally, speding, blocking box junctions, running red lights etc.

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For a city that grinds to a halt if a paper bag blows across the road, the idea - one would assume from our councillors who keep claiming they're 'Keeping Sheffield Moving' - to stage some cycling event through our city centre, wasn't one of their better ideas.

The problems of any situation that leads to traffic being held up for whatever reason, be it an accident, a vehicle break-down or an event such as this, is that the motorist, the bus-driver, the motor-cyclist and everyone else who happens to be driving in the city centre, has no alternative than to sit there and wait, usually with engine still running spewing more toxins into the air. The days of being able to turn up a side street (what they term as rat-running these days) is long gone with roads blocked off and/or turned into one way streets/restricted areas/bus lanes (delete as applicable).

Yesterday, by accident I found myself caught up in this gridlock. The reason why was initially due to the roadworks at Shalesmoor. Having being caught up in traffic there on another occasion, on my way back from Northern General to Crookes, I decided to instead avoid Shalesmoor and head into town down the Wicker and thence up Broad Lane to University Roundabout.

However, the usual traffic on the Wicker made me change my mind and head along the inner ring road to Park Square Roundabout. I was actually going to go, in a sense, along Furnival Gate and cut through to Civic Square, round the fire-station and drop down onto Broad Lane over West Street.

However, I couldn't get up to Charter Row - blocked off. So I went down Eyre Street and along St. Mary's to utter chaos. Tired of waiting I turned left and ventured up Cemetery Road to sit in another queue. 10 minutes later, I'm driving along Psalter Lane (via my knowledge to avoid Ecclesall Road at all costs) to another queue at the lights with Junction Road. Eventually I got to Hunters Bar. Oh, Brocco Bank is closed!

Along Rustlings Road and up to Fulwood Road.

Whilst I admit my choice of journey wasn't the best one I'd ever planned, I was literally funnelled from one log-jammed road onto another.

By all means, let's have stages of cycling events in our city. Just let's have them at 3am Sunday mornings.

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Lets try and put this into perspective. The road closures on the ring road lasted for no more than 30 minutes. The road closures in town for 2 hours max. All happened away from rush hour periods in the school holidays. All roads effected had been clearly marked for over a week. We have far worse congestion when a traffic light goes out, there is an accident, it rains etc.
Whether you like cycling or not this race is growing in prestige and does both bring money into the city and improve its profile - the 2000 people at the finish on Pinstone street seemed to enjoy it also.

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If you want to live in a vibrant, lively city then that is the price that you have to pay. It has worked magnificently in Manchester where the streets are frequently closed for major mass events and the bigger economy really benefits. They've not done badly at pinching the city of sport mantle from Sheffield have they !!!

Just chill out and relax - the traffic wasn't that bad really !!!!

thats why sheffield is behind the times other cities welcome it with open arms and they do something good and get slagged off

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Originally posted by ormester
only sheffielders moan this event puts sheffield on the map and is the best section of the race between glasgow and london buxton is tommorows start point

but no newspapers report this and the race doesnt appear to be on tv. So it hasnt put us on the map. Now the Tour de France would be a diferent matter since that gets both newspaper and tv coverage...and yes they do have stages not in France.

Originally posted by Pseudonym
Returning to Sheffield was like returning to country-living by comparison...

You certainly have your fair share of slack jawed yokels!

I think it's good that Sheffield - the supposed National City of Sport - is getting some good sporting events. C4's The Games is proof that Sheffield folk want this kind of thing.

What bothers me is the lack of national coverage. I may be mistaken but the only TV coverage scheduled is a round-up in next Sunday's Grandstand.

Yet, the Salford Triathlon or Manchester Run get live or later-in-the-day coverage.

I have been working for the tour since last monday, riding around at the back of the convoy in one of the two ambulance vehicles.

I can see how this is an incoveniance to road users but the police and official race outriders do an amazing job of rolling road blocks and (although it may not seem so) attempt to cause the least amount of disruption. The only major, extended road closures were in the city centre and everything out side of and including the inner ring road seemed to be moving at a normal rush hour rate when we joined them 30-45 mins after the race. Shef is one of the bigger cities in the country and if you live here you have to expect traffic at all times of the day. There were signs up for a week before hand as well.

The tour used to be called The Milk Race and happened anually but stopped running for 5 years due to lack of interest. Following good performances at olympic and commenwealth games, cycling gained more interest and the event re started last year and had its second run this year so it is still in a 'fledgling' stage of organisation but will likely improve in years to come.

Media interest is low but the race is being covered internationally, especially France, Spain, italy etc. where cycling has a lot more interest.

The actual racing is great and the crowds you find a the tops of mountains are quite surprising. Big crowds at all the finishes too, with various other events and attractions taking place also.

top replaythis one of the best stages cycling always popular with sheffield just some minority who moan about anything

I guess if Paris can shut down the Champs Elysees for a few hours,it can't be that big a disaster for Sheffield to do it for a half hoiur. I used to remember the Star walk years ago had the city centre locked up for hours. Bikes go a lot faster than feet.
That University nonsense called the rag day also caused some holdups too. But that was SU and nothing dare interfere with that.

Some folk will moan about anything that causes them even a smidgeon of inconvenience. Thankfully these folk (often referred to, correctly, as "killjoys") aren't in charge of planning exciting events such as this one.

Looks like 100,000 people turned up to see the race finale in London yesterday - with the many thousands watching the stages it has proved to be a massive success. Well done sheffield in supporting this event !!!!


http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/other_sports/cycling/4214206.stm

but no newspapers report this and the race doesnt appear to be on tv. So it hasnt put us on the map. Now the Tour de France would be a diferent matter since that gets both newspaper and tv coverage...and yes they do have stages not in France.

See

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/other_sports/cycling/4204672.stm

No coverage.....?

Originally posted by andyb
See

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/other_sports/cycling/4204672.stm

No coverage.....?

fair enough. But I posted before 11 september and could not find a round up of the days race on any channel (even eurosport which shows a lot of cycling).

I had hoped ITV2 would carry and have a daily highlights like they did during the Tour De France.

Thats annoying since I was out on sunday and missed the highlights then!

[QUOTE]Originally posted by Pseudonym
[B]Possibly so, but you omitted... watching out for suicidal pedestrians, trying to avoid potholes and wobbly cyclists that believe traffic lights don't apply to them and playing that well-known and much-loved motorists game, "Spot The Speed-Cam"

I also forgot to mention driving down bus lanes, killing 10 people a day (national statistic) killing or maiming 1 child a week (Sheffield statistic), driving uninsured, driving with defective lights and/or brakes, failing to use mirrors or signals, etc etc. As for speed-cams , try driving at the legal speed limit (you'll find there's a conveniently placed instrument on your dashboard that tells you your speed). That way you can not only ignore cameras, you'd have time to read notices & give room to cyclists and you'd spend less time sitting at the next set of traffic lights polluting the air the rest of us have to breathe.

:rant:

thought it was this sunday the highlights

Originally posted by wildnorthlands
[QUOTE]Originally posted by Pseudonym
[B]Possibly so, but you omitted... watching out for suicidal pedestrians, trying to avoid potholes and wobbly cyclists that believe traffic lights don't apply to them and playing that well-known and much-loved motorists game, "Spot The Speed-Cam"

I also forgot to mention driving down bus lanes, killing 10 people a day (national statistic) killing or maiming 1 child a week (Sheffield statistic), driving uninsured, driving with defective lights and/or brakes, failing to use mirrors or signals, etc etc. As for speed-cams , try driving at the legal speed limit (you'll find there's a conveniently placed instrument on your dashboard that tells you your speed). That way you can not only ignore cameras, you'd have time to read notices & give room to cyclists and you'd spend less time sitting at the next set of traffic lights polluting the air the rest of us have to breathe.

:rant:

Hmm... I wonder, can I safely deduce from the above that you are a cyclist and not a motorist?

Do you by any chance belong to those amongst your persuasion who insist on riding two-abreast on narrow roads, or who ride in the centre of traffic-lanes lanes, pedalling like mad and reaching 20+mph, whilst a queue of vehicles steadily grows behind them? Those who when reaching traffic-lights at red, either totally ignore them and ride across if the road is clear, or dismount and use a pedestrian-crossing?

Then of course, there are those who alternate between riding a full-size bike on both the road and the pavement, swooping from the pavement to the road and back again, risking collision with motorists and pedestrians alike!

I suppose I'd better mention the specimens that swap lanes in slow-moving traffic, with gay abandon... darting in and out between vehicles sublimely oblivious to the fact that the poor driver, steadily crawling forward, does not usually expect to see a cyclist suddenly cross his path as he's setting off!

So as you see, my friend, just as there are motorists who shouldn't be on the road... They are not alone! :)

so how come 200+ bmx riders can have a "jam" attending multiple street riding spots around the city centre and cause no traffic problems or inconvienience to the public at all?
yet, when a supposedly "organized" race is held it turns into chaos!
i cycle to work eveyday as its not worth taking my car and its so much quicker, i regularly use both the pavement and the road and in seven years i've never hit a pedestrian or a car!
try to remember, when you're in your car i'm really vulnerable on my bike but,
if you get out of you car the roles are reversed.
lastly as a cyclist i see myself as having more rights than a pedestrian does! i dont even dismount to use the pedestrian crossings.
and lastly,just in case anyone was'nt aware,legaly any accident involving a cyclist and a car,the driver of the car is immediately held responsible,WHATEVER THE CIRCUMSTANCES!

Originally posted by misterseven ... i cycle to work eveyday as its not worth taking my car and its so much quicker, i regularly use both the pavement and the road and in seven years i've never hit a pedestrian or a car!
try to remember, when you're in your car i'm really vulnerable on my bike but,
if you get out of you car the roles are reversed.
So far, I've never yet hit a cyclist, with or without my car... But that doesn't mean to say that it can't happen... ;)

legally you have to give a cyclist the same room as a car when you go past them. if you haven't got the room to go around a car then you havent got the room to go past a cyclist safely - no wonder cyclists travel down the middle of a lane - they are entitled to and it is the safest place.
The council in its wisdom allows cyclists to use the bus lanes. Unfortunately too many car drivers assume that means they can use them also - see numerous other threads.
By the way i now go to work by car - i gave up going on my bike when i started averaging 3 near misses per week on my bike !!! It really is that bad in Sheffield at the moment for cyclists.

misterseven... Having just re-read the edited version of your last post, perhaps I should point out that in the brief description you give of your normal cycling habits, you are contravening the Highway Code on at least two counts so far...

As for your last 'warning' paragraph... I'd laugh if it weren't so sadly misguided!

Originally posted by morkmindy ...
The council in its wisdom allows cyclists to use the bus lanes...
The Highway Code states that: "Bus Lanes. These may be used by cyclists only if the signs include a cycle symbol."

Maybe a little brushing-up on it is needed by both motorists AND cyclists? :)

City Council Website (http://www.sheffield.gov.uk/in-your-area/transport-and-highways/transport-planning/cycling/cycling-and-public-transport/cycling-and-buscoach) says, quite clearly:

Sharing road space with buses

Sheffield, along with many other cities in the UK, has seen a growth in the development of bus services over the last few years. Cyclists are generally allowed to use bus lanes in Sheffield, signing of bus lanes will indicate where you can cycle. Some of the recent bus lanes also incorporate cycle lanes or where possible provide enough width for a bus to pass a bike safely. A good example is the bus and cycle lane along Ecclesall Road.

The presence of a bus lane can provide a comfort zone for cycling in – but still take care particularly when approaching junctions as vehicles can be permitted into lanes to turn left. If you do not feel confident cycling in bus lanes then you may wish to take up some Cycle Training to improve your confidence.


Please also read the Bus Lane signs as many will tell you that cars ARE allowed to use some of them during given "off-peak" times.

I could start a whole new thread on why do car drivers think they can go into ACL's

Originally posted by pb1977
I could start a whole new thread on why do car drivers think they can go into ACL's

Well, If you do, don't forget to explain what the L an ACL is as I doubt very much that it's "Airport Coordination Limited (ACL), established as an independent company in 1992 by a group of major UK airlines to provide a high quality airport coordination service..." As Google informs me! :D

Its the Anterior Cruciate Ligament!

You know, when all those cars bump into your knee!:D


I've heard of ASL. The Advanced Stop Line for cyclists at Traffic Lights.

They are also called ASL's if that helps

advance cycle line or advance stop line, you know them pink bits of tarmac at traffic lights with a white cycle symbol on them.

Now now boys, all sounds like handbags at 10 paces to me. If we all cyclist & other road users stuck to the rules im sure we could all live happily ever after, there is enough road for both sets of people.

I commute to work everyday on my bike there is this one cyclist that jumps most red lights, hops on and off the pavement, its people like that that give the rest of us safe cyclist a bad name, just like with car drivers for every 1 bad drivers there will be 100's more safe ones that dont cut cyclist up ect.

Well back to the original point the TOB cycle race, as far as i know its here to stay, infact next years race will be 8 days long instead of the 6 we had this year, so like it or not if there is a stage finish in Sheffield some of the road may have to be closed for a while.

One thing i think the people that run the race should do is maybe put some ad's in the local papers for a number of days before the race comes into town, listing which roads and at what times they will be closed, correct me if im wrong but i dont remember seeing anything like that in the Sheffield Star.

Originally posted by pb1977
They are also called ASL's if that helps

advance cycle line or advance stop line, you know them pink bits of tarmac at traffic lights with a white cycle symbol on them.
AHA! Them pink bits... Now if you'd only used the correct term... Both Google and the Highway code recognise Advanced Stop Lines, strangely neither have heard of advanced cycle lines...

As for why some motorists think that they can drive into ASL's... The answer's very simple... It's the same reason that some cyclists believe that traffic lights don't apply to them... They don't know any better! :rolleyes:

Originally posted by robS35
Now now boys, all sounds like handbags at 10 paces to me. If we all cyclist & other road users stuck to the rules im sure we could all live happily ever after, there is enough road for both sets of people....

RobS35, you're quite right and I'm definitely not anti-cyclist, although that is what it may seem to some...

Unfortunately, to me, the self-righteous have always proved a virtually irresistible temptation... However, in the interests of equanimity, I shall shoulder my handbag, after removing the half-brick therein... :D

[ them... They don't know any better! :rolleyes: [/B][/QUOTE]

To me thats a very stupid answer. Infact its the sort of answer id expect when they really dont have a real anwser to the original posters question. Just because one person does something doesnt mean either you or other people have to do it as well. Maybe then again some people are just that stupid they dont know any better.

Originally posted by robS35
[ them... They don't know any better! :rolleyes:

To me thats a very stupid answer. Infact its the sort of answer id expect when they really dont have a real anwser to the original posters question. Just because one person does something doesnt mean either you or other people have to do it as well. Maybe then again some people are just that stupid they dont know any better. [/B]

My answer is stupid? Or the perpetrators are stupid? Which?

Colour me confused!