Vélo South the much anticipated closed road sportive which was scheduled to take place in Sussex this weekend has been cancelled on safety grounds with a Met Office yellow weather warning of gale force winds and heavy rain still in effect for West Sussex and surrounding parts of South East England for the duration of the time the event was scheduled to take place on Sunday.
In a statement on the Vélo South website the organisers, CSM Events, say that the summary of all the different wether forecasts they consulted was:
“– Constant wind speeds as high as 38mph
– Wind gusts as high as 53mph
– Heavy rain throughout the event”
In addition they say that the sources they have consulted conclude that winds are like to be blowing at a constant 40mph for the duration of the event which will pose a significant risk not only to those taking part but to the volunteers, marshals, and staff helping to run the event. The statement summarises the main risks as:
“– Gusts blowing cyclists over or causing collisions
– Trees/branches/infrastructure damaged or falling
– Key event infrastructure (eg, safety barriers, feed stations, etc) compromised or unable to be constructed
– Increased pressure on medical and blue light services supporting the event
– Greatly increased risk of participants not being able to complete the event
– Exposure of stewards/volunteers/event staff to adverse conditions for long periods”
Given the severe nature of the weather conditions forecast Vélo South say they have taken the decision to cancel now so as to save people making the journey to West Sussex and incurring further costs. the event had attracted 15,000 entries for the 100 mile closed road ride.
Vélo South say they hope to reschedule the event for some time in 2019 and will be working with the local authority to identify an alternative date as quickly as possible. CSM then went on to address the issue of refunds in a sentence highlighted in their statement: “In the meantime, all participants will be entitled to a full refund of their event entry fees & car-parking fees. Please bear with us and we will be in touch very soon to communicate the exact process for this.”
“The entire Vélo South team are devastated that the event will not take place on Sunday and we know this is extremely disappointing news for all of our cyclists, stakeholders and supporters but the weather forecasts have left us with no alternative.”
Participants with any queries are encouraged to email hello@velosouth.com
No word yet as to whether the threatened walking protest against the event will still take place or if protesters will instead focus their attention on marching against the disruption to travel for local residents and drivers caused by the adverse weather instead.
We will update this story with any further developments as and when we get them in the coming days.
50 thoughts on “Weather warnings force cancellation of Vélo South closed road sportive”
Presumably, an injunction
Presumably, an injunction against the weather will now be applied for, as it will be preventing the locals from leaving their homes?
So the locals gave up on
So the locals gave up on their court action and just went to a local weather witch instead?
Or do they now intend to sue the Met Office for forcing them to stay barricaded in their homes??
“Oh, won’t somebody think of the farmers!!!?”
Odd, it doesn’t look like it
Odd, it doesn’t look like it’s going to be much worse than RL was this year or in (was it ’15 or ’16 it hooned down?)
Forecast really doesn’t look
Forecast really doesn’t look that bad. What a fuss.
Prosper0 wrote:
They need to make a ‘fuss’ and take a decision based on probabilities and health and safety. Falling trees, large branches coming down, being blown about/off course which can all have horrendous outcomes.
Whilst some might be fine with those kind of scenarios that’s not everyone and many would not want to ride in thise conditions in any case, particularly in a mass participation ride which has its own set of problems in any case so it’s the logical/sensible thing to do. What happens IF someone is badly hurt, what IF many people are hurt, the organisers would be strung up and told they had a warning weather wise and ignored it, people like you are clueless!
Cancelling now instead of waiting to see on the day what might happen is correct.
Let’s hope that some large trees fall blocking the roads from motorvehicle use and thus preventing the NIMBYS fro getting out, that would be poetic justice!
BehindTheBikesheds wrote:
Dude, I pretty much agree with this and so much of what you have to say. I’ve also stuck up for you when feeling people have laid into you unnecessarily, but why the ‘people like you are clueless’ comment? You may disagree with the post, but there’s no need to be so aggressive.
That is all.
Beecho wrote:
I have to say that with this comment Prosper0 comes across as somewhat clueless.
The scale of an event of this kind means that such a dismissive comment about the decision, no doubt taken after much discussion and hand-wringing, suggests that they know sweet F.A. about the logistics of such an undertaking. If you’re going to cancel an event then making the call sooner is invariably the best way.
Of course it’s disappointing. Many people are inconvenienced, out of pocket etc etc but I doubt that anyone is more disappointed than the organiser.
The roads haven’t gone anywhere, all the whingers can still ride the route.
Simon E wrote:
Beecho’s comment was not about whether or not ProsperO’s comment was clueless, it was about BTBS calling ProsperO clueless. It’s unnecessary and agressive. We all have our relative areas of cluelessness (BTBS’s is the legal system and processes: he literally has no clue) but it is unnecessary and unkind for people to make that point. Beecho was making the point that BTBS occasionally (ok, very rarely) has a valid point, and when he does others are going to be less inclined to stick up for him if he continues to treat people the way he invariably does. One might point out that if you can’t see that from Beecho’s comment then you are, in fact, clueless. But no-one has. See?
madcarew wrote:
It’s clueless because Beecho utterly ignores everything and denigrates the organisers, the poster ignores everything, it ignores the basics of H&S, ignores weather warnings and why organisers have to make a decision well in advance based on the best information they have. It’s not agressive nor unnecessary , it’s telling someone straight they should not be so ignorant of matters regarding people’s safety and well being.
Stop being a faux offended snowflake ffs!
BehindTheBikesheds wrote:
I’m just asking for a bit more civility on this forum.
As it happens, I’m sat in the sunshine in my (temporary) Winchester garden, wishing I’d not had a few vinos at lunch and was still able to ride safely. I was signed up for Velo South and am 100% behind them cancelling it. The level of standing water alone here tells me it was the correct decision.
BTBS, Don Simon and dreamfireballXL5whatever your name is, your bullshit opinions have been enough to turn me off the comments on this site forever.
Davel, I’ll miss your brilliant contributions. Rapha Nadal, I’ll be in touch when we do finally move to Hove.
Sayonara.
Beecho wrote:
Beecho wrote:
Don’t go fella: sidestep the noise. It is possible. FWIW I’m often in the ‘dick’ bag on here myself.
BehindTheBikesheds wrote:
It’d help your cause if you were namechecking the correct forummer you initially called out. It wasn’t Beecho.
Not for the first time: pay attention before you wade in.
BehindTheBikesheds wrote:
<SLOW CLAP>
Well done. You got the wrong person. It wasn’t Beecho. He has been one of your supporters occasionally. He didn’t denigrate anyone, not the organisers and ignored nothing. How’s that for clueless? You’re not clueless, you’re a complete idiot. Bigotted, anachronistic fool. Your level of cluelessness is truly breathtaking. You’ve reached a Trumpian level of irrelevance.
madcarew wrote:
I didn’t say BTBS was using an appropriate tone but tried to say that I also felt Prosper0 appeared to have clue about what’s involved here. Is that unnecessary or unkind? I certainly wasn’t being aggressive. But aren’t you saying the same thing?
Local weather stations have shown 8 or 9°C with heavy rain all morning (Met Office ‘feels like’ was 6°C). Wind picked up from 14 mph NE to 21mph with 34mph gusts by midday. While it’s easy to for someone at home to say “Ah, it’s not that bad ya wimps” I think people should try riding 100 miles or standing at a roadside ez-up for a few hours, holding it down and retrieving wind-blown bits & bobs before being so dismissive. I went out for a walk this morning in between the showers (also about 8°C) and it felt a bit keen. I would ride to work in it but certainly wouldn’t have chosen to do a long bike ride.
Simon E wrote:
I didn’t say BTBS was using an appropriate tone but tried to say that I also felt Prosper0 appeared to have clue about what’s involved here. Is that unnecessary or unkind? I certainly wasn’t being aggressive. But aren’t you saying the same thing?
Local weather stations have shown 8 or 9°C with heavy rain all morning (Met Office ‘feels like’ was 6°C). Wind picked up from 14 mph NE to 21mph with 34mph gusts by midday. While it’s easy to for someone at home to say “Ah, it’s not that bad ya wimps” I think people should try riding 100 miles or standing at a roadside ez-up for a few hours, holding it down and retrieving wind-blown bits & bobs before being so dismissive. I went out for a walk this morning in between the showers (also about 8°C) and it felt a bit keen. I would ride to work in it but certainly wouldn’t have chosen to do a long bike ride.— madcarew
Personally I think there’s a significant difference between talking about a clueless comment and calling someone clueless.
And you are right, I was slightly obliquely saying the same thing to BTBS simply because he and Don Simon are regularly personal in their responses; Clearly it is their preferred form of invective, favoured form of communication. Do unto others and all that…
I think it would have been
I think it would have been worth waiting until Friday evening. Bad weather often subsides or passes quickly and 1000s have made their plans already
Chris Hayes wrote:
the trouble with that is although the ride is Sunday, the pick up for numbers etc is Saturday. By Friday many of the riders would therefore have been on their way already.
Chris Hayes wrote:
You do know that meteorology is a science and they can now track weather patterns? They have been watching this storm come across the Atlantic so can predict when, where and how hard its going to hit.
Saying “Bad weather often subsides or passes quickly” is a bit old wives tales type nonsense. But if you felt it in your water after consulting your ouija board then it must be true!
zanf wrote:
You do know that meteorology is a science and they can now track weather patterns? They have been watching this storm come across the Atlantic so can predict when, where and how hard its going to hit.
Saying “Bad weather often subsides or passes quickly” is a bit old wives tales type nonsense. But if you felt it in your water after consulting your ouija board then it must be true!— Chris Hayes
It may be a science, but there are many variables. With 8 hrs to go the weather forecast is rain a 12mph winds…. Let’s see if that changes shall we? I’m happy to be wrong… I just thought they called it early. But thanks for the sarcasm, Zanf. It is a pretty low, aggressive form of wit: rendered lower by posting anonymously on a website
Chris Hayes wrote:
A lot of people will have travelled down on Friday for registration on Sat, so leaving it that late wouldn’t be smart. Plus I imagine the event insurance specifies a 48 hour rule.
Friend of mine was doing this
Friend of mine was doing this, but it sounded that due to the registration process most non-local riders would most likely need to travel down the night before. All very well getting refunds for the event, but doubt many would get refunds for cancelled accommodation? Not great, and may make a lot of people think twice before booking on any re-organised event for 2019. Especially given the local minority who clearly want to close the event down entirely. Wonder off this gives the “anti’s” more time to regroup to mount a more substancial challenge for next time?
Gutted for those who booked to ride it…and a decision probably had to be communicated by event organisers today to allow those likely to be travelling down tomorrow to change plans. Given the forecast, I’m not sure they had much choice.
Luv2ride wrote:
Yeah, i’ve lost my accommodation fee which was £80. It was the cheapest I could find and was still not cheap! I’ve saved on train fairs of course but still a bit frustrating. To be honest, it’s very unlikely i’ll sign up next year for the simple fact that it’s more expensive than Ride London, accommodation is expensive and there was no bag drop at the site (only communicated after booking). I will be riding in my club’s annual crit race instead.
Here’s to all the Strava PRs
Here’s to all the Strava PRs that now won’t happen. I just had my mate email me asking if I’m up for some PR hunting over the weekend as we could be looking at 40mph in places.
Audaxes – a lot less hassle
Audaxes – a lot less hassle and lot less expense.
Philip Whiteman wrote:
and a lot more traffic!
on velo south, I’m gutted. was really looking forward to it, even if the weather had been rubbish. Ride London was pretty appalling this year too, but winds forecast for sunday are over 40mph and from a direction which would have been pretty crap for the route. You should see the gloating and glee from the local NIMBYs though – OMG, it makes you sick!
il sole wrote:
I’m of a mood to hoover me up some NIMBY gloating – where might I access this?
After this, I’d be surprised
After this, I’d be surprised if this event is scheduled for next year.
I was due to ride this and
I was due to ride this and though I am dissapointed I know its the correct decision to make considering the information they have to hand. They can’t just let it go ahead and “hope” that the weather passess or improves. Unfortunately its just a risk that you take when you enter anything like this and I guess even when you go on holiday. Its not just cylcing either; Reading half marathon got called off for example, same problems with people travelling etc but its just one of those things.
cptlik wrote:
Reading half-marathon was not exactly the same thing, there was about 10cm of new snow on the ground on the morning of that event! This is a bit of wind and rain – we do live in Britain.
Miller wrote:
I meant the problem with travelling and having events in general, not the reaons for the cancellation.
Road CC wrote- “No word yet
Road CC wrote- “No word yet as to whether the threatened walking protest against the event will still take place or if protesters will instead focus their attention on marching against the disruption to travel for local residents and drivers caused by the adverse weather instead.”
Brilliant last para!
The Howler event in Haddenham
The Howler event in Haddenham (Bucks) also binned.
Velo South was risky given its timing, late in season. Plus it was expensive, but a real shame for those who’d signed up.
As for the NIMBYs, if it had been some naff old car rally they’d not have made a peep. Am sure the local bike shops, hotels, etc were actually quite positive about the event and the additional late season income.
You really want nice weather
You really want nice weather for these sort of events – so why did they time it with the autumn equinoxe when the winds and rain are often at their worse?
Jem PT wrote:
Pure speculation on my part but perhaps this was a request from the council?
Closing roads at this time of year is less disruptive than the holiday season and also it would provide a welcome financial boost to local businesses such as hotels and restaurants which could do with some extra trade at this time of year.
a bit of wind and rain,
a bit of wind and rain, constant wind at 40mph and gusts to 60mph, I might do the commute but a going out for a proper ride, no thanks.
There are 17 of us from a
There are 17 of us from a local-ish club booked on it (about an hour away by car). We have hired a group of cottages, so the majority are still going down to make a weekend of it and ride a bit before the weather kicks in. That was a worthwhile end of season boost for the owner of the cottages, I’d say.
As far as the walking protest is concerned, it is an ideal opportunity for them to demonstrate how unnecessary closed roads are by conducting their protest as intended. They are of course entitled to use the public highway, a fact that motorists will, I am sure, be all too pleased to recognise.
Finally, the antis had also declared their intention to organise an alternative event that was more ‘inclusive’ etc. Well, the principle’s established, the money will be back in 15,000 people’s pockets – that’s what the armed forces would call a ‘target-rich environment’. Go to it antis and show us what you’ve got.
Surely the antis can’t go out
Surely the antis can’t go out either as, according to most posts above, it’s too dangerous.
Valid points from all side but that never matters on Roadcc does it?
The weather is not the organisers fault and should a rider ride and get hurt it is in no way the responsibility of the organisers. However the need to protect awnings etc is valid and the sooner the warning the better I would assume.
mattsccm wrote:
Whilst I agree with you, given the people that crawl out of the woodwork to demand RideLondon be banned every time a rider is injured in a major crash or dies of a medical emergency suffered on the course, I think they are right to err on the side of caution and react to anything that would be classified as a forseeable risk.
Imagine what the reaction would be if VeloSouth went ahead, and a rider was hurt due to something being blown across a wet course on which braking was more tricky. Protestations that they can’t be held responsible for the weather would fall on pretty deaf ears.
Well, it looks like the
Well, it looks like the piddling rain turned up on time this weekend. High winds seem to be a bit late on parade…
David9694 wrote:
The high winds are forecast for tomorrow, you know, the day of the actual event. Why would they cancel the event if the high winds were forecast for the day before?
Fags. I rode home yesterday
Fags. I rode home yesterday in a red weather warning (storm knud, as the Norwegian met office called it). Did me no harm.
Crampy wrote:
It might have made you homophobic by the looks of it.
See you when you get here,
See you when you get here, mate!
I did the Ride London in
I did the Ride London in worse weather, the tailend of a hurricane it was. Can’t say I enjoyed it too much though.
So what was the actual
So what was the actual weather like there today? Were Velo South right to cancel?
Were the roads full of farmers and waxed jacketed locals going to hospital, church, etc, freed from the depredations of hordes of sportivers?
brooksby wrote:
I didn’t spot any church-going locals in their 4x4s, but I did go out for a ride in Sussex on Sunday morning and it was pretty awful. I set off a bit earlier (6.30) than usual so avoided the worst of it but it was very heavy rain by about 9.00 and I wouldn’t have fancied being out in that all morning. It would have been at best a miserable experience and at worst downright dangerous as the roads were so full of water (and hiding all the potholes to which Sussex is unfortunately prone).
Against the forecasts, It did turn out pretty nice in the afternoon.
brooksby wrote:
Personally, I think they were. I live about 2 miles away from the south east corner of the route, it rained Saturday afternoon, all night, and til about 1 pm. The gale force winds didn’t show up though. I walked to the local shops mid-morning and it was wet and cold, and I was glad I hadn’t had to get up at 5 am and stand around in a pen in the drizzle thinking whether I wanted to risk it. The roads were wet and some of the quiet country lanes would have been very suspect for 15000 riders to try and negoatiate.
I don’t think the antis got out of bed. Of course, they would all have been at church thanking their god for helping them out…
Beecho, apologies, in my
Beecho, apologies, in my haste to retort back to a a certain poster I name dropped you in error. It was in fact Prosper0 who had banged on about matters being made a fuss off.
I accept derision on the chin for my stupidity.
I went and did the ride on
I went and did the ride on Saturday. Heavens opened at about 1pm which made the last 30 miles rather grim. Glad I did it though.