Pre-registration for Vélo Birmingham closes 5pm TODAY

I pre-registered but after seeing the cost it's not value in my mind ... I'm out

You have to wonder if they couldn't (or more likely didn't want to) resource an IT system capable of handling the expected demand on sales, it makes me wonder what the overall organistion of the event will be like.  At the moment it seems like some organising company trying to cash in on the cycling boom in the UK but without much clue as to what's involved and the costs of organising an event on this scale.

I know quite a few who pre-registered but having seen the cost and the server fiasco this morning have decided against entering. You do have to wonder how well organised the event will be if they can't even sort out the entries a whole year in advance.

I live on the route and can confirm that these are great cycling roads, well used by local clubs. The fact that they will be closed roads is an attraction but it wouldn't be the same as riding a European sportive or even Ride London and for this reason I was suprised by the amount of interest in this.

Everything about this event seems strange to me. It was only announced just over a week ago (?) the deadlines for registration and signing up are tight and the cost is high. I would have doubted that few people would be prepared to commit a full year in advance. So far as I am aware no other events have such a long lead in period.

There has seemingly been no publicity about this locally (other than in the cycling press) and I can't imagine that the locals will be completely happy about the roads being closed.... when they find out ! The high cost will no doubt be swallowed by the huge number of marshals & infrastructure that will be requred to keep the roads closed, on the assumption that this is done properly. At a local circuit road race we had about 15 marshals on a 10 mile circuit. 

I wonder if they really have website difficulties or perhaps haven't got everything properly in place such as the support of the various local authorities etc !  

Got in to work an hour early to book, only to find can not book because of technical issues, when It does get running bet i still have to pay booking fee.

I like to think that somewhere in Birmingham there is someone standing next to a smoking server rack thinking, "So that's why RideLondon run a ballot..."

Has anyone managed to enter today?   The website was constantly unavailable this morning (presumably due to high demand) and now it says sales are temporarily closed.

Haven't we just come through a rather warm September?
Have any of you guys ever been anywhere near Birmingham?
The route will be passing through plenty of beautiful countryside, much of which is covered by other sportives. Even the city centre has its striking landmarks.
I often ride these roads but am more than happy to take a punt on this.
Okay, so it's not the capital city, but it's one that's steeped in cycling history and production. Think Reynolds, Brooks, BSA, etc.
That KOM section could be a toughie. I suspect it's St Kenelms Pass, Shutt Mill Lane or something in the Lickey Hills. It'll hurt after 85 miles, that's for sure.

100% out. Sorry but no. If it's £65 to ride around the busiest city in the country why is it £75+ to ride around Birmingham.  

Give that it is this time of the year and there is a reasonable chance of rain the price is a bit to premium. Closed roads are great and the No.1 draw for this type of thing, but London is in the SE and in the high summer, it is going to be sunny. I did have the pleasure of doing Ride London 2014 in the Hurricane, but it was still warm and the sun came out at the end. This could be quite miserable. And why the secrecy? Then there is travel and accommodation... No I think it is too late in the season for me, I will do the Manchester 100 instead, its local and quite quiet on a Sunday morning.

Considering its a brand new even I am surprised the basic entry is £75...

I think the Ride London Closed road event cost me £65. And that is a closed road event around LONDON! That experience was pretty much priceless.

Velothon Wales is £65 too I think and that is a closed road event around the beautiful land of Wales!

But £75 to ride around the closed roads of Birmingham??? Am I missing something here?

Personally I woudl have said £50 for the basic and £75 for the special entry. If the event was a hit, the slowly increase the price to manage the supply/demand ratio.

just wow...

It's a shame if they've been keeping the price secret, signing up thousands to make people keen to 'buy now to avoid disappointment', then it turns out that it's very expensive.

I'd like to ride a closed road sportive at a reasonable price, but I feel this is over-the-top and profiteering.

I thought about doing this event, but then I remembered that it involves paying money, to ride on roads that I can ride on for free, at any other time, and that it was a Sportive, and thought "balls to that".

75 freaking quid?????

Already been posted elsewhere, but I'll repeat it here for visibility.

It's already open for British Cycling members to enter.

Costs £75 plus £3.75 booking fee for a General Entry or £115 plus £5.75 for Fast Track Entry.