If there were a UK 'gravel race' ...

[voodoo_simon]

That's the one. As a series, it probably is a first but they're claiming a gravel race first

(or "the closet we'll get to a UK gravel race")

[composite]

Genesis bikes have just announced a gravel race, claiming it to be the first of its kind in the UK

Well it very well might end up being the first now. To say I'm deflated right now is a massive understatement.

Check your email people.

[Mike]

just had the email from Beth and this sucks big time!!!

[Dan_K]

Sad news indeed. Must be even tougher for Beth, Ian & Stu considering the effort they've put in. Thanks for trying to make it happen.

All is not lost though. Seems to be a cracking route and they can't stop you riding it at another time of year as an ITT.

Looks like the Genesis and CTBM Swanage ride could be on the cards....

[Chicken Legs]

The email from Beth is very disappointing, but not completely surprising, nothing surprises me any more
with the red tape in this country :evil:

[Blackhound]

Indeed;-( Difficult for the organisers as well is this.

I had hoped to do a 3 day spin in March as a training block. Maybe I will make it a proper attempt instead.

Ian / Stuart - with forestry work is weekend best time to do it? I can go mid week, which suits me better, but I suppose more chance of getting caught up and diverted.

Hope event takes place at some point, later in year means I will be fitter......

[slowupslowdown-under]

Bollops

[Matt]

Can't believe I bothered to stay up late for the entry now

It's a shame, but totally understand the reasons to postpone.

Just hope it's not causing Ian & Beth too much stress and headache.

[Nick]

Agree with Fantastic, complete bummer.

But,

This is (maybe was) a free event, organised by you all in your spare time, with no reward other than the satisfaction gained from doing something that 120 odd people would have looked back on as a great achievement.

So any disappointment is directed at the "authorities" not at you :)

[HopeValleyPaul]

Gutted,

Modern life is rubbish.

[99percentchimp]

Damn - thanks to Ian, Beth and Stu for at least trying to get this off the ground.

Small ITT groups starts in the Spring away from the original weekend?

[99percentchimp]

At least I won't have to suffer Stu beating me on a shopper on the day! :) :)

[adjustablewench]

Gutted - especially for ian and beth after all the hard work.

Currently sulking at work :(

[Bearbonesnorm]

Remember people, at present this is postponed not cancelled, fingers crossed it may well take place sometime later in the year ... As Blackhound says, you'll be fitter by then

[misterduncan]

Thanks for the work so far. I'd pay a bit for insurance, etc. if it was necessary (within reason!).

Hope we can get this off the ground later in the year!

[j.c.gillies]

That's a real shame! I hope all the hard work does lead to an event latter in the year. But thanks for your efforts so far as it's motivated me too loss some weight and up my fitness in preparation. OK, now to plan my own 250 miles of English chalk byway gravel ride that I've had in my head for a couple of years

[Ray Young]

Not being an entrant I obviously haven't received an email, what's happened?

[misterduncan]

I'm curious. How many cyclists need to turn up at a public byway at the same time for NRW and FC to consider it an 'event' and start talking about insurance and liability?

Say I organised with 10-15 other friends to turn up at the same time and ride that route on a specific day?

This was always about individuals riding the route. Can NRW really dictate stuff like this on public right of ways?

Just curious, not questioning the work you guys have put in, of course.

[trio25]

Gutted, map of the area arrived yesterday, I had booked travel and accomodation for the night before. Ah well, hopefully things can be sorted and go ahead on another date.

[Nick]

Can NRW really dictate stuff like this on public right of ways?

They are not all public right of ways though, e.g. traditionally the FC have allowed walkers and cyclists to use the forest tracks when they are not in use for forestry work, probably in part to exempt themselves from maintaining the ROWs that do exist (most forest bridleways that don't follow a forestry track don't exist on the ground) because of the issue that harvesting would cause in keeping open or repairing them once the trees have been logged.

This was also the issue with the proposed sell-off, would say a company like Till Hill extend the same open arms once they owned the forests?

[Ian]

Guy's, thank you all for your words of encouragement - it means a lot.

It was difficult news to relay, but as Stu says, we're not going to be beaten. New date to be announced in due course. You've just got more time to train, and Stu will be able to finish off his Shopper properly

Ray - forestry authorities have refused permission for us to ride the route for operational reasons, and are wanting to impose a levy for each rider.

[Ray Young]

Sorry all, that's a bummer :( .

[Ian]

@misterduncan

Precisely. You're asking the same questions we are. Hopefully we'll get some clarity on these issues in due course.

[misterduncan]

@misterduncan

Precisely. You're asking the same questions we are. Hopefully we'll get some clarity on these issues in due course.

Best of luck and hope to see you in the summer!

Will all original entries remain when the date is rescheduled?

[Ian]

Yes, the only thing that has changed is the event will not run on 5 April, but at a later date to be advised as soon as we can.