Britain's biggest amateur cycle race was halted yesterday after locals allegedly spread carpet tacks across the roads. More than 3,700 people were taking part in the Etape Caledonian in Perthshire, which is inspired by the hugely popular Etape de Tour, an event that allows amateurs to ride a stage of the Tour de France.
The charity race runs over 81 miles of countryside around Pitlochry and it is the only cycle event in Britain where all the roads on the route are closed - for three hours - which has apparently provoked some to sabotage. Hundreds of tacks were strewn on a section of the race from Rannoch to Aberfeldy, bursting tyres. Police described it as a reckless act. After a delay, organisers swept the road and the race was completed.
In 2008 an independent survey revealed that the race boosted the local Perthshire economy by £416,885 and it is expected to be doubled this year because the entries almost doubled. The event should raise £225,000 for Macmillan Cancer Support and was open to anyone aged 18 to 80.
Tayside police are carrying out inquiries in the area and are following a positive line of enquiry. Behaviour like this is not acceptable in rural areas of Scotland where, without tourists and such events, there would be far fewer facilities and businesses. I know there is a small group who have been very vocal in the past about having their lives disrupted for this particular event, but to stoop to such a level is sickening.
A pointed protest? More pointless than pointed, unless of course it was the aim of this group to acquire criminal records. I hope Tayside Police catch the culprits and throw the book at them.
Source Sunday Times
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13 comments:
It beggars belief quite frankly that people haven't got better things to do with their time. A fantastic way to raise much needed money for good causes; bring people together . . .it's pure evil to do what they did. I actally believe in Karma . . .it will come back on them and I hope they suffer for it.
I have heard on the local grapevine that the protestors are 'incomers' ie not people who were born or raised in the area TP. Didn't want to put that in the post because I don't want sued :)
Idiots.
Three hours of slight inconvenience that can easily be got around with a little bit of advance planning.
They'd find out soon what real inconvenience was if they were to have a diagnosis of cancer themselves.
Idiots.
Subrosa,
They'll never sue, cowards don't. Be fearless!
I live too close to these cowards Lochnagar and know what a nasty bunch they can be.
It's a shame 'inside' information hadn't been more accurate tris, but supervising so many miles of road isn't an easy task no matter how many stewards there are.
If they used Schwalbe Marathon Plus tyres like I have on my winter bike they would have been fine.
Not very fast though.
But aren't these races about speed WFB? You'll know far more about them than me.
My late lady and I received many a kindness from the Macmillans.
I'll donate the hemp rope if someone else supplies the stools.
Aye, that's why I noted the downside of Marathons.
I've got a 1990 racing bike in the garage but the folders are more fun. The new folder actually weighs less than the racing bike. It was custom built because in those days it was hard to get one in black, flamboyant finishes and fades were the order of the day. Bromptons come in black at no extra charge.
They do a wonderful job indeed Tom. Many years ago I went to them because nobody explained my father's disease and there was no internet to help. They answered all my questions without any hesitancy and offered continuing help.
Unfortunately my mother refused to have my Dad at home so further help from them wasn't required.
Jings WFB I never realised today's folding bikes were lighter than a racing bike. My folding bike, bought around 27 years ago weighted a ton, or at least it felt that way.
Brompton S2L-X comes in around 20 lbs (9.8 kg) which is more than pound less than my 1990 racing bike.
In 1990 the racing bike was £900, in 2009 you can get the S2L-X for £1015 if you shop around.
I shaved another couple of hundred grams off it by changing to faster tyres.
It's in the garage this week because of the rain and I'm using an older S6L.
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