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Local Raises a Cheer for Cycle Event

On Sunday 24 June this year, Aberfeldy will be witness to its first great cycling event. On this day, two and a half thousand cyclists, ranging from professional to amateur and recreational standards are going to race from Pitlochry for up to 83miles around Loch Rannoch, back to Fearnan, Strathtay and Logierait. All the public roads involved will be closed for the duration of the anticipated arrival of the first, to the eventual passing of the last - the one who has tried his or her best just to make it through the course and be able to be a part of the a race that involved some of cycling’s greats.

This paragraph is almost an exact replica of Merril Sylvester’s letter (Comment, vol 27, 2 2007), but phrased in a way that might create a little bit of cycling realism for those not involved in the Etape Caledonian race itself, but are a part of the local community. So I put this forward in defence of the June event.

People have a unique ability to look at the negatives, but why not consider things outside the box? Consider the hard work and dedication that each and every one of the 2,500 people riding the race would have put in over the months leading up to 24 June. Here is an example - I went out yesterday in the rain to see what the infamous Schiehallion had in store for me. With raindrops lashing my face and wind seeping through any opening in my wet weather gear, I made it up that mountain on my own!

On that note I would also like to state that this race is not just a bike race for the professionals. It involves much of the local community - local business owners, retired citizens, white and blue collar workers - we will all be out there amongst some more professional riders. I am a 26 year old local entering with my husband as a way to challenge ourselves and to see outlying areas of this beautiful part of Scotland. I know people as young as 20 and as old as 67 from Perthshire entering either the short or long distance events that day.

Ms Sylvester mentions a few points I would like to heartily challenge from the rider’s point of view: She stated that “riders do not stop to buy cashmere sweaters ..... They travel with their noses about two inches from the handle bars .. “ Cyclists DO in fact pay much attention to where they are going - and the many visitors taking part in the event will notice the shops and sites along the way - what better way is there for future tourists to take notice of back villages and towns that they might miss while racing along the A9? I have to say that Mr Stewart has clearly done his research, as he was able to state that “on average 2.3 people accompanied every cyclist at similar events”. SO how about the accommodation and food (imagine how much people can put away after riding 83 miles), not to mention celebratory drinks afterwards, for all the people involved?

The Scots and English alike can find a number of reasons to spend some cash at the Pub so the Etape will be no different - I know I will be out there to celebrate my survival of 83miles! For an area that is heavily reliant on tourism, I am surprised at the negative comments people have been making.

Ms Sylvester goes on to say that “None of this will do much for the quality of life for residents or visitors along the route.” I beg to differ. It will raise the quality of life, if the people who are so quick to write it off as “enormously inconvenient” get out and try their bikes for the day.

The Etape Caledonian event is scheduled for National Bike week - a government incentive aimed at encouraging people in the UK to try a bike for exercise and transport. Why? Obesity and cardiovascular disease are 2 of the leading causes of premature death in the UK. National Bike Week is a way to highlight alternate means of transport, rather than the usually taken for granted cars, in order to try and accentuate the need for increased levels physical activity within the population. Think about it.

It is ridiculous to think that people believe they are under house arrest or barricaded in their homes for hours. At the time of writing there is still TWO months before the event even takes place - maybe some people can get involved in that thing called FUTURE PLANNING so that their feelings of lock down might be alleviated. Towns and cities all over the world are disturbed and altered to accommodate sporting events and parades. London, New York and Paris shut down when marathons, cycling events and triathlons take place. If they can handle it with their millions of people, I am sure that Perthshire can too.

For those people so upset about being stuck at home, maybe relish the fact that you can have a day at home with family and maybe a BBQ in the front garden while watching a true sporting event occur on your door steps? Or maybe head out early and have a day out in a place you have not seen yet, if seeing cyclists riding by is too much to bear? OR maybe get on your bike and ride to where you would like to go and be a part of it! Cycling can be great fun and with the weather predictions for Summer this year, what a place to try it all out! For people who can’t get home from church, why not have a church picnic or suggest an evening service?

For 364 days this year, all the cyclists in the area have to accommodate motorists on the road, a lot of who don’t think to slow down or give enough room, so please, how about a day where you accommodate us? It’s one day - well, not really even that! It’s 6 hours! It is not the entire weekend like the Australian Gold Coast Indy Grand Prix, not 2 weeks like the Olympics and not three weeks like the Tour De France. Put things in perspective.

The bottom line is that for 6 hours on ONE Sunday in June, Highland Perthshire will be disrupted. Some people might be inconvenienced. But for the sake of future business and the opportunity to show off this great area, why not let the cyclists have their glory? Don’t be narrow minded and don’t be afraid of that inevitable thing called change. Enjoy the day and get outside and cheer on your fellow human beings. You might just enjoy it.

Kristen Boojers, Killiecrankie