Today, I did something I thought I’d never do; something I’d never done before.
I took a journey. I crossed the Rubicon – I crossed over to the Darkside…..
….and by “Darkside” I mean Redditch.
“What could have possibly made you embark on such a journey?” I hear you cry..
Well, today Redditch was holding round seven of the Pearl Izumi Tour Series cycle race. So I thought I’d go and take a look. Primarily to see what was happening but also to see why Redditch had received this accolade above our beloved Brum.
I must admit, I didn’t know anything about the Pearl Izumi Tour Series – until today I thought Pearl Izumi was a shade of Dulux paint – but it is quite the event. And, as I have found out, it is the second year in a row that Redditch has held this prestigious event. The Pearl Izumi Series is a tour team event that focuses on the team rather than the rider. So even if a rider finishes first, the team doesn’t automatically take the victory – the aim is to try and secure the team as high up in the places as possible. It’s also being televised on ITV4.
Whilst I was there, I also took a look around at the stalls and came upon the “Choose How You Move” stall. And I have to say I was very impressed. The people manning the stall were very knowledgeable about what Redditch Council are doing to improve the transport situation in their town and were very keen to give me some freebies –
And that got me thinking about my own fair city.
I know that there is plenty of information available for cyclists in Birmingham and that we are trying to change things as far as our transport systems are concerned but I think we are missing out on events like this one in Redditch today. Sure, we have the SkyRide (still waiting for a date by the way – looking at you SkyRide….) but that’s one day out of the year. And yes, you may argue that there are the local SkyRide events etc. but when was the last time the spotlight was on Birmingham with regards to cycling?
Erm…..last year’s SkyRide?
Exactly! Apart from the bid for the government money and Sir Bertie’s “Transport Utopia” plan – things that are only reported in the local press I might add – are we missing out?
And if so, what makes it worse is we’re missing out to places such as (and forgive me Redditch) places like Redditch ! A small hamlet of a town compared to the Second City (…don’t start again Manchester….)
Now I know there will be those of you that are saying “How the hell can we close our streets to some skinny blokes on even skinnier bikes going around and around at 30 mph?”
How about using that once-a-year SkyRide plan more than once?
#justsayin’
Let's Ride Birmingham! 