Tyre sabotage...

[Will]

"Police are investigating after carpet tacks were spread across roads bringing a major cycle race to a halt"

[url]http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/scotland/tayside_and_central/8054215.stm[/url]

[Antloony]

Taken from the BBC article.

[quote]The event has been running for several years and has developed into the Perthshire Cycling Festival, but has brought protests over the disruption caused by the three-hour Etape Caledonia.

Some campaigners are angry because they believe their freedom of movement is being restricted, visitors may be put off coming to the area, affecting tourism and business, and locals could be prevented from getting to church.

Peter Hounam, from the Anti Closed Road Event (Acre) group, said: "Acre is against the closure of roads for cycle events in our area, we do not object to cyclists or people taking part in events.

[Marek]

And considering that area is nigh on empty the rest of the year, what are they on about in relation to in affecting tourism etc. I reckon that has to be one of the biggest events they would ever see and probably brings more money to the area than anything else. They do realise that cyclists do tend to eat a heck of a lot, and also some of them like a beer or 3 after an event as well. I know a few guys who were going up and were intending to spend a few night there. Surely that is the tourism part sorted. Madness, this made me really quite annoyed.

[Marek]

And another thing, in France I am sure the towns and cities are crying out to get the Tour De France to come to their area as they know the positive impact it has on the area, not just on the day but for years to come as they become a visited town and cyclists are more likely to visit etc. I bet the host towns for the Etape de Tour also have to bid for the pleasure. Utter madness in this country. Can we get the Etape Caledonia to move to Surrey and we could do a ride around here on closed roads?

[mrP(Boonen)VT]

ALLEGEDLY, it was the locals who couldn't get to church because their (ownership) roads were closed - not the most christian of things to do

[Marky Mark]

[quote="mrP(Boonen)VT"]ALLEGEDLY, it was the locals who couldn't get to church because their (ownership) roads were closed - not the most christian of things to do

[mrP(Boonen)VT]

You've got me there

[Paulos Fandangos]

I actually rode this one, I'd still recommend this despite what went on, the route is fantastic, pretty quick too!
I was still annoyed tho, so I'm in a better mood after seeing this...

[url]http://www.bikeradar.com/road/news/article/updated-man-arrested-in-etape-caledonia-sabotage-21678[/url]

[Amy]

My Scottish dad is in the Angus CC and they're pretty disgusted. He also reports lots of angry letters in the local press over Mr Grosset's actions, especially as he's a County Council chairman and church elder!

[Mike I]

Credit where credit's due, mind. At least the good councillor is doing his best to ensure that swift and local medical care is available to anyone who crashes as a result of a high-speed blow-out.

[url]http://www.thecourier.co.uk/output/2008/11/20/newsstory12268521t0.asp[/url]

Right, who fancies entering next year - under the name Alex Grosset?

Nice illustration on the BikeRadar article. I like a bit of retro chic .

[adrian]

The report I read said that the culprit jumped on to the fastest group and wreaked his havoc from there. Not bad going for a 62-year-old who doesn't get much time to train at weekends