Velo Birmingham

If anyone had ambitions to enter Velo Birmingham (closed road sportive in September) but missed out in the initial entry window, there have been a limited number of additional entries released. You'll need to be quick though!

http://www.velobirmingham.com

There may be more from the club but I'm aware of @StephenT @JohnnyG @AdamPool and myself that have already signed up for the event.

I'm also signed up!

So that's five in the Swans peloton so far - great stuff!

I am to

I'm in as well...

Just had a "two months to go" email from Velo Birmingham which says:

RACE PACK & GOODY BAG COLLECTION:
Unless you are a Fast Track rider, you will need to come to the Barclaycard Arena in the city centre to collect your race pack on Saturday September 23

I'm pretty sure I'm not a fast track rider, but having spent £78 on the ride, the last thing I expected was to be told I had to make two trips to Brum, once just to collect my race pack!!!

Does anyone know if we have to do this? What happens if we just turn up on Sunday?

James

I've had the same email and I was trying to work out if I had paid for fast track which I also don't think I have done...not sure how I'm going to be able to do it though as at a family event the day before...

I've been thinking about this. Not sure what to do at the moment. The prospect of two trips is not that appealing. Hotel rooms are really expensive.
Having read the T&Cs race packs can be collected by a nominated person with a letter and photocopy of passport or driving licence. They can't be collected on Sunday.

Wow - I hadn't realised. I've never taken part in an event where you can only register the day before. Thanks for flagging it. Sure we can work something out in terms of collecting them in bulk unless we see if there is anyway the organisers will post them out for a small fee?

I just sent the following email to the organisers:

+++
For some time I have been looking forward to the Velo Birmingham ride. But I have just received an email saying that I need to collect my pack in person from the National Arena on the Saturday, the day before the ride, which has left me feeling quite upset.

I live 70 miles from Birmingham, and it is both uneconomic and not environmentally friendly for me to make two trips to Birmingham, once on the Saturday and then again on the Sunday. Given I have spent £78 on the ride itself, to spend another £35 on the train (plus driving to the station and paying £10 to park) to come up just to collect a registration pack is unfair and discriminatory - and no other ride that I have ridden has imposed this harsh requirement.

Please can you arrange to post my registration pack to me, or arrange for me to collect it on Sunday?
+++

I should receive a reply within 72 hours. I'm not hopeful, but thought it worth a try. Otherwise we shall have to try and work something out between us.

Did you hear back from them @JamesT ?

@MattH,

Yes I did:

+++
Hi James,

Thank you for your email.

Due to the early start on Sunday, registration has always been scheduled for the Saturday. Are you riding with anyone that can collect your pack for you?

Many thanks,
The Vélo Birmingham Team
+++

So as expected, no leeway.

I may consider taking the children up on Saturday for a day out in Birmingham (!!!) and register then. But it will be a right pain!

James

The Cycle Show is on at the NEC on the same day... http://www.cycleshow.co.uk/

It is a pain, but a couple of us could do on behalf of everyone.

I am planning to head up to Birmingham on the Saturday to collect my registration pack - I will take one of my children as cover and visit a museum or something!

I am happy to collect some registrations packs on behalf of others. If so, you will need to get the following to me:

• a copy of your confirmation email
  
• a signed letter nominating me as the person allowed to collect your pack
  
• a photocopy of your photo ID.
  
  

(See: https://velobirmingham.com/why-birmingham/faqs/)

Let me know if so and we'll work out about dropping the documents round to me, and vice versa afterwards.

James

Not long now guys my start time is 07:05 wave 2 how about the rest of you?

Wave 3 8:40am so I'll see you at about 9am. 😄😄😄

B3 at 8:15.

I really should look at more of the Forums. I am riding as well. In Wave 1 at 07.00. I'll be a lot slower than the rest of you so please give me a wave as you go past, will be in Swan Wheelers jersey.