Etape 2009 weekend

18 September 2008 at 08:16 by Administrator

Last night the Etape Activities Group (of which I am part of) had a good meeting at the Dunalastair Hotel in Kinloch Rannoch focusing on the Etape weekend 2009 (Saturday and Sunday 16th & 17th May 2009).

Lots of positive things to report:-

Etape entrants level for 2009 up to some 750 cyclists registered so far - this is way ahead of previous years. The early notification of the dates is having a real impact as cyclists can commit by booking themselves in early. Some accommodation providers are already reporting they are fully booked for that weekend.
2008 Etape participant survey reported that the best aspect was the closed roads and the magnificent scenery - the point was made that many of the events that cyclists take part in across the UK do not have the clean fresh air uncontaminated by vehicles as well the magnificent Highland scenery. The survey had lots of positive points to it while also giving us all some ideas of what participants wanted to see in future years, which we (as Highland Perthshire) are focusing on to help deliver in 2009.
The 5 year agreement the Council have agreed with IMG (the Etape event organisers) includes an agreement that 70% of the finish line area/activities will be devoted to local Highland Perthshire businesses giving them first refusal. This is very important for our Highland Perthshire economy, as we are sparsely populated compared to much of the UK and our businesses many of which are small one man or family operations need to be protected to ensure they make the most from Etape, which takes place on our roads through our villages and rural communities.
Etape 2009 weekend - with the early notification of the Etape 2009 dates, is allowing us to start planning the activities much earlier than in the previous two years. For the 2009 Etape weekend we are looking for ideas from local businesses and communities to be firmed up and submitted by the end of October - these ideas so far include a number of new events such as a Junior Cycle Event and a one day Cycle Festival in Aberfeldy, a 10K fun run along the core path network between Wade's Bridge in Aberfeldy and Kenmore Bridge, a village festival in Kinloch Rannoch. Also exploring the idea of a time trial for elite cyclists up the UK's steepest and longest continuous climb at Glen Quaich on the Saturday. These are ideas over and above those that took place at this year's Etape.

Next Etape activities group meeting is in mid November, when we should be able to report in more detail the activities planned for Etape 2009 weekend.

What I can assure all cyclists is that we are working to build on the fact that we are lucky to have Britain's only closed cycle road event here in Highland Perthshire and will be doing everything in our powers to help grow the experience of for all those taking part and who come to spectate.

8 comment(s)

Anne Urry

24 September 2008 @ 07:49

Suggestions for additional activities:-
1)Pitlochry High Street opens hot on the tails of the start of the race with well-publicised, well-discounted offers for supporters of the race.Some street musicians(even a pipe band) and food and craft stalls or farmers market on maybe the lower part of East Moulin Road, (which can be bypassed,via Bonnethill). This would create a bit of atmosphere and alleviate the sense of anti-climax after the huge excitement of the start of the race for the large number of people left behind.
2)An art competition for banded age groups based around cycling - maybe Viva might like to help with this. How about encouraging local artists to combine their skills at portraying our stunning local scenery with some ready-to-sell cycle-based (or not)artwork exhibited at e.g. the Scout Hall. The participants are wowed by the scenery and come back on a high. They might appreciate taking home a good quality memento of the event.

02 February 2009 @ 11:11

I am a mountaineer rather than a cyclist but have swapped munro bagging for a spot of cycling this year. I have entered the etape du tour but have no experience of closed road cycling - this is the crucial reason I have entered EC rather than a ride closer to home.

phil gibson

01 March 2009 @ 19:30

I have allso dumped my mountain bike for a road bike in an atempt to complete the etape,quite looking forward.

Iris Temple

13 March 2009 @ 15:12

I notice that most accomodation is full.
We have 2 properties which are free for these dates on our website. Both are in Perth and easy access to the A9 to Pitlochry.
Please have a look at our website www.scothols.uk.com.

J Howell

18 May 2009 @ 09:49

Etape Sabotage 2009
The idiotic actions of a few saboteurs of the Caledonian Etape last weekend could have put many cyclists in danger, with multiple flat tyres on top of a cold and windy moor, with the support services prepared for the usual punctures, but not the hundreds of riders that could have been stranded. The Etape is a wonderful event, supporting tourism, the eco-freindly and healthy activity of cycling and not least raising an estimated £250 000 for Macmillan cancer services. Yes it is inconvenient having the road closed to cars outside your house (albeit for 4 hours a year); but none of us have a right to travel on our roads at all times, and this has to be balanced against the enjoyment of 3500 riders plus the huge economic benefit to having cyclists and families stay overnight in the Pitlochry area, at what must be a fairly low point in the year for tourism.
I will not be taking the risk of booking my ride and accommodation next year; and I feel sorry for the many local supporters who did come out and cheer us on, so thank you. In these hard times I expect there will be no shortage of rural regions who would welcome an influx of hungry and thirsty riders!

J Howell
Kelso

J Howell

18 May 2009 @ 09:50

S Morrison

18 May 2009 @ 20:56

I took part in the 2009 Etape and thoroughly enjoyed it. I think it is a fantastic event and very well organised. Scattering tacks on the road was a wicked and selfish thing to do. I hope that whoever was responsible is finally caught and brought to justice. Their actions hardly promote tourism or that Perthshire/Scotland is a welcoming place and for that they should be hanging their head in shame.
I would like to thank all those along the route who welcomed the cyclists and cheered us on. It is very uplifting. I would also like to thank the organisers for their prompt actions and professionalism in dealing with the problems. I am glad to see that the Etape 2010 is already marked on the calendar and would say to everyone who took part to do so again in support of this fantastic event and not to give in to a very small, selfish minority.

Gordon Duncan

19 May 2009 @ 22:32

I have been born and brought up in the village of kinloch rannoch and moved out when i was 15 years old and came back to live and bring up my family and work 21 years ago,so i think i can class my self as a local.I was totally dissapointed with what happened to the cyclists on sunday with the tacks being put down on the road.It was great to meet people from other parts of the country and hope that they will come back again as we will make sure this does not happen again,we do not know who did the damage yet bit if they do get caught then i think they should have a very good think at the serious damage and injuries that could have occured. Gordon

8 comment(s)

Leave a comment