http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ CityCyclingEdinburgh Forum » Topic: Your Favourite POP28 Moment en Wed, 15 Apr 2026 09:04:04 +0000 http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=6329&page=2#post-68126 Tue, 01 May 2012 11:40:50 +0000 spytfyre 68126@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>@mgj - Craiglockhart P1C perchance? </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=6329&page=2#post-68057 Tue, 01 May 2012 00:06:59 +0000 kaputnik 68057@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>For those on the PoP facebook group, there's an amusing video of the indecisive bollards as taken from the top (bottom?) of a LB trike. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=6329&page=2#post-68053 Mon, 30 Apr 2012 23:17:56 +0000 Uberuce 68053@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>I had some lovely chats with parents and kids at work today - a split between those that had made it and had met me, those that were gutted that they couldn't, and those that had seen me from afar as I did the organic megaphoning.</p> <p>Greenroofer: are you picking up your spy tomorrow? We'll need to compare notes. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=6329&page=2#post-68047 Mon, 30 Apr 2012 22:45:45 +0000 crowriver 68047@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>@PS, yep, us too. We were all shouting "bollards!" which was a bit silly but necessary to warn other riders... </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=6329&page=2#post-68040 Mon, 30 Apr 2012 22:19:25 +0000 PS 68040@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>The bollards seemed to indecisive when we passed them - some were up, some were down, and some seemed to popping up a couple of inches whac-a-mole stylee before dropping back down again... </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=6329&page=2#post-68018 Mon, 30 Apr 2012 21:21:44 +0000 kaputnik 68018@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>The bollards were down when I went through at the tail. The Lothian Buses van managed through anyway... We did try and contact a number of times to ask to have them lowered as we were aware that they would be an obstruction. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=6329&page=2#post-67965 Mon, 30 Apr 2012 17:17:43 +0000 Claggy Cog 67965@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>@SRD - I know that L&amp;B did a grand job on the day, and I am absolutely positive that they were overwhelmed by the sheer scale and number of folk that turned out. I believe also that there were other protests that had just ended and so other police crews were tied up or going off after that assignment. They will know what to expect next time!! Always better to overestimate I reckon...the upside from that was that it did take longer to get to Holyrood and our presence was on the High St longer therefore! Also can I say how great it was to see children out on their bikes and how competent they were and confident, fab....wee scones! </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=6329&page=2#post-67963 Mon, 30 Apr 2012 17:06:31 +0000 SRD 67963@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>claggy cog - good points both! By the time we got there, both sets of bollards were down. We had stationed marshals there for exactly that reason. </p> <p>But on the police/traffic thing: the original application was for an estimated 300 riders. police were warned last last week, that numbers might creep up to 1000, but I'm told their own estimate was to expect 600....so changes had to be made on the day, including roping in an extra contingent to control the bridges crossing. I think they coped pretty well, all things considered. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=6329&page=2#post-67960 Mon, 30 Apr 2012 17:00:31 +0000 Claggy Cog 67960@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>Funnily enough I was approaching the first set, and shouting out "bollards" so that those behind would know there was an obstacle, well imagine my amazement at just that point the nearest one to me sank out of sight. Sorry folks, false alarm no bollards...the next set did not oblige!! </p> <p>I loved all of it from start to finish. It was great cycling along next to kids on tagalongs, chatting, being exuberant. </p> <p>Admittedly I find the politicians all rather boring and predictable. Lets see if they can deliver!! I left at that point...Part of the reason for leaving was I had got to the Meadows for about 1.30 and it was cold, and also needed coffee, and thirdly I had to take back a couple of guys who had come up from Dumfries and Galloway to our start point because they don't know Embra.</p> <p>Two points for the organisers when this POP event happens again...can we please have the police co-ordinate traffic a bit better so that the cyclists can stream though lights/junctions unhindered, which would actually cause less friction with motorists (the downside the ride would be over much faster). Either that or shut the roads for an hour at most. Also if you are going to have people addressing the amassed cyclists you need a much louder PA system. I was unaware that there was anything going on for a while... </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=6329&page=2#post-67952 Mon, 30 Apr 2012 16:48:32 +0000 chdot 67952@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>"Favourite bit #2 was the frisson caused by the rising bollards on the High Street"</p> <p>So they got them to retract?</p> <p>I was at front and cycle cop 'phoned someone - but he didn't seen too optimistic. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=6329&page=2#post-67947 Mon, 30 Apr 2012 16:36:41 +0000 mgj 67947@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>Favourite bit #1 was realising that I was one of at least five dads from my elder daughter's primary school class. Any other schools manage 20%?</p> <p>Favourite bit #2 was the frisson caused by the rising bollards on the High Street </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=6329&page=2#post-67943 Mon, 30 Apr 2012 16:20:40 +0000 steveo 67943@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>That must be cheating! :D</p> <p>Yeah mostly got the hang of it, the first few hundred meters were fraught! Missed the first left turn at the Harrison Road crossroads and had to resist filtering when we caught up with traffic on Polwarth after that we weren't bad. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=6329&page=2#post-67941 Mon, 30 Apr 2012 16:11:02 +0000 MeepMeep 67941@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>I have a confession: it was washed especially following my Friday evening commute! How did you end up getting on with the bike, Steveo? When we saw you later on you seemed to have the hang of it alright.</p> <p>Excellent video, Earthowned - I was further forward in the ride so hadn't heard this wonderful medley rendition. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=6329&page=2#post-67935 Mon, 30 Apr 2012 15:54:02 +0000 steveo 67935@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>@MeepMeep, aye I remember chatting and then suggesting you might be safer if you went off in front :D.</p> <p>Shame about your nice new bike, it was still shiny! </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=6329#post-67920 Mon, 30 Apr 2012 15:13:34 +0000 spytfyre 67920@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>I spoke to another (possibly the same) self confessed lurker on the Saturday - they were pointing out they didn't think they had anything to contribute while I pointed out I post a lot but contribute very little (although hopefully humour, contrbuting humour is a good thing to say you have done)<br /> It would be nice to know how many different IP addresses (and therefore individuals) view this site each day... </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=6329#post-67902 Mon, 30 Apr 2012 14:39:49 +0000 earthowned 67902@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>I've been lurking on the forum for a wee while to get a feel for the place and you all seem (mostly ;-) sane! </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=6329#post-67900 Mon, 30 Apr 2012 14:34:29 +0000 chdot 67900@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>Welcome earthowned</p> <p>Hope you'll stick around and join in.</p> <p>"Normally when I ride to work it feels like it's me versus the world"</p> <p>Know what you mean.</p> <p>I think for some people, this forum has made them realise that they are not <em>quite</em> so alone. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=6329#post-67899 Mon, 30 Apr 2012 14:33:38 +0000 Claggy Cog 67899@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>Welcome Earthowned - thanks for the share, nice one!! </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=6329#post-67892 Mon, 30 Apr 2012 14:24:29 +0000 earthowned 67892@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>(First post on this forum!)</p> <p>I particularly enjoyed the sing-along we had en-route - </p> <p><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E3dXqQAyqh0" rel="nofollow">http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E3dXqQAyqh0</a></p> <p>.</p> <p>"I want to ride my Bicycle....!"</p> <p>Normally when I ride to work it feels like it's me versus the world - but on Saturday there was a family of thousands of cyclists all riding together. Magic! </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=6329#post-67825 Mon, 30 Apr 2012 13:08:08 +0000 MeepMeep 67825@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>Ah, Steveo - it must have been you that Mr Meep and I were chatting with briefly as we started on the Polwarth feeder ride. We were the couple on the cheap red Decathlon roadbikes to your right!</p> <p>Not quite a moment per se, but I was pretty overwhelmed by how confident most of the wee ones were on their bikes. I so hope they keep at it as they grow up: hopefully our numbers on Saturday will allow them to do so more safely in years to come. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=6329#post-67823 Mon, 30 Apr 2012 13:05:39 +0000 PS 67823@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>Oh, and getting labelled "Cycle Chic at Pedal on Parliament" on someone's photos of the day on Flickr. :oD </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=6329#post-67818 Mon, 30 Apr 2012 13:00:04 +0000 PS 67818@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>The atmosphere was the main thing that struck me - friendly, relaxed, good vibes from the peds as we went on our way.</p> <p>And the Royal windbreak offered by Holyrood Palace's hedge/wall that made the Parliament grass a thoroughly pleasant place to wind up. Chapeau to the lycra-clad contingent for surviving the time spent lined up on MMW when the sun went in and the wind picked up. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=6329#post-67804 Mon, 30 Apr 2012 12:28:33 +0000 Uberuce 67804@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>Favourite #4 The look on Sally's face as I showed her the photo from the hillside. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=6329#post-67789 Mon, 30 Apr 2012 11:43:32 +0000 cb 67789@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>Our own approach to the event was a lonely affair; we seemed to be passing plenty of bikes heading away from the Meadows.</p> <p>We came down the Bruntsfield Links path and that was a good moment to see a sea of colour (mainly yellow it has to be said) down on the Meadows.</p> <p>We caught up with the back of the Harrison feeder (including a friend of ours with his three year old son), with some pretty cool tagalong setups.</p> <p>Some anxious moments at around 14:50 when I spotted our friend had a flat rear tyre and heart sank when I saw the hub gear/brakes (<em>and</em> Marothon Plus). But it was fixed, just in time!</p> <p>Bell ringing was good, although I was cursing my 50p Tesco Value effort. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=6329#post-67787 Mon, 30 Apr 2012 11:40:40 +0000 Min 67787@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>SRD <em>"when we were finally cycling up MMW and I wondered who on earth my husband was talking to on the mobile, to discover that it was friends waiting at Holyrood, saying 'there are hundreds of cyclists here'. "</em></p> <p>Hehe, I do like that one! :-) </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=6329#post-67785 Mon, 30 Apr 2012 11:31:38 +0000 EddieD 67785@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>The minute's silence was wonderful - having a wee kid fire my AirZound into my ear was less so...but he enjoyed it... </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=6329#post-67782 Mon, 30 Apr 2012 11:14:49 +0000 Roibeard 67782@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>I heard the silence from the front and it seemed like the entire Meadows stopped, except the birds - extremely poignant - then the breath-taking, joyful ringing. Of course, I wasn't aware of the numbers until, standing at Forrest Road, I could finally see the end of the tail...</p> <p>Not a POP moment, so cheating a bit here, but one that tickled me was spotting Sustrans performing a survey on MMW later in the day - it tickled us (Steveo, Uberuce &amp; myself) to think "what if they'd been here earlier...?"</p> <p>Robert </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=6329#post-67781 Mon, 30 Apr 2012 11:08:24 +0000 amir 67781@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>Another best moment: eating one of Tom's Pecan Tassies - mmmm </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=6329#post-67780 Mon, 30 Apr 2012 11:06:35 +0000 Tom 67780@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>Best moment was approaching the start from the east end of Melville Terrace and seeing how many people were gathered on MMW. From then on it was the friendly atmosphere, meeting people, handing out my pecan tassies and cycling through the city centre feeling safe for the first time ever. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=6329#post-67778 Mon, 30 Apr 2012 10:55:37 +0000 steveo 67778@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p><em>Best photo in my eyes was the motorcyclist/cyclist high-five. Would linky, but can't get flickr at work... </em></p> <p><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/andycatlin/7122621637/"><img src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7211/7122621637_24854be42a_n.jpg"></a><br /> <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/andycatlin/7122621637/">Pedal on Parliament - Sat 28 April 2012 -0044</a> by <a href="http://www.flickr.com/people/andycatlin/">Mr Andy J C</a>, on Flickr</p> <p>Yeah its a brilliant photo, especially since the MC had been/ was probably going to be there a while. </p>