http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ CityCyclingEdinburgh Forum » Topic: European Cycle Messenger Championships en Wed, 15 Apr 2026 12:03:15 +0000 http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=6660#post-75135 Tue, 19 Jun 2012 20:01:39 +0000 soulcycles 75135@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>Correctamundo. Dave isn't a courier and never has been. But for the first time in 17 years of the ECMC it was decided to have it open to all, not just the courier fraternity. We want less of the "them" and "us" steroetype. If someone gets on a bike and rides it then fair play bethem a hipster or a messenger. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=6660#post-75025 Tue, 19 Jun 2012 09:46:16 +0000 recombodna 75025@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>They don't call him fast Dave for nothing...... He's not even a courier. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=6660#post-75019 Tue, 19 Jun 2012 09:30:50 +0000 Dave 75019@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>3.17 - clearly PS should become a messenger! </p> <p>Don't envy anyone riding in that rain... reminded me of a brevet. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=6660#post-75015 Tue, 19 Jun 2012 09:19:24 +0000 soulcycles 75015@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>We had a phenomenal weekend despite the horrendous wether. We had around 150 people turn up from all over the globe. 82 took part in the hill climb around Arthurs seta from loch to loch. Local lad "Fast Dave "v taking victory 20 secs ahead of the pack in an astonishin 3.17. Saturday qualifying was cancelled as was the velodrome at meadowback for the obvious hence why we were all in the Ventoux at Tollcross on sat. Massive thanks to all the organisers. It was a huge effort all round. Here's looking forward to the World Championships in Chcago in August </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=6660#post-74797 Sat, 16 Jun 2012 20:57:29 +0000 wingpig 74797@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>Lots of bikes with numbers on the handlebars parked in Tollcross. They didn't appear to be racing. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=6660#post-74793 Sat, 16 Jun 2012 16:57:27 +0000 recombodna 74793@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>Yeah I spotted him in tollcross. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=6660#post-74790 Sat, 16 Jun 2012 15:41:21 +0000 Min 74790@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p><em>My son was the only child on a bike I've seen all day so far, except for some kids in the back of a trailer this morning on our street, which doesn't quite count as they have their own play tent to shelter from the elements.<br /> </em><br /> One of the couriers was toting his children round HP in a trailer. Seriously. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=6660#post-74787 Sat, 16 Jun 2012 15:22:50 +0000 Claggy Cog 74787@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p><a href="http://mpora.com/videos/T6hzKCt6r/" rel="nofollow">http://mpora.com/videos/T6hzKCt6r/</a></p> <p><a href="http://www.ecmc2012.co.uk/news/red-bull-mini-drome-press-release" rel="nofollow">http://www.ecmc2012.co.uk/news/red-bull-mini-drome-press-release</a></p> <p>Tomorrow, Sunday 17th June. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=6660#post-74784 Sat, 16 Jun 2012 15:09:36 +0000 crowriver 74784@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p><em>you shoulda seen the outside of the meadows bar last night, like a little peice of <strike>holland</strike> Shoreditch</em></p> <p>FTFY ;-)</p> <p>@Min, I've seen a fair number of fixie-riding males round Portobello today. Might be couriers, or maybe this weather just brings out the 'hard as nails' brigade. My son was the only child on a bike I've seen all day so far, except for some kids in the back of a trailer this morning on our street, which doesn't quite count as they have their own play tent to shelter from the elements. </p> <p>A tandem is definitely better in this wind than a solo plus tagalong, methinks! Said son regarding the weather, and complete absence of the usual throng of parents and kids on bikes outside music class: "The only time we can't cycle here is if it's really frosty and snowy, otherwise we're fine because we're tough and sporty." </p> <p>If that's the way he sees things, I'm happy with that. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=6660#post-74781 Sat, 16 Jun 2012 12:50:42 +0000 Min 74781@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>A high percentage of tough beardy men and gaudy bikes on their way up to Dunsapie Loch this morning. If I hadn't known it was the Courier Champs today I'd have guessed at this point. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=6660#post-74777 Sat, 16 Jun 2012 11:17:23 +0000 ruggtomcat 74777@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>you shoulda seen the outside of the meadows bar last night, like a little peice of holland (if everyone in holland rode fixies)</p> <p>I was tempted to zoom past on the bent and shout 'fixie pixies' in an attempt to get a Jacky chan style mass bike chase going on but I had the trailer and didn't fancy my chances. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=6660#post-74698 Fri, 15 Jun 2012 16:15:39 +0000 amir 74698@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>8 degrees! 6 days from mid-summer. Can we get a refund? </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=6660#post-74696 Fri, 15 Jun 2012 16:13:00 +0000 chdot 74696@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>This is slightly unusual -</p> <p><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/chdot/7374930814/"><img src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7240/7374930814_df50156990.jpg"></a></p> <p><a href="http://www.geos.ed.ac.uk/abs/Weathercam/station/24hours.html" rel="nofollow">http://www.geos.ed.ac.uk/abs/Weathercam/station/24hours.html</a></p> <p>Met Office weather maps currently showing no rain until 7 (today) and <em>lots</em> tomorrow, but this morning it was predicting quite a lot for PM commute so who knows! </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=6660#post-74692 Fri, 15 Jun 2012 15:54:17 +0000 chdot 74692@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>"Eva Ballin cycles up to 80 miles per day in her job with Scotland's biggest independent courier company"</p> <p><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XrUxrU7Ntkw" rel="nofollow">http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XrUxrU7Ntkw</a></p> <p>.</p> <p><a href="http://www.edinburgh.gov.uk/blog/newsblog/post/314/Lord-Provost-meets-budding-Courier-Champ-contenders-" rel="nofollow">http://www.edinburgh.gov.uk/blog/newsblog/post/314/Lord-Provost-meets-budding-Courier-Champ-contenders-</a> </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=6660#post-74691 Fri, 15 Jun 2012 15:53:26 +0000 crowriver 74691@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>Can't see anything happening at the velodrome if it carries on like this. :-( </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=6660#post-74688 Fri, 15 Jun 2012 15:48:44 +0000 chdot 74688@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>"They are optimistic that the heavens will open the other way tomorrow"</p> <p>Well I think today's forecast for 'heavy rain all day' hasn't been particularly accurate, but... </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=6660#post-74681 Fri, 15 Jun 2012 14:41:05 +0000 Rabid Hamster 74681@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>Just back from visiting the Euro Cycle Messengers at their 'basecamp'. Despite tidying Marine Espanade they have not quite managed to control the weather!<br /> It is blowing a cold easterly smirr, and seagulls either flying backwards or roosting on the warm pipes at the WWTC (sewage works to you and me)!<br /> They are optimistic that the heavens will open the other way tomorrow, for their fantastic range of events!<br /> A hardy bunch indeed! </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=6660#post-74418 Thu, 14 Jun 2012 08:04:16 +0000 crowriver 74418@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>Alas, weather forecast looks dire for the weekend. Let's hope it's wrong. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=6660#post-74415 Thu, 14 Jun 2012 07:31:54 +0000 ruggtomcat 74415@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>oooh, hill climb comp.... </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=6660#post-74412 Thu, 14 Jun 2012 00:23:01 +0000 chdot 74412@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>"</p> <p><img src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7093/7370146814_f95241275d.jpg"></p> <p>Eva Ballin, one of the main organisers, fellow Edinburgh courier Richard Backhouse with Lord Provost Donald Wilson at a photocall to publicise the event.</p> <p>COURIERS DELIVER BIKEFEST TO EDINBURGH<br />  <br /> On June 15-17 Bicycle couriers from around the world will take time out from their strenuous jobs to head for Edinburgh.<br />  <br /> Scotland’s capital is hosting the 17th European Cycle Messenger Championship and over 100 couriers from across Europe and other countries including Canada, Japan and Taiwan will compete to show off their speed and skills on a variety of venues around the city.<br />  <br /> The two main organisers of the Championships - Eva Ballin and Brian Dunsmore -  and their tireless crew are doing their best to make this an ECMC to remember. What’s more, it will not be a closed event for couriers only.<br />  <br /> “We welcome anyone with a bike who wants to prove they can hold their own against the fittest of couriers,” said Eva, who has worked as a courier in Edinburgh for almost 12 years.<br /> She added: “Edinburgh will be a fantastic venue for what promises to be a spectacular weekend featuring racing and trick and fun events. Every overseas courier can be sure of a warm Scottish welcome.”<br />  <br /> Brian, a former courier who is now a partner in Glasgow city centre cycle shop RIG, said: “There couldn’t be a better place than Edinburgh to hold ECMC 2012 because this year marks the 200th anniversary of the birth of the Scot Kirkpatrick MacMillan, the father of the bicycle.<br />  <br /> “ECMC 2012 will celebrate the bicycle as a working tool, a simple means of transport, a health and fitness booster and ultimately a little piece of freedom in an increasingly congested urban environment. There’s sure to be a host of entertaining events for everyone to enjoy and even take part in.”<br />  <br /> * Bicycle couriers play a vital role by ensuring the speedy delivery through congested cities of vital documents such as architectural plans, legal documents such as house deeds and last-minute tax returns, and also medical items such as blood and urine samples.<br />  <br />  <br /> PROGRAMME....<br /> -2-<br />  <br /> Saturday 16 June<br />  <br /> 09:00-12:00 LOCH2LOCH HILL SPRINT In Holyrood Park, 300ft of punishing ascent in just under a mile between St Margaret’s Loch and Dunsapie Loch.<br />  <br /> 12:00-17:00 Historic Meadowbank velodrome will be the base for track racing, with music and a barbecue laid on.<br />  <br /> 16:00-18:00 Sprints and skids competition at the Marine Esplanade.<br />  <br /> 17:00-21:00 Qualifying heats at Marine Esplanade for the next day’s main race.<br />  <br /> 18:00-19:00 Marine Esplanade also the venue for display of tricks and stunts by The Clan Scottish Stunt Cycle Team.<br />  <br /> Sunday 17 June<br />  <br /> 10:00-17:00 Main race at Marine Esplanade/Albert Road.<br />  <br /> " </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=6660#post-73865 Mon, 11 Jun 2012 16:11:47 +0000 Rabid Hamster 73865@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>Well done to the event people for this; they cleaned up around Seafield Sewage Works (no mean feat!), and got rid of all the cr*p and fly-tipping in prep for their own event this weekend. How public spirited is that!?<br /> Maybe we could learn from this and start a 'cleanup cycle paths' campaign by direct action! </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=6660#post-71287 Mon, 21 May 2012 11:56:26 +0000 Rabid Hamster 71287@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p><a href="http://www.ecmc2012.co.uk/">ECMC comes to Edinburgh</a></p> <p>Thought I'd alert you to this 3 day event occurring at Seafield, Holyrood Park, Edinburgh College of Art, Meadowbank Velodrome. </p>