Would you go into 'town' to watch any old sporting event, live?

[Stat Brother]

We went to Southsea, last night, to watch the Halfords City Centre Cycling Series.
Think flat all out sprint around Preston Circus, just under 2mins per lap, for 50mins.

You can see us on ITV4 tonight at 7.
I'm fairly certain you will see us, as it was pretty poorly supported.

Prompting wifey to say 'this would be packed if in Brighton', hence the question.

Irrespective of the sport in question, if it was of a decent standard and free of charge, would you go?

 

[Stoichkov]

I can remember circuit races in the town centre on a couple of occasions during the early 90's. One used part of the steine before heading east on Marine Parade then left into (i think?) Madeira Place then a little bit down St James St, up George St then down Edward Street to complete the lap. Good racing and a good crowd enjoying the freebie.

It's a great idea but to get a good turn out, you need a central location that won't snarl up the city centre too much

 

[Deleted User X18H]

I saw the Tour De France around by the Old Steine circa 1994

 

[Da Man Clay]

Not unless it's a sport I have some remote interest in then no. Cycling isn't one of those sports

 

[hans kraay fan club]

We went to Southsea, last night, to watch the Halfords City Centre Cycling Series.
Think flat all out sprint around Preston Circus, just under 2mins per lap, for 50mins.

You can see us on ITV4 tonight at 7.
I'm fairly certain you will see us, as it was pretty poorly supported.

Prompting wifey to say 'this would be packed if in Brighton', hence the question.

Irrespective of the sport in question, if it was of a decent standard and free of charge, would you go?

I couldn't go, if it was in the evening in Southsea, as my stab-proof vest is at the dry cleaners.

 

[Deleted User X18H]

I couldn't go, if it was in the evening in Southsea, as my stab-proof vest is at the dry cleaners.

Oh dear has it been stained?

 

[Stat Brother]

I couldn't go, if it was in the evening in Southsea, as my stab-proof vest is at the dry cleaners.

The only stabbing was from my 4 year old with her bright orange, Halfords, inflatable, stabbing finger.

The thing with it was, the event was circular around a green, which was completely empty, no food no fun fair, no other attraction, a pretty poor show from Southsea.

 

[Horsham Gull]

Some of the free olympic events like the marathon will be a good shout to go to

 

[Notters]

Yes, Brighton would be rammed. There used to be the Wincanton Classic every year, with huge crowds.

 

[Stat Brother]

Yes, Brighton would be rammed. There used to be the Wincanton Classic every year, with huge crowds.

Well if the event continues, for another season, I can't see it going back to Pompey.

 

[Horton's halftime iceberg]

We went to Southsea, last night, to watch the Halfords City Centre Cycling Series.
Think flat all out sprint around Preston Circus, just under 2mins per lap, for 50mins.

You can see us on ITV4 tonight at 7.
I'm fairly certain you will see us, as it was pretty poorly supported.

Prompting wifey to say 'this would be packed if in Brighton', hence the question.

Irrespective of the sport in question, if it was of a decent standard and free of charge, would you go?

I would love it to come to town, I have often been suprised how few turn out in this country for cycling events.

I have seen TOB events and thought the same with regards to small crowds. The biggest crowds (bar TDF, Brighton, London, Kent) have been London centre circuit, Crystal Palace TT, Southampton (brilliant Cavendish win) and Newport.

I have never been able to catch a city event due to work. Bet you I wont be able to get olympic veledrome tickets, I would highly recomend taking family to Manchester Veledrome next Feburay for world championships sign up now to get a chance of tickets, big crowds, exciting cycling and Lizzie Armistead.

I am off to Pyrenesse with the wife in July for TDF Tourmelet double crossing action. Lets hope Bradley is in conention and flying the flag for British cycling, a TDF win would get the punters out.

 

[turienzo's lovechild]

pretty much anything free in brighton get's large crowds, regardless of what it is

and yeah that cycling thing would definitely be rammed

 

[Stat Brother]

I am off to Pyrenesse with the wife in July for TDF Tourmelet double crossing action. Lets hope Bradley is in conention and flying the flag for British cycling, a TDF win would get the punters out.

You love following me, around here, gloating and pi$$ing me off
First Roubaix (sp) now The Tourmelet.

We were there a couple of years ago, staying in Carcassonne (thanks to NSC) fell in love with the whole area, and I'm now desperate to get back there, on 2 wheels.

 

[Horton's halftime iceberg]

You love following me, around here, gloating and pi$$ing me off
First Roubaix (sp) now The Tourmelet.

We were there a couple of years ago, staying in Carcassonne (thanks to NSC) fell in love with the whole area, and I'm now desperate to get back there, on 2 wheels.

I have missed the last two years and have to thank the wife who booked it all back in December/Januray so ferries camp site all paid up.

Just need to get back on the bike and lose some weight now if I want to watch anything above see level.

Well perhaps we should let the Tour series know they would have 5 people attend if held in Brighton, they useally have one in Woking and Southend but I have not seen the venues this year, they may clash with world cup and 20/20. TOB I seem to remember is very West coast this year.

 

[Stat Brother]

I'm not too sure where the TOB is going this year, certainly not local, as I would have remembered.
The reason I asked the original question was, I know if it was local enough and an 'event', I'd definitely roll up to almost everything, from Kabadi to water polo.
But it all seemed a little half hearted last night.

 

[Postman Pat]

TOB stages

Stage 1
11 September 2010 - Rochdale to Blackpool, 126 km
Stage 2
12 September 2010 - Stoke-on-Trent to Stoke-on-Trent, 160 km
Stage 3
13 September 2010 - Newtown to Swansea, 150 km
Stage 4
14 September 2010 - Minehead to Teignmouth, 171 km
Stage 5
15 September 2010 - Tavistock to Glastonbury, 176 km
Stage 6
16 September 2010 - King's Lynn to Great Yarmouth, 189 km
Stage 7
17 September 2010 - Bury St Edmunds to Colchester, 151 km
Stage 8
18 September 2010 - Circuit - Newham London ,100 km

I watched the Tour De France as it came along Ditchling Road, and also remember the Wincanton coming down Coldean Lane. Cyclists in full flow are great to watch.

 

[Horton's halftime iceberg]

I'm not too sure where the TOB is going this year, certainly not local, as I would have remembered.
The reason I asked the original question was, I know if it was local enough and an 'event', I'd definitely roll up to almost everything, from Kabadi to water polo.
But it all seemed a little half hearted last night.

For me its often more about time than distance, especially if its a well run event, 2012 will have great free stuff, but nearly all in London. Thats why the cricket and football are great, (I always wanted to check out a baseball game over in Waterhall but that would take up some time). So having anything on the doorstep is a bonus.

I may have taken 'local enough' to a new level after reading this thread, I got so excited about TDF. I have just booked the dog into my mums. Booked a £44 return on eurotunnel, 2-3 July and me and the wife are driving up to the TDF prologue in Rotterdam, never driven that way before but the route planner says its about 3-4 hour drive from Calais. May clash with the QF of world cup so may end up watching that in a bar in Belguim somewhere on route.

 

[Stat Brother]

I may have taken 'local enough' to a new level after reading this thread, I got so excited about TDF. I have just booked the dog into my mums. Booked a £44 return on eurotunnel, 2-3 July and me and the wife are driving up to the TDF prologue in Rotterdam, never driven that way before but the route planner says its about 3-4 hour drive from Calais. May clash with the QF of world cup so may end up watching that in a bar in Belguim somewhere on route.

Right that's it, I'm coming round to introduce you to my good friend:-
PAIN

Oh I forgot although it's small beer now, I'm off to Calshot on Saturday to try out the velodrome.
I fully expect to smash all records and be fast tracked into the Olympic team, or have DB name me in the TdF team, so I might see you in Rotterdam, after all.

 

[Horton's halftime iceberg]

Right that's it, I'm coming round to introduce you to my good friend:-
PAIN

Oh I forgot although it's small beer now, I'm off to Calshot on Saturday to try out the velodrome.
I fully expect to smash all records and be fast tracked into the Olympic team, or have DB name me in the TdF team, so I might see you in Rotterdam, after all.

Where ever we are we can enjoy the big cycle fest that is the TDF hopefully thanks to itv4 red button or Eurosport this year.

Good luck on the veledrome, I would die just getting the bike going I am so unfit at present, my wife bought me a trial session at the Manchester Veledrome the other year and I was much fitter then and bottled it (bloody step and no brakes). Perhaps I should aim for the London Veledrome sessions now. I see they have a slow bike race in Preston Park, that may be more for me at present.

Perhaps you may draw a bigger crowd at Calshot than the pros down in Southsea last night.

 

[Stoichkov]

Oh I forgot although it's small beer now, I'm off to Calshot on Saturday to try out the velodrome.

Isn't Calshot small but very steep sided? I think its supposed to be a (no pun intended) steep learning curve on there as far as track cycling goes