WHPVA Championships - Betteshanger, Kent

[Kim]

The countdown timer which is the grey on blue. The fact you can’t see it, says a lot.

Ah, I see.  That is a bit low contrast, yes.

Will suggest Andrew change it (likely to the pale green and darker blue from the poster, or something).

[barakta]

I hadn't seen the webpage yet...

I'd drop the yellow a bit and make the text proper black too cos I can't read the blue on yellow.

And yes, the count down timer needs more contrast. Is there a weird font being used there?

[Kim]

Apparently the countdown widget is a legacy of the Previous Web Designer, and the only configuration options are the date it's counting down to, and the spelling of 'Hours', 'Minutes', etc.  I expect it'll get bodged/replaced/removed in due course...

[mzjo]

For those interested in such things, it's looking like the race formats are going to be:

• 1lap time-trial on the upper loop
• 60 minute criterium on the lower loop
• 100m flying spring
• 100m standing-start sprint
• 15 minute criterium on the upper loop
• 3 hour criterium on the whole track

Ooh, I like the idea of a "flying spring" race . Is that for airborne hpvs? And how do the rules work for the spring, is anything and everything permitted or must the spring have a mechanical function in the vehicle?

[Kim]

Ha!  This is probably related to the part of my brain that flagged up the potential problem with the webby SCIENCE not allowing you to say your HPV has no wheels.  Our web-monkey suggested that we were unlikely to get many pogo-stick entries.

[Cudzoziemiec]

It would be quite good to have walking-machines entered though. Or even human-powered flying machines.

[Kim]

It would be quite good to have walking-machines entered though.

Yes!

If anyone wants to enter one, rest assured that I'll h4xx0r the registration system appropriately.

Or even human-powered flying machines.

They have their own event (which may also contain Barney or traces of Barney), on account of needing wider tarmac, fewer trees, indoor cycle parking and an audax o'clock start:
 https://bhpfc.co.uk/icaruscup/

[Cudzoziemiec]

I look forward to singletrack / multitrack options being joined by bipedal / quadripedal / snake, etc.

[Kim]

PSA: Early-bird registrations end and medium-bird registrations begin next week.  We currently have 75 riders registered, none of whom appear to be riding a unicycle or strandbeest.  Could do with a few more  a) women  and  b) juniors, thobut.

https://shop.bhpc.org.uk/wc2024

[Bromptonlad]

PSA: Early-bird registrations end and medium-bird registrations begin next week.  We currently have 75 riders registered, none of whom appear to be riding a unicycle or strandbeest.  Could do with a few more  a) women  and  b) juniors, thobut.

https://shop.bhpc.org.uk/wc2024

75 is brilliant. To be fair, in any branch of competitive cycling there is a distinct lack of women and juniors

[Kim]

PSA: Early-bird registrations end and medium-bird registrations begin next week.  We currently have 75 riders registered, none of whom appear to be riding a unicycle or strandbeest.  Could do with a few more  a) women  and  b) juniors, thobut.

https://shop.bhpc.org.uk/wc2024

75 is brilliant. To be fair, in any branch of competitive cycling there is a distinct lack of women and juniors

Yes, and I'm also aware that the early-birds are very biased towards people who take the competitive aspect seriously, or are committed volunteers (we also have a fair few people who are volunteering but not racing).  The recumbent enthusiasts who take part for the fun of it, possibly after touring their way there, are more likely to register later as their plans take shape.  Anecdotally, most of the female riders are in that category.

[Kim]

We currently have 75 riders registered

78!

[fd3]

How old can juniors get?

[Bromptonlad]

How old can juniors get?

should be under 18, no?

[Kim]

How old can juniors get?

Under 16 on the 16th of August.  This is in line with the usual BHPC definition of Junior.  (Which is under 16 at the start of the calendar year.)

It's a point of some contention among WHPVA affiliated clubs, with some using cut-off ages of 18 or even 21.

We're unlikely to get enough juniors to make it worth splitting into different age groups, unfortunately.  With HPV racing there's the compounding factor of most juniors not having access to anything higher-performing than a decent Islabike, so it's all a bit arbitrary.

[fd3]

Our godson is into tt/track and I wondered whether I could tempt him.
He wouldn't have a proper HPV and I think he would be too old (AS year).

[Kim]

108 riders now registered, with a week to go before the cut-off for medium-rate registration.  That balances the books and makes for a decent sized event, but we have a deeply suboptimal lack of women in fully-faired or part-faired machines.  Unless we get a sudden influx, we're going to have to start combining categories, which is a bit rubbish for all involved.  (If you're a woman with a velomobile, you're pretty much guaranteed a podium position at this point.  You know you want to...)

Still low on juniors, though that was always anticipated.

We do at least have a podium's-worth of handcylists now.   

And I'm sure Dave would be delighted if someone else turns up on a rowing bike or VairoBike...   

[Mr Larrington]

Someone in the FB froup is threatening to bring an Elliptigo (sp?).

[Kim]

Someone in the FB froup is threatening to bring an Elliptigo (sp?).

Excellent.   

[Kim]

129 riders.  Registrations close on Friday night, so there's still time to enter, though the camping is now full^[1] and you won't get a T-shaped shirt unless someone the right size pulls out or the printers have been unexpectedly generous.

I've cleaned my bike and am starting to take weather forecasts seriously.

And we have an official hashtag, if not any actual social media accounts:  #whpvc2024


_{[1] There's oodles of space, but a limited amount of washing/toilet facilities.}

[Kim]

Competitors, volunteers and other campers should have an email containing Useful Stuffs such as what to do and where to go when you arrive.

For those playing along at home, most of this is available via the https://wc2024.bhpc.org.uk/ website, particularly the Rider Info and Downloads menus.  (Commendations to barakta OTP for the spiffy map.)

Results will appear at https://wc2024.bhpc.org.uk/results/ as and when I perform the requisite acts of babbage-engine-herding and data-wrangling.  Raw un-wrangled data should appear in an approximation of real time on the Live Results link, subject to the usual disclaimer^[1].


_{[1] Taking provisional results too seriously may cause stress, ulcers and even DETH.  If Slash isn't winning, and it's not the slow race, it probably means we've made an embarrassing typo in the race properties and everything else should be treated with suspicion.}

[fd3]

Will it be on the BBC?

[Kim]

Will it be on the BBC?

No, and at this point it seems unlikely that it will appear on GCN+ either.  I believe the ZZ Top imitators at Laidback Bike Report are giving this one a miss, too.  Which is a shame, as their 2018 coverage was excellent.

So, pending the inevitable YouTube uploads by LordHostis et al, you'll have to make do with cracking open a window and listening for Barney.  We've sqaundered some of the event budget on an Official BHPC Megaphone, so you should be able to hear him easily in the Wet Midlands.  Viewers in Scotland will have to make do with the interwebs.

[Kim]

We're about 90% packed.  Which seems to include enough computing equipment to run a small space programme.  And the camping gear.  And bikes.  And bike shoes.  And a step ladder.  But, as yet, no trousers.

Actually, I should stick the lasers in.  You never know.

[Von Broad]

Hope all is well for the weekend, I'm sure it will be....and the forecast looks fab [never a bad thing].
Would love to be there, but a combination of ongoing health issues and difficulty leaving a family member in need takes the decision out of my hands.
If nothing else I love just wandering around looking at 'bikes'.
Look forward to any coverage that is forthcoming.
All the best.