It has been revealed that Smalltown has lost the annual ‘Boast the Most’ cycle race to Easton-under-Water.
The event, which sees middle-aged men clad in figure-hugging lycra compete to be the first to cycle a very long way and still be able to walk afterwards, has seen the race end at the finish line in Smalltown since 2010.
Last year over 800 cyclists took part, booking local accommodation and eating out in the town. Organiser of the race even organised free coffee at Witherspoons for participants who crossed the finish line.
However, in October last year Smalltown and Dullbridge Town Council were approached by the organisers of the event to ask for some sort of incentive to continue finishing the event in Smalltown.
In a letter to SaDTC the organisers said ‘Boast the Most is an annual bike ride that has historically finished at the jetty at Smallrown. We are expecting over 1000 cyclists to enter the ride next year. All of these riders will have ridden 205miles
in a day to complete the ride. They will all end up in Smalltown with most staying/eating/drinking and generally spending money.
Each year, we have been promised the world by Smalltown, as we bring so much money to the town, however each year, sadly, we get nothing.
Last year the Mayor didn’t even offer us do much as a cup of tea as we crossed the finish line, so we relied on the generosity if The Willow Arms, who gave us a free cup of coffee each.
Is there anything that you can do to offer us some incentive to ensure the event remains at Smalltown, as two of the directors are talking about moving the event’s finish to Easton-under-Water – where they have more accommodation/restaurants and appetite to help us.”
Speaking during a Town Unimprovements Committee meeting Cllr Banish Barracuda said “We’ve offered them the errrrm opportunity to apply for a Town Council errrrm grant, but they said our errrrm rules exclude them from applying, as they errrrm aren’t a local group, so I don’t really errrrm know what else we can errrrm do.”
A resident informed the Council that the organisers are not necessarily looking for
money, but support in kind for example liaising with Sedgemoor District Council
to use the car park and to have the toilets opened.
Another resident stated that it should be made into an event with music and bunting to make them feel welcome, rather then participants having to see Dictator Dullard on the finish line.
As SaD Town Council’s Person Responsible for Incouraging Cycling (PRIC) Cllr Barracuda said perhaps the Council should spend some time talking and thinking about the matter some more.
Meanwhile, Councillors and businesses in Easton-under-Water were far more proactive and quickly put together an incentive package which will see participants finish the race on the Great Pier, with a reception and celebration dinner, as well as accommodation packages offered in conjunction with local hotels and campsites.
Once again SaD Town Councillors have spent too much time thinking, rather than coming up with a plan, local businesses will be the losers here.
For a council that talks so much about a Climate Rescue Action Plan (CRAP), an element of which must surely be to encourage cycling, SaD Town Council has lost an excellent opportunity to promote the benefits.
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