You are reading a single comment by @edmundro and its replies.
Click here to read the full conversation.
London Fixed Gear and Single-Speed is a community of predominantly fixed gear and single-speed cyclists in and around London, UK.
This site is supported exclusively by donations. Consider donating a small amount regularly.
@edmundro
Right then.
Latitude 2012 left me with 2 main thoughts.
To elaborate on each point.
Muffins:
At the planning meeting I attended I raised the question of 1 van being enough for all the transport requirements required of me for my part in the event. It really wasn't, not by a long shot. I rolled into the campsite scraping the arse of the van on everything in my path. Naturally as people didn't have to carry their own camping kit/beer they went crazy and packed everything. Along with the water and other tat I was carrying it was easily 1.5-2ton in the back, putting me over the legal weight in the van by a few hundred kg. Not cool. I suggested 2 vans or a container truck for next time.
Then, storage on site. The scaffold rack with no security(initially) and a pathetic cable lock was a fucking joke. I'll speak no more of it. Bikes were damaged and misdirected on the return journey. This also sucked.
Forumengers:
We helped find peoples bikes who were concerned about them(I remember tracking Scobles tokyo fixed down piled under a ton of bikes in the van) and helped secure them better. All of this could have been done better if they'd understood how people who lock their bikes in London feel about bike security.
We also had a fucking rad weekend, which certainly helped.
To solve this? Simple answer is a fucking professional removals firm to rock up with two geezers who understand how to handle valuable things and a big truck with room enough for all the camping things and 100+ bikes. Get them tickets for the festival for the lads. Bikes stored in van for the weekend with removal guys sleeping in the cab right next to them. Security, sorted. Inventory all bikes with owner properly so they can be checked in and out better than last time. Collection of bikes on the return? Removals guys have big yards, time and place agreed, pick your bike up on time or they'll charge you.
As for other vehicles we'd need a broom wagon with mechanic and a lead van for water drops/signage. Probably another car or two for buzzing around duties.
tl/dr Get some pros on board for transport, kick back and enjoy ride.