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| Version 3 | Version 4 |
|---|---|
| Roads anger over major cycle race | Roads anger over major cycle race |
| (about 23 hours later) | |
| More than 2,000 cyclists have been biking 81 miles around the roads of Highland Perthshire, despite local anger over road closures. | More than 2,000 cyclists have been biking 81 miles around the roads of Highland Perthshire, despite local anger over road closures. |
| Etape Caledonia organisers expected 5,000 people to watch the race, which begins and ends in Pitlochry. | Etape Caledonia organisers expected 5,000 people to watch the race, which begins and ends in Pitlochry. |
| Round-the-world cyclist Mark Beaumont was due to take part, as was Aggie MacKenzie from How Clean is Your House? However, some residents said they believed road closures would negatively affect businesses. | |
| The Etape Caledonia is the only cycle event in the UK where all the roads the riders race along are closed off. | |
| Reduced time | Reduced time |
| Jo Dytch, from the Etape Caledonia, told the BBC Scotland news website that Highland Perthshire was the ideal site for it. | Jo Dytch, from the Etape Caledonia, told the BBC Scotland news website that Highland Perthshire was the ideal site for it. |
| "It's a perfect natural route for a cycling event, because it provides the distance you need and it provides the challenge," she said. | "It's a perfect natural route for a cycling event, because it provides the distance you need and it provides the challenge," she said. |
| "It's got a few good hill climbs in it, but it's also around two of the most scenic lochs in Scotland and it's got great terrain. | "It's got a few good hill climbs in it, but it's also around two of the most scenic lochs in Scotland and it's got great terrain. |
| "The distance is achievable for someone who's not cycled before but wants to take it on and train really hard for it, but it also really challenges those who are good." | "The distance is achievable for someone who's not cycled before but wants to take it on and train really hard for it, but it also really challenges those who are good." |
| Groups of local protesters will wave placards at the event | Groups of local protesters will wave placards at the event |
| In response to local anger last year, organisers have reduced the amount of time each stretch of the route will be shut. | In response to local anger last year, organisers have reduced the amount of time each stretch of the route will be shut. |
| They have told participants they must pedal faster this time round, the event has been moved from June to May, and it starts an hour earlier. | They have told participants they must pedal faster this time round, the event has been moved from June to May, and it starts an hour earlier. |
| Local groups are also putting on a series of activities, such as cooking demonstrations, music performances, a battle re-enactment, clowns and a novelty bike show, to make the most of the number of people who will be in the area. | Local groups are also putting on a series of activities, such as cooking demonstrations, music performances, a battle re-enactment, clowns and a novelty bike show, to make the most of the number of people who will be in the area. |
| However, that has not calmed the anger of residents from the Anti-Closed Road Event (Acre) group. | However, that has not calmed the anger of residents from the Anti-Closed Road Event (Acre) group. |
| Spokesman Peter Hounam said: "Visitors don't really want to come when they know some of the roads are closed. | Spokesman Peter Hounam said: "Visitors don't really want to come when they know some of the roads are closed. |
| "But it's not just businesses that are joining Acre, we have ordinary citizens who are angry that their freedom of movement is being restricted for a commercial event. | "But it's not just businesses that are joining Acre, we have ordinary citizens who are angry that their freedom of movement is being restricted for a commercial event. |
| "Also, of course, the churches are up in arms because it's being held on a Sunday, and a lot of their parishioners can't get to the churches." | "Also, of course, the churches are up in arms because it's being held on a Sunday, and a lot of their parishioners can't get to the churches." |
| The group believes the road closures are unlawful and are considering taking legal action for compensation. | The group believes the road closures are unlawful and are considering taking legal action for compensation. |
| The Etape Caledonia was due to start at 0700 BST and finish at about 1500 BST. | The Etape Caledonia was due to start at 0700 BST and finish at about 1500 BST. |