The See Me Save Me website is dedicated to reducing lorry danger and saving lives. The See Me Save Me campaign was initially launched by the family of Eilidh Cairns after she was killed in a collision with a Lorry which had blind spot and a driver with defective vision in February 2009. Since then over 20 cyclists and 31 pedestrians have been killed in collisions with Lorries in London. Eilidh’s family have worked with RoadPeace to highlight the opportunities to reduce the risks from Lorries to other cyclists and pedestrians, as well as improve the response to these preventable crashes by the justice system.

If you would like to find out more please join us at 2 pm on Sunday at Notting Hill Gate, by the ghost bike.

We look forward to announcing some exciting new collaborations and developments in 2012 as well as some very pertinent legislation.

Our diaries are starting to fill up too. One of the events we will be kick starting the year off with is the charity “Brakes” Annual Reception at the Houses of Parliament. Oh la de da.

See you next year….

The thinking behind the charge stems from warnings given by residents and campaigners over two years ago which led to a “walkabout” of the area by concerned members of the public and TfL commissioned contractors. This in turn led to the publication of a report by TfL.

However, it was published under duress and only after a local resident and campaigner pushed for it’s publication via a freedom for information request. The report noted that without specific and vast improvements auditors “felt that casualties were inevitable”.

Understandably, campaigners, residents, cyclists and many sectors of the public are upset and angered by the incident as they believe, and the facts would suggest, it was avoidable if preventative measures recommended had been implemented.

If this case is pursued and the campaigners have any degree of success it will initially be a catastrophic blow for TfL. Ultimately though, it may lead to a complete transformation in how they prioritise and deal with safety for vulnerable users on the roads.

The problems are layered but well documented. Visibility, speed, clear road markings, training and design all play a part but as the “Cyclists in the City” blog commented “TfL knows that accidents happen at junctions. And junctions are where the Cycle Super Highways are a consistent let-down”.

That is why we are so keen to create political and public awareness around our junction view application on the ASL360SV camera system. It wouldn’t resolve the issues of poor road design or drivers driving too fast but, conversely, it would dramatically reduce dangerous blind spots (highlighted by TfL in their own advertising and safety campaigns as previously seen on this blog).

There is a great deal of synergy between ASL Vision and Brake, with regards to business objectives and overall ethos. Brake’s campaign relating to ‘blind spots’ is particularly pertinent to us, as one of our main systems has been created to help mitigate the danger of blind spots.

Brake coordinates a campaign to raise awareness about the dangers posed by truck blind spots to cyclists and pedestrians, and to call for tighter legislation ensuring trucks have the latest devices fitted so that drivers can see around their vehicles. About 400 people are killed each year across Europe as a result of HGV blind spots – mostly cyclists, pedestrians and motorcyclists. Many of these tragedies could be avoided by taking small, inexpensive measures such as fitting safety devices and cameras.
As a key element of the campaign, Brake led a delegation calling for improved European legislation to help reduce the number of casualties and injuries. Brake galvanised support from the general public and M.Ps, and a European declaration proposing that new trucks should be fitted with the latest blind spot equipment is now under consideration.

As a part of the campaign, the charity is appealing to HGV operators to fit the latest blind spot devices, such as ASL360 Surround View, to minimise the dangers HGVs pose.
Obviously, these measures are essential to reduce the number of casualties on the roads but they will also play a major role in encouraging people to use more sustainable methods of transport, such as cycling, as a serious form of transport.

Research carried out by TfL has shown that two of the main reasons cited by people for not cycling are a lack of confidence and their perception of safety, especially with regard to large vehicles and the visibility problems associated with them.

As well as supporting the campaign for improved legislation, Brake is working to advise fleet operators on improving the safety of their vehicles through its Fleet Safety Forum. Brake is appealing to HGV operators to fit the latest blind spot devices to all their vehicles, to minimise the dangers they pose.
Hopefully, the combined efforts of businesses like ASL Vision, charities such as Brake and the relevant government bodies at national and European levels will soon allow us to report a change in legislation. If so, it will vastly improve safety amongst vulnerable road users whilst encouraging the public to consistently use more sustainable forms of transport.

Martin Howard, Fundraising Officer at Brake, says, ‘It is fantastic to have the support of ASL Vision, an organisation dedicated to mitigating the dangers of blind spots on HGV’s. Their donation will be crucial in funding Brake’s support work with bereaved families of road crashes, and we are looking forward to working together over the coming years We’re appealing to all operators to fit the latest technology to reduce blind spots – to help prevent more families going through the devastation of sudden, violent deaths and injuries.”’.

After a fantastic night in the beautiful fort town of Sisteron, we rolled out at 08:30. It was a lovely cool morning with a refreshing breeze and not too warm for a change. Today’s ride would take us 107km to Mont Ventoux via the Col de Homme Mort (translated as Dead Man’s mountain).

By this time we were all tired and worn, out and suffering from the odd saddle sore or ten, and were glad when David (our guide) set a nice steady pace up through the valley that we all found manageable and enjoyable. We steadily rode along the valley floor until we hit the first cafe stop of the day where I consumed a large hot chocolate, a lemonade and a Twix – yum!

We then rolled out to do the first small mountain of the day, not that I can remember what it was called as it was only a baby. By now it was starting to get back towards 30°c again, and becoming uncomfortable to ride on into. We then descended to the foot of the Col de Homme Mort. This was actually quite a pleasant climb, aided by a tail wind and a bottle of water poured over my head! Whilst riding up this climb we got our first look at the monster that is the Mont Ventoux. Wow, it was massive, maybe not as high as some of our previous mountains, but being in a fairly flat area it sticks out a full kilometre higher than anything around it. From the top of Homme Mort you can see the weather station at the top of the Ventoux – it looks tiny and a long way away.

We then descended down into the small town of Sault for a picnic lunch. Simon had laid on a brilliant table full of bread, cheese and meat to ready us for this final brutal assault on our physical and mental being.

Let me put Ventoux into context. It is hard… really hard. Very little tree cover, and very steep sections – plus the boiling heat at the bottom and the ‘mistral’ wind at the top to contend with. So hard is this climb it has claimed lives; most notably Tom Simpson in 1967 (his memorial is situated 1km from the summit).

So we set out from Sault to take on the monster. This side is easier than from Bedoin, where the professional riders come at it from, but it is longer at 28km. The two ways up meet 6km from the top at a cafe called Chalet Reynard. So here we go, 22km at between 3% and 8% followed by the final sections at 8%. Now it was hot, so hot it felt as though the Devil himself was branding the word ‘idiot’ into my back. Fortunately my friend Chris decided to ride up with me, as I was suffering from the heat and saddle sores to the point of quitting. It was his quote from Lance Armstrong that goes ‘pain is temporary, quitting is forever’ that got me up the first 22km. We pull up at Chalet Reynard for a cup of something and a quick chat before finishing the climb. By now the temperature had dropped due to the altitude, which was a blessing, but the wind was really strong. This wind is called the Mistral, and indeed it was at the Ventoux weather station that the highest wind speed in Europe was recorded (200mph; in fact, for over 240 days a year it is as high as 55mph!!) and today it was living up to its name. So we embark on the final 6km – me before the others, as if I do not go now it will not happen; I am that tired and sore. The great thing about this section is each kilometre is marked, telling you how long left and the average gradient. I push on, past the 5km to go marker, then the 4, then… no number 3km (it was stolen during the last tour visit, and has not been replaced), then 2km. At the 1km to go sign there is the memorial to Tom Simpson. I remove my hat and glasses, and bow my head in respect to the famous British cyclist. Then I look up; the road just ramps up for the last 500m – it is massive, and I feel all my fears about this climb boil up, giving me the adrenaline push I need to master this monster.

I round the final corner and arrive in the car park of the observatory at the summit, 1912m above sea level. The view is tremendous, miles and miles, right out to the Mediterranean sea, and up to central France; well worth the 3 hours of pain. I have my picture taken and we all agree to meet at Chalet Reynard on the descent. On the way down I take part in a cycling ritual, and leave two gifts at the Tom Simpson memorial, a plastic duck with the details of our ride on it, and my cotton cap I have been wearing all week with the Union Jack on it.

I put my helmet back on and descend to Chalet Reynard. The first 6km of descending is scary due to the wind, every corner is misjudged and every braking section wrong but I make it with no trouble, and having overtaken at least two camper vans on the way down. Arriving at the cafe we are talked through the descent to Bedoin by our guide David, who informs us that it is the best one of the week. We set off and wow 55-60mph on a bicycle! Long sweeping bends, tight hairpins and a great road surface make for the most breath taking descent of the week. We were going so fast even the motorbikes could not keep up, and I whizzed past them. We stop at the bottom and race towards Bedoin together. Now as we approach the sign, Chris says, “the sign is the line!” and we sprint like crazy for it. I get it, but only just – 50m more and Chris would have been all over it!!!

So that’s it – we trundle to the hotel and have a well earned rest after over 500km plus of pain and heat done. Sad but well needed! The hotel is great it has a pool and hammocks; just what the ailing rider needs to wind down. Whilst chilling out, a chap pops up his head and asks me about my book (Slaying the Badger) and announces that he was Greg Lemond’s soigner back in the Z team days; wow! Greg won the tour three times in the 1980′s and is a legend! He told us some interesting stories and offered us a massage (which, at 55 euros per 30 minutes, I declined!).

So we head down to dinner and chill out for a bit, aware we are travelling back to the car at 10pm.

Well that’s about it, just to say we had an epic journey home, the car never did overheat again, and we even managed an earlier ferry.

I would like to thank the following people -

Annalisa Powell – My long suffering ‘cycling widow’ wife for putting up with me and supporting me in all my sporting endeavours
Jack Powell – For being good for Mum
Damian Jones – A non cycling legend in the making, fantastic photography and great company (sorry I was a bit moody at the Izoard!!)
Chris Liptrot – My new friend, you are a legend and a saint, putting up with my endless cycling hypochondria and whinging and helping me through some tough days
The Frosties – For all the support in helping Annalisa and Jack put up with me
ASL Vision & Ian Saward – For the sponsorship and help in publishing this blog and making it all possible
Sponsors – For all you input and help
HDA.org – For your support and ideas
My family – For your encouragement and help

So we leave the rather nice hotel in Embrun and leave for our easy day. We instantly hit a climb – fortunately it was only 19°c and we decided to keep it as easy as possible. This still resulted in all of us arriving at the top of the climb in dribs and drabs. We then managed to miss the cafe and crack on to the next ‘minor climb’. By now the heat was starting to rise, coupled with the fact we were riding south; by 11a.m. it was 30°c.

Allow me to explain what riding in this heat on a climb is like. Imagine a treadmill; you are tired and worn out and you have to run full pace for at least 2 hours, but, the running machine is in a sauna, with no fan, and it just keeps getting hotter… horrible but fun at the same time.

The views on the way up are well worth the toil on the mountain though. Our next climb seems to be on a British style 6’6″ badly surfaced road, but in 37°c heat. It goes on forever, and then the guide points up to the other side of the valley, into the distance, and says ‘See, it is not far’ yeah right! After an hour of trudging through the melting tarmac and trying not to allow my brain to melt in the process, we come across the van with lunch all laid out, wow!!!! Cold Orangina, bread and olives, all gone in minutes. I eat my food and soon find myself asleep on the back seat of the van.

After hearing the 10 minute warning I jump up and try to get myself going again, down the mountain. Descending is great fun, until the road melts, then it is rather interesting. The wet tar acts like a slippery wet surface, which you do not see until the last minute.

Finally after descending through an amazing gorge (devoid of water as it is so hot) and hammering along in a pace line we turn right onto our final climb. Now this was my sort of climb, 1km at 14% just like the South Downs, no worries – I even managed to get up it quick!

On our way down into Sisteron we happen upon a beautiful little French village set into the hill side. A big pink house with fantastic windows and a great cold fountain – just the ticket for 5 boiling cyclists.

Finally we descend into Sisteron, wow what a beautiful place! I must bring Mrs Powell here one day and amaze her with the views, I will however invest in a hire car with AIR CON!!!

Well tomorrow we do the ‘Giant de Provence’ Mont Ventoux, the most feared climb in cycling. A truly terrifying beast that rises up 1909m from the lavender fields, awaiting any cyclists who are brave (or stupid) enough to attempt it. Only another 107km to go to our final destination in Bedoin.

No pics at the moment but I will try tomorrow.

Cheers

John