Perfect weather at Manchester, very warm & sun was shining. About 200 riders turned up, including lots of very pretty girls.
BUT.... there were hundreds, maybe over a thousand students - all Chinese - at the start who just crowded round the riders in one big circle (6 or 7 rows deep) and hemmed them all in without any consideration of the riders - all with smartphones and getting in each others way to make sure they were at the front!
Most of the girls looked overawed & intimidated and some looked like they were going to leave before it even began! Luckily they egged each other on, and stayed, awkwardly tryng to put bodypaint on by gathering in a tight pack to try avoid being hassled. A few riders stayed dressed rather than strip off in front of the baying crowds.
Even being there it was pretty much impossible to see what was going on... let alone get any pics! Still, did try to get some pics, but just ended up being pushed as soon as lined up a shot, or images of shoulders & bloomin' samsung smartphones in the way - in every shot
The organisers were great, and accepted that everyone was free to take pics, but constantly had to plead for the crowd to move back and make some space - which they didn't! I really sympathise with the organisers, as the crowd pretty much caused complete chaos & could have spoilt a great ride. The riders even had to force their way past just to get the ride underway. i saw a couple of the male riders that frustrated it looked like they deliberately tried to push their bike into the crowd who wouldn't budge for fear of no longer being at the front.
I heard the ride went well, so hopefully that's what Manchester ride will be remembered for, and not the chaos caused by the crowds.