The sportive riders, all 2,000 of them, were clearly not welcomed in the area by some locals. These farmers used long sticks or rods to block the passage of riders through one section of the course. There is now an inquiry into the incident amid claims from the organisers that some riders crashed and/or were assaulted. However, the police said the facts were still being investigated.
Farmers use sticks against Tour o' The Borders sportive cyclists
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A police investigation has started after farmers used sticks against Tour o' The Borders sportive cyclists in the UK.
The famers in question, aged between 70 and 80 years, were displeased roads had been closed in the area.
There has been opposition from some locals along the route of the Tour o’ The Borders. They believe farm work is being interrupted at a key time of the year for harvesting.
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Riders who took part in the event in Scotland at the weekend took to social media to give their versions of what took place.
Brian Ogg said: “A great day out, however almost ruined by the two farmers.
"(They) tried to create a road block as wave one joined the A701. (They did this) by standing in the middle of the road with sticks in each hand trying to get them through the spokes.”
Patrick Hutton, who was also among the 2,000 riders, said he witnessed some of what had taken place.
“Only actually saw one of them, who had a wee face-off with a rider in front of me,” he said.
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“Older bloke, long coat and holding what looked like sections of rodding. As you would use for clearing drains.”
In a YouTube clip posted online the farmers stand in the middle of the road. They have sticks or rods in both hands.
And as riders approach and pass them, they extend their arms by their sides. Consequently, the riders must cycle through the sticks to get passed.
Furthermore, one cyclist said when he asked the men what the problem was he was told: “You are the problem”.
One Tour o’ The Borders organiser suggested the incident turned nasty. He said some of the sportive cyclists ended up falling off and sustaining injuries.
"I think a truly special day was marred by some thugs, some idiots,” he said.
"Their behaviour is disgusting. And they are a disgrace to the whole of the Borders, let alone their own communities.
"We have had to make it clear that this kind of behaviour is totally unacceptable. It could have caused serious injuries or worse."
The Tour o’ The Borders Facebook page went further. It claimed the protest tried to block some of the sportive cyclists and also “attacked” participants.
Police comment on Tour o' The Borders incident
However, the police said the full circumstances of what took place were still being investigated.
Furthermore, Police Scotland last night said the men in the video had not yet been identified.
“We can confirm that we are aware of interactions between participants and members of the public. (It happened) at the Tour O the Borders event on Sunday, September 3,” a Police Scotland spokeswoman said.
“At this point no injuries have been reported to police. However officers are still establishing the full circumstances.”
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