Yea, a few years ago when i was riding consistently , there was a distinct "casual" and "friendly" vibe in contrast to road cycling where it was/is very serious and cut-throat (especially bigger events). I remember doing races where people would stop and pull off the road , taking photos while bottlenecks clear (not that there were that many). If we complained, it would be because the signage went missing and we went trekking 10km in the wrong direction ;-) . Anyway, as for the Cullinan race, i actually enjoyed it alot more compared to 2 years ago when i last did it. I did the 40km. This time it was jeep track/open roads 99% of the time, i found it quite easy to pass people and let people pass for majority of the race. 2 years ago, i don't recall any of the walk-a-bike-a-thons , but it was alot of single track and was terrible considering the amount of riders (it was literally wheel to wheel racing). So this year, i was pleasantly surprised having plenty of opportunity to get past others. I feel for an event this size, it's vital not to try to be single track/technical. Although i did find the one big climb a bit of a waste in terms of riding , no one really rode it and the last 10km being uphill , made things somewhat negative , but again, i remember doing similar walk-a-thons without the negativity because everyone was more chilled about walking and watching the wildlife (so it is a bit of an attitude thing too). There were 2 or so bottlenecks, and while it is a nuisance in a big race, i do find it more annoying to see the faster riders charge down the road (some even in the bushes) like maniacs while there's a clear line of riders walking their bikes to get across the portage spots. The faster riders then end up cutting in at the front and having to walk anyway and resulting in upsetting alot more riders that either try to ride (clumsily) or simply get through without falling . You know when you're in Johburg/Pta N1 traffic and you see these guys charging down the yellow lines? That's what i thought of majority of the faster riders coming past me during the portage/walk-a-bike spots. I tend to be very conscious of allowing riders to pass, so i do follow the "keep left, pass right" policy all the time, but often it's clear there is no place to go than wait your turn and that's where the roadie mentality is coming out it seems. Anyway, i prefer the smaller races , but i do know a well organised and designed big race can be just as good. You just need to forego any notions of single tracks and portages. I didn't have the 70km/40km combine issue, but overall i did feel the organisers learned and improved the route ALOT from 2 years ago where i really struggled getting past riders and was going "why why why" the whole race.
