Cyclejourno

You can't ready compare it to the Tour de France...I know we will because that's all we know really...but the TDF is a Grand Tour with huge budgets, and this is a UCI 2.2 which is a different ballgame in so many departments. Kristian House who won doesn't even have his sights set on TDF. I think a decent platform has been set to grow and build from. And local riders now have something big to aim for on home soil.

My favorite part was just being part of it...being out on the routes...meeting Phil Liggett, listening to Andrew on race radio, seeing the riders and some of the team managers up close, both in action and prepping before, checking out the tactics and hearing their side of the story.

Yip from here we can look forward to great racing, and probably no more logistical issues. One point - CSA had a similar problem with PE's city centre at SA Road Champs. Several events also got cancelled. That's a tremendous disservice to those riders who trained, attended etc. I think you have learn lessons and apply them, because PE was a test case for the urban stage through JHB. Not sure if you can blame drivers, not matter how rude they are...you have to create a situation where everything is under control, and you have contingencies in place based on anticipating every eventuality. The simple solution for urban racing: start earlier, race in a confined area [laps, eg last stage of Tour de France in Paris] or close roads. Rolling road closures don't work in dense urban areas because there are hundreds of feeder roads, and what about driveways... Anyway, tomorrow should be good.

lekker shhtupit ne!

Nooooooooooooo I am leaving before that...catching an early flight to PE. I saw EWN interviewing the organisers so keep your ears peeled or check their website...and you'll get the explanations/reasons/excuses there. Yesterday though, was very well organised. Same as SA Cycle Champs - on the first day.

Phil is sitting just behind me, working on his notebook. Some blame must go to arrogant Johannesburg drivers, especially in the wealthier areas. One rider said, "Johannesburg citizens are wankers." One marshall said "I'm being ridden over here..." I personally witnessed a driver at Dunkeld forcing his way across a blockaded intersection, a media person using his body to hold him back, saying, "Can you spare five minutes of your life?" Eventually a cop had to come and intervene. I personally think the race could have been run in a smaller circuit entirely closed off or held earlier in the day, like at 6am.

beers on me? Haha ok!

I'm in Johannesburg, I'm accredited so yeah I will be covering the tour. I have managed to attract one or two overseas publications and right now they are deciding on a fee...but could still go either way. I will be interviewing some of the big guns, shooting photos, publishing them on my blog and providing updates on twitter if nowhere else. To the other oke, Numbnuts I actually do have their agreement in writing, which is why the whole thing is so irretrievably stupid. I'm a cyclist and I love cycling, but I find the politics and shenanigans around it by admin people counterproductive - it starts to sap your enthusiasm and the sport is better off without those who are just trying to make a buck at the expense of other people. The spirit of cycling is really about collaborating together so that everyone benefits. I wish that would filter a little bit through to a few of the kingpins, including in the media. But sport these days is a business...still, I'd like to believe business isn't just about greed, particularly the business of sport and sports' journalism.

100% - and hopefully the public is served by the transparency in social media, in the end, in terms of more open and honest business.

It was discussed privately, then the threat of legal action was ignored, then the threat of social media action was ignored. So when you've been tricked into spending your own moolah...you kinda need to be innovative in finding something to show for it. Ride obviously think it is worth the risk. Maybe it is. Maybe crime and corruption does pay, because you can screw somebody over and nobody cares?

et tu Jeremy?

Thanks for the constructive feedback. Will get in touch. Your one point is 100% - if I were to wait until flight day the flight costs would have trebled. Anyone knows to get the cheapest flights you book 2-3 weeks in advance.

Howz this - about 5 hours before my Kulula flight to Johannesburg, Ride Magazine, who had commissioned me to do a feature and daily coverage on the Tour of SA, dropped me. I caught the flight anyway, since I've paid for my expenses upfront, and of course at the time they said they'd reimburse me my expenses. Called Adele Tait today and asked her if she's still going to honor the expenses I've incurred [included a flight to PE] - she wants to know why I flew up to early...which sounds like a no. I've told them I'm going to seek legal action if they don't honor at least the expenses that I was essentially tricked into paying... I think the reason they reneged on the deal was initially CSA only seemed to want a core group of accredited media [i was one], but later they invited and are still inviting everyone. So I think Ride saw an opportunity to save a few bucks by ditching me at the last moment. Turns out the editor herself applied for accreditation on the day that they gave me the finger. Oulik ne!

I've recently moved to Bellville and want to connect with local road cyclists and triathletes here. When do you guys train?

think they were trying to do something new and good by running the race through the city...logistically that's easier said than done.

ag goeie een! kan ek die een gebruik

I'm writing an article on Daryl Impey...anyone have any photos of Daryl after yesterday's win [or before]?

ja very sad news. cyclists - be vigilant.

I win - going to Shamwari Game reserve for 2 days, then 3 more private game reserves over 6 more days.

well whoever you are, LIVESTRONG is something we all want to or should be doing. Live the best life you can. To do that isn't always easy, and respect to those who try, kudos to those who do.

CSA is organising the event through Barry Mocke. I've written an article on it, which should be available in an upcoming Bicycling. It's not quite on par with the Tour Down Under 2.HC and Tour of California 2.HC. But maybe soon we'll get there.

well i have one of those yellow bands. staying on for now.

is Lance doing Hawaii Ironman this year?

Yep, very nasty. LieMond.

The Tour of SA has been confirmed with the UCI and was awarded 2.2 status and will be a 7day stage race in early February 2011