Ed345

Clear as mud. There are clear advantages to running races and mass participation events together as a single event, but if you’re between Elite level and fun level it’s very confusing. There seem to be multiple systems that change across different races, and even after 6 people have helped explain it, I’m still unsure how it all applies to me. I guess I’ll pay the money, start in the veterans group, and see how it goes!

Not so motivated by podium and prizes, but looking for more focus on racing. My experience of the open seeded batches (mostly without any teams) has been a handful of people tactically racing for position, and the majority steadily sitting in the wheels going for a good time. Also, I’m a stay at home dad with limited riding time. Races have pretty much been my only outdoor riding for the last six months. Are there any clubs that are recommended that don’t cost much in fees and don’t mind if I can’t come on many rides?!

I've only lived in South Africa for a year, and have been riding some of the races / events, but I'm still a little confused about the categories, CSA membership, and seeding for the starting batches at these events. Have I got this right.... Open Seeding groups are seeded according to previous results (times not postition), so should be similar level riders. CSA membership groups (Veterans ages) are people who have paid extra for membership. Not seeded according to results so a mix of abilities. I've only been in the Open Seeding groups so far, and have noticed passing lots of riders from the Veterans groups, but looking at the results, the fastest Veterans are normally fastest than the open seeding. I'm finishing top 10 in the open seeding groups, should I be paying the membership fees for better racing in the Masters group? The CSA website isn't totally clear but it looks like R250 membership + R75 provincial levy + R500 domestic race license + I need to join a cycle club. Is that right?

Postponed again to October…

Given that I’m not training, and just looking for some nice rides, this might be the determining argument

Interesting. I am roadie by nature, and only have a hardtail alloy mtb. I am tempted to take the mtb though, to get me some places that I probably won't otherwise. I've seen lots of good things about Tokai, but is it a downhill type place, or is an enthusiastic beginner with a hardtail going to have fun?

I hadn’t realised that the roads to Cape Point were all paved. Any idea if the SA discount is for foreign residents, or citizens only?

Ok. Road bike it is. I know what I’m doing with that anyway! Thanks for the info everyone

Going to Cape Town (staying at Kalk Bay) for 7 day next week. Going with family and in-laws, so looking to get out on the bike as much as possible. Normally I would take my road bike, but should I take MTB instead? I’d be looking to ride out directly from Kalk Bay, so not really into driving an hour to then ride.

I moved to SA recently (Joburg) and have done a few events / races around here. The only ones that turned up on the PPA seeding were Ride Joburg (started from the back so it was a solo time trial) and Ride for Sight (finished with the leaders of A group). Not sure what else I could have done? The use of times, when cycle racing is about position also seems strange.

1B 61kg 245w NP Edinburg 1.72km 5.5% │ 305w 4:38 Smits last 1.65km 5.5% │ 257w 4:33 Little Chappies 1.42km 4.1% │ 295w 3:23 Big Chappies 1.72km 4.8% │ 295w 4:41 Small Suikerbossie 0.62km 4.7% │ 298w 1:28 Big Suikerbossie 1.86km 6.7% │ 268w 5:52

He and a couple of others caught 1B before Chappies (I think). There was a 1D, @, and a & from memory. Started from further back and then surfing from group to group seeing how many they could catch. That 1D guy finished with me, so 6 minutes faster

1B was a good group to ride in. Almost no silly behaviour, I think there was one crash behind me towards the finish. We finished in 2.52, 1 min faster than 1A (but still 2 minutes behind on the road). nice day out for my first CTCT

I would add that there are different strategies to achieve the same time. I compared this split time calculator with my BestBikeSplit plan (both 3hr target), and there was 10 minutes difference after 1 hour! If you’re lightweight, the later hills won’t take so much of your energy, and you can take it easier on the flat earlier section. Most(?) people would also be better served with a negative split. Hold yourself back in the first half and really push on in the second half when it’s easier to gauge how much you have in the legs. There’s more time to be lost blowing up towards the end than there is to be gained blasting through the first 30km.

Great. Was getting worried there might be too much camaraderie