Howard Simms

Tank man, you miss my point. My original issue was that there were no marshals to begin with, and that the organizers need to explain that. If we as cyclists honestly trust each and respect each other enough to ride without marshals enforcing the rules then we should, but I really don't see that happening, ever. Furthermore, if the marshals are not empowered to enforce the rules, as your post implies, then it's up to us to grant them that power. That way we can get on with racing and allow them to do their job.

You are so right, and I don't dispute the fact that we all need to take responsibility. But we"ll always be riding with guys who cross the line and put us in danger, I don't feel comfortable policing them, i want to race and know that if someone breaks the rules, they'll be brought to book.

If you've ridden in a pack you'll appreciate that the actions of others can have a direct impact on your safety, regardless of the style that you may subscribe to. I'm not talking about blame, my point is that in any field of cyclists the chances of you being affected by the decisions of somebody careless, stupid, inexperienced or a combination of all three is huge, no matter how careful you are personally. The organizers have a responsibility to all cyclists to keep these three variables in check.

You're right, we need to take responsibility. But all cyclists will take chances, some legitimate and some stupid and often the risks endanger other racers. I put myself on the line every time I race, I don't do stupid ****. Other riders do however and I count on the race organizers to have marshals there to keep me out of danger.

Correct, in part. But the marshals are there to stop racing cyclists taking chances in the heat of the race and also to alert traffic all around us that we are being controlled. Marshals bring a degree of order and security to the cyclists and the motorists, without them we tend to forget where we are and take chances and so do the motorists. Group A was tailed by an impatient 18 wheeler that got within 20 meters of the back of the pack. That wouldn't have happened if the road had been marshaled

Anybody stunned by the lack of motorcycle marshaling on yesterdays's Die Burger 92KM? I was in group A, not a single marshal with us.