Cat2forLife

No I wasn't the guy with the torn bib (lucky for everyone around be). He also came flying past me up Helz when I was with the front of the % bunch.

Funny thing is, We only went into the wrong side of the road once during the race. That was the section just before the N1 at Klapmuts. Your bunch was stopped twice?? So please tell me, which bunch was really riding like a bunch of boxes? Mine or yours?

In an elite bunch of 180+ riders? If there's no space, there is no space. So alternative solutions will have to be found. That's the point of this discussion. No one is trying to justify our actions, but unfortunately it's the nature of racing. So we either need full rolling road closures or smaller bunches or some other solution perhaps. Edit: Yes, most of them are full time pros. And some of us are very lucky to be able to ride there.

Like not to be rude.. But have you ever raced in an elite bunch? It's not done on purpose. No one is that stupid.

In my opinion, if race organisers have an elite mens racing bunch, racing to win and racing for price money with 180 riders in it, they should at least have rolling road closures. As much as we take our lives into our own hands and all that, it is still a race and to be fair, that is what the organisers expect from an elite mens racing bunch, no? So yes, maybe it was stupid for us to echelon into on coming traffic, but in an elite mens race, this happens. A lot. All the time. That's racing. Close the road or don't have an elite mens racing bunch.

I actually quite enjoyed the new route with Helz at the end. That being said, I only made it about halfway with the bunch until I had a crash. But waited for the %/ladies racing bunch and had a lekker, albeit painful ride home. The issue of the big bunch, to me at least, in $ wasn't that bad, because we had no bunches to merge with. If anything, our bunch was about half the size after 50kms. The marshalling was quite shocking, though.. But I suppose the fact that we had CTCT size bunches with no road closure probably had something to do with that. The venue was horrible.. Well not the venue per se, but getting to it. Luckily I was quite early.

Do we really have to put both boards on our bikes?? Seems a bit overkill.

Ok bring a rope. But when we get half way we swop.

Anyone else riding in $ who needs a tow?

Also not too keen on the bike's paint job. Looks a bit slapped together. I'm all for the retro look, Ridley pulled if off extremely well a couple of seasons ago, but this looks a bit like an afterthought. http://cdn.media.cyclingnews.com/2014/07/03/2/1404370818140_j0rtiq6lnezq_960_540_670.jpg

I'm inclined to agree. Was expecting something really unique and stylish. This is unique I suppose and maybe I'm just to out of style to know if it's stylish, but for me personally this kit is just meh. I realise that Cannondale are no longer a title sponsor, but I really liked the pink and green from last season. Would've been cool if they incorporated the green again.

Another n+1

Thanks, man! Will do! Just pass me gel and a Myprodol when I come past please

We will finish all 12 guys. No matter how long it takes. But we want to try and have the fastest 12 man finish. That's what I meant about going for the win. But sub 5 would be just as cool.

Maybe that just means that our entire team is better than your entire team? Maybe that means that all 12 of us are as strong as your strongest 6?

What are you aiming for? 6 man finish or 12 man finish? We wanna try win or at least get a sub 5 12 man finish.

Must be. I'm sure the afrikaans people will very much enjoy it and have a fat braai every night without the souties cramping their style. Geniet dit, manne! Wens ek kon saam ry, maar dis bietjie ver van die huis af

I lost that chain tool.. Was very sad when I realised it. So now I've made a new one out of old scaffolding.

I'm getting fat

Quickstep showing everyone how it's done.

Exactly. That's just stupid and has absolutely no benefit to speed or safety. Just makes you look like a box and puts everyone at risk. Just be safe. Don't show off.

Ok it seems I have offended some people with some of my comments here. I am not saying everyone has to be a racing snake. I am not saying Enduro/MTBers are not allowed to ride the CTCT. I am not saying that only people who smash sub 3s are allowed to do this race. The CTCT is not just some local race, it's massive. And I completely understand the appeal. What I am saying is this: Everyone has been complaining about the safety in the middle and back bunches. And with good reason! Two people lots their lives because of it on Sunday. So why is it that people in the middle and back bunches are all of a sudden pro and try to win the race from there, with a complete disregard for anyones safety? That's my point. That's why I keep saying that if you want to race, do the other races in preparation. If you get seeded in a racing bunch, then you are allowed to race. It's in the name, after all. The rest of the bunches are funride bunches. If you still feel you want to smash your PB, then by all means. That is more than fair. But don't ride like a box and put other people in danger. Accidents happen, I get it, but a lot of accidents can be prevented if everyone just took a second to consider the consequences. Just be safe out there. Don't do something silly that you might regret for the rest of your life, just because you wanted to stroke your ego.

I understand that being fit, but having bad seeding means that you have to fight your way through the back markers, but my point is, if you're so fit AND CONCERNED WITH DOING A GOOD TIME, why is the CTCT your first race? Why not do a couple of races before hand to get a decent seeding with riders of the same ability. Then you are guaranteed a fast time. My point is, there is more to putting in a fast time than being fit. And the preparation is more than just training.

What heat?