[2022 Virgin Active Ride Joburg]

On 11/21/2022 at 1:32 PM, Red Robin said:

Did the 35km with my children, really nice experience for them and they really enjoyed it but they were fit, trained  and more than ready, think I slowed them down to be honest.... Riding on the highways was a highlight for them.  

Well organized in general,  parking was easy, access was easy, followed the app and got there earlier than expected. 

I told 'car guards' to go away as was not giving them any money so they were wasting their own time.  One lingered and tried to engage, I just totally  ignored him and he then wandered away. 

All  in all a very  good day albeit different to doing the full race. 

 

Some 'entrepreneurs' started charging cars for parking but once this was reported, the SAPS arrested the group.  

[Ebike on sani2c]

Why is the assumption that an eBike = no skills? I have a road bike, MTB and EMTB and have been riding for more than 20 years. I don't change skill level when I change bikes (well I hope not)

[I have an idea for a new thread...]

Old numbers, COVID already over 100 a day and climbing 

 

 

 

 

[947 Cycle Challenge 2019]

Quick question for Frosty, or someone actively involved in these events:

 

What time is allocated for a rider that has a valid entry but they never cross any of the timing mats on the route, except for those final ones in the last 1km of the route?

 

There might have been a couple of people that live next to the route and didn't feel like going through the fuss of the congestion at the start, thus they just jumped onto the route closest to their homes...

 

Would they receive a finishing time?

There are a number of points your chip is read so unlikely. At Makro to check you entered the start system, on the start line, a few points along the route and then the finish.

 

So if a time only appeared on the finish mat, it would be excluded

[947 Cycle Challenge 2019]

Didn't have a great ride...over-fat and under-fit (!) but celebrated with a mate who rode his 10th consecutive. Already the pain is subsiding and I'm thinking of next year...

 

In general though the organisation was pretty good. Just a bit of chaos at Makro when the screen failed. Found it ironic that the PA was very indistinct in the holding area but pitch-perfect in the start pens (when we didn't need it). Maybe a learning for next year? Get the sound right in the holding area as that's where comms are critical.

Thank you for this feedback, point taken. We did make a change to the sound system during the morning with similar comments which did improve the sound in the assembly area.  As for the screen, so much incompetence for what you would think is a relatively simple technology 

[947 Cycle Challenge 2019]

Thanks for this. So to confirm, our group start time is only activated when we cross the start mat not when the gun goes at the start of the neutral zone? I.e. neutral zone transit isn't part of our race time?

 

 

Yes, there are a number of sets of mats at the start. Two that are important.

1. Within Makro as a check that you entered via Makro

2. At the start line to confirm which group you actually started in.

3. At Erling road. This is different to some other races, the clock starts as the first rider within a group crosses the mat on Erling. So the neutral is not part of your time.

[Do eBikes belong on the mountain?]

A friend came over from Hong Kong today for a wedding, and we decided to squeeze in a ride, I usually struggle to ride with him coz he is very fit (like very - won Berg and Bush mid week, W2W mid week, 3rd in 36One, and top 50 at the Epic). So I usually push myself int the red when I ride with him, which although nice is a bit of punishent. Anyway, he didn't bring a bike over so he had to hire one - and all that was available was an ebike from Ride Inn. I borrowed my old man's ebike for a day.

 

I just upped the assistance a bit more than he did and we could ride quite comfortably together today. We did Status Quo, Iron Monkey, Plumber, and Firehut - all top to bottom in just over 3 hours. Flipen impressive.

 

An ebike will never ever replace my normal enduro bike, but (one day) I will buy myself something like the new Spez Kenevo with a double crown fork - for a day like today an ebike was just the best tool for the job. Loved it.

I think it’s a bit like a golf handicap, a lower handicapper can still enjoy a game of golf with a pro. Without that you would have to be similar skilled to enjoy the game (ride)

[947 Cycle Challenge 2019]

It’s the same this year. 

https://947-ride-joburg.s3-eu-west-1.amazonaws.com/24072019+-+D947RideJoburg_Venue_Parking+v14.pdf

I can confirm it’s the same as last year, neutral zone to Erling  road, then across the start mats. 

[947 Cycle Challenge 2019]

Those have been ongoing for the last 2-3 years ...  There's a section of gravel road that you'll need to drive ...

Yes a 4 lane road was promised 3 years ago, the race (and Riversands) had to live with no progress every year. Every year we hope that next year it will be ready????

[947 Cycle Challenge 2019]

Thanks man.

Do you perhaps know if I can change it from the full to the 40km at registration? Or would you have to pay a fee?

 

I would ask to get a number change at number collection. There should be no charge as you are not changing the rider just where you start.

[947 Cycle Challenge 2019]

Hi hubbers. If you have an entry for the full 94.7, is it possible to drop down and start with the guys (even if it’s at the back) for the 60km ride?

Hi, it is possible to start with the 40Km at Melrose arch but your time will indicate a DNF as you would not have crossed the start mats at Riversands. The 40Km ride is not a timed event

[947 Cycle Challenge 2019]

Nope, if the timing mats are the same as per the road event then it will not be a problem - your time only starts once you cross the starting mat - I can be wrong

Hi

 

Absolutely not problem, you may drop back to ride with anyone. You may however not move forward.

 

But its done all the time, people drop back to ride with friends or within a group.

 

Enjoy your ride

[Home Security (poll and recommendations)]

CCTV does not necessarily prevent a break in, however it was essential in getting a 10 year prison sentence to a criminal that broke into our neighbours house and hid in our garden. He hid in the darkness not knowing that he could be seen via the infrared.

 

Called security and they nailed him hiding in the bushes.

 

I feel the more of the items you have on you list, the better

[947 Cycle Challenge 2019]

I see they will be "feeding" the 40k riders onto the highway at 9:30, so the majority of Week-end warriors will be slowed down by the 40k riders, lets hope they are fresh and can carry/take the wind for us.

So a lot of work has been done to make sure the 40k has the minimum impact on the main race.

 

- 40k will only start at 9:30 when nearly all seeded riders would be past this point

- the 40k groups will be small and will be ‘drip fed” onto the route

- there is then 10km of wide (with road closure) highway before the first main road (again with full road closure)

- on the highway fast cyclist will keep left while slower keeping right

- the merge point will be bailed for a distance to get separation

 

Happy to engage with experienced cyclists to ensure the main race is not impacted whilst growing the interest in cycling (which is critical in ensuring these events continue)

[The Spruit Upgrades - Thanks to the Fairies]

Hello Hubbers,

 

I'd like to do a ride from Riverside(where they start the Park Run) shops to Emmarentia and back on Sunday morning. We'll go past DHL/Pick 'n Pay. I know this is a little hot spot for crime, would three of us be safe at around 07h00?

Hi, I ride that same route on weekends (around 7:30 to 8am) on my own for many years now and I have never had any issues. It gets fairly busy in the mornings and even more so as we move into summer. I plan to ride that section tomorrow morning.

[Do eBikes belong on the mountain?]

I'm getting there Rob; can you disclose; what did you buy, why and how much?

Hi - A Scott eride 920 (at the CycleLab sale). I paid more than my wife thought you would pay for any bike but she does not ride!!!

 

Why - been riding for more than 20 years and done many many races (mainly road but also MTB) but now I want to enjoy cycling, find new trail and do it for the love of cycling. I still have my road and MTB bike but this bike is to enjoy cycling without taking it too seriously.

[Do eBikes belong on the mountain?]

So I joined the e-bike trend yesterday by buying a new bike, I now understand what the fuss is about. It’s a similar feeling when I changed from road to MTB.

 

It is an amazing ride and found I still used the same energy, just went way further.

 

I know this is not for everyone but if you haven’t tried it, go for it, it will not disappoint.

[947 Cycle Challenge 2019]

Saw the route map just now...40km batches starts basically in town. That means even more traffic when the organisers thought the new route will ease congestion. Not a brilliant idea...

The start is not in town, its at Melrose Arch and onto the highway at Atholl Oakland

[Heart rate - Wrist vs Arm vs Chest]

I wear a Garmin chest strap but also have an Apple watch. Whenever I compare the two, they are surprisingly very similar. The watch is more accurate than you would think.

 

I suppose it depends on how accurate you need the information 

[Discovery Health - Vitality & Team Vitality plus everything else you need to know]

Serious noob question.

I have only started on Vitality at the beginning of Feb.

Did my declaration and Vitality age, so currently sitting on Bronze.

If I do my health assessment I will comfortably get to Silver.

Will this up my weekly goal I need to achieve though, which is currently at 500 points per week??

If yes, what would it increase to?

So I did this last year after staying on bronze for a few years. I went to gold in a year by collecting points wherever available. A health assessment does give plenty points but its dependent on the results. The more categories your pass, the higher the score.

 

Your weekly goal only increases as you meet your weekly goal to a max of 900 points. This is the problem, you need to get points every week. But as you get points, your goal keeps increasing.

 

But if you start now its not that hard to get to Gold

[I have an idea for a new thread...]

sketch-1542872120327.png

While he can only move diagonally 

[Reversed Route 94.7 2018]

Looks like the start is in Erling road and the finish happens in Riversands Blvd.

The start arch is on Riversands Blvd, there will be a controlled neutral zone to Erling road where the race timing starts.

 

But you will need to enter the Makro start zone pens - this is essential

[Reversed Route 94.7 2018]

Anyone have the MTB Start times please ?

They are the same as last year, starting at 7 with a 15 min gap between groups. 

[Reversed Route 94.7 2018]

IMO "forcing" riders to get timing chips is BS. Some riders including those doing it for charity and riding their first 947 are not interested in result or time, merely participating. Another way Racetec have forced their way into been a monopoly.

The timing chips are used for far more than just your time. It gives flow information, when cyclists are injured and collected by support teams etc.

[Discovery Health - Vitality & Team Vitality plus everything else you need to know]

With the Apple watch 4 being announced and available soon in SA, how long does it take for Discovery to add the new devices to their program

 

Thanks