DanMan

I think there is ceiling price of around 40k for a secondhand bike. Any higher and the buyer could just consider buying new even if it's a lower model. I don't see people spending 100K on secondhand bike even if it was new 200K plus. I do think people need to realize that market value has a cap for 2nd hand bikes. You would be lucky if you can get more than 50% of the original price of your bike. If you want to sell you need to be comfortable selling at a lower price than what you expect your bike is worth. That might be the only offers you get...

It was dodge coming through those intersections in the end. Too much traffic for marshals to control. It felt like an accident was waiting to happen

My point exactly! As I see it, we are at the mercy of race organizers/timing companies unfortunately. I cannot see CSA ever taking charge to fix this.

Hi Frosty What if the organisers/timing companies don't want to share/use the CyclingSA database? I feel timing companies make their money from selling the seeding data.

Timing companies get appointed by race organizers. It is up to the organizer to sanction under CSA or not. The timing company does the timing regardless if event is sanctioned or not. In regard to the old Trail seekers the Timing was done by the organizers (Advendurance) themselves. Their boards and their seeding. I cannot see them move to a CSA system if they already have their own system. I do agree it was pleasant that we could rock up and register on the morning of the event but that was Advendurance events only.

I don't think CSA can force organizers to use one number. Lots of money are being made by timing companies selling their boards and seeding data. I think organizers would prefer to work with professional timing companies than using a CSA system permanently. Just my opinion.

Hi Frosty Believe me when I say I am a fan of E-bikes. With an E-bike my dad can do rides with me that was never previously possible. The problem I have with this particular person is that they are actually racing. They are hiding in the bunch at times and when we speed up they are keeping up by using their motor/battery. I do not believe a E-mountain bike is just cruising along at 38km/h for a 102km race. I do understand that you want to welcome all cyclist to your event and I fully support that! But a line must be drawn somewhere on when someone is using an E-bike as a means to complete the race or are they wanting to race. In my humble opinion if someone with an E-bike wants to ride in the A-bunch they must ride on a normal bike as you clearly have the fitness of finishing the event on your own power. I understand that an honesty seeding was used but unfortunately that only works for the people who wants to be honest. For safety I would always prefer to have some sort of seeding system in place so the stronger more experience riders can race in the front and less chances of big bunch crashes early on. Meaning that E-bikes would start in the back groups and not affect racing. Just my 2 cents. And again, Frosty, thank you and your club for hosting this event every year. I will always come back!

Firstly, thanks for a great event but unfortunately there is always that one person who must spoil the party. In this case it was an E-bike rider in the A bunch. This person rode on his Mountain E-bike and won the A-batch race. Kudo's to him... I know the A batch is an open race and if you want to do proper racing them one must enter the license racing categories but for us weekend warriors there is still some honor of racing in the A-batch. Long story short we tried splitting up the bunch in the cross winds just for him to tow the whole bunch back to the front group. Then on the next section he goes to the front and puts the whole peloton in the gutter. Some riders even had words with him and eventually he just rode away. My question is why do the organizers allow the E-bikes between the normal riders? Don't they have a bunch of their own? And why do you want to compete in race with a motor if your fitness is clearly good enough that you can ride a normal bike?! So, is it fair to ask, if I can I also go ride in the elites' cat with an E-bike just to see how it feels racing with the pros and maybe getting in the break myself??? I just feel the E-bike riders think they should be treated like normal cyclist which they are clearly not. Rant over.

My first Monster was back in 2004 and I have always kept coming back but after this year I am not so sure. The registration was a mess, self seeding didn't work as I was in a bottle neck after 2km and the first 1km(neutral zone) was inside the resort! Prize money was advertised for all the categories but they only gave the overall top 3. Wat about the promise you made? Results was in shambles, the commissaire couldn't sign off the results as he didn't deem it fair. They struggled to confirm who was E-bikes and who was not. They could confirm 2 E-bikes in the top 20. Riders were swearing at the e-bikes as the came flying past us on the hills. I don't understand why you want to ride an e-bike at the front of the race if you are more than capable than finish the race on a normal bike? This is high profile event with big sponsors, the MC was hired from the Cape. Its clear to see that the financials are not as bad as other smaller races but their performance is shocking, I had a better experience at smaller races that turned over every cent to make the event happen. Like I said before it's a shame the event is going backwards. It looks more like the organisers are only in it for the money and has no regard for us riders. Rant over.

As I understand Spur could pay for most of the expenses. That is why entry fees were so low. They even paid for flights for schools to get to the final. It would be great if a sponsor like that can come onboard again.

I think https://schoolscyclingsa.co.za/ will be the best source to clarify this.

Unfortunately Spur have stopped all their sponsorship. CycleLab has now taken up the opportunity to start the series again in Gauteng. Hopefully this can grow into something big again. In regards to the entry fees it comes down to cost. Any cycling event has to comply to a minimum safety standard for example Safety officer/file, medics, commissaires etc. Then you need registration/timing team, medals, drinks etc. So all of this adds up. Cash sponsors is the only way to get cost down and they are very rare these days. Just some clarification in regards with home schoolers, School event is for schools not individual riders. At the end of the day a winning school is crowned. That being said home schoolers can join a school team if that school agrees to it and they contribute to those school's points. Just my 2 cents

I am a local and have entered the race. From my point of view I feel safer in the bunches of a race than training alone on these roads. Yes, there is a risk when doing the race but its the same than risk when I climb onto my bike to go and train. That is unfortunately the reality we live in. You are at risk when you are on your bike. If these roads were as bad as some of the hubbers describe them the I doubt people will enter in masses to do them. In my opinion we will be crossing/going over the busy roads and intersections early on a Sunday morning when traffic is at its lowest. I do believe it makes the route a lot safer than having it on any other day. I do believe the organiser has put enough resources in place to make the route as safe as possible. If you feel unsafe please don't enter but I will be lining up on the start line and hopefully enjoy a great day out on the bike!

My 15th

When do we see the final chapter???

Mine tends to goes as much as 42% for the left and 58% on the right. That is for 3 hour ride

Well that's going to leave a mark!

This was around 30 Km in. There was a bit of a cross wind and the heat was on. Must have been a touch of wheels.

There was a horrible crash in the A bunch. Hopefully everybody is ok!

Hi Face plant Yes, there shouldn't be a senior category, only elite. If you are a Vet and want to win the race overall then you race Elite, exactly like the road. In the short race you will only have junior, Youth and sub junior racing categories the rest is open. If anybody older wants to race they should do the 65km. The Juniors will win the short race overall Thanks for hearing out our thoughts!

What a great race! It has a good mix of everything, single track, climbs, open sections, jeep track, the works! I do think if the 65km race gets any bigger they will need to introduce batching. The single track sections was getting quite congested at 30km's in. Anymore numbers and you could start to see bottle necks. Here is my solution, introduce category prizes & Start groups. So first batch you have your elites starting(18-29), 5 minutes later, Sub Vets(30-39), 5min later(All ladies), 5 min later Vets(40-49), 5 min later (Masters & older) No seeding system required, everybody races according to age & gender. Also each category will know who the top 3 was as they started together in their own bunch, vets racing vets etc. Keep up the good work!

What was the official ruling from the race commissaire in regards to the top 5 positions?

I do not think is was the fault of the organizers but actually Ekurhuleni traffic department. They were just standing next to the road and taxi's were passing them and they did not move a muscle...

I hope this event is sanctioned under SASC(South Africa School Cycling). Safety of the school kids should come first!

We can look at it from the other side. The B-line could be the normal route and the A-line, if you willing to take it, can save you a few seconds. It seen more as a reward for taking the risk. I also think 5 seconds delay is more than enough as you be doing 7 laps if your an elite rider. 5sec x 7laps = 35 seconds. That can cost you a podium place.