i have a bit of an issue with my and my partners DNF's...let me start by saying its not the first time i do the ultra at barberton, so i knew what i was in for from the beginning! the issue i have is that we got a DNF because there was no one left at the school by the time we got back!!!!!! although we had to stop about eight times for fixing a huge cut in my partners tyre, we still managed to get through the first cutoff on 4:40 at the 120/75 (read130/80km) split...we then also got through the second cutoff at 15:00 at the entrance to the nature reserve. by the time we then got to the first watertable after going into the nature reserve for the second time, they also had packed up and left! we even had to whistle to them to get out of the road with the bakkies as we approached them on the dirt road in the "housing estate" we rode through. we got to the end of the race at around 9:45 but there was no one left at the school. no timing people, no sweep vehicle, nothing!!!!! our wifes even asked one vehicle bringing back cyclist that did not make the second cutoff at the natue reserve if they know where we were and he said to her that they know there are two guys still out on the route. with this said, i really think that they should at least send a sweep on a motorbike after the last cyclist and not pack up the water tables before the sweep passes. i will never do barberton again until such time that the race is again taken over by a sponsor who actually organises a proper setup. it is very sad as this year was my seveth and LAST barberton. i think for 300randelas (50for late entry), they can and should offer somtehing better...or maybe just wait for evrybody to finish, seeing that we were still within the cutoff times!!!!! so can the organisers please advise why did this happen?
