bubblesm

I have booked accommodation 10km outside of Louis Trichardt for the Kremetart for 2 people at R1,200 for the whole weekend. We can unfortunately not go to the race any longer, so please contact me if you are interested in taking the accommodation over. It is at http://www.safarinow.com/go/KleingelukGuestCottages/.

I don't necessarily expect to get my money back, as I know this is a far cry. But some recourse from CSA and maybe some more respect to us oldies (and I'm a youngster amongst us) would be nice. We aren't pros, but our sport is just as important to us as the pros, and I take a lot of pride in being able to compete against the top 13 Vets ladies in the 30 - 39 age category in the country. CSA has basically just given us a slap in the face and told us in not so many words, that we aren't considered important enough to make sure our event is as good as the pro event. I don't have any children of my own, but surely this country's future cyclists will be coming from the Vets groups, since they will be the ones encouraging their children to compete and race. If this is how the vets are treated, is this not perhaps why there are so few (especially female) youngsters coming forward? At the TT prize giving on Wednesday one of the announcers explained how the number of medals work in relation to the number of participants. And his statement was that we should encourage more of our friends to come, then we can get more medals. I encourage a friend of mine to come do her first SAs in the 40+ category - I was ashamed that I invited her, and I will be ashamed to invite anyone again.

Agreed, I had to do the same, as well as my husband who came to support me. You also don't have to fork out a huge amount for a TT bike when you go watch a movie...

The event was cancelled because there were too many incidents with cyclists and cars involved, and too many close calls. Apparently metro was supposed to close the road, which they did for two laps on Friday morning when the Vet men raced, and then stopped doing. We were 13 people in the 30 - 39 group that would have raced, not only four. Seeing that we aren't part of any teams, I don't like the idea of using a points system in races, since then you are relying on the Vets ladies ability to stick on the men's wheels, instead of testing ladies against ladies in the same age category. How is it that because we are not pro elites who race for a living, but rather give up 90% of our free time outside of our jobs to work hard on a passion that we all love, we are now considered "not important enough" to have our own race at an SA Champs level? I don't think that is fair? Or are us old timers (of which some only blossomed into racing from the older age of 30) cannot have a platform to be competitive as well? Can I ask that the Vets ladies and 50+ who read this please message me privately - we can see if we can get something done as a group?

So now that most riders had a chance to compete in what was supposed to be the most prestigous event of the year, the Ladies Vets and 50+ men still had no chance to compete or prove themself. What do we do next, surely this cannot just be left alone? It is not only about the fact that we would like to compete for the SA National title, but also the money that came out of the athletes' pockets to attend this event. Any ideas or suggestions?

It is great that everyone came together to ensure the elite race could happen today, it shows that when we all agree to pull together, we can make it work. It does however still not show any respect to the Veteran competitors. It is fine to agree to use the team managers to ensure route safety, but the Vets don't have teams, or team managers, or following vehicles. What can we do for the vets? Months of preparation and lots of money come from these competitors' pockets, only to go home disappointed and let down.

Just some notes on the lack of planning for this event: 1. Day 1 - TT event A. The vets men had to contend with irate motorists harassing and in one instance pushing a cyclist past and away from the finish line, threatening to attack the rider, who was only able to stop almost 1 km past the finish. B. The start of the vets ladies 30 to 34 TT. Two minutes prior to the start of the first lady, the lead-out car driver runs up the ramp and asks the race officials where the route is, and what he is supposed to do! C. First lady is off and gets turned around at the 5km mark, and not the 10km turnaround point. On the way back, she is instructed to take to wrong turn by the marshals, and in the confusion loses more than a minute. Of the four ladies in this category two were given incorrect directions, obviously finishing 3rd and 4th. No official could be found to lodge a complaint, and no formal complaint procedure was provided to the participants. Only after the medal ceremony was the actual complaint procedure provided. Each and every UCI official just noted that it is not their problem. D. Fifty plus vets ladies did a mix of 10 to 20 km TT - they were told to come back the next day and try again. E. The turnaround point was not properly cleaned with quite a few riders coming down. Day 2. A. During the junior girls race, road closure was not managed properly and a girl was hit by a car after taking a tumble. Why was there a car this close to them? B. The turnaround point for the mens 30km TT was right in front of a house. This person contacted the local cycle shop to ask them to move this, as no-one discussed this or notified them of the event. C. The route description given to the riders that want to explore the road race route is incorrect. The turn at the aquarium is not called Happy Valley Road Mr Organiser. Day 3 A. Vets mens race planned for 7am only starts at 9:20am. The race officials first wanted to check traffic conditions on the day of the race. B. The race route is again changed, turning it into a hill climb championship, and not a road race. C. The ladies vets race for all age groups are moved 3 times, without any official communication. And then 10 minutes after the race was suppose to start, the race was cancelled. This included the road race for the fifty plus men. For 2011, there will be no vets ladies road champ in any age group. Plan B - there is none. The reason for canceling: CSA cannot trust their own officials in ensuring the safety of the riders. D. The Vet men started with the different age categories bundled into one. This meant that when 3 younger vets put a break in, those in older age categories who were still contesting podium spots were pulled off. E. A guy who got a sixteenth position was placed second due to the riders in front being incorrectly removed from the course by the race officials. F. The Vet ladies were told that they should all stay in a bunch, because once you fell off, the course was too dangerous. The 40 ladies would inevitably fall off on the first lap already due to the hills (at their own admission), which then technically speaking meant if the vets were to ride they would had ridden a fun ride instead of really competing.

Sjoe, but we CAN rant and rave. Go and check out this post - while we're all at it - https://www.bikehub.co.za/forum_posts.asp?TID=79628&PN=6 I am not a regular writer on the hub, but ocassionally something worthwhile catches my eye, and a similar statement I made in the previous post counts here. Everyone is ranting and raving about who is doing what wrong and pointing fingers and playing the blame game, but boys and girls, this will not get us any closer to a solution. As a matter of fact, while reading these posts I had an epiphany. Seems like we are so angry with the world for taking out fellow cyclists, motorists, angry at taxis, angry at everyone, that it is much easier for us to take it out on each other, instead of rechanneling all this energy into a solution. Yes wearing arm bands will not make a difference, and yes maybe if cyclists also abided by traffic law people can't point fingures, but complaining about this and having word wars against each other is definitely not going to help! Action might bring us closer to a solution.

In my view, ranting and raving about what cyclists do wrong/right and what motorists do wrong/right is not going to solve any problems and/or bring on any action. We need to stop living in a culture where we keep on pointing out the obvious problems, but don't do anything about it. I also drive a motorbike, and there are many, many, many motorbike skills clinics, and also road safety and awareness courses for motorbikers. They teach you how to do emergency braking, how to be aware of motorists and what goes on around you, and typically all the tips that Shaun has posted on his sign-up website. Keep in mind however that not all cyclists are on the hub, and many, many cyclists only train for 94.7 and Argus, and will maybe do a race or two inbetween to test their fitness. Perhaps similar cycling clinics would help? When we bought my husbands 1000CC (motorbike for those who don't know), we automatically got a free track day pass, where they also teach all these things. Maybe we should start building in a program like this? Can we also not start working, nagging, whatever is necessary traffic departments to start including as part of your learners/drivers awareness of objects that are not 4 wheeled or more? Just a couple of thoughts, but perhaps starting a committee and starting plans of actions would be a better chance at success than just pointing out the he did she did problems?

Sorry, what would you like to know? A friend told me last year that I should go to SA's since I could do quite well, so I reckoned what do I have to loose? Been training pretty hard, and fortunate to have a hubby who rides with some fast okes, which means I ride with them - which apparently helped pretty damn well! Did the TT on a normal road bike, very happy and surprised with the bronze, now it's time to find a TT bike... Road race was actually awesome, we were 5 girls who broke 30km into the race, and worked well together all the way back. Altie Clarke (winner) sported a couple of attacks, none hard enough for her to break though. We dropped one girl in the last half of our 4th (last) loop, and 4 sprinted for the line. I have a lot to learn - attacking, sprint timing etc. etc. but the circuit suited me perfectly - undulating route but pretty flat and fast. Now time to work on getting myself into a team!

Hi - hub name is bubblesm. Pirate - thank you for all your and your wife's support. Trubie, thank you for the compliment (twice!)

Come and join us for 3 days of cycling in the beautiful hilly surroundings of Sabie area. Perfect preparation for all the upcoming races, and for those who have entered or still consider entering the Double Century.<?: prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" /> Included in the training camp: 3 days of supported riding Refreshments on the ride 2 nights? accommodation in Sabie Dinner & Breakfast every day A cycle coach who will do a talk on training and assist during the ride This will not be 3 days of seeing how hard you can ride, but training keeping heart rate zones in mind, and some coaching re intervals, sprints, pace lining and more! First training ride will start at 12:30 on Friday 9 Oct. Costs: Cyclists: R1,900 Non-Cyclists: R1,000 * Non Cyclists will also get dinner & breakfast & accommodation. To book a spot, contact Maria Martins Fourie on mariama@jse.co.za or 0835655515. Space is limited to 30 riders, 50% deposit books your spot!

As a motor biker and a cyclist alike, I am not turning a blind eye to what Think Bike has done to date for cyclists and motorbikes alike. I'm just trying to establish if any attempts have been made to address cyclists current situation, and what the outcome of it was. Below is a very good indication, thank you. I might be wrong, I think it is chicken egg situation - cyclists won't join Think Bike untill they see the true benefit, and Think Bike cannot do more untill they have support from the cycling community. I am willing to be both the chicken and egg, but don't want to re-invent the wheel while doing so.

I only had a brief look at the Sign-Up site - it seems they are working on education and signs. I agree however that untill motorist are not fined/sentenced for killing motorbikers/cyclists, education is not going to be the only solution. What are the fines for taking out a pedestrian?bubblesm2009-08-18 05:25:54

Are those the true costs of fines related to killing people on motorbikes/bicycles? What happened to the jail sentence?