allobar

I must admit I am a bit surprised that not more people are commenting (griping) about the race - there were plenty that had lots to say yesterday. Well here are my thoughts. It could have been a nice race if not for these two points. 1. The race was over subscribed - there were too many people on the 40 and 70. The original figure on advendurance site said - 70-800 and 40-1000 entrants. I would like to know how many were entered at the last count - the figure I heard was 3000+ for both. The route and water points could not handle that many people - not to mention the venue. 2. The bridge collapse. This was perhaps to be expected with that many people - but it collapsed early in the race - by the time the B group went through there - so lets just say - it was something that happened - unexpected - no blame to anyone. But what happened next is inexcusable - NOTHING! Nobody did anything to prevent the ensuing bottle neck (30min+) - Should/Could the marshal not have been instructed to route people past the bottleneck on the tar to rejoin the race at the stop sign in Nalmapius? There were some that did just this - what happens to them (they were off the course and should be DQ'ed). (BTW - I dont blame them for their actions) But they did score about 30min on the rest that stood around to get through the river.

In there like swimwear !

"Some climbing to be Done" That would be like saying there was some small hills...hahaha - every mountain in the area more like. :-) I agree the views were awesome....once you got there. Then there were the downhills - I smelt brakes burning on one of the cement downhills and I think if I had time to look back, the back disk was probably glowing red. Route markings - excellent. Effort in making the route interesting - 10/10 Pain and Suffering - but well worth it - in the end. Compliments to the Chef/s.

Seems like I need to have a chat to Solomons then. All the other bike shops in PTA are selling 12g @ R20 and that is just silly. Depending on freight charges the price might be below R10/12G Threaded Cartridge. Waiting to find out about freight costs. Will post here once I have final pricing.

I would like to find out who would be interested in buying. Testing the water so to speak. I don't know about you but I don't think paying R20.00 for a cartridge is a fair price. So I have been busy looking for another source - I found one and it is looking good. Pricing will be significantly lower (50%) than the shop pricing of R20. These prices are based on where I am at right now, so it might vary a bit. I don't expect it to vary to much, just depends on the quantities. So the more of you that would order the better the price.

To find routes have a look at this site. http://www.wikiloc.com It is free and you can download and upload tracks to the site form your GPS device. I have uploaded some tracks for the north to the site. Just had a look and I did upload a track for the east.

Are these early bird entries not just a tad mad. Is it only me or are there others that feel the same way. I entered the trail seeker 4 and that is this weekend, now I see that I have already missed the trail seeker 5 early bird entry date. WTF One event has not even been run and the early entry for the next is already closed. I can understand the idea to get the money as soon as possible (we all would like to be paid in advance) but this is getting ridiculous according to me. Next thing you know you will have to pay for all the races you might want to do right at the beginning of the year. And what happens to those day license fees anyway. The greedy money monster hard at work again !!

This is a good start. I like it and will support it. In addition you might want to look at issuing a license card that a cyclist can carry with his/her details on. Similar to a firearms license - if stopped by the SAPS and asked to verify that the cycle does belong to you producing the license will help. Yes the cretins will steal the license with the bike but getting the details changed on a laminated card will not be that easy. This will probably increase the cost but I think it might be worth it. I have even been playing with Chipping my bike - Like what they do with Pets. Perhaps something else to offer as an added feature. There is a wide open field here. Good luck.

Seems like it does not take much to ruin something that is already in tatters then :-) Not my budget I am concerned about I am one - no attachments so cost etc is not a problem. But if you look/listen to the reasoning for splitting the events then they (the organizers) are working against themselves. Now instead of having more people at the event - people will have to choose one, talking about having 2 out of town events in one month. As for the race itself - You may force some 1/2 Marathon riders to enter the marathon, now clogging up the marathon and leaving the 1/2marathon less supported, or perhaps as they hope opening up space for more people in the 1/2marathon. Be that as it may - to each his own - we will see what effect fuel prices and tolls have on these races. I am just sick and tired of everything having a price tag. "If you are in advertising, go out and kill yourself" - Bill Hicks

All lovely and fine for the folks that want (and are able to) do both races from a physical and financial perspective. From a financial perspective have two out of town races in the same month is absurd. Take a normal family of 3 - if you are not camping it will set you back 3k for the weekend. This does not include the fuel to get there. So for the 2 races this is 6k. I am happy for the folks that have this kind of money to spend on a sport every month. But unfortunately not everyone has that kind of money. I can only hope that the entries have come down significantly so that the organizers realize the folly of their ways. Fortunately there are other races to enter and other places to ride. So I for one will vote with my feet and enter other races and see other places.

I am at this point thinking of joining Pezulu and just not entering. There are plenty other races. I just hate it when money becomes the factor driving everything. Last year was enjoyable as it was a weekend away to do a race and relax at the same time. But I am not keen on doing a race, packing up and driving back for 3 hours plus to be back at work monday. So voting with the feet then.

Thanks for the reply, Pity though seeing as Clarence and Sabie are among the first races and those will be the ones that will be affected. Can also imagine that the money generated from people traveling to these places will take a knock. Instead of staying for two nights it now becomes one night stays. Clearly they thought long and hard about this (Sarc)

Hi Why has the race calendar changed for 2011 - what I mean is why are the events now split over 2 days. Saturday the marathon and Sunday the half marathon. Is it just a question of logistics or is there a bit of greed involved here? Getting more people on the course? For races like Sabie, Clarence etc. it makes the travelling and stays rather crappy. If you want to do the 1/2 marathon you have to travel there on the Saturday do the race and then pack your stuff up after the race and drive back - not a fun prospect. Especially if you are camping. Sabie used to be fun - leave on a Friday, do the race on the Saturday and have a leisurely drive back on the Sunday - have a good night’s rest and back to work on Monday. With the new format you will end up doing the race packing up and driving back the same day (Sunday) to be back at work on Monday. This almost forces people like me - to now jump to the marathon group. So if the plan was to thin out the field on the day - all that will now happen is that you could end up with people that were coping with the 1/2 marathon starting to get in the middle of the marathon group. The people that ride hard and only do marathons end up with slower people that don’t really want to be there clogging up the course. Thereby creating an even bigger problem in my opinion. Look forward to the replies.

Hi Mark Thanks,lots of useful info and food for though and training of course. Will give that a try at the next race and send in a report. One last 2 stupid questions - do you cook the oats or eat it out the box as is with a banana sliced in? And I am presuming the normal box of Jungle Oats is good enough or is there another brand that works better? Later

Hi Mark Thanks for the reply. Meusli - Jungle Energy Chrunch, I then add in an extra packet of SAD mixed dried fruit.(Will have a look at what it is called when next at the shop). Thanks