I understand the disappointment too. It doesn't help to blame anyone but one should try and understand that for many preparing for the cycletour is a little like preparing for the arrival of a baby after 9 months, in this case 12 months, of pregnancy. I am by no means trying to minimize the suffering of those directly affected by the fire and our firefighters who did an amazing job. I think that for me it seems that not enough had been done by organizers i.t.o. a back-up plan that would retain a semblence of a cycletour. Was there never the option to start the race in reverse over Suikerbossie, over constantia nek, past Polsmoor to Westlake and then back to Town on the M3. We would have certainly gotten more than 47km and something that resembles more of a cycle race. Having said that, I am prepared to put all my reservations aside and see if I can make the ride memorable for the sake of everyone affected by the fire.
