So glad I entered (on the 6th of Feb 😅) and bit the bullet to ride today! Started at 7:25 in 3C (that's the seeding you get for not "racing" since 2018, but alas.
There was zero co-ordination amongst the riders at the start, so I pretty much decided to put my head down and rode at a constant (my own) pace and avoid any troubles on the road.
Found a few guys who worked together well from the end of the M3 to Smitswinkel, but other than that, it was pretty much an ITT for me. Not that I am complaining - the spray from the rear tyre in front was not pleasant.
Overall, I didn't have a "time" goal as such, but kept working on maintaining a 30km/h avg. speed which I managed.
The support along the route, even in today's horrible conditions, was really great and makes this such a lekker event.
Two gripes:
- It wasn't just me, but once you got to the Grand Parade and headed towards City Hall where "B, C, D" was supposed to start (according to the map), there was no obvious signage. And it felt like they could let me more people in at a time (only one person doing the checks before letting a rider into the start area). 🤷♂️ But overall, it went pretty smoothly. I was there early, so was super chilled.
- Seeding. Seriously? I finished 10th in my group apparently, but how some people were seeded in the groups above me is pretty amusing. I'm not hating on the riders, it's a fun ride at the end of the day, but to see some people in 2 A, B, C, D (never mind 3 A & B) battling early on along the route makes me wonder how they got there. I am at fault though, because I know your seeding is rewarded with taking part in recent events (like I said, last rode a "race" in 2018 and how are they to know what I've done since then). My point is, it looked like a lot of people were having a tough time out there, in the groups ahead of me. 😄
Anyway, I enjoyed myself! And hope everyone else did too! Weather forecast for next year?
