Alastair_S1D

sure. Riding elites on Sunday. At the turn off from Nallmapius into ARC there was supposed to be a marshal in front of the yellow barricade. There was none. Some cyclists including myself who were deep in the middle of the Peleton collided with road furniture we weren't even aware was there. Judging from the damage to my helmet and glasses I could of been seriously injured, missing an eye or worse. Another rider last I heard fractured his hip because of this. Marshal was off standing under the roof of the guard house having a fat chat with their buddies or whatever. I stood up with bleeding from a cut to my eye, the marshals standing there in shock like gaping gold fish. I actually had to tell them where to stand so that other cyclists didn't get injured. Thank fully the VA's and VB's were made aware of the crash and they didn't have to endure the same fate. Safe to say this won't end here for the race organizers and myself and I will not be entering this race in the future.

the marshals were not on point. I nearly lost my life because a marshal was not on point today.

That's what she.........

I didn't get no banana. My GF ate it before I even got a look inside.

I thought it was a pretty decent race for the most part. But for a first time event they definitely have some kinks to iron out. But I am sure they will learn. Firstly CSA managed to screw up my entry. I entered as a licensed elite. When I got to race reg at Boksburg on sat they had me in batch GL. They then tried to convince me without a shadow of a doubt I had entered for the grand fondo (non-pro) event. But thanks to the wonders of modern technology I had a copy of the confirmation email on my phone. Still how they got me in GL with my seeding even that fascinates me! Still they then tried to tell me that THEY MIGHT NOT be able to get me in with the Elites as the all the teams etc had been sorted weeks before etc. I simply stated that it wasn't my problem since I followed the correct steps. After a lengthy and rather irate phone call to them on the Sat evening I got to the race on Sunday and got squeezed in with the Team Cycle Power gents. At the end of the day I can give them kudos as they did at least manage to sort it out. Even if the guy at the end of my phone call got more than an ear full. When it comes to race day. I got to sign the UCI board for the first time EVER. Got to say I was super amped about that! The connoisseurs car and the motorbikes took us down a wrong turn about 11kms in. The race was neutralized until we were back on track. Other than that I was expecting a full road closure? I dunno maybe I am wrong? But I never felt unsafe or at risk, except on the N3 section. Doing 65+km/h down the N3 the cones presented a hazard for the bunch. One gentleman promptly folded his Pinarello F8 in half riding over a cone. Held together by only a single Di2 cable his race was definitely over! When it came down to the wire in the final sprint up the hill and down the other side my legs were not quite in it. But got a second-wind as the team cars started swallowing me, and I fought hard to the top managing to catch about 10 or so riders that had left me behind at the bottom, just before I croossed the finish. I make my time around 2:17:40 for 105kms. My official time seems a bit off though at 2:18:29 which to me is a bit off. They also have the gap between Nolan Hoffman and the runner up at over a minute which seems very large as they were all together at the top of the hill. I crested the climb less than a minute behind Nolan so Racetec's times are a bit off. Other than that a great ride. I had a good time. Glad I got to ride but I REALLY hope they iron out some of the more serious kinks for next years edition. PS. I will also add that for R400 entry. The goodie bag? What goodie bag. It had some papers in it? What is up with that? Why are people getting so stingy with these things these days? R400 bucks is a hecking load of money for an event especially if you are a self funded cyclist. Surely they can do better than that.

I have to say I am rather disappointed with the race. On the one hand the ride itself was great. It was tough and really ended up killing my legs as I was feeling rather flat on the day (seemed to still have R4S in my legs)and couldn't stick with the top dogs. Great route loved every minute of the ride even when the wheels fell off the bus at 90km. On the other hand the actual start finish/venue is exceedingly spectator unfriendly. If you are one of the licensed riders that are heading out first thing in the morning and you have a couple of friends and family with you this race is horrible. Firstly the start and finish was not in the same place contrary to what the website said. It ended up being quite a trek for some of my family members especially for those with bad knees to get to the finish. We struggled to find the start. First time doing this race we parked at the mall. And walked all the way to the finish on the N14. As that's the first thing you see as you are driving in and there didn't seem to be signs or any sort of information or personnel anywhere in or around the mall to really ask. So we got most of the way to finish only to be redirected tk the actual start. There is also nothing for spectators to do at the race until around 8 or so when shops in cradelstone start opening. For people that have arrived at 5 who aren't racing like my GF and family that's a whole lot of time with little to northing to ACTUALLY do. Also what's with the prize giving being at the woollies? What a silly place? The mall has an amazing food court that could be used for the prize giving with far greater exposure for both rider and sponsors alike. I have to say this has been the first ASG race I have ever been disappointed with. It felt rushed and just unorganized from my point of view. Other than that. It was a good ride at least. Even though my legs weren't on it yesterday.

What's the difference between the Velo and the Link?

People who entered and couldn't participate should be getting free 2018 entries. Unless you guys are getting refunded?

You guys at least getting your entries refunded?