PygaSchmyga

Seriously Rob22, you are RUINING this thread with insightful commentary, fact-based responses and downright good common sense! HOW DARE YOU!!

Have you not noticed that your drum is getting worn out, and nobody seems to care about the beat? The only thing I can offer is this: Just don't enter! Nobody is forcing you! In fact, PLEASE don't enter. And maybe have a cookie - low blood sugar often leads to endless and repetitive rants on the hub.

You have dominated this thread with a constant stream of repetitive bashing of the organizers, and sure, you are entitled to your opinion. My question is: How is it that you seem to know so much about the state of mind of the organizers? Are you part of the organizing committee? Did they take votes or decisions in which you witnessed first hand this outrageously dismissive arrogance that you believe to be so obvious? And seeing that is so clear that the organizers are inept, incompetent and useless (read: arrogant), then it will be a slam dunk to wrench the event away to be staged PROPERLY by someone who obviously knows how to do it better? I look forward to the 2018 Carbon29er Cape Cycle Tour. It will be GRAND!

Absolutely! I am sure this was going through their heads the whole time! After 40 years of putting this race on they must be sick of it, and I am sure that any little excuse would have sufficed to cancel the event. Maybe something for Carte Blanche, I am sure

There is a lot of bashing of the organizers, use of words like "arrogant" and general whingeing of a galactic proportion. This from some local rocket scientists who obviously know where and how to start the biggest cycle event in the world. To these people I say: PLEASE exercise your free market right to not enter this race. If the event and its organizers are so hell-bent on wrecking YOUR special day, then please PUNISH them by withholding your magic entry price, which I am sure will make them change everything to comply with your demands. To the other entrants who graciously accepted that a perfect storm of really cr@ppy circumstances ended the race, and chose to be adult about it - big up guys. And then those selfless cyclists who kicked in to help distribute food and drinks to fire victims - NICE ONE. You help sway the tide to show cyclists CAN be decent and caring people, not these self-entitled crybaby spoilt brats that tend to dominate social media when they are so inconvenienced by gale force winds, wild fires and dangerous protests. Some perspective please, people

I didn't know what stanchions were, so I googled it and this came up - who knew? https://factoryjackson.com/2015/03/25/how-to-repair-fork-stanchion-scratches/

On what do you base this fairly bold assumption? Also, I'm sure Ariane disagrees with you. And probably so does Ashburton. In any event, this was never about development of Elite riders - nobody every mentioned this - only you. This is about doing the right thing. All your economic arguments are just not relevant, whether they are right or wrong. Why do you want to continue to defend unequal treatment for female riders - it seems futile given that the sponsors reacted so quickly to change it?

Perhaps a bit harsh, but when people use non-relevant facts to justify an argument that reinforces an unfair status quo, then why is it NOT fair to call it ignorant? I find it ironic that BikePub quoted stats from the aussie open, because the purse for women and men is the same, in spite of ticket prices being different! And I disagree with you - I do not think there is any debate here. It is not right to award female winners less purse. Quoting this and that about different participation levels etc etc is merely using the historic situation, which was born out of discrimination in the first place, to justify continuing an unfairness is self-defeating. Change has to start somewhere, and the fact that Ashburton have acknowledged this ends the debate in my mind.

Both Fritz and your argument is founded in prejudice and ignorance, and yes, it IS archaic. Ariane asked for the same purse for the winner, and conceded not having the same top 10 - in fact, I think she offered to halve this to top 5 for women to address exactly what you and Fritz have tried to argue in justifying a blatantly sexist stance. You are both on the wrong side of this. Rather just say well done to Ashburton who correctly and quickly understood the folly of unequal treatment, or do THEY not understand economics?

you need to start somewhere - the others will follow, I'm sure

First time riding this - a wonderful race in the most beautiful setting. And brilliantly organized - well done to organizers. I thought 7 water tables was ridiculous when booking the race. Not so ridiculous when sweating up those naaasty hills! Here's a pic of the only flat piece of the entire race

Fritz seems to have had a lot to say, all of which seems to justify lesser treatment of women. Fritz needs to enter the 21st century, and leave behind his sexist views. #getwiththeprogram

No excuse for less prize money for women - full stop. Its archaic, and Ashburton have acknowledged this. If the reports about Friz Piennaar's negotiations are true, then he is a BOX, and belongs in the dark ages. At least the main sponsor recognized the reputational damage, even if he could not. Well done to Ariane for going over his head. good result.

agreed - the smallest whiff of taint should send any sponsor packing, even the dodgeball ones. If people publicly target the sponsors of these "former" dopers and the sponsorships dry up, prospective dopers are going to think twice It also gets pretty lonely out there after retiring from professional riding if you are formally excluded from all the events you would love to ride as a former star, with all the adoration and attention that goes with attending these events. Current riders will see this and hopefully consider how their post-professional life will be affected. The only question is whether they think this far ahead?

XX1 Eagle, SID 120, pretty nice!!

Correction: Marquis de Sade

Absolutely fantastic event. As Mclean said on the first night, "This is REAL mountain-biking, and NOT the Sani2C". Be warned, though, they take you up every god-forsaken mountain with a malicious relish that even the Marquis de Sada would respect. Unbelievable terrain and spectacular views and vistas. Riding through the Addo dodging Ellie poop - I mean, REALLY! Well done to the Hayter brothers for putting this race together. This is what happens when passion for nature, riding and sharing beat out raw commercialism. Watch this space - riders are going to be selling the first borns to get an entry

http://swampdogs.co.za

My assumption was that the purple jungle gym was built to avoid a bottleneck road crossing. If they put 5000 riders up or down that sif ramp, there's going to be a proper cluster#$%* pile up on that thing, for sure. Anyway, weren't there dozens of bottlenecks in the 1st Juma, which caused them to change the route?

don't you start!!!

Huh? I love the Spruit and actively support the Swampdogs who do an AWESOME job in maintaining a FREE trail for anyone who wants to come and ride? Maintenance of greenbelts is a constant and selfless effort, which these guys do out of the goodness of their hearts. When Hollard builds hideous monstrosities that just make a godawful mess to reduce a once-a-year race bottleneck which I have pointed out you start your trolling again? What gives, man?

Why doesn't Hollard rather just sponsor the Swampdogs? They maintain the spruit trail all year on a sustainable basis, not just for a few, marketing headline grabbing weeks a year ahead of the tour de trash? In spite of the cosmetic attempts to "ready" the Juma course, it really is a reminder of what complete pigs joburgers are in the treatment of their greenbelts. Not sure that this race changes much? Give the money to guys and gals that SELFLESSLY and without pursuit of profit ACTUALLY give a $#%* for the trail, no?

if you want to create positive impact and change, then think about dismantling that purple monstrosity that runs under Tana (?) road. The concrete rerouting of the water flow and the bottom of the "bridge" is a disgusting mess, and way more dangerous than putting a foot down and crossing a road

I'm surprised that the Epic has stooped this low, and it supports many comments over recent years about the spiraling commercialization of this event. I'm sure the full time model and alleged snake-oil salesman paid a bucket-load to get associated with the Epic. Smells like the heat and competition are increasing. As for Nonky and his need for a great goody bag, you get a much better deal at Reggies for less money that the race entry! Other people enter for the race