Thornman Posted November 28, 2011 Posted November 28, 2011 That was my 7th DC and probably one of my most enjoyable.Apart from one puncture, we had no incidents. I know of at least 2 other teams that had crashes and last year we had 8 punctures.And we were VERY lucky with the weather! That wind came through soon after we finished and that rain just poured and poured for hours! The organisation at the start and finish was great and marshalling around the course was good too.There were several 'Think Bikes' patrolling the course keeping the riders and motorist under control - a difficult job! I think the behaviour of most of the support vehicles was better this year. There is always the odd idiot here and there who ignores the rules and everyone else around them.The feedbag story has one drawback and that is littering on the course. I am interested to know if anyone went back to pick up the bags and discarded bottles, and tin foil etc. Looking forward to next year! By ons het almal hulle lee bottels ens. terug in die feeding bag gesit en almal dit op dieselfde plek gedrop, die back-up het gestop sakke opgetel en weer gebruik vir die volgende feeding point.
ndupisani Posted November 28, 2011 Posted November 28, 2011 Does anyone know how many teams did the DC on mountain bikes?
small h Posted November 28, 2011 Posted November 28, 2011 Does anyone know how many teams did the DC on mountain bikes? I definitely saw 2 teams - can't recall the names now, but one was a red and white jersey team and another a blue jersey team
majestic Posted November 28, 2011 Posted November 28, 2011 I definitely saw 2 teams - can't recall the names now, but one was a red and white jersey team and another a blue jersey teamI saw team 7 reeds.
Hearts* Posted November 28, 2011 Posted November 28, 2011 It was my teams 1st DC for all our riders...we started the day with 8 riders which was always going to be a tough day...The 8th rider was a Swellendam local who contacted the team captain the Friday since the vibe in the town has urged him to take on the challenger again, he has completed 2 DC's before...he however didn't train and I don't think aimed to finish the route...Our problems started in the starting blocks when our first rider had a flat, 1km later a 2nd flat...you then know its going to be a long day in the saddle...After Tradouw pass out 1st weak link fell off, he was suppose to be a work horse for the 1st 100km and then he could of retired...it was not to beOur supposed strongest rider was in poor form on the day and struggled with knee problems at 63km...at this stage we were 6 riding together with the Swellendam local attacking the route and we never saw him again...We started to get worried since we were only 6 left and tried phoning him with no luck, but continued nursing our injured rider...After Ashton our rider became worse and we phoned the local again and he answered which was good news, but it turned out he phoned his wife to pick him up along the route...now we were only 6 on the road with 1 seriously injured rider, but we continued...After the traffic circle in Robertson turning left into the wind he pulled a calf and nursed it to get back on the bike and continued until 180km when medics told him both his ITB's are messed and he had to withdraw...All this nursing and stopping caused us to cut it fine on cut-off and we decided to call it quits after 185km on the bike for over 9:30hrs...All in all still a very fun day and I would definately do it next year with a full team of 12...It seems the bicycling 12week program worked well for me, as I had no cramps and pulled the team 80% of the way...
ndupisani Posted November 28, 2011 Posted November 28, 2011 I definitely saw 2 teams - can't recall the names now, but one was a red and white jersey team and another a blue jersey teamI was in the Reeds MTB team (Team 7), but I was wondering how many other crazy Mountain bikers are out there. It was a most enjoyable day on the bike, but a long day on a mountain bike. Will do it again!
SeaBee Posted November 28, 2011 Posted November 28, 2011 Blue jersey team was Jaffe's - great bunch of guys and met and chatted several times along the way! small h: yeah, I have a couple of vehicles that I noticed to be "repeat offenders" - I don't feel like pointing fingers after what was all in all an enjoyable day. Several vehicles with whom I rode next to and could share a quick comment and joke around. (Still... nobody wanted to give me a beer or coffee on the way up Op de Tradouw - shame on them all! )
Mavric Man Posted November 28, 2011 Posted November 28, 2011 This was my first DC and found it very enjoyable. I personally dont see the need for support vehicles, have a few feeding points with roving neutral cars. There are too many unprepared riders and novices with back-up drivers who have limited understanding of the dynamics of cycling in groups etc. My 2cents worth!
Akon Posted November 28, 2011 Posted November 28, 2011 This was my first DC and found it very enjoyable. I personally dont see the need for support vehicles, have a few feeding points with roving neutral cars. There are too many unprepared riders and novices with back-up drivers who have limited understanding of the dynamics of cycling in groups etc. My 2cents worth! There ain't no 2cent anymore...In fact, I've read that soon there not gonna be 5cent as well --> you need to upgrade the value of your opinion to at least 10cent in future!
SeaBee Posted November 28, 2011 Posted November 28, 2011 Yes, but remember - apparently in this little place we stay, your opinion is as extinct as the 2c...
Dicky DQ Posted November 29, 2011 Posted November 29, 2011 Back to the bloody rules:'2.8 Feeding of riders MUST take place in front of their stationary team vehicle, which have to be parked completely of the road. No riders are allowed to have any assistance whatsoever, while still on the road.' Here is how I COULD read this rule:I must get my "feed" from in front of my team's stationary carIt must be parked completely of the roadNo one may help me while I am on the Road, So if there is a bag being held out and I grab it all is cool as no one has helped me at all. I took it. To be even more pedantic, even if I stop and I am still on the road and someone pass me my feed out of the cooler box they would then in effect be helping me and I should be disqualified.......... Feeding bags have been used since I can remember at the DC and if you did not train with bags rather not use them.
Guest Frail4Life Posted November 29, 2011 Posted November 29, 2011 That was my 7th DC and probably one of my most enjoyable.Apart from one puncture, we had no incidents. I know of at least 2 other teams that had crashes and last year we had 8 punctures.And we were VERY lucky with the weather! That wind came through soon after we finished and that rain just poured and poured for hours! The organisation at the start and finish was great and marshalling around the course was good too.There were several 'Think Bikes' patrolling the course keeping the riders and motorist under control - a difficult job! I think the behaviour of most of the support vehicles was better this year. There is always the odd idiot here and there who ignores the rules and everyone else around them.The feedbag story has one drawback and that is littering on the course. I am interested to know if anyone went back to pick up the bags and discarded bottles, and tin foil etc. Looking forward to next year! Feeding Bags & Tin foil & other WAS Still there a Hour after Everyone had Passed.
Kranswurm Posted November 30, 2011 Posted November 30, 2011 What is the accumulated climbing on the DC?Out of interest,what is it on the Argus?
Lucky Luke. Posted November 30, 2011 Posted November 30, 2011 (edited) What is the accumulated climbing on the DC?Out of interest,what is it on the Argus? DC 2000mArgus 1000m In my experience from a racing point of view, the Argus climbing is much harder because the licensed bunches smash it up the climbs to try and get rid of guys, whereas at DC you go steady up Tradouws and try not to shell riders. At the end of the DC though, even that speed bump before the finish line feels like you are trying to ride up the Constantiaberg mast Edited November 30, 2011 by Lucky Luke.
Kranswurm Posted November 30, 2011 Posted November 30, 2011 DC 2000mArgus 1000m Interesting that just about double in distance and elevationWell done on your ride.
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