Cape Cobra riders skills

[Niner]

Someone mention that the cyclist crossed the white line and then hit the motorcycle. Is that correct? If so I can see PPA getting more serious about that rule.

[ROCKITRIDEIT]

Someone mention that the cyclist crossed the white line and then hit the motorcycle. Is that correct? If so I can see PPA getting more serious about that rule.

 

This was happening way too much in the Stars bunch today. where was our PPA Think Bike Marhsall?!?!? isn't that one of the "perks" of paying the league entry fee is that the racing bunch is controlled/monitored by the presence of a Bike Marshall?

 

That is not to say that we shouldn't police ourselves, and a few of us did just that with some of the guys pulling ridiculous manouevres on the wrong side of the median white line, normally on descents, and then pulling left into the bunch at the first sign of oncoming traffic. Rider 855 from Mohammedeyah Club I told in no uncertain terms what I'd do to him if he pulled that move straight in front of me again. But how many times can you shout at okes?!? It gets tiring when all you want to do is concentrate on the racing....and then this accident happens.

 

I was ahead of the accident in the Stars bunch so didn't see it, if the rider swerved across the median to avoid a crash then that is seriously bad luck and I hope he mends well....but too many times there were guys on the wrong side of the road, open roads, taking unnecessary risks so they could do what? shave a few seconds off their race time? improve their PPA seeding? What good is that when you're in hospital, or worse still.....

 

*rant over*

[Zac.A]

It's outrageous not to have a thinkbike marshall with you.

Did you at least have a vehicle?

 

U16's had 3 cars and a thinkbike marshall, and it's entirely necessary because of the stunts some of us try to pull, but our bunch is only 25, and yours is 80odd I think?

 

I think a firmer stance has to be taken on white lines.

 

Hope the riders recovers well

[ROCKITRIDEIT]

No marshall, no vehicle, nothing

 

PPA / event organisers / ACA Joe League organisers have some answering to do, to leave a "rising stars" bunch with young inexperienced riders with no marshall or official present

 

and then this happens

[Soggy]

This was happening way too much in the Stars bunch today. where was our PPA Think Bike Marhsall?!?!? isn't that one of the "perks" of paying the league entry fee is that the racing bunch is controlled/monitored by the presence of a Bike Marshall?

 

Essentially marshals should not be needed as there is a strict rule of cyclists crossing the white line, and that rule must be obeyed. The reason marshals are there are because there is a blatant disregard for that rule, especially by the elites who have actually pushed the marshals many times into the on coming lane and overtake the marshals around their right side straight into on coming traffic.

 

When a cyclist pays the league entry fee, they pay to race the race only. PPA asks Think Bike for marshals who do this on a volunteer basis to help ensure the safety of the cyclists with regards to the surrounding traffic, but they can only do so much, especially if their numbers are few and when the groups split up in many groups.

 

Meezo, Mark and Gerard, hope you guys heal up soon and very sorry to hear about your accident. This race was a tough one with very tight and fast sweeping bends. Unfortunately full road closure is not possible, which would have solved many issues and prevented this accident.

[ROCKITRIDEIT]

Essentially marshals should not be needed as there is a strict rule of cyclists crossing the white line, and that rule must be obeyed. The reason marshals are there are because there is a blatant disregard for that rule,

 

Some blatantly disregard the rule.

 

Others obey the rule because they appreciate the consequences of what may happen if they don't...and I don't mean disqualification from a funride

['Dale]

If I was a decision- maker, I would make it a requirement / condition for future 'Rising Stars' applicants to attend Killarney training sessions.

 

To earn a spot in the other League CATS, it is inevitable to acquire fairly good bunch riding skills.

 

*I recall how wobbly the stabile and steady D-E bunch became when a few 'Rising Stars' riders caught up with us in the final 10 kays of the Tour de PPA.

It was nervy stuff to see some riders push through a half a gap between two riders in pace line formation.*

[Zac.A]

Essentially marshals should not be needed as there is a strict rule of cyclists crossing the white line, and that rule must be obeyed. The reason marshals are there are because there is a blatant disregard for that rule, especially by the elites who have actually pushed the marshals many times into the on coming lane and overtake the marshals around their right side straight into on coming traffic.

 

When a cyclist pays the league entry fee, they pay to race the race only. PPA asks Think Bike for marshals who do this on a volunteer basis to help ensure the safety of the cyclists with regards to the surrounding traffic, but they can only do so much, especially if their numbers are few and when the groups split up in many groups.

 

Meezo, Mark and Gerard, hope you guys heal up soon and very sorry to hear about your accident. This race was a tough one with very tight and fast sweeping bends. Unfortunately full road closure is not possible, which would have solved many issues and prevented this accident.

 

Ya, But I saw at least 8 thinkbike marshals at the start.

 

1 for u16's (back at start of vets, masters and ladies.)

1 for u14's

 

vets, masters, ladies.

Subvets,

elites and junior men

stars.

any more?

 

Unless they gave preference to soup groups then they should have had enough.

[ROCKITRIDEIT]

From the ProClassic Series website

 

http://www.proclassi...mmer%202012.pdf

 

NEW! Stars in Training

All male or female PPA members who want to improve and develop their racing skills as well as PPA seeding. These cyclists must have a PPA Seeding D – I. This group will start after the PPA (A – E) groups has started but before the official PPA F start group. The group will not have a Commissaire but only a Think Bike Marshal to keep an eye on the group.

Edited January 22, 2012 by touristvisa

[grant10]

Some blatantly disregard the rule.

 

Others obey the rule because they appreciate the consequences of what may happen if they don't...and I don't mean disqualification from a funride

 

Yip, I'm with touristvisa on this, I ended not really enjoying the ride altogether as I watched in horror as guys repeatedly went over the white line on blind rises and corners and I just prayed that I wasn't going to get caught up in something. The Stars also desperately needed a race marshal, that was one unstable bunch today, a lot of the guys didn't have a clue.

[Soggy]

Given as well where the accident happened, it was near impossible for a marshal to police those switchbacks if you think about it. Guys are flying down at near 70km/h. How do you control a group that is moving down at that speed on those sharp bends? All it takes to lack of concentration for 1 second to cause a drift into the oncoming lane and possible traffic. A marshal riding next to them over there would actually cause more harm than good. Plus the guy on the motorbike is trying not to hit oncoming traffic or the cyclists speeding behind him.

Edited January 22, 2012 by Soggy

[Bram_on_Madone]

Given as well where the accident happened, it was near impossible for a marshal to police those switchbacks if you think about it. Guys are flying down at near 70km/h. How do you control a group that is moving down at that speed on those sharp bends? All it takes to lack of concentration for 1 second to cause a drift into the oncoming lane and possible traffic. A marshal riding next to them over there would actually cause more harm than good. Plus the guy on the motorbike is trying not to hit oncoming traffic or the cyclists speeding behind him.

 

+1

 

I saw the first guy go down, and it was a matter of too much speed into the corner - no amount of marshalling would have prevented it. The particular spot is actually quite deceptive and I think its very easy to loose control, if your concentration lapses for just a second.

 

I hope all involved heal up well.

[ROCKITRIDEIT]

I hear you Soggy, I really do. But the trouble, the vibe, the twitchyness...call it whatever you want...started on Boyes and permeated through the bunch...it set the scene for type of race we were in for.

 

Flip half the Stars bunch didnt even know the route today and were happy to be directed by a numpty marshall the wrong way at Ocean View, I mean seriously guys get your sh*t together

[Let's Ride]

Another reason why I am considering not racing. Some guys just can't ride in a bunch.

 

People eating food with both hands of the handle bars etc. You don't make much money from being a professional cyclist in SA.

 

Keep your day jobs and take it easy when cycling. Joining a club is very crucial. Most guys that ride very badly don't ride with a bunch when they train. When club 100 trains and somebody new to the group rides badly I tell them what they doing and that it's dangerous. Only way they will learn.

[grant10]

If I was a decision- maker, I would make it a requirement / condition for future 'Rising Stars' applicants to attend Killarney training sessions.

 

To earn a spot in the other League CATS, it is inevitable to acquire fairly good bunch riding skills.

 

*I recall how wobbly the stabile and steady D-E bunch became when a few 'Rising Stars' riders caught up with us in the final 10 kays of the Tour de PPA.

It was nervy stuff to see some riders push through a half a gap between two riders in pace line formation.*

 

Completely agree. Did a few sessions last year and it did wonders for my group riding and cornering.

 

A mate of mine said one guy in our Stars group spent the whole ride in the drops weaving around and causing stress and then proceeded at one point to unclip and stretch his quad! He couldn't keep his line with both hands on, let alone trying to do a Tour de France yoga session.

[Tiny K]

Completely agree. Did a few sessions last year and it did wonders for my group riding and cornering.

 

A mate of mine said one guy in our Stars group spent the whole ride in the drops weaving around and causing stress and then proceeded at one point to unclip and stretch his quad! He couldn't keep his line with both hands on, let alone trying to do a Tour de France yoga session.

 

and those are the guys that should be told by the group to p1ss off and ride on their own! I remember in the Burger last year, a mate of mine (seasoned vets rider) told two other guys to feed (swop bottles) out of the bunch. He said to me that they know what they were doing is dangerous (and he knew the guys too) and that should something go wrong, it will cause a pile up of quite a few cyclists.