Emperors Palace Classic 2012 (Road Race)

[Nettie R]

Cruised the 50km on tandem. But boy, some of these riders need to wake up:

if it's between you and a car in an intersection, the car WILL win;

To verbally abuse the motorists and expect them to respect you sharing the road the next minute doesn't work;

Riding three abreast is not on.

Pity some of these fools will dissappear off the road after the Argus and we will be left to try and gain respect from other road users.

[Prozac]

I had a great race without incidents in the 3rd A group on the road after A bunch started breaking up at+-35km Our group had a few close calls when the 50km route joined. The jack-knifed truck at the end caused some stress but managed to go around safely.

 

 

Great race and glad we had the overcast conditions.

 

 

Managed a 2h38 – happy with this result !

 

 

PS – I didn’t get a led light ? But a safe race is good enough for me !

[Kallie.]

This was my first Emperors Classic, I did the 97km / 103km event and enjoyed it. Nice fast ride, especially our last 30kms or so.

 

Well organized and well done to the marshals for doing a great job.

 

I will definately be back next year.

[Cyclewizz]

^{Anybody see the crash in AL going out towards Heidelberg just before turn to Duduza, Just heard someone coming down but it was behind me? Is the person OK?}

 

You talking about the 3 guys that came down at about the 32km mark ?

If so, they looked ok.

The one guy got up and I'm guessing he continued, the cops stopped to help the other 2 guys but they also looked ok.

[argie1]

VB 431 also enjoyed my first emperors race til those juniors caught us and it all got mixed up with fun riders with about 15 km to go. That made it awkward to race safely from there so we stayed behind the juniors to pop in at 2h35. I don't mind the distance issues cos I'm ready for my next Argus. Those 50 km fun riders are a problem for the faster bunches though.

 

We had 1 car skidding to a halt at a traffic light, another waiting at a red light not knowing what to do but pulled away only to get overtaken from both sides and a TLB pulling away as we approached a green then he moved right until a marshall stopped it. Brave bugger that.

[Fitbull]

You talking about the 3 guys that came down at about the 32km mark ?

If so, they looked ok.

The one guy got up and I'm guessing he continued, the cops stopped to help the other 2 guys but they also looked ok.

 

Yeah I think it was around about there. Just as the bunch was starting to break up.

 

Good to hear they all OK and didnt come off too badly!!

[Frosty]

103 on my garmin same as last year, no biggie except the ave speed reflection on racetec site.

 

***quick punt** The Carnival is advertised as 103km and IS 103 km

102.39Km to be more precise :whistling:

Edited February 6, 2012 by geraldm24

[1hill@aTime]

101.84

[Sharkie 2]

Nice race very well organised just some peoples bunch skills are ridiculous to say the least!!!! A lot of riders still also ride with mp3 players, not on!!!

[Ikonic]

I agree, riding with a MP3 player in a bunch is not on. Mostly those riders are all over the place, a real danger

[Falco]

I can't say I enjoyed this race, way too many dangerous intersections to cross, and too many of these intersections were manned by lone flag waving individuals. Approaching some of them in a speeding bunch was a bit disconcerting at times, all it needed was for an impatient motorist to push through for a big accident to happen. I'm crossing this one off my future race list, there are much safer places to ride on a Sunday morning.

[Joker]

Ja we ride with the MP3 because we get dropped and then its a lonely ride

 

Just kidding

[CyclingAddict]

The route is 103km.

Last with an iBike I got 103km & this year with a Garmin I got 103km.

 

I can imagine Team Canada kicking @ss in the tandem bunch and am I glad they got a puncture yesterday :-)

 

Shame I never wish a puncture on anybody, it did give us a really rare 'win' over them this time though Way to go Jurie and Jo

[Rvdw]

Hi Prozac

 

What kit were you riding with , i was also in that bunch?

[funjunkie]

Decided at the last minute to take part in the event. Did the 50km ride because I have not been riding much and did not want to suffer too much. Started in EM. (The last group of the day to start.) I suppose thats what you get when you enter the race the day before. Thoroughly enjoyed the shorter distance as there were enough fast guys to get a group going. Did a 1:24.

The event as well organised, but I could see that the marshalls were struggling with irate, impatient motorists at some of the intersections.

 

Few points that i would like to raise:

 

1. Thanks to the marshalls wo gave up their time to keep us safe. I think you did a sterling job.

2. I think its insane having the guys from VA, and VB riding on the same road as the 50km "Fun Riders". It was fun to see the groups coming past, but this is a recipe for disaster. I tried my best to stay out of your way, but there were many a weekend warrior riding in the middle of the road not aware of the train bearing down on them. Gee, the guys were aggressive (VA/VB). Dont take me wrong, its not your fault you had to share a road with the 50km guys, but perhaps the distances need to be separated for safety reasons.

3. To the guy from VB who broke away from your group (Dont have the race number) . I think its bad form that you joined in and sucked wheel in our 50km bunch. You broke away from your group, but dont come and seek refuge in ours especially if you are racing. I dont think its fair to the guys in VB that you broke away from.

 

Overall, a pleasant experience. Will be back next year for the 97km/103km or whatever distance in between . I Will register early so that I can be seeded and dont have to start in the last group and lastly, I will train harder.

Edited February 6, 2012 by funjunkie

[W@nna-BE]

i was registered VA, apparently something to do with my CSA license, i definately cant keep up with that train, so not to be a cat amongst the pigeons i started 07h05, (group HL according to Racetec) so i rode with who ever i met on the road, i rode in a nice bunch till about 85km , there was a kid (14 yrs old) and his uncle in my bunch, kid was riding in Northcliff Cycles Top, wow this chap was strong.... i rode in a qhubeka kit