GP Koning Rollercoast Hiccups

[LeighP1984]

I haven't seen many other people complaining so maybe I am just too new to cycling to know what is the norm (this was only my third race) but the marshals were absolutely shocking, I know sometimes they struggle to get marshalls but these guys were all sleeping under trees and I went through two intersections on the way back after Kommetjie with no marshal in sight?

 

Also, the lack of water was insane, at times I could not even eat one jelly baby because my mouth was so dry and there was no water, there only seemed to be tables every 20 odd kms or so? In 37 degree heat that was asking for trouble....

[Let's Ride]

They probably get payed peanuts. No excuse but for lets say 100 rand I might also fall asleep.

[Niner]

They probably get payed peanuts. No excuse but for lets say 100 rand I might also fall asleep.

Then they should not be doing the job.....

[Lucky Luke.]

They probably get payed peanuts. No excuse but for lets say 100 rand I might also fall asleep.

 

Not sure what your comment is hoping to achieve? They fall asleep and guys get hit by cars. Seen it happen before. Rationalising the situation isn't going to get us anywhere.

[Niner]

Not sure what your comment is hoping to achieve? They fall asleep and guys get hit by cars. Seen it happen before. Rationalising the situation isn't going to get us anywhere.

I agree, if you take the job and agree to the pay then do the job......otherwise it is stealing...

[Let's Ride]

Also lack of training. Often letting cars in when they shouldn't.

 

Had a car miss me by inches on top of Oukapse Weg. Guess she didn't realize how fast I was going.

[Let's Ride]

I am not sure how much they get paid but the best option would be to have cyclists marshaling, even if you pay the current marshals R500 and they are doing there job they simply don't understand what happens during cycling etc.

 

Eg: A bicycle picks up speed quickly but takes a long time to slow down.

Edited February 6, 2012 by PA HIRE

[nuge]

I haven't seen many other people complaining so maybe I am just too new to cycling to know what is the norm (this was only my third race) but the marshals were absolutely shocking, I know sometimes they struggle to get marshalls but these guys were all sleeping under trees and I went through two intersections on the way back after Kommetjie with no marshal in sight?

 

Also, the lack of water was insane, at times I could not even eat one jelly baby because my mouth was so dry and there was no water, there only seemed to be tables every 20 odd kms or so? In 37 degree heat that was asking for trouble....

 

no good telling us - we've seen/heard it all before - need to drop a line to the ppa and try to make it constructive!

 

i don't know how you guys managed going up okw on the return later in the morning - was already boiling at 9am when we were up there

[andydude]

I went through two intersections on the way back after Kommetjie with no marshal in sight?

 

Also, the lack of water was insane

 

For everybody in general:

 

Not that I'm condoning what the marshal did, even more so at an intersection with other cars, but I would suggest that you study the route beforehand so that you know the route. That way you can also get an idea of what to expect, especially with the profiles also being posted on the hub.

 

Check out the weather for the ride a day before. Go to ride as if there's no water points, or put differently, be prepared! If you can't take enough water, start stopping at the first waterstop and don't wait for the last one - chances are there won't be any water left.

 

If there is another heatwave for this coming Saturday's 99er, there could well be a few casualties - serious! It's a long and hard ride and there's no sea breezes, only warm and hot winds sucking you dry. Prepare well!!

[gadget]

 

 

Check out the weather for the ride a day before. Go to ride as if there's no water points, or put differently, be prepared! If you can't take enough water, start stopping at the first waterstop and don't wait for the last one - chances are there won't be any water left.

 

 

Great advice. Goes for marathons/runs as well. Rather finish a little dehidrated due to missing the last waterpoint than being completely dehidrated cause you skipped the first couple of waterpoints and are now stuck at the last one with a hundred other thirsty riders.

[Niner]

For everybody in general:

 

Not that I'm condoning what the marshal did, even more so at an intersection with other cars, but I would suggest that you study the route beforehand so that you know the route. That way you can also get an idea of what to expect, especially with the profiles also being posted on the hub.

 

Check out the weather for the ride a day before. Go to ride as if there's no water points, or put differently, be prepared! If you can't take enough water, start stopping at the first waterstop and don't wait for the last one - chances are there won't be any water left.

 

If there is another heatwave for this coming Saturday's 99er, there could well be a few casualties - serious! It's a long and hard ride and there's no sea breezes, only warm and hot winds sucking you dry. Prepare well!!

 

Good advice, but surely part of the PPA jobs are to ensure that the newbie's are safe and looked after?

[andydude]

Good advice, but surely part of the PPA jobs are to ensure that the newbie's are safe and looked after?

 

I don't know? What is their job? And how far do you take it? Should they include massages? Fruit and other snacks? For me the race organiser organises the route, marshalls and other things like medical staff. Although it's a funride, you should take some responsibility for your own actions. If you think you're going to ride 4 hours, prepare for 5. My thinking is that you should be able to finish a ride on your own without outside assistance.

 

I might be wrong, but then it goes back to the question - what exactly do the organisers have to do and what is extra they they might decide to do?

[andydude]

Not dissing you, LeighP1984, but are you ready for longer rides? You say this was only your third ride. My first three rides in 2008 were all the medium 40 - 50km distances.

[LeighP1984]

Not dissing you, LeighP1984, but are you ready for longer rides? You say this was only your third ride. My first three rides in 2008 were all the medium 40 - 50km distances.

 

nope, I definitely was not ready for this!! I am more of a runner, have been running for over three years and wanted a new challenge. Did Die Burger - the long route - and loved it. Am training for the argus so wanted to do a few cycles in between for preparation but I had no idea how tough this race would be...espescially in that weather!

 

That is another thing that would be awesome is when entering, if they told you if the course was suitable for begginers, or for more serious cyclists because even though I read the route, you never quite know how tough it will be! Struggled immensly yesterday...

[andydude]

nope, I definitely was not ready for this!!

 

Cool man... all the best for your cycling! Personally I think it is best to work your way up in some or other orderly manner instead of jumping in. Maybe not as good an example, but in terms of running I wouldn't just start with a marathon, but might train and then try 10km and after a while 21km, etc.

 

The weather definitely played a role on Sunday, especially for the later starters, but then it could also be that you might've been cycling outside your league Normally the races have at least two distances. Check on the hub where they talk about an event before the time and there you'll find the route, profiles and rider comments on how difficult it might be.

 

Now keep those wheels rolling! It's a bug that bites and doesn't let go.

[Nick G]

Yeah, me and a few MTB buddies swopped out our usual mtb tires for "slicks" and having done quite a few MTB races over the past few years you manage to get a feel of / at least "build up an expectation" of what you can get at the water points.

 

I was really hoping for some Coka-Cola along the way, but only found water and bananas. Now, don't get me wrong here, that's fine 'n all except if you were among the last to leave for the 88km ride! at 11am coming up over OKW for the 2nd time wasn't what I like to call fun and with not enough water points I was really tired to say the least

Anyway, my 5c worth.....good training for the Argus I guess