PPA cut cord with CSA

[Niner]

bottom line PPA is just as ^%^$ as CSA and cycling in SA is Fuct........

 

agree with that part

[DJR]

At the same time PPA can this nonsense that you have to be a PPA member to see your time online. After all the races are theirs they merely facilitate.

The PPA pays Racetec to provide timing for their members. What else do you want them to do? Provide free timing for non members? Or should non-members pay extra for timing?

 

I had the same issue but solved it by joining the PPA. Believe me, it was cheap and painless. They have always been very helpfull whenever I had an issue and I enjoy doing the races they facilitate. They are mostly well organized and safer than riding on my own. I have never felt exploited by the PPA. I have felt exploited by CSA.

[Lucky Luke.]

I think you guys need to look at this a bit more objectively and with a better understanding of the two orgs.

 

CSA is nothing like PPA, they are totally different in terms of their mandates, level of competence, willingness to communicate with cyclists, the list is endless. PPA is not perfect, they take a lot of flack from me included, but without them we'd really be losing out on a lot.

 

Bottom line is you need to work with them if you want to help cycling in the Western Cape and retain the Argus as an internationally renowned event.

Edited February 9, 2012 by Lucky Luke.

[onetrackmind]

Thanks, you're clearing lots of stuff up here dude. Good to have a man on the inside

 

Can you tell us, what is the relationship between PPA and Cycle Tour Trust? And is David Bellairs the sole director of the trust?

The trust is 50% Rotary Club of Claremont, 50% PPA, three trustees from each sit on the board. No directors, so, no, Mr Bellairs is not a director, let alone the sole director.

[D-Mike]

I don't get why people get upset with the PPA and calling them corrupt. Personally I have only received great benefit from them.

 

The Argus cost R250 for a fantastic event and complete road closure

Being a member of PPA cost about R250/year and every race, if you enter early is R70. For that your race is timed, you are seeded and the race is facilitated by them. The cost is really not much for what you get in return. If the PPA makes a profit from the service they provide, good for them.

 

However they don't just stick the money in their pockets, they create huge awareness for cycling and support other cycling related projects. What is so terrible about what the PPA is doing?

[Niner]

The PPA pays Racetec to provide timing for their members. What else do you want them to do? Provide free timing for non members? Or should non-members pay extra for timing?

 

I had the same issue but solved it by joining the PPA. Believe me, it was cheap and painless. They have always been very helpfull whenever I had an issue and I enjoy doing the races they facilitate. They are mostly well organized and safer than riding on my own. I have never felt exploited by the PPA. I have felt exploited by CSA.

When you are new to cycling, and you pay to enter a race, pay for a temp number, pay for a chip etc....Why is your time NOT displayed? Why do you have to become a member of PPA to see your time?

[Red Zone]

Sure PPA has its failings, any organisation has problems.

 

But think about it where can you go online, enter a race in 5 mins, pay as little as R70 bucks, then pitch up, have organised starts, refreshment stations, bike marshals, traffic cops and do this pretty much every weekend. IMO they do a great job. I do plenty of other events, running, trail running, triathlon, adventure racing etc... PPA offers the best consistent service and price.

[onetrackmind]

 

 

However they don't just stick the money in their pockets, they create huge awareness for cycling and support other cycling related projects. What is so terrible about what the PPA is doing?

+1

 

They don't even have a swimming pool at their offices.

[Wannabe]

Sure PPA has its failings, any organisation has problems.

 

But think about it where can you go online, enter a race in 5 mins, pay as little as R70 bucks, then pitch up, have organised starts, refreshment stations, bike marshals, traffic cops and do this pretty much every weekend. IMO they do a great job. I do plenty of other events, running, trail running, triathlon, adventure racing etc... PPA offers the best consistent service and price.

 

Agree wholeheartetly.

[Lucky Luke.]

When you are new to cycling, and you pay to enter a race, pay for a temp number, pay for a chip etc....Why is your time NOT displayed? Why do you have to become a member of PPA to see your time?

 

Your entry goes to the organisers. The chip you pay Racetec for - they made it after all, or at least need to resell it.

 

PPA pays Racetec to time the event. Obviously that has to be covered somehow and it comes out of your membership money. Make sense?

[Lucky Luke.]

The trust is 50% Rotary Club of Claremont, 50% PPA, three trustees from each sit on the board. No directors, so, no, Mr Bellairs is not a director, let alone the sole director.

 

Thanks, good to know.

[MTB_Roadie]

I don't get why people get upset with the PPA and calling them corrupt. Personally I have only received great benefit from them.

 

The Argus cost R250 for a fantastic event and complete road closure

Being a member of PPA cost about R250/year and every race, if you enter early is R70. For that your race is timed, you are seeded and the race is facilitated by them. The cost is really not much for what you get in return. If the PPA makes a profit from the service they provide, good for them.

 

However they don't just stick the money in their pockets, they create huge awareness for cycling and support other cycling related projects. What is so terrible about what the PPA is doing?

 

So true...I think PPA do a pretty good job, they the only place organising road events...

 

Sure PPA has its failings, any organisation has problems.

 

But think about it where can you go online, enter a race in 5 mins, pay as little as R70 bucks, then pitch up, have organised starts, refreshment stations, bike marshals, traffic cops and do this pretty much every weekend. IMO they do a great job. I do plenty of other events, running, trail running, triathlon, adventure racing etc... PPA offers the best consistent service and price.

 

Agree'd

[Dicky DQ]

And this year after renewing my PPA membership my CSA licence just appeared in the mail. Nice

[Niner]

Agree wholeheartetly.

 

What you guys forget is that PPA does NOT oragnise races....they merely faciclityate....they do not check that they organiser has enough water tables, marchals etc. PPA advises and that does the timing...that is it!

[Niner]

Your entry goes to the organisers. The chip you pay Racetec for - they made it after all, or at least need to resell it.

 

PPA pays Racetec to time the event. Obviously that has to be covered somehow and it comes out of your membership money. Make sense?

 

I understand that, but why do you have to be a member of PPA to see your time online once you have a chip and paid for the race?

[Agteros1]

Yes, there should be one seeding system used for all races countrywide, using all "registered" timing chip companies, and not restricted to just one, like it currently is for certain races. It's an abuse of "market share" and is not good for competition.

 

This is the responsibility of CSA and not the race organiser, hence my reason for saying that I hope this will see the end of the so-called monopoly. At the end of the day, let organisers choose who they want to use for timing, without being "penalised" by being excluded from seeding at other races.

 

 

I spoke to a Gavin at Cycle Events about the data security of the online entry system on cyclelab's website. He mentioned that a new seeding system will be put in place (yeah, I know CSA have been "threatening" with that for many aeons). However this sounds like it might actually be on the www.saseeding.co.za (MTB seeding) website.

 

Who knows, maybe things WILL change? (for the better? That is another question in total!)