[Event] Silver Oaks Cycling Challenge

[Helpmytrap]

What route is to be used to park for the race on Sunday and where will parking be available, as I am sure there will quite a conjestion at the start.

It's on our door step, we ride!

http://springclassic.files.wordpress.com/2012/04/at_dawn.jpg

[Brightspark]

It's on our door step, we ride!

http://springclassic.files.wordpress.com/2012/04/at_dawn.jpg

Not if you come from Johannesburg

[Grondpad]

Just got back from entering the race. Nice smooth process without any hickups. Was also the first time ever I was asked to show my CSA license.

 

I dont normally care about the goodybag but this one is really nice. Cola, water, chips, mints, choc snack, pack of cookies, 2 muffins, cycling mag and a t-shirt.

[Anine]

I dont normally care about the goodybag but this one is really nice. Cola, water, chips, mints, choc snack, pack of cookies, 2 muffins, cycling mag and a t-shirt.

 

awwww man! there werent any on friday

@SantaReynolds?

[Helpmytrap]

By no standards was it the worlds safest race but was a good effort none the less. Also more route markers would have hurt.

Anyway, claiming 1st in the 100km B batch was a nice outcome.

[Anine]

found the race quite enjoyable and mostly well organised, water points very well stocked and strategically placed.

 

But yes, a couple of the roads could have done with better marking and more marshals, motorists were getting irate and abusive, which I think would have been alleviated with some advanced warning of the upcoming road closures.

 

One chop provided us with some much needed comic relief halfway up hans strijdom. he flew out of his car, dressed in his sunday best but looking like he was about to expire from a coronary event. he shrieked at the bemused metro cop manning the intersection 'I'm GOING to be LATE for CHURCH!!! CANT YOU SEE I'm going to be LATE!!! FOR CHHUURRCCHHHH!!!' beet red in his face, while flapping his hands and jumping up and down. it was funny as all hell.

 

for the rest of the crawl up hans strijdom you'd hear people going 'peddle you sods! move! I'm going to be late for church!!!'

[Grondpad]

I have to agee with the comments. On one of the previous pages I said that this race would be a logistical nightmare and I am sure it was. But the way the orginisers did this race was astounding! The route was great and most of the intersection were taken care of by marshalls or metro cops.

 

All the waterpoints was stacked with coke and water and alot of the spectators cheered everyone on.

 

I have to congratulate everyone involved. I really think this can become the big race in PTA. Good job!

[Vinnydabutcher]

it turned out better than I was hoping! Really nice ride. We were in the second AL bunch and had a cop bike that rode with us through most of town - only had to slow down once for and intersection.

 

Really great ride - went back to go fetch a friend and ride in with her - that is went a motorist with a dbl wide trailer decided it is our fault for being in the way and clipped me. from what I understand, I was only the second casualty of the day - just roasties for both of us. I can understand the frustration from motorist - maybe just have more notice signs up next year.

 

All and all a great day - Good riding and now to shop for some new bibs after my "karvoevel" with the trailer.

 

To the orginizers - great job - hope that this race becomes an annual event.

[jcza]

Does not sound like it was good - “@AndrewMclean: The Silver Oaks Road Race was without doubt the worst organized most dangerous event I have Ever ridden in.”

[Woza]

I'm glad that PTA has finally got a road race. Yes there were issues at intersections but for the most part I felt safe. Road closure should be considered. Nice route I thought. Better sign boards needed too.

[Bianchi]

I'm glad that PTA has finally got a road race. Yes there were issues at intersections but for the most part I felt safe. Road closure should be considered. Nice route I thought. Better sign boards needed too.

 

Pretoria did have a road race - The Union buildings one (the name changed a few times so no name for it). Was fun and all, it just collapsed because of sponsorship issues. Same as this, road closures were an issue.

[TALUS]

Does not sound like it was good - “@AndrewMclean: The Silver Oaks Road Race was without doubt the worst organized most dangerous event I have Ever ridden in.”

Well that is the problem with being so elitist - not PERFECT enough I suppose. MOST of the Cyclelab (read Mclean Empire) clubrides are on these roads. I enjoyed it and really hope it can be improved with each event. I would love another big race for the people. The racers have enough elite "championships" etc. The biggest concern was the big intersection just outside Silverton. At least 10 Metro personal standing by the side of the road 100m past the intersection and not lifting a finger. Nice try and let us have many more cyclists with positive attitudes so that we can work towards total road closure!

[jmaccelari]

The Pretoria race around the Union Buildings was the Outsurance race. It was well supported by Outsurance who were fantastic sponsors, but Pta Metro police pulled out about four days before the last one and it collapsed. Another thing to thank the ANC for...

[TALUS]

Does not sound like it was good - “@AndrewMclean: The Silver Oaks Road Race was without doubt the worst organized most dangerous event I have Ever ridden in.”

and he came in at 10th?

[MaxUmis]

I'm sure some other A batch okes are going to chime in here with a big hoo-haa about being taken on the wrong route. It's a shame we lost out because of this, but other than that, the race exceeded my expectations.

Lol, I was quite amused how, after the batch decided we wouldn't cross the timing mats, a full out sprint for the line ensued...

[Burnie]

A very brave move to organise a race on some of the busiest Sunday roads in Pretoria. Turned out surprisingly successful I think. The 100km route was quite hazardous but a flippen lekker ride.

I hope the event settles as a permanent fixture with greater numbers.

 

Positive criticism:

 

1. Pre-warn residents, maybe with an announcement/advert with route maps in the Record/Beeld papers.

Non-cycling frustrated friends living in the area had no idea about the race, and would have happily avoided those roads if they knew.

2. Change the route a bit not to pass by big busy malls like Woodlands mall.

3. More route markers on intersections.

 

Good job organizers, please be back.