davidl Posted November 9, 2012 Share The DC is a very different ride for different teams. In my opinion, it is good for the slower/social teams and not to the racing teams. It may allow the social teams to proceed to that point before having too many stops. After that, all the stops you have will add to your riding time. It is good for the organisers to try different things that would make the event great for both racers and social teams. The two types of riders have different expectations, i.e., fast finishing time and just finishing. To each his own! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lucky Luke. Posted November 9, 2012 Share I reckon Nuge is mostly right, the racing teams will send their weaker 6 guys up the road to hit the picnic area first. The fast guys will cruise in there ideally about 25 minutes after them, grab some fuel and the team heads off again straight away. The strong guys roll in and out of the tea festival, they have warm legs and are still fresh after chilling all the way so far. The weaker guys are a bit poked but have benefitted from some tea and biscuits, maybe a massage, blood bag or whatever. So now you have a 12 man team that can smash it for at least another 30 k's before you start burning guys off. The strongest guys and climbers are kept in reserve until you hit the nasty rollers at the end. Bingo, course record. Except not really. Try selling this race to the euro pros now - 'ja, it's like a 200k team time trial, except we have to stop for half an hour and have some cucumber sandwiches.' Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chopper Jr Posted November 9, 2012 Share I really hope there's a practical reason for putting in this ridiculous 30 min stop. It takes away everything that set the DC apart from other races. I'm sure we can bitch about it to organisers during the briefing and hopefully they'll come to their senses. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Meezo Posted November 9, 2012 Share As the 24th of November draws near the team behind the scenes are extremely busy with last minute preparations. By now most of you will have heard about the “collapse” of a section of road approximately 15km before Swellendam. Needless to say this has posed us all with some huge challenges as this section of road forms the last piece of the route of the Coronation Double Century. We have been working extremely closely with the Provincial Dept of Transport and MEC Robin Carlisle as well as the contractors VELA VKE. What we do know as a certainty is that as a result of the extent of the damage, the repairs to the road will not be completed by the date of the event. We have considered a variety of options and have come up with what we believe is the best possible solution to ensure that the event does in fact take place. Here are the facts: • The event will take place as planned • The start and finish venue will remain in Swellendam • There will be a compulsory portage point at the site of collapsed road approximately 15km before Swellendam on the R60. • The estimated distance across the portage point is 350m on a newly created gravel road • Support vehicles will be diverted to Swellendam via a gravel road approximately 18km before Swellendam (3km before the collapse) While we realise that this is not an ideal situation, we do however believe, it is the most practical solution that allows us to proceed with the event with the least amount of inconvenience to all concerned. As the R60 is closed we are encouraging all teams travelling to Swellendam to avoid the road between Ashton and Swellendam as this will result in lengthy detours It is extremely important that the drivers of support vehicles attend the compulsory pre event briefings, as last minute changes will be detailed at these sessions. On behalf of the Cape Town Cycle Tour Trust we would also like to extend our sincere thanks to The Provincial Government, Vela VKE and the good folk of Swellendam, for all the help and assistance that has been provided in ensuring that we are able to continue with the event as planned. We look forward to welcoming you all to Swellendam on the 24th of November The Coronation Double Century organising team Email from CDC Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
'Dale Posted November 9, 2012 Share .... The weaker guys are a bit poked but have benefitted from some tea and biscuits, maybe a massage, blood bag or whatever... Blood bag...:-D Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
andydude Posted November 9, 2012 Share At least they're making up with the cucumber stop with a bit of gravel riding! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dommisse Posted November 13, 2012 Share The DC is a very different ride for different teams. In my opinion, it is good for the slower/social teams and not to the racing teams. It may allow the social teams to proceed to that point before having too many stops. After that, all the stops you have will add to your riding time. It is good for the organisers to try different things that would make the event great for both racers and social teams. The two types of riders have different expectations, i.e., fast finishing time and just finishing. To each his own! for me it takes the endurance bit out of the race - feels more like two 100km races with some stop in between. I think I might bring my skottlel along and make some boerewors rolls for the protein fix Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Let's Ride Posted November 13, 2012 Share At least they're making up with the cucumber stop with a bit of gravel riding! Only if you can ride the gravel bit... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
'Dale Posted November 13, 2012 Share Only if you can ride the gravel bit... Aaarrgh!My carbon soles.My carbon wheels. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Let's Ride Posted November 13, 2012 Share Aaarrgh!My carbon soles.My carbon wheels. I would rather ride it if they properly smooth it than damage my new shoes...... Time to hook up the old mtb shoes possibly, guess they replaceable so I actually shouldn't care. Edited November 13, 2012 by Let's Ride Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hairy Posted November 13, 2012 Share it means that teams will skip a couple of stops where they would loose time and rather use the free 30min to stock up on fluids and food. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
'Dale Posted November 13, 2012 Share I would rather ride it if they properly smooth it than damage my new shoes...... Time to hook up the old mtb shoes possibly, guess they replaceable so I actually shouldn't care. I'll roll with old Sidis instead... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Let's Ride Posted November 13, 2012 Share I'll roll with old Sidis instead... I battle walking on my shoes so am just gonna bring some slops. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
'Dale Posted November 13, 2012 Share I battle walking on my shoes so am just gonna bring some slops. So one is unable to ride this 350 m of gravel? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Let's Ride Posted November 13, 2012 Share So one is unable to ride this 350 m of gravel? Will only be confirmed a few days before the event and the organizers are saying just run it. My main gripe is we are all being kept in the dark. Just tell us and we won't complain... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
American Flyers Posted November 13, 2012 Share Why don't they have racing DC on Sat with no stops, just catch goodie bag and have social DC on Sun with 30mins stops???? Can't they lay a mat or carpet over the gravel road?? Bigger prize money for full team to complate..... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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