94.7 Cycle Challenge 2013

[Frosty]

To all those who complained about the cost of this event I'd like to point out a few items:

 

Firstly, my house is on the route (Douglas Drive), for a few days before the event the pavements were cleaned up, the road was cleaned and one or two potholes were sorted out. This was not done by the town council but privately and probably paid for by the organisers.

 

Road closure items like barriers etc. were delivered lateish on Saturday evening and were gone by 15h00 yesterday afternoon. Water and bananas etc. on the route were cold at every point I stopped at.

 

The start and finish went off without a hitch. I saw plenty of serious looking accidents and if there were no medics there already, I could hear the emergency vehicles coming up behind me on every occasion. I'll bet those poor cyclists who were taken care of by the medics found good value in their entry fee.

 

Frankly, the well oiled machine that I witnessed yesterday and the peace of mind I had knowing that in the event of an off I would be sorted quickly is worth every penny spent on entry fees, especially considering the fact that I had one or two riders moving across my line and almost taking me out more yesterday than I've seen in the past.

 

Great event once again and looking forward to next year already.

 

My time was 4:08 and some change.

I'd like to add the Transact Recovery tent (massage) to the list of "extras" that you get for your entry fee - the white towel was an awesome accessory, 10 times better than a medal. It may have been sponsored, maybe not but it's the thought that counts.

 

Regarding the fencing, we (Carnival City Macsteel National Classic) use the same company, and I can tell you it's not cheap to rent fencing - the 94.7 had way more fencing on the route. No way that was sponsored.

 

Being the one responsible for the start batching at Carnival, and knowing what's involved, their (94.7) start/finish was really smoothly done. The poor lightie holding the yellow rope (under the bridge) tried to tell the cyclists not to go until he drops the rope, but his voice just didn't carry the message.

 

One gripe I had, and something that happens at many races are the volunteers that try hand out water to cyclists riding past the water point. Cyclists that want water should stop and get off their bikes. Keep left and stay off the route. The further they push out into the road, the easier it is for someone to lose control of their bike and cause a crash.

 

Regarding the timing, I started my GPS when Arnie got to 0 on his 5-4-3-2-1 countdown, and it took about 10 seconds to get to the start mat - I stopped my time on the line. My GPS time and Racetec time are identical (2:51:50).

 

[Prince]

I see according the the results that only 19 000 odd finished. Not good if you consider the 31 000 entrants. Obviously need to compare to actual start number but that still equates to a near 40% non finish / start

 

Saw that on racetec but it cant be right as the slowest time is 3.58 which is clearly wrong!

[davem]

I see according the the results that only 19 000 odd finished. Not good if you consider the 31 000 entrants. Obviously need to compare to actual start number but that still equates to a near 40% non finish / start

 

There has always been a massive discrepncy between claimed entrants and finishers per the results.

 

Obviously there are some non starters, a fair number of non finishers, some who ride without chips, but I get a sneakt suspicion that they include all entrants for MTB, road and kiddies in that number.

 

Perhaps some one has some more concrete knowledge?

[boredgirl]

Yeah, time of batch start irrespective of where you are, front or back, to when you cross the timing mat at end. One thing i did not notice was timing mats along the route.

 

There were by the Transact people about 2km from the end.

[lovestocycle]

There has always been a massive discrepncy between claimed entrants and finishers per the results.

 

Obviously there are some non starters, a fair number of non finishers, some who ride without chips, but I get a sneakt suspicion that they include all entrants for MTB, road and kiddies in that number.

 

Perhaps some one has some more concrete knowledge?

I also noted the discrepancy.

They also moan about people not getting their entries in but still advertised the fact (via Twitter I think) that one could still get entries for R400 on Friday.................

[lovestocycle]

I don't know if any Hubbers got caught in the Twitter ride traffic on Saturday but I did.

Beyers was blocked with the slow moving convoy when I was en route to do my last quick loosener ride on Saturday am. I diverted around Lanseria only to run slap bang into them at the Valvered corner and have to wait.

 

I am not too peeved but wonder why motorists should be inconvenienced for a mere 50 or so riders who after all have full road closure the next day - To me it smacks of egotistical by the organisers.plus 702 had NOTHING about this on their traffic report on Saturday morning!

I say scrap the Twitter ride and if either the MTB or the 94.7 don't suit you, too bad!

Edited November 18, 2013 by lovestocycle

[Li Mu Bai]

its because ALL events are counted as 1. the actual roadrace never really gets over 20k people.

 

Well done Carpet and Wyatt - the 3hour barrior was broken well.

[Mr SingleTrack]

I see according the the results that only 19 000 odd finished. Not good if you consider the 31 000 entrants. Obviously need to compare to actual start number but that still equates to a near 40% non finish / start

I passed 50+ on the first climb just off the M1 who were pushing their bikes. Man, you know you are going to have a hard day in the saddle (or next to your bike ) if you are already pushing your bike there. I felt somewhat sorry for them, but then again, maybe they should have trained more or perhaps they should not have entered.

[slowpoke]

.

 

One gripe I had, and something that happens at many races are the volunteers that try hand out water to cyclists riding past the water point. Cyclists that want water should stop and get off their bikes. Keep left and stay off the route. The further they push out into the road, the easier it is for someone to lose control of their bike and cause a crash.

 

 

I agree about this. There were too many water tables where you didn't have the option to ride past because the entire road was blocked due to the volunteers standing with paper cups I the middle of the road and riders stopping to take it and drink it.

 

I had an extremely long day escorting a friend who was not supposed to have ridden because was sick. Eventually near the end of the N14 she conceded that she was not going to manage to finish so after bundling her into a support vehicle I headed on. Managed about 7 hours :-O Next year she's going to do about 4:30 ;-) (don't know about me... I might do my third year of 7 hours)

[dracs]

its because ALL events are counted as 1. the actual roadrace never really gets over 20k people.

 

Well done Carpet and Wyatt - the 3hour barrior was broken well.

Nope, I happen to know that the over 30k ENTRIES is genuine. the 5000 or so MTB entries is over and above that.

 

A huge number of people enter but don't start... If you don't believe me ask anyone who wne to registration on Saturday afternoon - thousands of unclaimed envelopes...

 

Also, lots of riders don't wear chips.

[dracs]

Nope . Mat to mat .

Nope. Gun to mat. Always has been.

 

If Arnie said otherwise he was talking ***

[dracs]

+1.

 

It's the small things (that take up a lot of logistics) that really make this an amazing event:

 

- Marking every single pothole and manhole on the route with bright spray-paint.

- Covering gaps, cracks and humps in the road surface with those rubber liners across the entire route.

- LOTS OF TOILETS INSIDE THE STARTING PENS!

- Very frequent traffic updates on the radio (obviously on 94.7 Highveld) on road closures and reopening, race progress etc.

- Support. Everywhere. From mechanical to medical.

...and I can go on.

 

The event is now really giving the ARGUS a run for it's money, IMO.

+1

Argus take note

[F111]

Saw that on racetec but it cant be right as the slowest time is 3.58 which is clearly wrong!

the list only display the first 100 pages 9733/19204 racetec must fix the problem if you search the other groups you find the rest

[scotty]

There were by the Transact people about 2km from the end.

How did your race go? Started off with the idea of catching and passing you but gave that up after the first 100m.

[Ferret69]

I don't know if any Hubbers got caught in the Twitter ride traffic on Saturday but I did.

Beyers was blocked with the slow moving convoy when I was en route to do my last quick loosener ride on Saturday am. I diverted around Lanseria only to run slap bang into them at the Valvered corner and have to wait.

 

I am not too peeved but wonder why motorists should be inconvenienced for a mere 50 or so riders who after all have full road closure the next day - To me it smacks of egotistical by the organisers.plus 702 had NOTHING about this on their traffic report on Saturday morning!

I say scrap the Twitter ride and if either the MTB or the 94.7 don't suit you, too bad!

 

 

My Answer to the Above is "Join the Twitter Ride". It was the first time i've done it and it was absoluetly awesome. There were closer to 400 than the 50 you mention and the organisation was brilliant finishing inside the Dome to an awesome free breakie of Coffees, Egg and Bacon rolls, Muffins, Smoothies and off course the chance to ride alongside/and chat and get pics at the end with legends as Impey, Thomas and off course Phil Ligget. let alone all the current/ex SA Mens and Womens Pro's.

 

Dont mock it till you have tried it. If you cant beat em, Join em.

[bigjoe]

Happy with my day in the saddle. Managed a 2:40. The 2nd lap was great fun, gives a different perspective to the event. Sat next to road eating a boerie, had a beer on the N14! Still managed a 3:15 (riding time)....probably a 4hr cycle in total.

 

I take my hat off to the back markers.....it was very hot on the highway! Recorded a max of 38 degrees!

 

Think my challenge next year will be to help my wife with a sub 3...

 

Well done to everyone.