Bonievale Road and MTB

[Jaco-fiets]

Hoekom? Vertel vertel!!

 

Where to start...............

 

On the start line they said they had to change the route due to heavy rains during the week and the distance is 48km and not 42km. Fair enough! Within the 1st 10km most of the field missed a turnoff due to arrows washed away during rain. This was pretty much the problem the rest of the way. They stated the water points will be at 12km, 28km and 5km from finish. I don't care about water points but some do. The 1st water point I saw was at 42km. At this water point I asked how far to end and the guy said that when they changed the route they did not have any idea about the final distance and they guessed it would be about 48km. The total distance at the end was 60km.

 

In my opinion they could have made an effort earlier the week to check the distance after changing the route. 60km is a far cry from their 48km GUESS!. They could have made a effort to chalk the arrows again before the race. People paid R120 to enter and travelled a fair bit. Some people went through the trouble making a wknd out of it

 

SHOCKING!!!!!!!!!!!! They should make way for another race on the calendar from somebody that actually gives a ****

[McD23]

wow, 42km to 60km would hurt quiet a few people !

[BrandonF_]

 

 

Where to start...............

 

On the start line they said they had to change the route due to heavy rains during the week and the distance is 48km and not 42km. Fair enough! Within the 1st 10km most of the field missed a turnoff due to arrows washed away during rain. This was pretty much the problem the rest of the way. They stated the water points will be at 12km, 28km and 5km from finish. I don't care about water points but some do. The 1st water point I saw was at 42km. At this water point I asked how far to end and the guy said that when they changed the route they did not have any idea about the final distance and they guessed it would be about 48km. The total distance at the end was 60km.

 

In my opinion they could have made an effort earlier the week to check the distance after changing the route. 60km is a far cry from their 48km GUESS!. They could have made a effort to chalk the arrows again before the race. People paid R120 to enter and travelled a fair bit. Some people went through the trouble making a wknd out of it

 

SHOCKING!!!!!!!!!!!! They should make way for another race on the calendar from somebody that actually gives a ****

 

Sounds like a mess?!

 

I hate it when races reduce in km's to what was advertised, but getting more for you paid for is not bad man!

First waterpoint at 42km is a flipping SHOCKER tho!

[Johny Bravo]

I had every intention of doing the mtb. Saw all the rain and realised thats a *** idea. Did the 35 km road race, on my mtb with knobblies. Eventually came 4th. My bike was clean. All the mtb boys were covered in mud. I had such fun. Road race was awsome. Loved it.

 

[r0adrunner]

Sounds shocking indeed Jaco-fiets.

 

BFScott, why do you think we pay per KM!? It's clearly not the case. The cost difference between the long and short routes definitely don't reflect this. I think we pay to have a well organized, hassle-free, safe and fun race/ride.

 

Glad I didn't drive through for this event.

[BrandonF_]

Sounds shocking indeed Jaco-fiets.

 

BFScott, why do you think we pay per KM!? It's clearly not the case. The cost difference between the long and short routes definitely don't reflect this. I think we pay to have a well organized, hassle-free, safe and fun race/ride.

 

Glad I didn't drive through for this event.

 

I know dude, relax man, I'm probably the first one to go off when races are stuffed up like this, I suffer from "perfectionist syndrome" you know! I was just kidding! Unfortunately this year in a lot of the events I participated in turned out to be a complete stuff up, too many loop holes in the timing system or no markers where there should be etc etc, I had them all! I must still my volatile firing neurons every time repeating to myself "you are doing this for F-U-N Mr B"...difficult if you suffer from perfectionist syndrome...

Edited November 2, 2013 by BFScott

[r0adrunner]

Hahah okay sorry I see.

 

Yea I understand if routes need to be changed due to heavy rainfall etc. But then its the organizers responsibility to ensure that the reroute will be well marked.

[David Higgs]

I hit the 60km road race. Rolling, but quick. Made a weekend out of it too, in arguably one of the most beautiful valleys in the country.

 

A little effort is sometimes well worth the reward.

[Jaco-fiets]

I hit the 60km road race. Rolling, but quick. Made a weekend out of it too, in arguably one of the most beautiful valleys in the country.

 

A little effort is sometimes well worth the reward.

 

I agree with you on the point that the valley is really beautiful. This is 1 of the reasons why it is such a pity that the mtb race was so badly organized.

[Johny Bravo]

I agree with you on the point that the valley is really beautiful. This is 1 of the reasons why it is such a pity that the mtb race was so badly organized.

I think sometimes we over estimate race organisers. They mostly want to cover the costs of the race, no matter the weather. Me included. I saw all the rain, drove all the way to Bonnievale, took only my mtb. As I am mtb rider, however realised very quickly when I arrived Friday night in Bonnievale, that it was going to be a mudfest. Woke up Saturday morning in Bonnievale, stil raining. Entered the road race on my mountain bike, because I knew the mtb would be a disaster. As it was, I saw my mates after the race and they were soaked in mud, bikes had mechanicals etc. This might make me a less hardcore rider, but myself and my bike are fine. My friends however need repairs on their bikes after all the mud. However, not marking a route correctly is shocking. No matter the weather.

[-cK-]

Where to start...............

 

On the start line they said they had to change the route due to heavy rains during the week and the distance is 48km and not 42km. Fair enough! Within the 1st 10km most of the field missed a turnoff due to arrows washed away during rain. This was pretty much the problem the rest of the way. They stated the water points will be at 12km, 28km and 5km from finish. I don't care about water points but some do. The 1st water point I saw was at 42km. At this water point I asked how far to end and the guy said that when they changed the route they did not have any idea about the final distance and they guessed it would be about 48km. The total distance at the end was 60km.

 

In my opinion they could have made an effort earlier the week to check the distance after changing the route. 60km is a far cry from their 48km GUESS!. They could have made a effort to chalk the arrows again before the race. People paid R120 to enter and travelled a fair bit. Some people went through the trouble making a wknd out of it

 

SHOCKING!!!!!!!!!!!! They should make way for another race on the calendar from somebody that actually gives a ****

I also did the "42km" again this year. The only saving grace was that I had done this race last year and had half an idea of the route. PS the route also ended up last year at 47km not 42km and that was without the detour due to the rain. I also believe you are refering to the arrow that showed that you had to go left over a little bridge thingy? I caught a big group of about 6 or so blokes coming back and if it weren't for them I would have missed that faded arrow. Why the organizers didn't put a arrow board there boggled my mind as they had some of them on the route especially with the rain that fell that was the least they could have done at key turning points.

 

I did however passed all three water points (I think).

 

The first one I believe was at the first split board of the 35/50km route, thou you would not have noticed it as there was just a couple of water bottle placed on the table and I think by the time we blasted past there they were still unpacking.

 

The second one was at the top of a hill that leading down a decent with a sharp 90 degree right turn that I think joined up with the 35km route again as I caught a bunch of rides there as that road was just sludge.

 

Then there was the one you found.

 

I came in knowing the distance would be more than 42 but ja didn't expect to do nearly 60km.

 

I think what was the cherry on the cake here was that the PPA was actually involved this year and you would have expected a higher level of commitment on having things go smooth but ja as a non-PPA member and Funrider I still managed to enjoyed myself despite all the hassles as stated above as I finished somewhere within the bunch of PPA guys B)

 

I actually took the details of the bloke that finished just before me that was a PPA member to see where I ended up unofficially and I actually crossed the line "8th" if I was to be timed by the PPA.

 

Personal goals checked

[RaymondC]

Pity, that area has so much potential. Anyone do the road race?

[jessie]

I am glad to see others rant about this ride. I did the 30km mtb ride - start was later than advertised, it cost R160 because of PPA involvement. 10km of the ride was on tar!!!

Not great at all! Poorly marked course. Only about 15km of good true mountain bike track.

 

I then did the motorbike event in the afternoon, R195 for 60km of excellently marked track all in wonderful areas. Ok there were hectic sections, of which there were warnings and could be avoided if you wanted to. But I feel the value for money is much better at all the motorbike events I have been to. With markings all the way and warnings of every left and right turns and dangerous areas clearly marked.

 

Why do we have to be penalized for not being PPA members and then still not getting our times recorded? It is also not giving PPA members an accurate account of their own performance by excluding non-PPA members.

 

I last did this ride last in 2002 and there were many many more cyclists doing the road ride. Why don't the organizers realise that it would be better to charge R50 pp and get a whole family involved in the ride, and having a weekend in the town spending money on accommodation and food, etc.

At R140-R160 pp it is just too expensive if you have a family and therefore, the whole town looses out.

And if PPA is involved they should then ensure correct/adequate marking of the route and the correct length of the course stated, before the start of the ride.

[Johny Bravo]

I am glad to see others rant about this ride. I did the 30km mtb ride - start was later than advertised, it cost R160 because of PPA involvement. 10km of the ride was on tar!!!

Not great at all! Poorly marked course. Only about 15km of good true mountain bike track.

 

I then did the motorbike event in the afternoon, R195 for 60km of excellently marked track all in wonderful areas. Ok there were hectic sections, of which there were warnings and could be avoided if you wanted to. But I feel the value for money is much better at all the motorbike events I have been to. With markings all the way and warnings of every left and right turns and dangerous areas clearly marked.

 

Why do we have to be penalized for not being PPA members and then still not getting our times recorded? It is also not giving PPA members an accurate account of their own performance by excluding non-PPA members.

 

I last did this ride last in 2002 and there were many many more cyclists doing the road ride. Why don't the organizers realise that it would be better to charge R50 pp and get a whole family involved in the ride, and having a weekend in the town spending money on accommodation and food, etc.

At R140-R160 pp it is just too expensive if you have a family and therefore, the whole town looses out.

And if PPA is involved they should then ensure correct/adequate marking of the route and the correct length of the course stated, before the start of the ride.

PPA cost 22 rand a month. Really, just join them, save money and get timed. Even if you dont like PPaor agree with all their rules en regulations.

[jessie]

PPA cost 22 rand a month. Really, just join them, save money and get timed. Even if you dont like PPaor agree with all their rules en regulations.

That is not the point.

I am already paying extra so why not record the time, I know it costs them for the recording but add into the extra payment fee if they want to. As I said before there are many non=PPA riders and therefore the results are not an accurate reflection of a riders performance.

Also if PPA involved one expects certain standards of accurate length of ride and good safe clear signage.

[Jaco-fiets]

That is not the point.

I am already paying extra so why not record the time, I know it costs them for the recording but add into the extra payment fee if they want to. As I said before there are many non=PPA riders and therefore the results are not an accurate reflection of a riders performance.

Also if PPA involved one expects certain standards of accurate length of ride and good safe clear signage.

 

Exactly what I am bitching about. I only expect a few things when paying to ride a race. Accurate distance and clear signage