Is it responsible to host a funride in the Cape Peninsula?

[Cornerz]

Having ridden around the peninsula for many years, I am very aware of the gradual increase in traffic on the roads.

• Has it got to the point where an "open road" event is no longer responsible?
  
• Is there a possibility of harming relations and antagonising motorists by holding an event like this?
  

I will personally choose to ride somewhere far far away on Sunday.

 

Any thoughts?

[Pure Savage]

I prefer not having to drive further than I am cycling. So really do love the Peninsula rides.

 

Maybe the motorists will see all the cyclists, see the light and get on the bike next time.

[Cassie]

yes! unless the roads are closed....

[usxorf]

It's 7am on a Sunday, how many motorists are being inconvenienced?

[T-Bob]

Perfectly responsible and perfectly fine. The various races that have always been staged in what ever form has shown that. Cops are employed etc.

 

Think on the journey 4 sight I was passed by 2 cars from S/town to Cape Point and had one annoyed driver (rightly so) when he was trying to pass and idiots were swarming the road over the white line at Misty Cliffs.

 

Here's something controversial, do most of the riders in the groups ride responsibly for the Peninsula?

 

Edit: throwing the misty cliffs in there.

Edited January 28, 2014 by hellocolour

[Cornerz]

It's 7am on a Sunday, how many motorists are being inconvenienced?

Cut off at the bottom of Black Hill is at 11am, and you still have to get people through Fishhoek.

[Cornerz]

Think on the journey 4 sight I was passed by 2 cars from S/town to Cape Point and had one annoyed driver (rightly so) when he was trying to pass and idiots were swarming the road over the white line at Misty Cliffs.

 

Not really that area that worries me... more the built up areas like Simonstown, Fishhoek, Constantia etc. It's also the slower riders that are going to be out when the roads are busier.

[Bike Mob]

Look at racing culture in Europe. City centre full view, small streets... huge advertising possibilites, some excitement for the public to see on their doorsteps...

 

In SA we have "take your bicycle and go race it in the dessert" attitude, then Somebody wins a race overseas and they are all "Proudly South African" Where were you when this oke/lady developed as a rider, how can you possibly claim it as a fellow South African?

 

I have personally experienced the deep southern peninsula's (south of Ou Kaapse Weg) population to be THE WORST driving public in Cape Town, zero tolerance, always speeding, hooter happy, swerving maniac society. its just plain wrong, dangerous and inhuman.

 

Lighten up, its Sunday, take a load off, stop and get out and watch, clap hands, then go get some breakfast and tell your mates what happened during your morning. Get your heads out of your asses and enjoy the world around you for a change!

[Cornerz]

Zilla I'm not for a second suggesting we don't get out and ride... i'm just questioning the wisdom of having a ride in this format in that area at that time.

 

South Peninsula is my training ground too, I'll just see you out there the following weekend.

 

Happy riding everyone.

[Bike Mob]

The more bikes get out and ride, the more cars are made aware of us and our continuing existance and acceptance is inevitable.

 

Hiding and removing ourselves is the wrong approach.

 

Its bad enough we have to ride at 5:30 -6am - most euro starts are 10-11 or later!

Edited January 28, 2014 by Zilla

[Cornerz]

The more bikes get out and ride, the more cars are made aware of us and our continuing existance and acceptance is inevitable.

 

Hiding and removing ourselves is the wrong approach.

 

Its bad enough we have to ride at 5:30 -6am - most euro starts are 10-11 or later!

 

No arguments here!

['Dale]

Spirited point, Zilla.

 

I laaik.

 

There's more to the road than the average motorists getting somewhere.

Bring it on, road race organizers.

[T-Bob]

Not really that area that worries me... more the built up areas like Simonstown, Fishhoek, Constantia etc. It's also the slower riders that are going to be out when the roads are busier.

 

True, true. What time do the back markers start / finish? I started off in the back of the back last year after a number issue and was pretty much the last rider off the line and the groups were pretty small then. The earlier seeded groups were much fuller.

 

At J4S this year, I was jumping from bunch to bunch from the bottom of Black hill and the bunches I was joining were people out training, not even racers. Some were belting along as well.

[Bike Mob]

Whenever a car hoots at me I smile and wave a lot like I'm an old friend they are greeting... it confuses the hell out of people.

[Cornerz]

I am honestly sad to read the negative reports about the race today, but to get back to my 2 original questions:

• Has it got to the point where an "open road" event is no longer responsible?
  
• Is there a possibility of harming relations and antagonising motorists by holding an event like this?
  

 

It sounds like

a) the organisation wasn't up the task of running this event on open roads, and

b) I doubt today's race improved relations with motorists.

 

I admittedly wasn't on the road today... but it doesn't sound like it was good for cycling.

['Dale]

Whenever a car hoots at me I smile and wave a lot like I'm an old friend they are greeting... it confuses the hell out of people.

 

I admit to the same.

Can't let those in cars spoil my ride.