Emperors Race

[bmw1za]

nothing from the roadies ????

[Bianchisti]

Haha. Maybe a case of the less said the better.

[djsam]

Results are up, and perhaps all getting over the Roubaix

[RastaMan]

Crazy flat and fast .tried so many times to get away and all failed. Ended in the bunch with a 2:35

[Harryn]

I'll go:

 

1. Getting into the venue was difficult, and took a lot of time- so i suspect a few people missed their start groups;

2. I felt uncomfortable in the large groups, which did not really break up. Suppose it cant be helped with such a flat race;

3 . Other than those 2 gripes i enjoyed the race - it was well organised and marshaled. Had lots of fun, did 3.30 from JL

[Lone Rider]

Hmm...that is a little freaky. Normally guys would be posting minutes after completing the race.

 

Well here goes - I pulled away in VB's, nice and early 6h26 (we were delayed by a minute). Need to remember to start using arm warmers. There was quite a nip in the air, and it stayed with us for quite some time, even after we got going. The guys were taking it quite easy, and the race wasn't very eventful, at least not until the last 5km or so...then the tension grew, and there were quite a number of attempted breakaways, but all got reeled in. Then a few tight turns, and with 300m to go all hell broke loose. I managed a top 20 finish in 2h31.

 

The race was very well organised, just wish they would have timed the short distance start better so that we wouldn't need to contend with the slower riders when the pace started picking up. That said the short distance riders did stay to the left and out of our way - kudos to them. We couldn't ask for a better venue, with sufficient parking and proper toilets. And lets not forget the marshals, who again did a stellar job!

[Tayyib]

I thought everything went well! I didn't have any troubles at anypoint,I had a very late start in HL at 7.16.pushed hard with a small bunch of guys untill the 50km mark where we I sat towards the front of a large group and had a couple enjoyable turns up front.I finished in 2h.56min officially...all in all bery chuffed!

[ivr32]

Maybe I got cycling linger wrong.

The announcer said the first 2km is a neutral zone, when the guys started everybody sprint started.

Needless to say I lost the bunch right at the beginning.

Otherwise nice race.

[Lone Rider]

Maybe I got cycling linger wrong.

The announcer said the first 2km is a neutral zone, when the guys started everybody sprint started.

Needless to say I lost the bunch right at the beginning.

Otherwise nice race.

 

My bike has 20 gears, but no neutral

[RastaMan]

Neutral means I can't come out of my seat

[Frosty]

I drove 285Km today (no wonder I'm exhausted) - patrolling the section between the turn after Diduza up to Springs Road. Well that was the plan.

 

After helping with a number cyclists with punctures, I was having to contend with "non-finishers/cramp-ees". Home to Nigel, up and down the M63 three times between Diduza and Springs and then three trips to Emperor's and back before returning home again.

 

Luckily for one person, I had a spare tyre in my tool box and his ride that was cut short due to a sidewall cut was no more. Hope he fnished - Route 42 club member.

 

Then followed the last "official" finisher from Carnival City to Emperors - even he had a metro car leading him out, and two Helivac medical vehicles behind me, and a few other "official" vehicles.

 

Thanks to Merv from Germiston Wheelers for organising most of the marshals, and also to the Road Rangers for making this a "relatively" save ride.

Edited April 13, 2014 by geraldm24

[Harryn]

I drove 285Km today (no wonder I'm exhausted) - patrolling the section between the turn after Diduza up to Springs Road. Well that was the plan.

 

After helping with a number cyclists with punctures, I was having to contend with "non-finishers/cramp-ees". Home to Nigel, up and down the M63 three times between Diduza and Springs and then three trips to Emperor's and back before returning home again.

 

Luckily for one person, I had a spare tyre in my tool box and his ride that was cut short due to a sidewall cut was no more. Hope he fnished - Route 42 club member.

 

Then followed the last "official" finisher from Carnival City to Emperors - even he had a metro car leading him out, and two Helivac medical vehicles behind me, and a fees other "official" vehicles.

 

Thanks to Merv from Germiston Wheelers for organising most of the marshals, and also to the Road Rangers for making this a "relatively" save ride.

 

Thank you Gerald - that's certainly going the extra mile!

 

As a matter of interest what time did the last official finisher do?

[Lone Rider]

Extra 177 miles to be exact. Your efforts don't go unnoticed...much appreciated

[Frosty]

Thank you Gerald - that's certainly going the extra mile!

 

As a matter of interest what time did the last official finisher do?

Shows 5:17 on Racetec's website yet I see two other names at 5:48 as a tandem start, so they get the official LONGEST day.

 

It was shortly after midday when he cross the line.

Edited April 13, 2014 by geraldm24

[Underachiever]

Good race, with a number of safety risks when the shorter route merged with ours, but again luck was on our side. Racing was made harder with a few VA visiting, but no-one strong enough to stay away. Good day out on the training bike.

 

Thanks to the marshalls!!!

[Dubber88]

Was a good day out in AL.

 

That crash between what seemed to be a fridge and car in the middle of the road was epic fail and random.

 

I saw two guys that came down there. Hope you guys are doing alright and recover soon.

 

Also had a paramedic van standing still in our lane that caused some havoc.

 

Came in at 2:36. Marshaling from the guys on the bikes were awesome apart from that one guy in a red Tazz that braked flat out when the marshall told him to go and almost hit him from behind.

 

So definitely some action out there today.

 

All in all a fast day with some good guys.