JUMA Rant - Show me the money

[V12man]

Had a blast out there, all the same gripes as the guys have mentioned already but I was mentally prepared for it and used the time to socialize with the like minded folks in the bottlenecks.

 

Felt bad for the youngsters that took some abuse when they were actually going for the prize money and got caught up.

 

My camelpack was empty by about 32km and my bottle by about 40km so the last 12km in the sun was tough and I took strain waiting for the next water point to be around the next bend, :-(, had i known I would have refilled both at the first table.

 

Will be back next year but will also be more prepared. PPPPPP

Better add to the list of constructive comments..... "Add toilet facilities at the bottlenecks..."

[Undun]

I know someone broke his hip... not sure if its the same person. If so, he is going for his operation tomorrow, so holding thumbs.

I hope that was the oucome and nothing worse!

Thanks paulst12

[Spez247]

I enjoyed it hugely. I wasn't expecting it to be free flowing, so I wasn't disappointed.

 

Most of the issues I had have been mentioned. 2 bottlenecks that could have been avoided where the bridges over Rivonia & Oxford. I understand they are both on bus routes, hence the need for height, but the grade was just too steep for most, on the way in & out. Stretching them out another length on either side would have helped. Screwing down wooden slats on "the walking side" would have also helped the climbing & descending. 

 

I enjoyed the scaffolding access & exits.

 

What pissed me off was the state of the spruit itself! Unfortunately getting local government & the dept of water affairs involved won't get the desired response, but the amount of pollution, sewerage & rubbish was staggering.

 

I hope the bridges & improvements aren't removed by the squatters too soon...

[ValeYellow]

What a lekker challenge this was, loved every bit of it, except for the pipe that swerved into me in one of the open storm water drains, sending me to wipe out like a boss. As a result, my hanger was bent proper and had a SS for the next 30km. Poor dude felt very bad, and it could have ended badly for me - but I survived so not the end of the world.

Yes the water points or lack of them were a joke, as with a number of the other issues already mentioned, but I am pretty sure it will prove for next year. although the lack of water points is a bit of a c@ck up.

Overall, loved it and will def be back next year.

[BrianO]

I did the 52 and had a a lekker tumble down the hill to Red Bull, the only damage was my ego!  We went into the ride understanding that there would be challenges getting so many into the canals and tunnels.  These are routes not open at any other time and i think on the balance of things the bottlenecks were understandable.

 

There were a number of accidents and I heard of some real nasty ones and hopefully those injured are all doing OK.  I made a point of dropping my tire pressure as I figured grip would be more important than speed.

 

as treacherous as it was i really enjoyed the sections through the canals and the tunnels and was very conscious to take it easy and keep my wheels straight - and never touch the front brake EVER!

 

I loved the route and at times had no idea where I was.  There is plenty of time to improve on the trail surface and add more double track for next year.  

 

Some constructive critics which will hopefully make things better next year:

 

- Bridges and wooden boards were too slippery, suggest adding rows of iron re-bar which would help bike and those walking to get grip.

- add slopes to the high steps in the last tunnel...these were just too high and in the dark would have been tough for most.

- the bridges over oxford and rivonia were too steep and too slippery.  A more gradual decent is especially needed to avoid people going down one at a time.  My suggestion is raher a road closure or wait for traffic lights.

- the first bottleneck at the tunnel to the golf course would have had a snow ball effect in bunching people up and thus negating the batch release entirely.  use another entry into the course next year and give people more time to spread out the batches.

- I would have loved to have had a section through the Joburg Zoo!

- More lighting and traction (not sure how) in the canals).

- have more T -shirts printed.  I bought a VIP entry and was given two Large long-sleeves because they had run out....I really wanted a T shirt too

 

I thought the route was awesome and as an urban adventure it cant be compared to a typical MTB event.  The first event is always going to have challenges and hopefully they get the support to improve on next year.  

 

See you next year!

[FlandersZA]

Anyone got any funny stories about the event, that'll make a change  . I personally liked the sarcastic cheering and abuse some of the "heroes" got for pushing in at the bottlenecks. Obviously they were a lot more skilled than everyone else waiting patiently!!!!!!

 

Yeah, I also had a laugh at some of the chirps but I felt bad for the youngsters that attempted to get ahead. Thought they should have received more encouragement I thought.

 

- Ons WATCH jou!!!!!

- Guy on a KTM, kitted out purely in KTM: You go, KTM! You deserve it!

- We hope you don't get punctures! Nope, none at all!

- 2 roadies out on a morning ride encounter the big bottleneck after the cemetery: OHH!! it's twoooo ROAAAADIES!! *crowd glares and much laughter ensues*

 

[Bobbo_SA]

Better add to the list of constructive comments..... "Add toilet facilities at the bottlenecks..."

 

Very true that, I made a duck for it after around 30km to find a bush, not ideal but was not about to try a roadie move, :-)

[Vangar]

Better add to the list of constructive comments..... "Add toilet facilities at the bottlenecks..."

 

Funny toilet story time. Just after the first waterpoint I realized not heeding the call of nature before the race was a mistake of note. Just as I can feel my eyeballs starting to swim the clouds separate and a sunbeam shines onto the loo next to the course. Quickly I head in said loo's direction while considering the conundrum of what to do with 1 times mountain bike to avoid affirmative shopping, it must accompany me I surmise. So firstly I manage to slam one side of the bars into the door and the others where no man wants bars to hit, but I am unphased, nature calls, and I HTFU. After completing the call of nature at the urinal I turn to the side.....and see my camera's recording light shining, of course pointing directly at me.

 

Now I had a chuckle at this, seeing as it's funny, and forgot about it. Last night as I am showing my girlfriend some of the footage from the race I skip forward, onto said section of video......I have never seen a more WTF face.

[V12man]

Now I had a chuckle at this, seeing as it's funny, and forgot about it. Last night as I am showing my girlfriend some of the footage from the race I skip forward, onto said section of video......I have never seen a more WTF face.

There is a competition on for video.... maybe you can win something..... blur out identification bits....

[Gitfo]

As this was my first race and as of that my seeding was dead low. But the bottle necks gave alot of resting tome so could push it on the open parts. But i agree that bottlenecks was caused by lesser experienced reiders. I consider myself amature but was eager and could have tackled alot of the course without getting of the bike wich one is forced to do when the kid infront of you keeps stopping up a hill. Will contest for better seeding and enjoy next years event much more. They just need to have more wattering holes on the coarse.

 

GL orginisers fixing all the mistakes.

[BarHugger]

There is a competition on for video.... maybe you can win something..... blur out identification bits....

 

....also post the awesaaaam OTB and hot voluntary dismounts on that other thread for people to enjoy.......

 

 https://community.bikehub.co.za/topic/132043-not-so-hot-dismounts-in-action/page-16

[Dirtracker]

DONT FORGET THE FANS IN THE TUNNELS! They were awesome!

Scaffolding!!

[Stretch]

 

 

Now I had a chuckle at this, seeing as it's funny, and forgot about it. Last night as I am showing my girlfriend some of the footage from the race I skip forward, onto said section of video......I have never seen a more WTF face.

load that up on youtube and you might make some moola at the expense of your ego

[Vangar]

load that up on youtube and you might make some moola at the expense of your ego

Definitiely going to upload some....but not that one hehe. Also to whoever shared the coke with me under the pylon, I owe you big time! Was finished.

[martinsnyman]

Ok, so all the complaints like bottlenecks and lack of water points aside, we loved the course and had loads of fun - up to the 41km mark where my riding buddy fell and fractured his wrist quite badly.

 

10:28 - I phoned one of the emergency numbers on my number board - 082 566 4605 and got through to Russel. I was assured that a medic was on his way and that we should wait, so we did.

 

10:48 - I phoned Russel again to inform him that we were moving out of the single track where the incident happened and would be right next to William Nichol rd to make it easier for the medics to reach us.

 

11:10 - Phoned Russel again to see if he had any news, he assured me they were on there way but said I have to be patient as there were many incidents along the route. Russel confirmed that they would also send a sweeper vehicle to collect our bikes, kit and myself and take me back to the start venue.

 

11:18 - My mate in serious discomfort, so I phone my cousin who lives in Sandton to come and fetch him and take him to Sandton Medi clinic.

 

11:33 - I phone Russel to tell him not to send the medic, but to please still send the sweeper vehicle to get myself and all our kit and both bikes.

 

11:41 - My cousin arrives and takes my mate off to hospital.

 

11:48 - More than one hour after the incident, I am still waiting to be fetched - a Marshall arrives on a motorcycle to come and fetch my mate to take him to hospital - on a motorcycle? He did not have a spare helmet, so was my mate going to ride on the bike without a helmet? 

 

12:32 - Phone Russel to confirm the sweeper vehicle is still on it's way, no answer. I flag down two marshalls on moto -x bikes who are very helpful and they phone someone else.

 

12:33 - I get a call from Jaques to say he is leaving the venue to come and fetch me.

 

13:08 - Jaques fetches me from the side of the road.

 

In my opinion it is disgusting to think an injured rider has to make his own arrangements to get to hospital! 

 

The event was oversubscribed, there were not nearly enough medic's, recovery vehicles, or marshals - I mean ones that could assist, not the ones lying in the bushes playing on their cell phones. 

 

As said earlier, we really enjoyed the route, but there were serious issues that needs to be addressed for future events. 

[eddy]

 

 

 Last night as I am showing my girlfriend some of the footage from the race I skip forward, onto said section of video......I have never seen a more WTF face.

 

 

 

There is a competition on for video.... maybe you can win something..... blur out identification bits....

 

 

 

His girl friend will definitely have her WTF face on if it turns out his todger is widely recognizable..