2015 Gauteng Road & TT Champs - other cyclists on road

[Chane]

Normally I just read and smile … I have my opinion about a lot of things that are said on The Hub, but I normally keep them to myself.

 

Today is different. 

 

Gauteng Provincial Championships 2015. 

 

The championships was held over two days this past weekend, the host venue – Riverstone Lodge, Muldersdrift Boulevard. 

 

And this is where things started to go wrong.  Because on a Saturday and Sunday morning, every bike owner, and some owners of running shoes, in Johannesburg is out on this specific road.  People on mountain bikes, people on road bikes and people running.  Now – keep in mind that these are fellow cyclists.  People who you think might have either been to/at least seen a race on TV before. 

 

For those who are not aware of the happenings at a cycle race – let me give you a few pointers.  Normally more than a few of the following will be present:  1.)  Metro Police – directing traffic  2.)  Timing mats across the road  3.)  Loud music  4.)  A commentator speaking over very loud speakers  5.)  Road Rangers on motorcycles assisting with traffic  6.)  Numbers at the back of cyclists cycle shirts.

 

So clearly – there was a race.  And other cyclists and runners all mixed up.  Not anybody’s fault, but not ideal conditions for a race.

 

The u/10’s and u/12’s started first on the Time Trial on Saturday.  These little ones are very proud to take part in races, and their enthusiasm cannot be contained.  For them to be out on the road is amazing and they are in it to win it. 

 

Along their 10 km TT route, they had to pass a few bunches and a lot of single riders.  The problem came with the bunches.  For them to pass the bunches, they had to cross the line in the middle of the road, which they know they are not allowed.  Which meant that they sat behind bunches, but was in a race, and really wanted to pass.

 

So – to the person who swore my 9 year old girl when she asked a guy to keep left so that she could pass right – big up to you!  You, and your laughing buddies who were obviously irritated by the fact that this race was interfering with your weekend training thought that you were funny to swear a 9 year old girl.  Very mature!

 

But, I guess that we need people like you, to know how we should not act.  If you think that kind of behaviour is good character – think again.  Good character is falling very hard 7 km’s into a 30 km race, and still completing it in the cold and drizzle and bleeding on Sunday morning, even if it took more than 2.5 hours.  It was very tough for her, but she did it.  And she will do it again.

 

A good attitude is the best thing that can happen to a group of people.  It’s infectious.  So next time when racing cyclists interfere with your weekend training – please try to be a little bit more patient, and maybe keep a little bit more to the left, and maybe help a fellow cyclist achieve a PB or just make their race a little bit more enjoyable J

[Spinnekop]

Must agree.  The road was a total mess and having provincials on that piece of road was stupid to begin with.  It was just plain dangerous and the organisers did not think 200% about this venue (route specific)

[megs]

Congratulations to your daughter! I hope she continues to cycle and will one day race in the Elite category! And I hope that being treated badly by her fellow cyclist doesn't discourage her!

 

About the actual event, the organization was a disaster! As a result of all the time changes to the ladies race, I missed my start and didn't even get a chance to participate. It is sad that what is meant to be a prestigious race as deteriorated to this level of disorganization

[Cat2forLife]

If the sorry low-life who swore at this little girl is a member on The Hub, show us you at least have the balls to own up to it.

[Sharkie 2]

Every single year provincials just seem to be more of a let down...do they not properly plan the event. Flip man I am sure they can secure a part sponsor and make it into more....provincials has really lost its shine the last two years and cases like this don't help.

[Th3voic3]

Well done to your daughter for not responding in kind to the b@st3rds insults and SH1TTY attitude,

 

I love seeing kids riding with there parents and training for events and loving the sport and that big smile when the achieve a finish line.

 

To the low-life scum that can't keep himself to the left of the road as is the rules of the road (keep left pass right), you are probably one of those A-h0les that complain about this country but do not contribute to the improvement of the country but rather your OWN SELFISH EGO, kudus to you for being more then an ant drol...

[RocknRolla]

Couple of questions from an outsider (I did not even know it was Provincials on that road untill this morning)

 

1) Was poster put up by the event organiser that informs the public of the roads being affected by the event?

2) Flyers distributed (placed in windshield of parked cars) at the various venues frequented by Cradle goers?

3) Any other form of notification of said event taking place and the affected routes?

 

 

 

 

[ewep]

To the @sshole that swore at the OP's daughter, eish, you "sir" are a lowlife, 'n stukkie honde poep onder iemand se skoen wat net afgekrap moet word!

 

I must confess though, was it not for Spidey telling me about the provincials I would not have been aware of this.  I told some of my colleagues and they then changed their planned training route.  The organizers might want to consider getting their PR dept to do some decent work to get the word out.

[mecheng89]

I was incidentally in Muldersdrift this weekend and I witnessed this event. I must admit that I knew ABOUT the event (thanks to being part of a good cycling club), but not WHERE it was to be held. That area is EXTREMELY popular with cyclists (I heard the stories but experienced it first hand this weekend. Even saw a white tiger  ).

 

I saw truly surprised to see the ladies and gentlemen on their TT bikes in full blown kit riding on these roads in and amongst the general public, which means that it was poorly organised. If I prepared by back side off for this kind of event and slow poke dodges one of those ANNOYING reflectors in the road, I would be most upset.

 

Well done to Bonitas on some awesome times. Just a pity those red pants..

[RABUBI]

We did the trailrun at avianto yesterday, and ran on the side of the road for about 1km.

 

Saw it was a bit chaotic with all the bikes

[Spinnekop]

Couple of questions from an outsider (I did not even know it was Provincials on that road untill this morning)

 

1) Was poster put up by the event organiser that informs the public of the roads being affected by the event?

2) Flyers distributed (placed in windshield of parked cars) at the various venues frequented by Cradle goers?

3) Any other form of notification of said event taking place and the affected routes?

R&R......I see where you are going with this.

And yes....nothing was done to promote this event.  It is not a "commercial" event where you have people "working" for you to help etc. etc.

 

That said, yes it would have made things a LOT easier if users where made aware of the race.

 

Surely you would have picked up with the amount of riders wearing race numbers and race official cars with huge stickers  on them that there was a race going on?  I know I would have pickup up on it......

But then again I am aware of my surroundings and I know what gets held where and when. 

I don't go train on a road if I know a race is on it the coming weekend.  And I know the race is on by being informed about my sport.  So you won't catch me pitching up at Van Gaalens on race weekend! 

 

But it is the Cradle.  It WILL be busy.  It is Argus training. 

As race organiser you know this and you hold your event on a safe route where you know there won't be any traffic. 

But that is just me.......I am just an idiot keyboard warrior on the Hub....  

[Sharkie 2]

I feel they could have held it at Stone Haven there in Vanderbijlpark, used the route to Ertjies berg. Quite enough and not a lot of people just out training

[Cargyrl]

The provincials had positive and negative points. All Gauteng routes are congested. Venue is always a issue, size as well as location. 

 

Pity there was an issue with the Ladies starting times, I personally think starting the Elite ladies to late was hectic, but it was what it was. 

 

The different sporting codes do no do a lot of info sharing, so venues are double booked and adds to severe road user congestion, that being said Cradle is ALWAYS busy. 

 

Glad the young ones did so well and had fun, that is how we build new boy and girl racers. 

 

I would've loved more officials to accompany all the relevant racing groups, but there is already such a shortage of them, nobody volunteers to be an official anymore, why, get abuse from all sides and not a lot of positive feedback, why bother.

 

I had a lot of fun this weekend, glad it was mostly safe given the congestion.  

[fabs]

Hello Chane.

 

Please encourage your little girl, to take part as much as possible, its a great sport.

There will always be a next time for her, to do great.

 

Sadly a person who swears at children, is no cyclist, and no sportsman,

neither is a group, who get overtaken by a 9 year old

 

It was not really well planned, to put a provincial race in the cradle on a weekend.

What were the (dis)organisers thinking?

[Wez-O]

Not the best organised event by any means, but a good hard day racing with the sub vets.

[Cargyrl]

The vet ladies had a good race too. We need more of them to race though.