Emperors Palace Classic 2015

[IceCreamMan]

any word on the guys in the DL accident at 75km?

[IceCreamMan]

any word on the guys in the DL accident at 75km?

[karnuffel]

A very good friend of mine fell at around 60KM after the guy in front of her fell.  Hope he is OK.  She got hurt quite bad but she should be ok. 

[StevieL]

any word on the guys in the DL accident at 75km?

One of the casualties of DLs 75km crash (my riding partner). Nothing broken luckily.

[IceCreamMan]

thanks SL...glad to hear not as serious as it looked.

[Patchelicious]

awesome race, made sure I was in the front of the group around the Duduza hill section.

Avoided a crash at the start and another about 5 km before the finish.

 

Managed 23rd place overall with a time of 2:18 12 seconds behind the winners.

In the last 5 km I tried to reach the front of the group, going at 400 to 500 watts and a HR of 195 it was impossible, need to move up quicker next time

Nice one dude!! You seem to do better and better at each race, nice!!

[StevieL]

thanks SL...glad to hear not as serious as it looked.

For sure. Could have been a lot worse. Those okes came down at about 50kmh.

[Kindred]

I did the 50km yesterday. No complaints. Marshaling was on point. Can't fault them for inconsiderate and impatient motorists. There was one incident where a motorcyclist ignored them and nearly took out the riders in front of me. Passed a couple of angry sounding intersections too. Damn, people need to chill. So.Much.Anger!

The pro/elite bunches are intimidating as all hell! Sounds like a swarm of bees coming up behind you. One of my club's riders was taken down in a crash up front. Injuries sound quite serious. Fractured skull and chest injuries.

Finished the 50km in 1:29 @ 33.67km/h on my 29er. 

[CASSIE1975]

Scroll back a few comments and you'll see a number of posts stating 600+ metres of elevation

 

Jip I also got 600+ for the race...

 

Sorry I could not meet up with you guys before the race, was a bit late (only got to the start when the D group left)...but KUDO's to your Yellow and Black club members pulling us along...got caught up behind the "D" group crash at around 75km's and burnt the legs to get back to the group...cramped up when we turned right (lack of training perhaps) after Carnival on the +/- 15km stretch to the end...limped home alone and ended on 2h48   very happy with the result, as I really wanted a sub-3 time...but that was mostly thanx to the Minions (and other strong legged guys) in the front...had a few laughs with some of them up the "HILL" and through Springs...great bunch to hang out with!!! 

 

Could not believe how far the "E" group stayed together...it was a HUGE group up to the 75km "D" crash...and even up to the right turn after Carnival...very strange, with MANY scary moments!   but nevertheless a great day out on the bike...

 

Need to get the legs ready for Kremetart now...    

[Patchelicious]

So you were also one of the many guys wheel sucking your way to a bunch finish. Maybe if you saw the front of the bunch more often you would know that there was a break away.... Just saying

 

 

VB Neutralized? Standard rule if you get caught by a group behind you. If you don't like it pedal faster.

Wow arent you a slice of delight on a Monday morning.

 

I think your post warrants a response.

 

Firstly, please can I ask that you don't selectively edit my posts. If you look at my post I said that the guys went out faster than anticipated and that I started at the back of the batch. So I obviously wouldn't have seen if there was a break at the start, hence me asking.

 

The question about VB obviously wasn't because I rode in it, I rode in VA as stated, so my pedaling has nothing to do with it. My brother in law was racing in VB, and he has been riding in Vets for yonks, so he is familiar with the rules about being neutralized if being caught by the group behind.

 

I asked as he didn't specifically didn't recall being caught by the VCs, the guys who were riding with him also couldn't understand it. So I said to him that I would come and ask on the Hub if anybody knew what happened, someone who actually saw it, not for some snotty comment.

 

Now this thing about "wheel suckers", a couple of things.

 

When I moved to VA, I spoke to a few guys about racing advice as there is clearly a difference in how the racing in conducted in Vets than in Open seeded groups. Spoke to Bruce Diesel, Gary B, my brother in law, and my coach Barry Austin who is probably one of the best coaches in the country, and they ALL say: Do not do more work than what is needed. However you need work when its needed, like in break away or when you need to catch a break that doesn't have your team represented in it. Its called percentage of responsibility. 5 man break you need to do 20% of the work, 10 guys in break you need to do 10% etc.

 

I have only done 3 VA races, and am still learning my way around the group, who the fast guys are, which guys control the group Im just trying to take in as much as possible at the moment. HOWEVER I have done my bit in the 3 races when it was needed.

 

The Fast-One, I was barely hanging on at the back and when we got guttered at about the 50km I put in a massive effort to drag the stragglers back on to the group because that was what we needed, Prozac here on the Hub will probably remember that, he helped.

 

The Berge n Dale, we needed to catch the break away group going towards Ventersdorp, and we put in huge effort to do it, and we caught them! Wez-O was in that 6 man group too, he also worked really hard. I got shelled in the Cradle later because of it, I had spent myself to catch a group and had a bad overall race because of it, but thats how it goes.

 

Yesterday there was no need, I mean we were going at a such a pace that we were catching the Elites dude! I was towards the front of the group and Clover, Cycle Nation and Compelete were giving it horns the whole time, there was noting that little old me was going to do to make us go even faster. With 6-7km to go, from the bridge over the highway, I did help chase down several breaks because at that point it was needed to stay in contentions because if a break got away there it would have been tickets. Again because of these chase downs, I didn't have the legs on the drag up to the finish. This race was always going to be a bunch sprint finish and the only people who could afford to try and make moves and give hard goes on the front was the guys who had teams there. Go read the Elite race report, they rode specifically to keep their sprinters in the bunch.

 

So no need for such ignorant comments. I am way more inclined to listen to Bruce, Gary, Barry etc about how to conduct myself than to some random on the Hub regardless of how cool Tarmac SL's are.

[scotty]

I did the 50km yesterday. No complaints. Marshaling was on point. Can't fault them for inconsiderate and impatient motorists. There was one incident where a motorcyclist ignored them and nearly took out the riders in front of me. Passed a couple of angry sounding intersections too. Damn, people need to chill. So.Much.Anger!

 

The pro/elite bunches are intimidating as all hell! Sounds like a swarm of bees coming up behind you. One of my club's riders was taken down in a crash up front. Injuries sound quite serious. Fractured skull and chest injuries.

 

Finished the 50km in 1:29 @ 33.67km/h on my 29er. 

The motorists had to do with 2 huge events both impacting the traffic around the ER Mall, try do similar around Sandton City or Northgate it would have been 1000 times worse. 

[Frosty]

Jip I also got 600+ for the race...

 

Sorry I could not meet up with you guys before the race, was a bit late (only got to the start when the D group left)...but KUDO's to your Yellow and Black club members pulling us along...got caught up behind the "D" group crash at around 75km's and burnt the legs to get back to the group...cramped up when we turned right (lack of training perhaps) after Carnival on the +/- 15km stretch to the end...limped home alone and ended on 2h48   very happy with the result, as I really wanted a sub-3 time...but that was mostly thanx to the Minions (and other strong legged guys) in the front...had a few laughs with some of them up the "HILL" and through Springs...great bunch to hang out with!!! 

 

Could not believe how far the "E" group stayed together...it was a HUGE group up to the 75km "D" crash...and even up to the right turn after Carnival...very strange, with MANY scary moments!   but nevertheless a great day out on the bike...

 

Need to get the legs ready for Kremetart now...    

Well done on your sub-3.

 

We could have gone a lot faster than we did, but our goal was to get all the club members (inexperienced in racing terms) to the finish together, and finish with a time of about 2:45 (compared the EL 2014 time of 2:52 for the bunch. They needed to learn what riding at the front of group means and how much better it is at the front. We purposely slowed the group down up the Diduza climb and then allowed the weaker members to get back into the group before pushing the pace again close to or above 40km/h.

 

The problem approaching the DL crash was that we (at the front) didn't know what was happening and it was on a downhill section on a wide road, so the guys at the back couldn't really see what was going on. Once passed the crash, we upped the pace (our tactic to thin the bunch out - so if you burnt matches to keep up - sorry). It got a bit hairy from Carnival City to the finish with the slow riders, and then of course everyone that sits in the group wanting to come to the front.

 

I think this is the hardest I've worked at a race in a long time - keeping everyone (from our club) together and still having to concentrate on my own ride. 12 club members in the top 20 is not a bad finish considering the traffic we had to dodge on the run-in and with everyone else fighting for position at the front.

 

Normally in a Vet's race, I'm one of 2 or 3 club riders and we're out numbered by better organised teams and far stronger riders. Now we're looking to develop the club members we have to see if we can be competitive again in 2-3 years. My ride in the Vets bunch is more about getting to finish in one piece and not contesting the sprint or a breakaway. I'm not in their league, and prefer to just ride in the group.

[Frosty]

Chilling at the back of EL before the start.

http://www.cyclenation.co.za/images/phocagallery/2015/emperors/IMG_0008.JPG

[CASSIE1975]

Chilling at the back of EL before the start.

http://www.cyclenation.co.za/images/phocagallery/2015/emperors/IMG_0008.JPG

 

Awesome pic    

 

Please don't worry about the matches burnt to get back after the crash...you guys helped more than that in the first 75k's...next time I hope to hang on better, thanx for the ride and help, much appreciated! Also still learning...

 

That is what it's all about...to grow and teach the Club's riders and it was an awesome race to use that tactic! Well done...on the 12 riders in the top 20, GREAT result!

I think the "E" group ended on 2h41 if not mistaken...so you managed to get a faster result than planned.

 

Good luck in the Vet's for the next races and hope to catch up on one of the races after the winter break   training with a buddy of mine for the next 2 months for Kremetart...looking forward to that.

 

Thanx again and good luck for the rest of the year...you guys look strong!

[Supersix EVO]

Wow arent you a slice of delight on a Monday morning.

 

I think your post warrants a response.

 

Firstly, please can I ask that you don't selectively edit my posts. If you look at my post I said that the guys went out faster than anticipated and that I started at the back of the batch. So I obviously wouldn't have seen if there was a break at the start, hence me asking.

 

The question about VB obviously wasn't because I rode in it, I rode in VA as stated, so my pedaling has nothing to do with it. My brother in law was racing in VB, and he has been riding in Vets for yonks, so he is familiar with the rules about being neutralized if being caught by the group behind.

 

I asked as he didn't specifically didn't recall being caught by the VCs, the guys who were riding with him also couldn't understand it. So I said to him that I would come and ask on the Hub if anybody knew what happened, someone who actually saw it, not for some snotty comment.

 

Now this thing about "wheel suckers", a couple of things.

 

When I moved to VA, I spoke to a few guys about racing advice as there is clearly a difference in how the racing in conducted in Vets than in Open seeded groups. Spoke to Bruce Diesel, Gary B, my brother in law, and my coach Barry Austin who is probably one of the best coaches in the country, and they ALL say: Do not do more work than what is needed. However you need work when its needed, like in break away or when you need to catch a break that doesn't have your team represented in it. Its called percentage of responsibility. 5 man break you need to do 20% of the work, 10 guys in break you need to do 10% etc.

 

I have only done 3 VA races, and am still learning my way around the group, who the fast guys are, which guys control the group Im just trying to take in as much as possible at the moment. HOWEVER I have done my bit in the 3 races when it was needed.

 

The Fast-One, I was barely hanging on at the back and when we got guttered at about the 50km I put in a massive effort to drag the stragglers back on to the group because that was what we needed, Prozac here on the Hub will probably remember that, he helped.

 

The Berge n Dale, we needed to catch the break away group going towards Ventersdorp, and we put in huge effort to do it, and we caught them! Wez-O was in that 6 man group too, he also worked really hard. I got shelled in the Cradle later because of it, I had spent myself to catch a group and had a bad overall race because of it, but thats how it goes.

 

Yesterday there was no need, I mean we were going at a such a pace that we were catching the Elites dude! I was towards the front of the group and Clover, Cycle Nation and Compelete were giving it horns the whole time, there was noting that little old me was going to do to make us go even faster. With 6-7km to go, from the bridge over the highway, I did help chase down several breaks because at that point it was needed to stay in contentions because if a break got away there it would have been tickets. Again because of these chase downs, I didn't have the legs on the drag up to the finish. This race was always going to be a bunch sprint finish and the only people who could afford to try and make moves and give hard goes on the front was the guys who had teams there. Go read the Elite race report, they rode specifically to keep their sprinters in the bunch.

 

So no need for such ignorant comments. I am way more inclined to listen to Bruce, Gary, Barry etc about how to conduct myself than to some random on the Hub regardless of how cool Tarmac SL's are.

 

Thank you for taking time to write me an full race report of your races during 2015 and letting everyone on The Hub know that you know all the who is who's in cycling.

 

Fact is that 90% of the people in the bunch was wheel sucking just to come on here and say we did a 44km/h ave. If you weren't part of Clover, Germiston or Cycle Fit then you didn't do squat to bring back the break. (and if you were part of them I do apologize)

 

" like in break away or when you need to catch a break" your words not mine. I rest my case.

 

If everyone had the mind set you have then the break away would have been long gone. But I guess that it comes with ignorance in racing as you stated you are new to the VA's.

 

My comment towards the VB's being neutralized was not directed at you but to everyone complaining about it. All the VB's that I spoke to afterwards knew that they have been caught by the VC's break away and thus the reason they have been neutralized.

 

Good luck to you for the rest of the year and see you at the next race.

[FlyingScot]

Wow arent you a slice of delight on a Monday morning.

 

I think your post warrants a response.

 

Firstly, please can I ask that you don't selectively edit my posts. If you look at my post I said that the guys went out faster than anticipated and that I started at the back of the batch. So I obviously wouldn't have seen if there was a break at the start, hence me asking.

 

The question about VB obviously wasn't because I rode in it, I rode in VA as stated, so my pedaling has nothing to do with it. My brother in law was racing in VB, and he has been riding in Vets for yonks, so he is familiar with the rules about being neutralized if being caught by the group behind.

 

I asked as he didn't specifically didn't recall being caught by the VCs, the guys who were riding with him also couldn't understand it. So I said to him that I would come and ask on the Hub if anybody knew what happened, someone who actually saw it, not for some snotty comment.

 

Now this thing about "wheel suckers", a couple of things.

 

When I moved to VA, I spoke to a few guys about racing advice as there is clearly a difference in how the racing in conducted in Vets than in Open seeded groups. Spoke to Bruce Diesel, Gary B, my brother in law, and my coach Barry Austin who is probably one of the best coaches in the country, and they ALL say: Do not do more work than what is needed. However you need work when its needed, like in break away or when you need to catch a break that doesn't have your team represented in it. Its called percentage of responsibility. 5 man break you need to do 20% of the work, 10 guys in break you need to do 10% etc.

 

I have only done 3 VA races, and am still learning my way around the group, who the fast guys are, which guys control the group Im just trying to take in as much as possible at the moment. HOWEVER I have done my bit in the 3 races when it was needed.

 

The Fast-One, I was barely hanging on at the back and when we got guttered at about the 50km I put in a massive effort to drag the stragglers back on to the group because that was what we needed, Prozac here on the Hub will probably remember that, he helped.

 

The Berge n Dale, we needed to catch the break away group going towards Ventersdorp, and we put in huge effort to do it, and we caught them! Wez-O was in that 6 man group too, he also worked really hard. I got shelled in the Cradle later because of it, I had spent myself to catch a group and had a bad overall race because of it, but thats how it goes.

 

Yesterday there was no need, I mean we were going at a such a pace that we were catching the Elites dude! I was towards the front of the group and Clover, Cycle Nation and Compelete were giving it horns the whole time, there was noting that little old me was going to do to make us go even faster. With 6-7km to go, from the bridge over the highway, I did help chase down several breaks because at that point it was needed to stay in contentions because if a break got away there it would have been tickets. Again because of these chase downs, I didn't have the legs on the drag up to the finish. This race was always going to be a bunch sprint finish and the only people who could afford to try and make moves and give hard goes on the front was the guys who had teams there. Go read the Elite race report, they rode specifically to keep their sprinters in the bunch.

 

So no need for such ignorant comments. I am way more inclined to listen to Bruce, Gary, Barry etc about how to conduct myself than to some random on the Hub regardless of how cool Tarmac SL's are.

 

Great post! Fully support what Patch has said. I was in a similar situation to you at the end. Also rode VA's - didn't do much work in the race as it was not needed. On the bridge I chased a few breaks and spent myself, leaving very little for the final sprint. Good race guys, well done.