StevieL Posted April 14, 2015 Posted April 14, 2015 Anyone got an idea whether this result will be used in the seeding for Tour Durban?Will be handy for me if it is...
RastaMan Posted April 14, 2015 Posted April 14, 2015 Hmm had to google this stuff. Looks like fun, But glad I just get out and ride. So have you guys changed to online racing now instead?lol got it all wrong bud We were actually geeks playing computer games competitively, from counterstrike to Dota which was the most successful, ended 2nd in the Africa Cup of nations in 2008. But unless you want to be single and fat for the rest of your life its not a sustainable hobby, looks like both of us turned to cycling and another turned to running, such a small world.
Barend de Arend Posted April 14, 2015 Posted April 14, 2015 And more sponsorship in South African cycling is the answer to that answer... And more exposure and support for the sponsors is the answer to that answer...
Frosty Posted April 14, 2015 Posted April 14, 2015 Maybe the solution is to form more teams? Would that be conducive to better racing?That's what our club is doing now, but we're looking forward to 2016/17. Develop the guys (newbies) we have in the club, instead of looking to bring in talent from outside the club, especially when they don't ride with the club.
Frosty Posted April 14, 2015 Posted April 14, 2015 Anyone got an idea whether this result will be used in the seeding for Tour Durban?Will be handy for me if it is...Both events are managed by Cycle Events (online entries, seeding and number allocation), so chances are they "could" use the results. But don't quote me - I don't know how long it will take to get the results through to them, or if they have their own method of obtaining the results.
FlyingScot Posted April 14, 2015 Posted April 14, 2015 I must say I agree fully with what has been mentioned above Wez, Patch and Rattlesnake. Yesterday afternoon I was trying to figure out exactly what my role as a solo rider was in vets racing. I do ride in my club kit but we do not have sufficient numbers or any teamwork/team tactics to make any difference in VA. After some thought, I arrived at a disappointing conclusion, similar to Rattlesnake - as a solo rider, there is no real point to chasing the break (refer to above comments in this regard and don't flame me for saying this as it is just my current opinion); as a solo rider, you will get flak if you sprint for the line without doing any work in the race (again, I don't want to be that rider); leaving the only option of going for a break and hoping you have the legs to finish well (not a bad option to be honest and better than sucking wheel for 3 hours). The conclusion I reached was that we need more teams in vets racing (by teams I mean properly organised teams, guys training together on a regular basis, meeting in the week leading to a race, discussing current fitness, strengths, weaknesses and deciding on race day tactics, this is by no means 5 guys wearing the same jersey on race day with every guy riding for himself). This is the only way we can get some progress in vets racing. I do believe there are teams which currently do this, but in my *very limited* experience I would say there are no more than 5 teams that fit this description. I wouldn't even take a guess at who these teams are as I am not experienced enough to comment as yet, but this is purely what I have seen in the past 3 VA races. I would not consider dropping back to open seeded. I did not enjoy my time there, albeit limited, it was too dangerous and I did not enjoy the every rider for himself mentality. So, in my mind I am here to stay in VA. Firstly, we need more teams where each and every rider understands his role both in the team and in the race as a whole. Sponsorship will come in my mind, obviously it is a nice-to-have, but it is not needed. We should also look to make it more competitive, having a race log with points allocated to winning teams etc. As vets racers we need to make the sport more inclusive, make it more competitive and drive the process. We can't sit back and wait for sponsors and the like.
rattlesnake Posted April 14, 2015 Posted April 14, 2015 I must say that Vets racing - specifically VA has been a different ball game this year - nice and competitive - lots of very strong riders. I guess the solo rider thing is a catch 22. Realising that there are only two real options to get a good result - 1. get in the right move. 2. hope the pack brings it all back together and use your fresh legs to try compete for the sprint...... or a longshot 3rd option.... get strong enough to chase, contribute and still finish stronger than the others Emperors I sat in the pack for most the race and then killed my legs trying to get accross to a break that went inside last 7kms - only for all of us to be caught by the pack anyway - and then have nothing left for the finish. In hindsight had I waited for the last 1km and gone then a high finish would have been possible as opposed to 20 something! Anyways - must say - there is some satisfaction to be had from taking risks and putting it all out there..... even if it means you come nowhere at the finish. Will just need to find some more speed from somewhere - I hear those Aero helmets some of the okes are sporting are the real deal
Patchelicious Posted April 14, 2015 Posted April 14, 2015 I like the idea of getting more teams going. We entered a team at Tour de Boland (and won ) Not once did I finish with the sprint bunch, but each day I was involved in the strategy, if it was to stretch the other teams by going off the front early, or help chase down a break, or to help our stronger guys feed etc, there was a role to play in an overall strategy. Once my job for the day was done, you rode to conserve yourself for the next day. It was the most fun us 6 had ever had in a race. There would also have been no way that we would have won if we didn't all do our jobs. What I am getting at is that as a solo rider, you need to look after yourself to get the satisfaction of doing well, you do this by conserving as much energy as possible and hope to get into the sprint, but you will mostly end up in the front third. So mostly mediocre results with an outside chance of an ok result. With a team I would gladly burn myself out to chase/break and finish a few minutes off the front bunch at the end if it means a teamie is in for a real shout at a win/podium etc. The Team aspect of it really adds a another level of enjoyment and competitive edge to it.
ycowley Posted April 14, 2015 Posted April 14, 2015 One of the cyclists involved in the accident at about 70km: - Going back to high care. Doctor's words this morning: severe injuries but not life threatening anymore. He is out of danger. Lots of pain. Dizzy due to concussion. Large haematoma in his side that might dissolve automatically otherwise it will be drained in two weeks. Waiting to hear about the broken collar bone. Shame, he belongs to our cycling club. He was the worst off. Another 5 taken to hospital in ambulances but this cyclist was airlifted.
RearWheelDrive Posted April 14, 2015 Posted April 14, 2015 One of the cyclists involved in the accident at about 70km: - Going back to high care. Doctor's words this morning: severe injuries but not life threatening anymore. He is out of danger. Lots of pain. Dizzy due to concussion. Large haematoma in his side that might dissolve automatically otherwise it will be drained in two weeks. Waiting to hear about the broken collar bone. Shame, he belongs to our cycling club. He was the worst off. Another 5 taken to hospital in ambulances but this cyclist was airlifted.That is so sad. He must've been the first guy we passed (from the back), he looked a bit worse off. There was a lot of blood around his head and I was worried about a brain injury. Does he family etc? Hope he heals up well
ycowley Posted April 14, 2015 Posted April 14, 2015 That is so sad. He must've been the first guy we passed (from the back), he looked a bit worse off. There was a lot of blood around his head and I was worried about a brain injury. Does he family etc? Hope he heals up well His family is with him. They are from Centurion area so they are desperately trying to move him to a hospital closer to home as he is still in a hospital out on the east. Sounds like the guy as he had blood coming from his ear and head injuries as well but those are now stable thank Heavens.
Zatek Posted April 14, 2015 Posted April 14, 2015 I will gladly join a social team for va's next year. My problem is I live 120km from a city so clubs don't want me because I can't train with them every weekend. I am riding A this year to build confidence to have an easier transfer to VA's and yes I do help to chase break aways in A. Recently riding in the 1st top 20 to learn more about tactics.
Frosty Posted April 14, 2015 Posted April 14, 2015 One of the cyclists involved in the accident at about 70km: - Going back to high care. Doctor's words this morning: severe injuries but not life threatening anymore. He is out of danger. Lots of pain. Dizzy due to concussion. Large haematoma in his side that might dissolve automatically otherwise it will be drained in two weeks. Waiting to hear about the broken collar bone. Shame, he belongs to our cycling club. He was the worst off. Another 5 taken to hospital in ambulances but this cyclist was airlifted.His family is with him. They are from Centurion area so they are desperately trying to move him to a hospital closer to home as he is still in a hospital out on the east. Sounds like the guy as he had blood coming from his ear and head injuries as well but those are now stable thank Heavens.It's never nice to hear about, let alone see, cyclists involved in serious accidents and the subsequent injuries. All the best to this cyclist and his family. Hope he makes a full recovery. Do you know if the organisers have said anything or visited/contacted his family?
dracs Posted April 14, 2015 Posted April 14, 2015 Cant recall last year there been issues with traffic getting to venue, wonder what was so different this year. Seemingly they went from about 3500 entries to over 6000
dracs Posted April 14, 2015 Posted April 14, 2015 Had a good race in BL, tried to stay in the front 5-10 guys. Took a turn in front just before the 'hill' which I shouldn't have, then got caught out in a split. Had to burn serious matches to catch them again. The guys didn't really want to work together. It was a bit of a mess in the end with the shorter distance riders and even some cars getting in the way, luckily I didn't see or hear any crashes. Finished with the bunch in 2:34, a minute faster than in 2013 when I finished with AL. Also got caught in the split at the top of Duduza. Made a few early attempts to bridge then resigned to finishing in the second bunch. Was a happy surprise when we eventually closed the gap - so thanks to those who pulled towards the end there. B ended with a 40kph average which was a first for me.
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