Tubehunter Posted November 30, 2015 Posted November 30, 2015 Yesterday's race was one of the most dangerous i have taken part in.There was a massive group of riders that consisted of %,A1,B1,C1, and D1 riders.No marshals!Trucks, buses and cars passing the big group only to swerve in front of the group to avoid oncoming traffic, causing dangerous surges.I am sure i was not the only one in that group that felt the same.... With the start intervals only 1 min apart, going straight into a climb there is going to be one big bus somewhere along the route as the bigger diesel engines get dropped on this climb and then drag the following bunches back onto the groups ahead and unfortunately it was this group in this years event. The dynamics make it so that the bigger the group gets the more guys will jostle for 5th wheel in order to stay on the front part of the bunch and hopefully out of the main danger area, which is just behind that as guys attempt to hang on and drift around left and right looking for a wind pocket to hide in and stay on the group. The road is only so wide and without proper etiquette there's always a couple of people who make it crazy for everyone. This kind of wheelsucking scenario is simply unavoidable in races and the only option you have is to ride stronger staying in the paceline at the front of the group or drop back to a smaller group where the dynamics are less of a factor. Most important! Call out guys\gals who are doing dangerous things, but do it without first antagonising them. Get verbal and tell people what you are doing. Make them aware of where you are when riding in tight formations. It makes them realise they have to hold their line. Tune people who overlap wheels constantly as well as guys who surge up on your left at a big difference in pace, so that they have no way of checking up should the group need to move left collectively. Group riding is not rocket science, but there is some thinking required!
raptor-22 Posted November 30, 2015 Posted November 30, 2015 I think that is a discussion for a whole new thread! I think maybe you're right
dev null Posted November 30, 2015 Posted November 30, 2015 Interesting suggestion, not so sure about that last bit though - doing Helz in the summer heat after 90kms might be one hell of a challenge for many! But yes, things do need to change - still wishing they would consider at lIeast partial road closures I'd rather do Helz in the heat of the mid morning than coming back with the Agter-Paarl road in the heat and a pumping SE from the 10 o clock direction, which can easily push you in front of a speeding car when you are tired. Besides, then you are prepared to do Chappies and Bossie, which are also at the end of the race.
devocean Posted November 30, 2015 Posted November 30, 2015 Anyone else start and finish in % group yesterday? Would be interested in hearing somebody else's perspective.
Marius Posted November 30, 2015 Posted November 30, 2015 I did, was a bit more tactical this year, lots of fast pacing followed by sitting up and then going again. Wind was terrible and was freakin hot, finished both bottles after initially thinking of only taking for for the race. No accidents as far as I know and the sprint area was wide so had lots of space for everyone.
z@z@ Posted November 30, 2015 Posted November 30, 2015 There were a bunch of riders from earlier groups ($, %, 1A and 1B) that we caught who were jostling at the front for the sprint, which is why it seemed like that many more. My riding mate is 7th with you and even though I crossed the line next to him I've got a different placing.... We rode the same time though! yeah we managed to work very well in the beginning , big ups to a pitstop rider for calling the shots ( he sounded like a durbanite ) for the front runners to collab It puzzles me why they fight for a sprint when they can rather use that energy for a better overall time .... I think 1c easily could have managed 2:35 x the accident and surges
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