[Event] 99er Cycle Tour

[karma]

Maybe they were just worried about the stage 2 water restrictions in Cape Town.

 

Very funny, dehydration is just one massive joke.

[J∆kk∆ls]

They ran out of water at the 2nd last water point along the Old Malmesbury road.  When I stopped there, they were waiting for a farmer to bring them more water.  There were a lot of cyclists sitting in the patches of shade along that stretch.

 

Then at the waterpoint on Vissershok, they were nearly out of water and only giving people about 1/3 bottle of water.

 

I don't understand how races can still run out of water especially when they know how many people have entered and that it was forecasted to be a hot day.

I had a guy ask me if I had an extra bottle for him. My guess is that amateur riders will always have issues with topping up on energy and staying hydrated. I still struggle with this topic, however I don't stop for water anymore. If you are going to race the long route try and keep yourself hydrated and don't waster water by pouring it on your legs and neck! 

 

And remember that water does not come from taps. 

[Pure Savage]

Very funny, dehydration is just one massive joke.

 

A lot of races run out of water, CTCT, oceans, this does not detract from it being a very well run race.

[Rouxenator]

Hopefully they keep putting in effort like that, even if it is over the top and unbelievable it still is a great ride to do. As always the k4k that Hendrik Lemmer talks before the start is entertaining.

 

Only downside for me was that in 2015 I did the 108k in 3h15, now the shorter route took me 4 minutes longer 

[karma]

A lot of races run out of water, CTCT, oceans, this does not detract from it being a very well run race.

 

Oh, I didn't realize that, my sincerest apologies, you are right, if all others are getting it wrong, it excuses this race too. 

[Pure Savage]

Oh, I didn't realize that, my sincerest apologies, you are right, if all others are getting it wrong, it excuses this race too. 

 

I am just saying, in terms of organisation of events, this race is one of the best organised, compared to all the others. 

 

I agree that its not great that some waterpoints ran out of water but it does not make the race terrible.

 

Besides the water point, what else did you think they did poorly compared to other events?

[Donovan Le Cok]

Are you kidding me? 

Surely not the worst, but the best? Come on.

 

See Pure Savages reply. Took the words out of my mouth.

[Donovan Le Cok]

Very funny, dehydration is just one massive joke.

 

Ride faster, start earlier and you wont have to worry about dehydration. I used one 750ml bottle, I threw a full bottle away at Vissershoek...

 

To someone standing at the road. I wasn't littering.

[Disylizzy]

I had a guy ask me if I had an extra bottle for him. My guess is that amateur riders will always have issues with topping up on energy and staying hydrated. I still struggle with this topic, however I don't stop for water anymore. If you are going to race the long route try and keep yourself hydrated and don't waster water by pouring it on your legs and neck! 

 

And remember that water does not come from taps. 

 

As long as the water is up to potable standards, ie drinking water, whether it comes from taps or a borehole or a local farmers dam is irrelevant. 

 

Unfortunately though, a lot of the back markers are not prepared properly in terms or hydration and rely heavily on the organisers to provide water at said water tables.  And what are they supposed to do then when there isn't any available?

[karma]

I am just saying, in terms of organisation of events, this race is one of the best organised, compared to all the others. 

 

I agree that its not great that some waterpoints ran out of water but it does not make the race terrible.

 

Besides the water point, what else did you think they did poorly compared to other events?

 

Ride faster, start earlier and you wont have to worry about dehydration. I used one 750ml bottle, I threw a full bottle away at Vissershoek...

 

To someone standing at the road. I wasn't littering.

 

@ PS: 

I am not arguing that it was a good event, but I questioned your view that it's the best. 

The water issue is quite a big issue, not trivial, so yes, it matters. 

 

What boggles the mind that these organizers have access to weather forecasts the same way you and I do, they have a view on the amount of participants, they are equipped to be prepared. This isn't their first event. 

 

@ Donovan: 

Wow, you are just incredible. Maybe the races shouldn't be open to just anyone, that way they can do away with water tables if only people of your caliber do it.

[Disylizzy]

Ride faster, start earlier and you wont have to worry about dehydration. I used one 750ml bottle, I threw a full bottle away at Vissershoek...

 

To someone standing at the road. I wasn't littering.

 

I think you're missing the point...  What if this was a mountain bike race that ran out of water - the Ashburton event comes to mind, or Durbie Dash from 2014...

 

The majority of the hubbers posting on here are seasoned cyclists.  Hence you're not getting the big hoo-ha about not having water.  I'm here stating that the back markers were suffering and you guys are just touting a great race.  The event isn't just about you guys, it's about everyone that participated.

[Rouxenator]

Ah, the kids complaining about the water, such fond memories of the 2014 Tour de Stellenbosch spring to mind and my first Bouckaert-Soenen 126K in 2012 when I started in O group spring to mind.

 

Fun times indeed. I am reminded of that every year when I ration my water between Zeekoeigat en Bizaansgat somewhere in the heart of the Karoo.

[Disylizzy]

Ah, the kids complaining about the water, such fond memories of the 2014 Tour de Stellenbosch spring to mind and my first Bouckaert-Soenen 126K in 2012 when I started in O group spring to mind.

 

Fun times indeed. I am reminded of that every year when I ration my water between Zeekoeigat en Bizaansgat somewhere in the heart of the Karoo.

 

Just an FYI, Karma and myself aren't "kids" when it comes to cycling.  I think he beat you quite substantially in Saturday's race and you both started in the same group...

 

Myself, did my first Argust at age 14.  Was sidelined due to a very big injury for the last 3 years.  Starting in the back again you realise how much people suffer when they're not prepared.

[Rouxenator]

Sorry if you took offence to that, I meant that as a joke and not a d..k so you should not take it so hard. 

 

I see myself as a fun rider so most people that know a thing or two about how to ride a bike or even tie their shoe laces will easily out ride me. 

['Dale]

Ride faster, start earlier and you wont have to worry about dehydration. I used one 750ml bottle, I threw a full bottle away at Vissershoek...

 

To someone standing at the road. I wasn't littering.

 

Unfair and insensitive comment, DLC

 

The spectrum of cycling enthusiasts is very wide - from hungry race snake to passionate turtle and mid-pack achiever somewhere in the middle.

 

For the race time until cutoff kinda space in time, water should be available at water points

It is part of what is a REQUIREMENT and 'SERVICE PROMISE' to participants.

 

Don't be blinded by your category in the bunch.

 

Water deficit is a failure on the organiser's part

 

AND YES

99er is setting good standards overall

And they can improve

[Donovan Le Cok]

Unfair and insensitive comment, DLC

 

The spectrum of cycling enthusiasts is very wide - from hungry race snake to passionate turtle and mid-pack achiever somewhere in the middle.

 

For the race time until cutoff kinda space in time, water should be available at water points

It is part of what is a REQUIREMENT and 'SERVICE PROMISE' to participants.

 

Don't be blinded by your category in the bunch.

 

Ok Ok. Sorry all... Didn't mean to upset.