CleatsnCleavage Posted January 31, 2016 Posted January 31, 2016 Was awesome!! My fiancé and his mates dropped back to ride with friend in D which I think had a better pace for me than C would have. A few crashes in first ten km hope michelle from team edenglen is ok. Jittery bunch. Also I think oncoming cars forced idiots riding on the right back into the bunch causing crashes.Was very flat think 555m ascent in 96km so did my best ever time 2.45. Not very fit so pleased with today. Nice day out and a great way to mark my first year anniversary as a Jozi resident. Edit * riding on the right hand side of the road - over the white line, which at PPA races in CT they told us we would get DQ for.
shaper Posted January 31, 2016 Posted January 31, 2016 In CL, jittery first 20kms, missed the very front bunch breakaway due to the crash early on... otherwise enjoyed a nice recovery ride in a decent bunch, legs were still tired after EL Ironman the week before... cruised home in 2.40hrs... nice day out apart from the getting to the venue and the traffic jams
'Kaze Pete Posted January 31, 2016 Posted January 31, 2016 Biggest problem seems to be the number of guys happy to sit in/at the back of the bunch. The front third hardly ever needed to cross the line, unless a few needed to get near the front. I know most people can't always be at the front all the time, so if they are in the bunch or near the back then sit in and enjoy the ride, no need to ride so far right. The problem is they can't ride at the same speed when in the gutter. Besides, the guys up front are doing all the work and the others tagging along. In a less fit state, I've been there (at the back), and it's one of the worst places to be (continuous concertina effect and wagging tail). To go around the side of the bunch by crossing the white line is at all times a choice / behavioural issue. Hanging on / sucking wheel / etc is not always a behavioural issue / choice. Seeding riders together based on times done without a decay factor added to the seeding will always group different abilities together. Add to that flat roads / no wind the stronger (And they will be only slightly stronger) riders have fewer tools to use to create a split or selection.
Sandro Posted January 31, 2016 Posted January 31, 2016 Wasn't expecting all that traffic congestion, got there super late and started with HL. Worked my @ss off for a 3:05.
CleatsnCleavage Posted January 31, 2016 Posted January 31, 2016 That's where I lost the group, the guy with the blowout had some close calls when he went off the road. Agree with you, well done with staying upright. At the same spot one of Gerald's club mates lost a crank arm too.I passed at least 2 HL riders in the last 5 km, definitely took the short route at the turn off.Thanks to the Germiston Wheelers for doing a lot of the work at the front. Well ridden gents.There were two HL riders, men, in matching kit, that started with us in DL for sure. In fact the one guy's number was 3487 (my age and my friends dads age was the way I remembered it) - where do I report that??
Cadre Posted January 31, 2016 Posted January 31, 2016 Was awesome!! My fiancé and his mates dropped back to ride with friend in D which I think had a better pace for me than C would have. A few crashes in first ten km hope michelle from team edenglen is ok. Jittery bunch. Also I think oncoming cars forced idiots riding on the left back into the bunch causing crashes. Was very flat think 555m ascent in 96km so did my best ever time 2.45. Not very fit so pleased with today. Nice day out and a great way to mark my first year anniversary as a Jozi resident.The first crash in D was as a result of the Concertina effect, people thinking that a few places further up in the bunch, at 47km and 3 km after the start, would get them a podium. Brakes were screeching and all I heard, was a female behind me go "Sh%t!, Sh%t!, Sh%t!", then, DOEF. That was around 2 seconds after I felt the 700x23 tyre removing a 75mm section a skin from my left calf. I really hope she is ok as well as those who went down around and behind her. I couldn't stop as I was bunched in. I do feel like jerk for not stopping, but really would have caused more havoc if I tried to exit the group approaching the bend. Apologies anyway, from my side, but I could do nothing but hit brakes as well. I travelled safely back to Durban and it was my first ever sub 3. At the age of 50, it is really something to cherish. Took the bike seriously 3 years ago after giving up the chain-smoking thing that lasted 26 years. Also, thanks to all the awesome people in the group.
Long Wheel Base Posted January 31, 2016 Posted January 31, 2016 The racing in VA was hard at times and relaxed at others. A few close shaves towards the back of the group but nothing serious at all. Break of 7? Got away and stayed away. Finished about a minute ahead of us. At one stage they had 2 min. Kudos to the commasaire in the qashqai for understanding when the guys crossed the line a few times(swerving for potholes and generally just sorting ourselves out). The right lane riding was minimal but probably because of virtually zero wind. Main bunch finished in 2h14m
mecheng89 Posted January 31, 2016 Posted January 31, 2016 Good race. Traffic into venue was shocking. Route was 9/10 (two okes in BL bunch took a wrong turn). Great work from GW, the Red Train rides again!
Dexter-morgan Posted January 31, 2016 Posted January 31, 2016 I had a decent ride from HL, got flats after I went into a veld after a crash at about 40km. Got cramps 5km from the finish not lekker.
Long Wheel Base Posted January 31, 2016 Posted January 31, 2016 Was awesome!! My fiancé and his mates dropped back to ride with friend in D which I think had a better pace for me than C would have. A few crashes in first ten km hope michelle from team edenglen is ok. Jittery bunch. Also I think oncoming cars forced idiots riding on the right back into the bunch causing crashes. Was very flat think 555m ascent in 96km so did my best ever time 2.45. Not very fit so pleased with today. Nice day out and a great way to mark my first year anniversary as a Jozi resident. Edit * riding on the right hand side of the road - over the white line, which at PPA races in CT they told us we would get DQ for.I saw her at the tent after the race. She had bandages on elbows and knees but otherwise ok. I'm sure she will be sore tomorrow.
hayleyearth Posted January 31, 2016 Posted January 31, 2016 Got a 2:45...That's like 35km/h over the distance. Didn't even think my legs could pedal that fast
Cadre Posted January 31, 2016 Posted January 31, 2016 I saw her at the tent after the race. She had bandages on elbows and knees but otherwise ok. I'm sure she will be sore tomorrow.I spoke to a female paramedic after the race and asked about her(Michelle). They said that they had no knowledge and only get involved if stabilising and transportation to hospital is required. It is still a 'Sh%te' feeling knowing that someone got injured badly and you were the last person they crashed into and your injuries are virtually nil. Michelle, I wish you a speedy recovery and really hope you recover with no evidence to show. All the best and may you be back riding soon. I really mean it.
hayleyearth Posted January 31, 2016 Posted January 31, 2016 Fantastic result...You must have one hell of a training partner Must be that that got me up to this in only 2 weeks prep time! Flip can't wait to see what he has on store for the next 2 week....
Eon du Plessis Posted January 31, 2016 Posted January 31, 2016 Took the wife for her first cycling event. She detests endurance sport, but decided to see what's up with this road racing thing her husband is interested in.Fitted slicks to her mtb and signed her up for the 50km, which I rode with her. We ended with a fairly respectable time and some good experience and now she's talking about getting a road bike as a reward for when she does her first 100km. Super proud of the lady. The race was awesome. Didn't have too many issues with cyclists doing unpredictable things or people going over the line, like with the faster batches. Everything was well organized and the route was mostly good quality, except for the odd bump or pothole.I'll definitely be doing this one again next year, hopefully with something well into the sub-3's as a result.
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