[Event] 2016 Rudy Project Berge en Dale Classic

[The_black_stig]

For most part of the race I would regards as safe, however I did almost get run-over by a very aggressive "renovation specialist" in his Hyundai bakkie on the main climb after silversand casino...

The really good touch was one of the water-point which has jelly-tots and snicker-bars.
The only regret for this race is that I should had eat them on the spot (so that the last 5km won't hurt)

Overall, it's a good day of riding.

[Alfa147GTA]

First ride in VA and it was thoroughly enjoyable.

Loved the way the group worked throughout and really was exhilarating.

Last few hills were tough though.

[mecheng89]

Here are my thoughts on the race - 

 

1. My first time going it, so I had little idea what to expect (Cradle came as a surprise!)

2. AL is fast.

3. 108 > 102  (would've had miles below 3h if it wasn't for that)

4. The guy with the shirt in tatters (?!?!) with the bluetooth speaker in your shirt pocket, legend man  . Made the ride so much more enjoyable!

5. Not that I used them, but the WPs looked tiny

6. No "X KMS TO GO" boards?

7. No motorbikes in AL?

 

Well done ASG. Price is still a bit too high IMHO. Will keep coming back, only if it is for the challenge. 

[DominionZA]

Just heard that a middle aged guy got hit by an overtaking truck. Paramedics tried to help him, but he apparently succumbed to his injuries.

My mate rode passed the accident and said the poor guy was blue in the face.

 

Anyone know anymore?

 

If true (that he passed away), then RIP fellow cyclist. Very sad to hear.

[Brickleberry]

This is horrible news. Condolences to his family. These drivers need to be held liable

[Frosty]

Just heard that a middle aged guy got hit by an overtaking truck. Paramedics tried to help him, but he apparently succumbed to his injuries.

My mate rode passed the accident and said the poor guy was blue in the face.

 

Anyone know anymore?

 

If true (that he passed away), then RIP fellow cyclist. Very sad to hear.

Yes, it is true.

Very sad.

[Lusiad]

Very, very sad. RIP fellow cyclist.

 

Puts the distance gripes I had about the extra 5km into real perspective. 

 

Saw a couple of close shaves today in one of the BL groups, especially with guys crossing the white line. 

[RastaMan]

For those peeps complaining about the distance please read ur emails. I saw the route changed mapped it on strava and got it right to 50 meters

 

/rant over

Sorry to hear about the cyclist. That is just terrible

 

Had a tough day out in the saddle in va avg 380 watts for the first 8 min to stay with the group only to get dropped on Robert broom. Then some oakes came along and picked me up and motivated me to chase first time ever where 80% of the group rolled yes there were some hickups but we caught te main bunch and then complete just made it hard all the way limped home in 28th spot still lots to learn

[TALUS]

For those peeps complaining about the distance please read ur emails. I saw the route changed mapped it on strava and got it right to 50 meters

/rant over

Sorry to hear about the cyclist. That is just terrible

Had a tough day out in the saddle in va avg 380 watts for the first 8 min to stay with the group only to get dropped on Robert broom. Then some oakes came along and picked me up and motivated me to chase first time ever where 80% of the group rolled yes there were some hickups but we caught te main bunch and then complete just made it hard all the way limped home in 28th spot still lots to learn

Congratulations Rasta. Great progress.

 

I entered late- thus no email. Nothing on the site about distance change. Even Racetec still has it wrong. I don't plan on mapping any course beforehand but hopefully the organisers do. A simple announcement at the start (rather than the same jokes as a year ago) would suffice. It is not a biggie but in MTB it is acceptable - not so much on the road.

 

Most important is that a fellow cyclist lost his life. RIP. It really is unbelievable that someone leaves his house in the morning to improve his life and ends up losing it. Sad.

[PregoRoll]

Some sad news, 

 

I work at Westdene Cycles on Saturdays and a few of my clients have mentioned that a rider was killed by a truck today. 

 

Can anyone confirm?

 

Sad day for Road cycling if this is true....

[IceCreamMan]

But for the grace of God go I.....RIP to the cyclist, that's terrible news.

 

We turn a blind eye to the dangers of the sport but it's always there when we share the road.

 

Sad sad news, condolences to family and all that knew him.

[Patchelicious]

Great day out. Tough as hell in VA though

 

After trying to set a pace up that damn hill, the big boys came past and we formed a chase group, we chased well with lots of shenanigans and surges, but lots of fun.

 

We caught the front group and ride well till Velverde when the pace picked up again, by then I was spent from working so limped home from just before Kloofzicht.

 

Nice to start seeing regular faces and meeting new ones. All an all the guys in VA are actually a cool bunch.

 

ASG did a good overall job, marshaling was good, actually very good. Usually this race is fun and games once you hit the cradle with all the non racers there, but it was well handled. The lady in our marshaling vehicle also did a good job with cheeky youngsters and elites sitting in our bunch. Very well handled though.

 

So well done ASG, great event worth the money. But please look at a solution around number collections, I saw a few guys with no numbers and it was purely down to the inconvenience of having to drive to collect that caused this.

[Kevin Corfield]

This is so so so sad and beyond word. RIP fellow cyclist

[RastaMan]

First ride in VA and it was thoroughly enjoyable.

Loved the way the group worked throughout and really was exhilarating.

Last few hills were tough though.

you finished strong bud saw you came flying past wd

[Alfa147GTA]

you finished strong bud saw you came flying past wd

Thanks alot man. That finish was brutal though. I think by then we were all spent.

 

VA was an awesome ride today. Thanks guys

[Jay_B]

A tough day in the saddle for sure. I thought I was in the middle big AL bunch but recorded a 2:59 so maybe I was in the front one.

 

The guy with the awesome beard from the Activize team managed to get us organized a few times but unfortunately didn't last long.

 

I came in 2:58 so we must have been in the same group, i think there may have been 3 groups on the road... looking at the times those 7 guys who broke away at the start drilled us by 6min    

 

pace did seem to slow up through the craddle but man i started struggling to get over those last few rollers. great even overall and nice day out, so sad to hear about the rider knocked down by the truck