[Event] Dis-Chem Ride For Sight 2016

[Hennie VR]

I rode in VC, we rode in our own group for the entire race just going past the occasional rider that got dropped from the groups in front of us. With about 20km to go we joined the short ride. All of a sudden there are 100's of riders all over the place going at a much slower pace. Most of them are not riding in organized groups but are all over the place. I was worried about crashes or getting stuck behind slower riders while my VC group went past.

 

Were you part of the leading VC group that sprinted for the finish?

[Hennie VR]

The wind was a blixem, but I still hoped to do better than 3H14.

 

This was my first race in A and I honestly thought that the guys will know how to work together and rotate.

 

I tried a number of times to get it going, but only 3 or 4 guys were willing to help.

 

I was also amazed to see what kind of risks the guys took, weaving between the shorter distance riders for 50TH place. I actually thought when I saw the guys starting to sprint that I missed something and that we were in the leading bunch.

 

All in all, a very nice organised race. My only rant is that there was only warm powerade at the finish and no water. Oh yeah and the short route riders.

 

Will definitely be back next year.

 

 

What kit did you ride in. I finished a few minutes ahead of you so I'm sure we must have rode together at one stage trying to catch the bunch again.

[s14phoenix]

Had a terrible race or just bad luck.

 

Both rims cracked - first race I run them... had to run double tubes so the cracks would not pinch the air tube.

Shoes came apart - first time I use them...

 

Going to reconsider what hubbers are selling as "NEW" "UNUSED" "PERFECT".

 

But back to the race...

 

I think everyone needs to re-look at their race etiquette.

1. If you are slow (You know you are - stop trying to fool yourself.) - KEEP LEFT PASS RIGHT

2. If you are in a social group... social afterwards - Follow race guidelines as to how to be considerate to others on limited road space. - KEEP LEFT PASS RIGHT

 

oh and 3. KEEP LEFT PASS RIGHT.

 

Surely before doing your first race or event you research what happens in a race and how you shoud conduct yourself. Problem is I think some people have no manners.

[scotty]

The shorter route used to be an out and back, turning around Alrode and only merging for the last few K's from R554 (just past Carnival City) and Atlas Rd merge. No real difference between the riding habits of short and long riders, the long distance riders in the back groups also straddle the road and shouting at them to keep left gets the same reaction. Its been suggested to have a separate route and finish for short and long distances but this would be too costly and require more officials. 

 

Much the same for this weekend's Carnival which also merges at the same point as R4S.  

[Hennie VR]

Rode in A. Went well until we got to the crosswind section. A bunch was strung out in a long straight line right on the edge of the right hand side of the road. Two riders went off the road and at that stage I decided it's not worth the risk. Tried to close the gap to the front by riding on my own into the wind. Caught them but sitting in the gutter caught me. Dropped a while later and we formed a small group that worked reasonably well together. VC leading group caught up with us with about 10-15km to go and for some reason they slowed down starting to play their cat and mouse games and every time we wanted to go past they would tell us to sit up which I have no problem with but then you must race and not slow down the pace, then we caught the leading ladies with about 3km to go so we had two licenced groups thats wants to sprint for the finish and we have the short distance riders in the mix which caused a huge problem at the end.

 

Enjoyed the race. Was a good a challenging course.   

[Frosty]

Much the same for this weekend's Carnival which also merges at the same point as R4S.

Except that there is full road closure for the final 5km.

[Dgas]

Were you part of the leading VC group that sprinted for the finish?

About 6 guys got away from the VC group in the first 20km, I was in the group behind. There must have been around 30 of us.

[Cheese]

Good Event, Enjoyed a nice steristumpi at the Vitality tent after the race.

 

I was disappointed in my race though, just could not hang on to the VB boys in the wind and got blown of at around 52km. It was especially disappointing as I saw 300 m up the road the VB bunch broke in two pieces. Thought that I would catch them with two other riders , but had to keep waiting for them, was in two minds of waiting or going solo after the bunch, we kept them at around the same distance until we joined the short route when it was total disorganisation. Lost 3 minutes to them in the end. My time 17 minutes slower than last year.

Went to one of first finishers in AL last year to one of last in VB. Some BL riders had faster times. Will have to get time to train a bit more / bit better or just move to open seeded again. 

[s14phoenix]

Except that there is full road closure for the final 5km.

 

Won't stop some muppets taking up the whole road... they do the same at 94.7 with full road closure when you have to S through the crowds...

 

Suppose we should all get better seeding but that's kinda hard with so many inconsiderate people.

[TALUS]

Good Event, Enjoyed a nice steristumpi at the Vitality tent after the race.

 

I was disappointed in my race though, just could not hang on to the VB boys in the wind and got blown of at around 52km. It was especially disappointing as I saw 300 m up the road the VB bunch broke in two pieces. Thought that I would catch them with two other riders , but had to keep waiting for them, was in two minds of waiting or going solo after the bunch, we kept them at around the same distance until we joined the short route when it was total disorganisation. Lost 3 minutes to them in the end. My time 17 minutes slower than last year.

Went to one of first finishers in AL last year to one of last in VB. Some BL riders had faster times. Will have to get time to train a bit more / bit better or just move to open seeded again. 

Sounds like my day. 13min slower than last year.

[scotty]

Except that there is full road closure for the final 5km.

I Like 

[HBO]

What kit did you ride in. I finished a few minutes ahead of you so I'm sure we must have rode together at one stage trying to catch the bunch again.

Was in Discovery kit on a red/black Spez venge.

[Frosty]

Won't stop some muppets taking up the whole road... they do the same at 94.7 with full road closure when you have to S through the crowds...

 

Suppose we should all get better seeding but that's kinda hard with so many inconsiderate people.

that's true, but you at least have some security knowing there won't be a car racing from behind inside the final 5km.

[Patchelicious]

Rode in A. Went well until we got to the crosswind section. A bunch was strung out in a long straight line right on the edge of the right hand side of the road. Two riders went off the road and at that stage I decided it's not worth the risk. Tried to close the gap to the front by riding on my own into the wind. Caught them but sitting in the gutter caught me. Dropped a while later and we formed a small group that worked reasonably well together. VC leading group caught up with us with about 10-15km to go and for some reason they slowed down starting to play their cat and mouse games and every time we wanted to go past they would tell us to sit up which I have no problem with but then you must race and not slow down the pace, then we caught the leading ladies with about 3km to go so we had two licenced groups thats wants to sprint for the finish and we have the short distance riders in the mix which caused a huge problem at the end.

 

Enjoyed the race. Was a good a challenging course.   

That "cat and mouse" IS racing

[geomark]

Rode in EL and the pace was tough until the top 3 or 4 social tandems caught us about 35km out, then it just got insane as the front bunch tried to stick with them and a lot of egos got exercised. Fortunately burnt out fairly quick but not often you get to red line the heart rate downhill!

[PietSw]

Not hating on All Short Riders, more those that rode 5 abreast on oversized mountain bikes(handle bars a meter wide, or so it seemed) that were socialising and swearing at Us when we asked for a bit of space...  I go so far as to thank those who move over a bit when we say bunch coming through . You will understand when you come play on the Big Rides in that heat and wind ...and then have to play dodgem.

If everyone is just a tad considerate it makes for a more pleasant experience for everyone .

Well done on your achievement .

Yeah I Know, I'm just teasing you guys.

 

I experienced first hand yesterday what it is like to be faster(albeit with the help of the group I was in) than the other riders but struggling to get past and its poor of them to then get angry when you want to come past.. Surely they should know the basic "rules" of cycling or even the rules of the road for that matter.. If they want to be abusive they should take up MMA or something, they don't belong in cycling. 

 

Last thing you want to do on 116km home stretch is loose momentum I can imagine..

 

Thanx, Im really happy, but want more now. I now fully know why its a team sport... Without the group of us working together I would have been a lot worse off, so I thank those riders.. 

 

i just hope that in the races to come there will be people willing to work together like that... I suppose if I get faster, its inevitable to get into groups that have to work together. I guess its just in the slower groups where its every man for himself.