WPCA Autumn and Winter League 2016

[FrankB]

The Western Province Cycling Association is pleased to announce the launch of our Autumn and Winter league series starting this March!  The calendar will consist of a combination of road races (long distance), criterium, time trials and Killarney circuit racing every Sunday (with a few exceptions) up to 28 August – a total of 22 races.​

 

 

http://www.wpcycling.com/wpca-news/introducing-autumn-and-winter-league-2016/

 

WPCA Autumn and Winter League 2016.pdf

[Pure Savage]

This is amazing news! What would be awesome is if PPA paid for Racetec to time the events for them, you know giving back to cycling and all. Also I am sure their members would love to do some more safe organised rides.

 

Well done to WPCA for putting this together, I know just how much of a mission this is to put together! Awesome!

[Bankie99]

This is awesome news for Western Cape cycling. 22 events  

 

Yeah it would be great if racetec could be the official timing company.

[Tubehunter]

This is amazing news! What would be awesome is if PPA paid for Racetec to time the events for them, you know giving back to cycling and all. Also I am sure their members would love to do some more safe organised rides.

 

Well done to WPCA for putting this together, I know just how much of a mission this is to put together! Awesome!

 

CSA are launching their own timing system according to the brief and looks like this will be the platform they use for all their countrywide events come 2017. I think it's great that CSA are stepping up in a space that PPA are leaving open. As much as we the cycling population can all see the benefits of these 2 entities working together to offer the cycling community a consolidated effort, it would be pie in the sky to consider that they actually did something like that in reality! As oxymoron(ish) as this sounds, genuinely WELL DONE WPCA and CSA!

[Pure Savage]

CSA are launching their own timing system according to the brief and looks like this will be the platform they use for all their countrywide events come 2017. I think it's great that CSA are stepping up in a space that PPA are leaving open. As much as we the cycling population can all see the benefits of these 2 entities working together to offer the cycling community a consolidated effort, it would be pie in the sky to consider that they actually did something like that in reality! As oxymoron(ish) as this sounds, genuinely WELL DONE WPCA and CSA!

 

Cool, as long as this one off timing expense does not happen all the time. Have about 5 "one off timing chips" 

[Skubarra]

This is amazing news! What would be awesome is if PPA paid for Racetec to time the events for them, you know giving back to cycling and all. Also I am sure their members would love to do some more safe organised rides.

 

Well done to WPCA for putting this together, I know just how much of a mission this is to put together! Awesome!

 

Pure Savage - I kind of disagree with you on this one. I don't know how many mtb events you do but there are definitely cheaper and better timing systems out there. I think road cycling in the WC is held back  a little by the reliance on a single outdated timing system.

 

Despite all the (rightful) critisism they are getting I think the SA Seeding system is the way of the future - where the results database is not linked to a single timing system.

[FrankB]

The Autumn and Winter League 2016 will feature 3 categories this year. We will cater for our top riders, but also, in a newly introduced category, our local club riders. You do not need to be a racing snake to take part in this category!

 

Categories

 

Cat 1

 

A category for our best (and fastest) riders. We encourage our elites, juniors and talented vets to enter this category. We reserve the right to limit participation in this group for safety reasons.

 

Cyclist with a PPA seeding A – C Cyclists aged 15 years and older

 

Any cyclist who is of the opinion that they are of the requisite standard to compete in Category 1 could submit their motivation to events@wpcycling.comfor consideration.

 

u/16 cyclists to be ratified by the organisers.

 

Cat 2

 

This will still be a racing category, but will include our ladies, vets and masters. It should be slightly shower that Cat 1 (or not!).

 

Cyclists aged 15 and older with a PPA seeding D – G

Veteran cyclist 30 and older with a PPA seeding A – G

Women all ages

 

u/16 cyclists to be ratified by organisers.

 

Cat 3

 

Category 3 is also the platform where we encourage our local clubs to take part. This category will not be as intense and the first two, so you do not have to be a racing snake! We do encourage our clubs to enter club teams, as there will be prizes announced if the turnout would justify it.

 

Cyclists with a PPA seeding H – Z Master cyclists 50 years plus no matter their PPA seeding

Women all ages

 

Additional notes

 

In the spirit of sportsmanship the Western Province Road Commission reserves the right to move participants from one category to another if this is deemed necessary to make the category more competitive for the majority of the participants. This decision will not be taken without consulting all the parties concerned.

 

http://www.wpcycling.com/wpca-news/autumn-and-winter-league-2016-criteria/

[FrankB]

Race entry

The full price for a race entry will be R200, but the sections below detail various discount structures that could apply.

Racing numbers

A racing number will be issued free of charge together with your timing chip during initial registration.  This number will be valid for the 2016 racing season, on the road or on the track.

An admin fee of R50 will be levied for an additional, temporary or replacement number.  Only temporary numbers can be returned.

Timing Chips

The WPCA will be using the new Mobii Active tags for race timing.  A timing chip is required for league points, prizes and results.  A chip can be purchased for R100 and can be used in future races as well as selected national events.  Riders already in possession of a Mobii chip do not have to purchase another one, but should register the existing chip during initiation registration.

http://www.wpcycling.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/Mobii-logo.png

Please note: No chip, no time, no points and no prizes!  The RaceTec chips are not compatible.

Discount – Members of affiliated clubs

http://www.wpcycling.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/discount-e1380057410388-300x92.png

Members of local cycling clubs affiliated under WPCA will receive a discount of R50 per entry.  To qualify for this discount riders will have to meet the following criteria;

1. Join a club listed in the Affiliated Clubs section and be a fully paid up member.  Your membership will be verified.
2. Have a valid CSA Racing License.  More information can be found under CSA Membership.
3. Register as a member on our website at least 48 hours prior to any race (to allow for membership verification).
4. Register for the specific race at least 24 hours prior to the start.

Your discount will be applied online once these steps have been successfully completed.  It is not possible to use this discount for late registrations.

Discount – Junior and u/16

http://www.wpcycling.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/discount-e1380057410388-300x92.png

Juniors and u/16s in cat 2 and 3 will qualify for an additional R50 discount.  For late registration we may require a copy of your ID or racing license to verify your age.

Note: No discount will be applied for Junior riders in Cat 1.

Late registration

The administrative burden to register riders on our electronic timing system at the last moment has necessitated an additional late registration fee of R100.  Riders are advised to register online so that their license details, club membership (where applicable), racing number and timing chip can be verified.  No exceptions will be made on the day.  We need the additional money!

CSA day license

Riders not in possession of a valid CSA racing license will be required to purchase a day license at R35.  Online registration, supplying a valid CSA license number, at least 24 hours prior to any race or presentation of a valid 2016 (green) license card (registered for road racing) on the day of the race, will waiver this requirement.

Note: Riders wanting to buy a day license should still register online at least 24 hours in advance of the race, or you will have to pay the late registration fee and the day license.  Simply leave the CSA Number blank during online registration.

Indicative prices

Below are examples of prices you will pay in various scenarios.

• R300 – Full price ticket, late registration
• R200 – Full price ticket, online registration
• R150 (WPCA club in Cat 1, 2 and 3)
• R150 (Youth in Cat 2 and 3)
• R100 (Youth belonging to a WPCA club in Cat 2 and 3)

Cost saving tips

http://www.wpcycling.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/savings_bloptop.jpg

Follow these simple tips to save money when competing in the league;

• Register early!  At least 48 hours prior to a race.  You only pay on the day, so why delay?
• Do not forget your number and/or chip.
• Ensure you belong to a club affiliated under WPCA.
• Ensure you have a CSA racing license.  See CSA Membership.

[Tubehunter]

Thanks for the info Frank!

 

Keep getting the following error when going to the embedded links in your post. Trying to check if Discovery Team Vitality meets the affiliation requirements. Anyone else having similar issues?

 

This Page Cannot Be Displayed

The system cannot communicate with the external server ( www.wpcycling.com ). The Internet server may be busy, may be permanently down, or may be unreachable because of network problems.

Please check the spelling of the Internet address entered. If it is correct, try this request later.

[Pure Savage]

Pure Savage - I kind of disagree with you on this one. I don't know how many mtb events you do but there are definitely cheaper and better timing systems out there. I think road cycling in the WC is held back  a little by the reliance on a single outdated timing system.

 

Despite all the (rightful) critisism they are getting I think the SA Seeding system is the way of the future - where the results database is not linked to a single timing system.

 

The problem is the MTB timing does not work for mass participation events. The scanners cannot pick up more than 30 people at a time, hence why racetec still uses the old chip. 

 

The system does not need to be updated, it works, it has not changed in 15 years, I have bought one chip, once. Results are up in 3 hours, you get what you pay for. I do not think its holding anything back, all the events I have done MTB and other timed, those results are lost in some database somewhere never to be used again. 

 

If PPA gets on board and pays for racetec to be there, then you save all the participants, R50.

[Pure Savage]

Thanks for the info Frank!

 

Keep getting the following error when going to the embedded links in your post. Trying to check if Discovery Team Vitality meets the affiliation requirements. Anyone else having similar issues?

 

This Page Cannot Be Displayed

The system cannot communicate with the external server ( www.wpcycling.com ). The Internet server may be busy, may be permanently down, or may be unreachable because of network problems.

Please check the spelling of the Internet address entered. If it is correct, try this request later.

 

It does not look like they are on the affiliated list. 

[Skubarra]

The problem is the MTB timing does not work for mass participation events. The scanners cannot pick up more than 30 people at a time, hence why racetec still uses the old chip. 

 

The system does not need to be updated, it works, it has not changed in 15 years, I have bought one chip, once. Results are up in 3 hours, you get what you pay for. I do not think its holding anything back, all the events I have done MTB and other timed, those results are lost in some database somewhere never to be used again. 

 

If PPA gets on board and pays for racetec to be there, then you save all the participants, R50.

But the league is not mass participation? And why do you have to wait 3 hours in 2016 (if you are lucky) if you can get live timing + a photo of you crossing the finish line?

 

As you mention, it is 15 year old technology -you would expect it to be cheap. But it is way more expensive for event organisers to use than alternative options (and then you still only get results for the PPA members which I won't say anything further about) . Don't know if it is expensive because of the underlying costs or if there are some fat margins in the pricing.

 

Time to move on imo

[Skubarra]

Awesome development. Will definitely pitch up for a few of the races. My problem is just I qualify for Cat 1 but I know I can't keep up with the pros (massive difference between PPA Seeding A and C!), would have really liked another Category somewhere between 1 & 2.

 

That said - I will still pitch up to see for how long I can hang on!

[Pure Savage]

But the league is not mass participation? And why do you have to wait 3 hours in 2016 (if you are lucky) if you can get live timing + a photo of you crossing the finish line?

 

As you mention, it is 15 year old technology -you would expect it to be cheap. But it is way more expensive for event organisers to use than alternative options (and then you still only get results for the PPA members which I won't say anything further about) . Don't know if it is expensive because of the underlying costs or if there are some fat margins in the pricing.

 

Time to move on imo

 

Thats because racetec is run as a profitable company, hence why its still around. They have a staff they pay all year round to deal with queries and timing of events.

 

The whole point of these additional events is surely to get the masses to participate so that it would grow cycling and make it more feasible for both organizers and sponsors to get on board. Removing as many barriers to entry would benefit all. 

 

But in all honesty, he who times the cycle tour, die burger, DC, two oceans and 94,7 will be financially viable. 

 

Regardless, at R150, I know Savage will be there to have some fun!

[Pure Savage]

Awesome development. Will definitely pitch up for a few of the races. My problem is just I qualify for Cat 1 but I know I can't keep up with the pros (massive difference between PPA Seeding A and C!), would have really liked another Category somewhere between 1 & 2.

 

That said - I will still pitch up to see for how long I can hang on!

We rolled in Cat 2 in 2014, my most fun racing ever.

[Skubarra]

We rolled in Cat 2 in 2014, my most fun racing ever.

 

In 2014 Cat 2 was subvets? Think that was also the category I rode in that year, didn't cover myself with glory but yes it was fun!