Emperors Classic 2016 (road)

[gtr1]

I know, the first comment was that the tandems were used to bring the VC break back.

We had 4 guys in a break working really hard. We had a few hundred meters on the bunch and going away. Tandems caught us. Looked back and entire group was there. Commissaire came alongside to tell us to drop off from the tandems. I asked him to open his window to ask him how come entire group came up behind the tandems and he just waved me away.

 

At the end of the day we were racing for 4th so slightly irrelevant, but *** when you put in a major effort to establish a break only to have it nullified like that.

[gtr1]

I know, the first comment was that the tandems were used to bring the VC break back.

The initial break of 3 guys were clear. No organized chase in VC. 4 of us opened a nice gap working hard. May still not have caught first break, but we will never know. But next thing we were caught just as the tandems caught us.

[tjommies3]

I had fun in AL. It was my 3rd edition of the race and my time only seems to get better each time with a 2:21. AL 871, thanks a lot for bumping elbows with me around the 85k mark, I have no idea how I managed to stay upright. Other than that, it was just a high speed race in the bunch. Missed doing the halfway bump :-(

[megs]

The initial break of 3 guys were clear. No organized chase in VC. 4 of us opened a nice gap working hard. May still not have caught first break, but we will never know. But next thing we were caught just as the tandems caught us.

Sorry, more clarity, you guys were a few 100metres in front of the main group, we went passed both so fast, the main group probably did use the tandems to make contact, but it happened so quickly I don't think the comm had a chance to get between both groups. We didn't make contact with the first break of VC 

[HBO]

awesome race and very well organised.

 

did 2h20 in AL, there were a few scary moments but overall very good. I love this fast and flat races. This was my first one, but will definitely be back next year.

 

My wife in Dl complaint about short route riders refusing to stay left and a few chirping back with all sort of snotty remarks when asked to stay left.

[Cas_1]

Did 2:26 from BL. We had 2 crashes slowing us a bit. Guys was a bit reckless at times. Hopefully can improve my index to start in AL in next few races.

[Frosty]

We had 4 guys in a break working really hard. We had a few hundred meters on the bunch and going away. Tandems caught us. Looked back and entire group was there. Commissaire came alongside to tell us to drop off from the tandems. I asked him to open his window to ask him how come entire group came up behind the tandems and he just waved me away.

 

At the end of the day we were racing for 4th so slightly irrelevant, but *** when you put in a major effort to establish a break only to have it nullified like that.

Unfortunate, yes.

[ClydeB1]

The initial break of 3 guys were clear. No organized chase in VC. 4 of us opened a nice gap working hard. May still not have caught first break, but we will never know. But next thing we were caught just as the tandems caught us.

Sorry, more clarity, you guys were a few 100metres in front of the main group, we went passed both so fast, the main group probably did use the tandems to make contact, but it happened so quickly I don't think the comm had a chance to get between both groups. We didn't make contact with the first break of VC

 

Yeah there was a brief lift in pace when the tandems came past and it was soon after the 4 of you had gotten off the front. The commissaire was however pretty quick to intervene and to allow the tandems to get away again (perhaps not quick enough however for you guys in the break and to prevent the inevitable tow) but it then felt like an eternity where we were just rolling along until the tandems got enough of a gap again.

[Harryn]

I really enjoyed the race, but made sure, at all times, to stay out of the big bunches, which always scare me.

 

I was incorrectly seeded in BL, but i hung back and started in GL.

 

I rode quite a bit on my own, joining up with one or two other cyclists, eventually joining a bunch i felt comfy in for about the last 25km. I felt safe using this Strategy, but it cost me what could have been my first sub 3. I landed up with a 3.07, but I finished safe and happy, rubber side up, which is all I really care about.

 

I did not see any accidents, but saw a cyclist being loaded into an ambulance, and twice we were slowed down riding behind ambulances. Very sobering - I hope there were no serious injuries.

 

There were one or two hairy moments coming back, with angry non compliant motorists giving marshals and cops grief at being kept waiting at busy intersections - one never knew if a car would just go. Sad comment on the state of lawlessness in Boksburg society. It must have been really challenging to marshall those intersections.

 

There were some short distance riders on Yaldwyn who could and should've stayed out of the way in an ideal world, but it was not a massive issue.

 

The venue accessibility and parking were much improved from last year. Getting in and out was really quick.

 

I was surprised to see that were only about 2600 finishers - I thought the race was much bigger.

 

Thank you Gerald for contributing your time and expertise to the event. It showed.

[funjunkie]

Fast race, CL group was very twitchy but managed to hold 40kmph average, so I clocked a 2:27.

I saw 3 falls in the group. I really don't enjoy the nervous big groups at high speed. I guess that's part the thrill of this race...some strong lady riders in the bunch! Great to see them mixing it up with the guys.

 

Also Rode in CL. (Was probably seeded above my ability by a group or 2)

Was very hairy initially, and saw 2 crashes.

The group was twitchy early on with constant breaking.

Managed to hang on to the main bunch until the 50km mark.

Got dropped at 50km.

We then formed a smaller bunch and picked up stragglers as we continued.

Was much more enjoyable in the smaller "chase group"

The guys worked well together with most pulling in the front then allowing the next guy to take over. One guy took over the organisation and marshaled the troops. 

Felt much safer in the smaller group.

Eventually got dropped from the chase group and limped home in 2h39.

 

Nice race, well organised.

[PietSw]

I did my first sub 3 (2h53) I dropped back from GL to IL and I basically solo'd the first 50km pulling some friends along (which I agreed to help out ) but they eventualy told me to go off on my own.. at around 60km I caught 3 GL guys and we started working together averaging 40+ (which was alot of fun) we eventually dropped the one gent at Pretoria Road and 3 of us went to the finish together congratulating each other on a job well done. Love the camaraderie in these races where strangers pull together to help each other out.

 

I/We where overtaking riders the entire race including some short riders.. I dont know if its different in faster groups but we did not have to shout stay left once and did not get lip once because we just simply worked our way past slower riders (while still keeping the speed up) by anticipating problems and expecting swerves and breaking.. this way its expected when it happens and I can react quicker. (Its the same mentality I use in the car.. basically expecting every driver and taxi to do something stupid - i found this a tremendous help with road rage)

 

So maybe its different in the slower groups where slow riders are all spread out and no real groups are formed, maybe its easier to then overtake them without even a word spoken.. Bit I see it as my responsibility to navigate safely as I am the faster "more experienced" rider (im not experienced at all, but just making a point about being faster).

[W@nna-BE]

Agreed Piet, but imagine a large bunch coming past at pace, much easier if it's only 3 or 4 riders as in your case.

[RearWheelDrive]

I had a really good ride. I have never been a  good bunch rider. I get way too nervous esp at high speed and descending is an embarrassment   

 

 I was seeded in H and moaned a bit (was in D last year and D for the 94) so they put me in D. I managed to stick to the back of the main bunch, I'm always at the back I feel safer there even though eveyone says the front is better, there is always a scamble to get there. And at the back you can brake, swerve do whatever you want without taking anyone out. But the issue there is when guys start dropping off you get stuck behind and it's a bit of a sprint to catch again. Well this year I managed to stay with the lead bunch most of the way and am really happy. 

 

I got caught in the traffic and slower riders at about 85km. So I didn't get dropped just held up. I finished 3 minutes behind the leaders at 2:30.

 

But I am most proud of my wife. She did a 3:20 from K. She had breast cancer last year and has been off the bike the whole time after just getting back on it after 4 kids. This was her first long ride (usually does the short one) She was hoping for a sub 4. So well done to her. What a champ

[Escapee..]

I had a really good ride. I have never been a  good bunch rider. I get way too nervous esp at high speed and descending is an embarrassment 

 

 I was seeded in H and moaned a bit (was in D last year and D for the 94) so they put me in D. I managed to stick to the back of the main bunch, I'm always at the back I feel safer there even though eveyone says the front is better, there is always a scamble to get there. And at the back you can brake, swerve do whatever you want without taking anyone out. But the issue there is when guys start dropping off you get stuck behind and it's a bit of a sprint to catch again. Well this year I managed to stay with the lead bunch most of the way and am really happy. 

 

I got caught in the traffic and slower riders at about 85km. So I didn't get dropped just held up. I finished 3 minutes behind the leaders at 2:30.

 

But I am most proud of my wife. She did a 3:20 from K. She had breast cancer last year and has been off the bike the whole time after just getting back on it after 4 kids. This was her first long ride (usually does the short one) She was hoping for a sub 4. So well done to her. What a champ

Awesome man

Well done to both of you

[Vetplant]

I see ASG has sent out a survey to rate various aspects of the event.

 

For those who were unhappy with something (for me personally the registration process can be improved), please do the survey so that they know which areas need improving.

 

They can't change something if they don't know it is wrong.

[Veebee]

I see ASG has sent out a survey to rate various aspects of the event.

 

For those who were unhappy with something (for me personally the registration process can be improved), please do the survey so that they know which areas need improving.

 

They can't change something if they don't know it is wrong.

 

I scored them well on this as I has no issues throughout the entire process. Online reg was easy, number collection took 2 minutes and the parking and route was a breeze.