Cycling in SA sucks...or does it?

[Rocket Man]

Whilst I'm waiting for the first parts for the WhatTF powermeter I'm helping to organise some cycling "events".

 

At the risk of being boring and repetitve can hubbers please help us make sure that the mistakes of the past are not repeated. I have a list of 75 complaints about cycling in SA that I have collected from this forum. These form the basis of a "what-not-to-do-list." But I want to make sure that we have every base covered so that these events are absolutely the best that they can be. So...

 

WHAT DON'T YOU LIKE ABOUT CYCLING EVENTS ORGANISED HERE IN SA?

[dirtrider]

How about we see the list so we don't repeat ourselves .

[bruce]

I personally think a lot can be done without too much effort.  But these things are more overall cycling related, not event specific:

- Move towards circuit racing, criteriums etc.  Short circuits can enjoy full road closure and are more spectator friendly. 

- Majority of cycling fans are riders themselves - they start after the pro's have left, and finish way after the pro's have finished - they never actually get to see the top riders in action.  Racing in this country must figure out a way to make it a spectator sport.

- More spectators, easier TV coverage, means more attractive to sponsors, more funds available in the racing, higher standard.

- Circuit racing can allow the Pro's to do 200km races - raise the standard so we have better success internationally.

- Move to a strength vs. strength based racing system based on categories.  This allows juniors to come up through the ranks, and ex-pros to race competitively and not be lost to the sport.

 

I genuinely believe that events cannot cater for the needs of the fun-riders and the pro/elite sport.  Fun riders are fans of the sport, and are the paying customer, yet they cannot actually be spectators.  The needs of the two should be properly catered for, so that both parties get what's in their best interests.

[Rocket Man]

Here are the main points:

 

Track/road maintenance

System for collecting entry fees

Rights of use for track events

Lack of transparency in use of funds/sponsorships

Entry table on race day

Advertising boards at track events

Insufficient bike checks on race day

Maintenance of ?free? bikes at tracks

Officials ? starter on race days

Officials ? score keeper on race days

Officials ? line judges

Lack of photography on race days

Lack of videos on race days

Poor or non existent race results and reports

Website design and maintenance (CGC, CSA etc)

Poor information about top racers

Poor relations with CSA

Limited contact with schools

Prize money

Insufficient notice of upcoming events

Inaccurate race calendar

Medical support at race events

Officials responsible for rules, regulations and protests

Posting of event notices on other websites

Publishing of results on other websites

Publishing of results in printed media

Poor TV coverage of track events

Drug testing and control ? hard to get updated drug manual

Technical support at race and training events

Management of safe cycling centers

Safety equipment and clothing for track racing

Management of the warm up area at race events

Mixing of age/sex categories

Management of numbers for race events

Coordination of inter-provincial events

Coordination of national championships

Spectator control at race events

Announcer at race events

Music at race events

Maintaining league results

Organizing lights at race events

Managing and handing out prizes at race events

Posting of race results on race day

Maintaining of notice boards at tracks

Indemnity forms

Maintenance of track and provincial records

 

 

[AuctionLamb]

 

I see that you somehow make cycling less expensive. So many people(usually a guy who just want to "try out" cycling and want to start off with the short route and get put off by the amount to pay for a race!(temp nr + race fee and that just for a 20km-40km ride).

AuctionLamb2008-05-09 03:48:58

[bob_the_builder]

 

I see that you somehow make cycling less expensive. So many people(usually a guy who just want to "try out" cycling and want to start off with the short route and get put off by the amount to pay for a race!(temp nr + race fee and that just for a 20km-40km ride).

 

 

[BMCfan]

I personally think a lot can be done without too much effort.  But these things are more overall cycling related' date=' not event specific:

- Move towards circuit racing, criteriums etc.  Short circuits can enjoy full road closure and are more spectator friendly. 

- Majority of cycling fans are riders themselves - they start after the pro's have left, and finish way after the pro's have finished - they never actually get to see the top riders in action.  Racing in this country must figure out a way to make it a spectator sport.

- More spectators, easier TV coverage, means more attractive to sponsors, more funds available in the racing, higher standard.

- Circuit racing can allow the Pro's to do 200km races - raise the standard so we have better success internationally.

- Move to a strength vs. strength based racing system based on categories.  This allows juniors to come up through the ranks, and ex-pros to race competitively and not be lost to the sport.

 

I genuinely believe that events cannot cater for the needs of the fun-riders and the pro/elite sport.  Fun riders are fans of the sport, and are the paying customer, yet they cannot actually be spectators.  The needs of the two should be properly catered for, so that both parties get what's in their best interests.

[/quote']

 

Bruce for president.

 

I love the idea and i'm sure it can work!!!!

[Domestiquehated]

How about racing in weight categories, much like martial arts?  Then all us fat guys can struggle up the hills together! 

[AuctionLamb]

 

How about racing in weight categories' date=' much like martial arts?  Then all us fat guys can struggle up the hills together!  [/quote']

 

thanks for that valid input.....how about eating less so that we all can race in the same weight cat?

 

[gianni]

 

Here are the main points:

 

Track/road maintenance

System for collecting entry fees

Rights of use for track events

Lack of transparency in use of funds/sponsorships

Entry table on race day

Advertising boards at track events

Insufficient bike checks on race day

Maintenance of ?free? bikes at tracks

Officials ? starter on race days

Officials ? score keeper on race days

Officials ? line judges

Lack of photography on race days

Lack of videos on race days

Poor or non existent race results and reports

Website design and maintenance (CGC' date=' CSA etc)

Poor information about top racers

Poor relations with CSA

Limited contact with schools

Prize money

Insufficient notice of upcoming events

Inaccurate race calendar

Medical support at race events

Officials responsible for rules, regulations and protests

Posting of event notices on other websites

Publishing of results on other websites

Publishing of results in printed media

Poor TV coverage of track events

Drug testing and control ? hard to get updated drug manual

Technical support at race and training events

Management of safe cycling centers

Safety equipment and clothing for track racing

Management of the warm up area at race events

Mixing of age/sex categories

Management of numbers for race events

Coordination of inter-provincial events

Coordination of national championships

Spectator control at race events

Announcer at race events

Music at race events

Maintaining league results

Organizing lights at race events

Managing and handing out prizes at race events

Posting of race results on race day

Maintaining of notice boards at tracks

Indemnity forms

Maintenance of track and provincial records

 

 

[/quote']

 

Just for interest sake, how many of the listed items above were written by people who have experienced similar type of racing outside of SA ?

 

A lot of the above seems to be a "nice to have" rather than a proper requirement for hosting races. (e.g photos, TV coverage, technical support )

 

Others  falls under the auspices of a different body (e.g fixing roads is NOT the organizer's job)

 

 

 

[bob_the_builder]

 

Just for interest sake' date=' how many of the listed items above were written by people who have experienced similar type of racing outside of SA ?

 

A lot of the above seems to be a "nice to have" rather than a proper requirement for hosting races. (e.g photos, TV coverage, technical support )

 

Others  falls under the auspices of a different body (e.g fixing roads is NOT the organizer's job)

[/quote']

 

Of course, what you say can be debated... Take a race like the argus... with that many paying customers, I would expect the organiser to actively contribute to "fixing roads", both to ensure the customers' safety, and satisfaction...

 

[scotty]

How about racing in weight categories' date=' much like martial arts?  Then all us fat guys can struggle up the hills together!  [/quote']

 

Gets my vote.

 

 

[Saffa_G]

naked chicks must be placed along the route....at intervals of 100metres ... with the number of naked chicks being coubled up at water pioints..... yes, thats my plan

[Saffa_G]

 

How about racing in weight categories' date=' much like martial arts?  Then all us fat guys can struggle up the hills together!  [/quote']

 

Gets my vote.

 

 

 

I really think thats a great idea   Nice one!!

 

[_Daemon_]

 

I personally think a lot can be done without too much effort.  But these things are more overall cycling related' date=' not event specific:

- Move towards circuit racing, criteriums etc.  Short circuits can enjoy full road closure and are more spectator friendly. 

- Majority of cycling fans are riders themselves - they start after the pro's have left, and finish way after the pro's have finished - they never actually get to see the top riders in action.  Racing in this country must figure out a way to make it a spectator sport.

- More spectators, easier TV coverage, means more attractive to sponsors, more funds available in the racing, higher standard.

- Circuit racing can allow the Pro's to do 200km races - raise the standard so we have better success internationally.

- Move to a strength vs. strength based racing system based on categories.  This allows juniors to come up through the ranks, and ex-pros to race competitively and not be lost to the sport.

 

I genuinely believe that events cannot cater for the needs of the fun-riders and the pro/elite sport.  Fun riders are fans of the sport, and are the paying customer, yet they cannot actually be spectators.  The needs of the two should be properly catered for, so that both parties get what's in their best interests.

[/quote']

 

Bruce for president.

 

I love the idea and i'm sure it can work!!!!

 

Definatly! Cannot agree more with Bruce on every single point!

 

[Domestiquehated]

How about racing in weight categories' date=' much like martial arts?  Then all us fat guys can struggle up the hills together!  [/quote']

thanks for that valid input.....how about eating less so that we all can race in the same weight cat?

 

Cheeky cheeky!  My two passions are food and bicycles - what can I say?  Actually, I have lost some 15kgs since I started riding, but at a geboude 6'4" I am always going to be dropping off my bunch going up Chappies for example.