Gauteng Road Champs

[Frosty]

Gerald, who is responsible for this race?

 

Last year, Mike Bradley came out on social media and said it has nothing to do with him.

 

Somebody is responsible for this mess, again.

Short answer

The chair person of Gauteng Province (Cycling), unless he has shifted responsibility to the chair person of the hosting region - Gauteng East Cycling (GEC).

 

 

Long answer

The event is GAUTENG PROVINCIAL Road & TT Champs, so it should be the head of the Gauteng provincial committee. I know his name, but I have no idea who he is, and I'm sure I have never met him.

 

Gauteng is split into 5 regions, with GEC hosting this year's event - Southern Gauteng hosted it last year. The actual race is being organised by the committee of GEC, which is made up of 3-4 people. The reason for the 5 regions is a SASCOC requirement.

 

I asked, in October 2016, what is happening with the provincial champs, as I know what is involved to get permission from the SAPS, EPMD and other authorities to use the roads. Without this, the event is not allowed to take place - which is why 2016 was postponed.

 

The team I work with on "our race" provided them with a step for step process on how to get approval, which forms to submit, where and when. I was also asked to give some insight on the route, and the start times - only because they know I know how to do it. As I am not on the organising team, I did not want to post anything until it was approved. The initial route changed, which is when I posted here a few weeks back - a much better route than the initial one.

 

The biggest problem, which has yet to be rectified is COMMUNICATION - you know it, I know it and I'm sure many other know it too. I addressed this to the chairperson of my region (GEC) in April/May last year, based on some feedback I got from the thread I started, as well as speaking to a few people at a number of races. I haven't received any feedback, and I'm not sure if it was discussed at all.

 

There is no Gauteng (Province) website for cycling - CGC effectively split into three regions (West, Central and East), while North and South were independent of CGC for a number of years.

 

I can go on, but I think you only wanted to know who the responsible person was.

[Schnavel]

Is anyone actually bothering to race or will it be a complete joke again?

[Patchelicious]

Short answer

The chair person of Gauteng Province (Cycling), unless he has shifted responsibility to the chair person of the hosting region - Gauteng East Cycling (GEC).

 

 

Long answer

The event is GAUTENG PROVINCIAL Road & TT Champs, so it should be the head of the Gauteng provincial committee. I know his name, but I have no idea who he is, and I'm sure I have never met him.

 

Gauteng is split into 5 regions, with GEC hosting this year's event - Southern Gauteng hosted it last year. The actual race is being organised by the committee of GEC, which is made up of 3-4 people. The reason for the 5 regions is a SASCOC requirement.

 

I asked, in October 2016, what is happening with the provincial champs, as I know what is involved to get permission from the SAPS, EPMD and other authorities to use the roads. Without this, the event is not allowed to take place - which is why 2016 was postponed.

 

The team I work with on "our race" provided them with a step for step process on how to get approval, which forms to submit, where and when. I was also asked to give some insight on the route, and the start times - only because they know I know how to do it. As I am not on the organising team, I did not want to post anything until it was approved. The initial route changed, which is when I posted here a few weeks back - a much better route than the initial one.

 

The biggest problem, which has yet to be rectified is COMMUNICATION - you know it, I know it and I'm sure many other know it too. I addressed this to the chairperson of my region (GEC) in April/May last year, based on some feedback I got from the thread I started, as well as speaking to a few people at a number of races. I haven't received any feedback, and I'm not sure if it was discussed at all.

 

There is no Gauteng (Province) website for cycling - CGC effectively split into three regions (West, Central and East), while North and South were independent of CGC for a number of years.

 

I can go on, but I think you only wanted to know who the responsible person was.

Do you have the shortest answer? 

 

a Name?

[Spinnekop]

Is anyone actually bothering to race or will it be a complete joke again?

Nah.

 

I'll be doing a lekke long ride on my own.  Will be better organised.  Harder.  Less negative. 

And there will be beer at the end.

Win, win, win, win and big win.

 

Good luck to all who compete.

 

It is a true pity that, in Cycling, the provincial champs does not show you who the strongest cyclist in the province is.

[Patchelicious]

Nah.

 

I'll be doing a lekke long ride on my own.  Will be better organised.  Harder.  Less negative. 

And there will be beer at the end.

Win, win, win, win and big win.

 

Good luck to all who compete.

 

It is a true pity that, in Cycling, the provincial champs does not show you who the strongest cyclist in the province is.

Tell me more....

[Danger Dassie]

Funny that Bradley has that attitude, since it has to be CSA sanctioned. Especially after CSA's threats to any rider holding a racing licence that 'dare' to take part in a non-sanctioned event. 

Also wasn't there an appointment of a lady as agm, within her portfolio was to assist provincial structures to fulfill their mandate. 

With respect to CSA, their approach to their mandate seems to follow a cherry pick attitude. But take our money in membership and day licences. 

[Schnavel]

With respect to CSA, their approach to their mandate seems to follow a cherry pick attitude. But take our money in membership and day licences. 

 

Unfortunately, this seems to be the South African service industry mentality.

 

Take fees every month / year, but then as soon as something goes wrong, bury your head and hope the problem goes away...

[Prozac]

well , I have contacted every number as e-mail received 15/1/2017  to find out my TT start time or when this will be sent  , No-one can assist and passes it on to the other . . . I was advised to be at the start at 8am and wait my turn . . .    

 

I have a good mind and not participate , to get my payment back would surely be impossible .

 

[Frosty]

Don't get me wrong - I am just as frustrated as others that this event's communication is (and has been) below par, even though I'm not taking part¹.

 

For one, I won't throw anyone under the bus and point fingers - I'd rather offer some help when and where I can - even if they don't listen to it. My hope is that one day it will sink in and I don't have to repeat it again and again and again. My boss said it's one of my weakness (in his opinion), but I guess that's the "teacher" in me.

 

Sadly, there are bigger problems both from the top down (CSA) as well as from the bottom up (clubs/individuals) - and until this is addressed and fixed, we'll be talking about this again next year.

 

Luckily, I've got to know a few people over the last few years and I hope I can work with them to bring about some change, even if it is minor. The criterium racing is a point in case, which started again in 2016.

 

¹ I'm not taking part because I'm not fit enough - took three weeks off the bike in December. But I will probably stop by to speak to a few people, and support the 6 members from my club that are taking part.

[Sharkie 2]

Will the provincial champs not regain its structure or prestige if CSA enforce that it is compulsury to compete in your provincials in order to race nationals?

 

Make it that every province sends it strongest 8 riders and 3 on the TT for example from the provincials

[NotSoBigBen]

"For this weekend's provincials, the time trials will start at 0700 on Saturday and the first road race starts at 0630 on Sunday. The problem with entries not working at first on the CSA Web site resulted in the Gauteng East extending the entries to an hour before the start of the road race in order to accommodate the cyclists. This in turn means the number of entries is not known yet, which affects a lot of things as it is a circuit so the numbers in each age group will determine whether some groups will be combined or not (eg either separate events for 40-44 and 45-49 or one race made up of both categories) The organizers will send out smses to all entrants advising them closer to the time"

[Frosty]

"For this weekend's provincials, the time trials will start at 0700 on Saturday and the first road race starts at 0630 on Sunday. The problem with entries not working at first on the CSA Web site resulted in the Gauteng East extending the entries to an hour before the start of the road race in order to accommodate the cyclists. This in turn means the number of entries is not known yet, which affects a lot of things as it is a circuit so the numbers in each age group will determine whether some groups will be combined or not (eg either separate events for 40-44 and 45-49 or one race made up of both categories) The organizers will send out smses to all entrants advising them closer to the time"

To expand on the above statement:

 

21 different age categories that have to share the same lap section of the race route, with 15Km from/to the start/finish. Knowing that some categories have a small number of participants at races, it is possible to squeeze this down, but not below 15. That excludes the younger generation that don't even make it to the circuit (distance too far).

 

It becomes a whole day affair, with some groups starting at 06:30, while others much later.

 

Different categories race different distances - according to the UCI guidelines, which is different to a normal race on the calendar where everyone races a single (sometimes 2) distances.

 

That is why National Champs takes place over a much longer time period - to give every age category a chance at a fair race without interference from other groups.

[bradwentzel]

Any idea what time the vets 30+ are off Sunday?

[Frosty]

Any idea what time the vets 30+ are off Sunday?

When I get an answer to the Whatsapp I've just sent, I will share it immediately.

[Underachiever]

To expand on the above statement:

 

21 different age categories that have to share the same lap section of the race route, with 15Km from/to the start/finish. Knowing that some categories have a small number of participants at races, it is possible to squeeze this down, but not below 15. That excludes the younger generation that don't even make it to the circuit (distance too far).

 

It becomes a whole day affair, with some groups starting at 06:30, while others much later.

 

Different categories race different distances - according to the UCI guidelines, which is different to a normal race on the calendar where everyone races a single (sometimes 2) distances.

 

That is why National Champs takes place over a much longer time period - to give every age category a chance at a fair race without interference from other groups.

I've tried to work out how they need to plan this without the groups getting all mixed up and it's a complex affair considering the long distance to the loop/circuit, and the relative short loop. 

 

Keeping track of break-aways, main bunches and the rest amongst all the age groups are bound to become interesting.  Let alone the decision making of the comms when the groups are getting mixed. 

 

So we are most likely heading towards a "less than desired result", normally known as a f-up.

 

Can't wait for Monday's rants.

[Frosty]

I've tried to work out how they need to plan this without the groups getting all mixed up and it's a complex affair considering the long distance to the loop/circuit, and the relative short loop.

 

Keeping track of break-aways, main bunches and the rest amongst all the age groups are bound to become interesting. Let alone the decision making of the comms when the groups are getting mixed.

 

So we are most likely heading towards a "less than desired result", normally known as a f-up.

 

Can't wait for Monday's rants.

No more than 4 groups, on the lap section of the route, competing for the same distance - it took us 29 mins to complete the lap on Saturday. At 5 min intervals it allows 10 mins between the first and last group turning onto the loop.

 

It's not rocket science.

 

Waiting for a call to discuss this in more detail.