What is the PPA doing?

[Icycling]

 

The next installment from PPA... 

 

Ummm... if road rides are being cancelled for being less than 600, should we not cancel all MTB events then?

 

Also that all seeding events are used for Argus seeding.

 

Dear Members

 

Congratulations to all the newly crowned SA Road Cycling and Time Trial champions and all the podium finishers. We also wish Paul Meinking a speedy and full recovery after his unfortunate accident at SA Champs.

 

As we turn our attention back to our regular road funrides, we unfortunately see some of them struggling to fill entries. It looks like there is either a lack of interest in these events, or the demand for (more) road cycling events has been overstated.

 

All the PPA-supported events raise funds for charity, which makes it critical that these events do make a profit. In the run-up to the event, PPA and the organiser watches the online entries daily to gauge interest and estimate how many riders may line up at the start on the day. Somewhere along the line, the point is reached when - if pre-entries remain low - the decision needs to be made to either pull the plug on the event, or simply trust that late entries will flood in on the day to carry the event. Not all can afford to do the latter.

 

Some road funrides attract thousands of entries. Why? In most cases, the fact that they are premier seeding events for the Cape Town Cycle Tour seem to be the incentive to enter.

 

However, all events timed by Racetec are actually considered for Cycle Tour seeding. So all fun rides on the PPA calendar are used to determine your seeding for the Big One.

 

Entry fees remain competitive. We don’t overcharge for events and when it comes to PPA-own events, we even subsidise the cost to make it as affordable as possible for our members. We ask all PPA-supported events to fall in line with our entry fee recommendations, but for many, if they did this, they’d make little to no money for their chosen charities.

 

We support events with a “Marketing” package that covers everything from calendar listing, emails to database, event crew, route equipment, event permissions, numbers and timing. They do pay us a fee, but in general we highly subsidise the package, especially the cost of timing. And if the event battles to survive, we look at how else PPA can assist.

 

If we are to grow – or even maintain - the portfolio of road cycling events, we need your support. There is no point in spending a lot of money, time and effort for a handful of riders.

 

We need your support for the existing events on the calendar. We also need your support for the new events on the calendar. Let’s keep road cycling alive and well.

 

Please support these upcoming road events and enter now:

• Journey4 Sight
• Tour de PPA
• ‘Cyclosportif’ #1
• Maluti Double90 team challenge

 

Yes PPA - due to lack of interest in MTB ride (based on race tec results) should stop hosting MTB event.

 

But my question from my 1st post is been answered by the CEO - page 1 of this thread: " Isn't it the Table mountain bike cycling club formally known as PPA? The money is now been reassigned to salaries / overhead - so all services to cyclist will be reduce."

 

So to answer the title of the post “What is PA doing?” - F#4king up road cycling - which due to the fact is where the bulk of the money comes from - in time will F#$K up MTB cycling and a bit further down the road - themselves.

 

I refer to a polI started some time back - but it doesn’t take eyes to see - it takes vision!

 

https://community.bikehub.co.za/topic/122825-ppa-how-much-funding-should-the-association-retain-annually-ie-not-spend-on-cycling/

[Tubehunter]

Yes PPA - due to lack of interest in MTB ride (based on race tec results) should stop hosting MTB event.

 

But my question from my 1st post is been answered by the CEO - page 1 of this thread: " Isn't it the Table mountain bike cycling club formally known as PPA? The money is now been reassigned to salaries / overhead - so all services to cyclist will be reduce."

 

So to answer the title of the post “What is PA doing?” - F#4king up road cycling - which due to the fact is where the bulk of the money comes from - in time will F#$K up MTB cycling and a bit further down the road - themselves.

 

I refer to a polI started some time back - but it doesn’t take eyes to see - it takes vision!

 

https://community.bikehub.co.za/topic/122825-ppa-how-much-funding-should-the-association-retain-annually-ie-not-spend-on-cycling/

 

I salute your ongoing passion towards road cycling! I genuinely mean it when I say that it's so impressive to see someone with your ongoing commitment to the sport Peter. There are probably many like me that you do not even know but know you and your drive to see change. It's important that you know that is how the outsiders looking in will perceive this. I do however have to question how you are trying to go about achieving this though. You do not miss an opportunity to slate the PPA and seem to take this almost vendetta you have to the next level whenever you can. I can't help but wonder what fruits may have come from all of the time you have put into chasing this very valid cause you have, should you have changed your approach? 

 

A universal truth is that people can work with other people if they're able to set aside their differences for the greater good. The constant confrontation is difficult to overcome though! It only alienates and entrenches beliefs, however valid or invalid they may be, purely out of principle. 

 

I have never achieved what you have in the sport and personally do not have the desire to. I do however like what you're presenting for keeping cycling going, as I personally believe that all facets of cycling will improve if the road racing scene thrives! There is no other facet that can compete from a numbers perspective! More so that there is already a few must do events on the calendar that are established and pulling in massive entries across the country. It seems crazy not to leverage off that. We all know that a large percentage of people who cycle spill over into other disciplines too! The best way to grow all of those would be to get more people on bikes to more races and frankly the easiest way is the road racing scene! Please reconsider how you are currently attempting to get this done! The PPA have never had a massive public persona regarding the operations of the Organisation. There is nothing to be gained from having a public feud with them. Cycling could be the winner here, if you were involved in an ongoing basis with the internals of the PPA, but that can never happen when the very people whose confidence you require, you are constantly slating. 

 

No offence meant towards you as a person, I don't know you outside of the interactions here but simply focusing on the way in which this is going down! 

 

Please keep pushing towards the goal! 

[Icycling]

I salute your ongoing passion towards road cycling! I genuinely mean it when I say that it's so impressive to see someone with your ongoing commitment to the sport Peter. There are probably many like me that you do not even know but know you and your drive to see change. It's important that you know that is how the outsiders looking in will perceive this. I do however have to question how you are trying to go about achieving this though. You do not miss an opportunity to slate the PPA and seem to take this almost vendetta you have to the next level whenever you can. I can't help but wonder what fruits may have come from all of the time you have put into chasing this very valid cause you have, should you have changed your approach? 

 

A universal truth is that people can work with other people if they're able to set aside their differences for the greater good. The constant confrontation is difficult to overcome though! It only alienates and entrenches beliefs, however valid or invalid they may be, purely out of principle. 

 

I have never achieved what you have in the sport and personally do not have the desire to. I do however like what you're presenting for keeping cycling going, as I personally believe that all facets of cycling will improve if the road racing scene thrives! There is no other facet that can compete from a numbers perspective! More so that there is already a few must do events on the calendar that are established and pulling in massive entries across the country. It seems crazy not to leverage off that. We all know that a large percentage of people who cycle spill over into other disciplines too! The best way to grow all of those would be to get more people on bikes to more races and frankly the easiest way is the road racing scene! Please reconsider how you are currently attempting to get this done! The PPA have never had a massive public persona regarding the operations of the Organisation. There is nothing to be gained from having a public feud with them. Cycling could be the winner here, if you were involved in an ongoing basis with the internals of the PPA, but that can never happen when the very people whose confidence you require, you are constantly slating. 

 

No offence meant towards you as a person, I don't know you outside of the interactions here but simply focusing on the way in which this is going down! 

 

Please keep pushing towards the goal! 

Like with the major politically party in RSA - the ANC, seems to have lost its way (yes it still has the majority support but for how long), the PPA seem to have lost their way too. More often than not the guys with the higher IQ just decide to leave early (get off the ship) - but are still wiling to make there opinion felt even if the ship seems unable too change course.

 

PPA's lost direction -  has not happened in the last few months but over the last number of years - probably ever since the previous chairman became captain of the ship!  

 

Here is an example to what I mean - ANC

 

http://www.iol.co.za/news/opinion/mathews-phosa-this-was-my-damascus-moment-7831409

[carbon29er]

I salute your ongoing passion towards road cycling! I genuinely mean it when I say that it's so impressive to see someone with your ongoing commitment to the sport Peter. There are probably many like me that you do not even know but know you and your drive to see change. It's important that you know that is how the outsiders looking in will perceive this. I do however have to question how you are trying to go about achieving this though. You do not miss an opportunity to slate the PPA and seem to take this almost vendetta you have to the next level whenever you can. I can't help but wonder what fruits may have come from all of the time you have put into chasing this very valid cause you have, should you have changed your approach?

 

Snip

 

There is nothing to be gained from having a public feud with them. Cycling could be the winner here, if you were involved in an ongoing basis with the internals of the PPA, but that can never happen when the very people whose confidence you require, you are constantly slating. 

 

No offence meant towards you as a person, I don't know you outside of the interactions here but simply focusing on the way in which this is going down! 

 

Please keep pushing towards the goal! 

Good post.

 

At the risk of it once again been branded the Pete and Rob anti PPA show, which in my case it most definitely is not, I think it would be fair to say that the animosity between Peter and PPA is mutual.

 

When on Exco, Peter pushed and pushed for better support of road racing, particularly the Giro del Capo as a breeding ground for future SA talent. Apparently the event ran at a loss and the decision was taken to drop it after the 2010 race.  As the event was part of the then Argus Cycle Tour operations, Rotary, as a 50% beneficiary was unwilling to put up with the losses.

 

Peter argued that PPA had plenty of income and should continue to invest in the event.

 

It was around this time that funrides in the Southern Suburbs ceased to exist as well. So the PPA had moved from major support of grass roots road cycling to being an investor of surplus funds.

 

So at the same time PPA was either unwilling or unable to continue with a sizeable chunk of the road calendar they took a decision to invest surplus funds to secure the future of the association.  And it was not long before the fights with CSA started.

 

Peter was against the annihilation of the road racing calendar, was very vocal and outspoken within the PPA structures.  Eventually he gave up as he was man alone and almost as a matter of course any suggestions he made were opposed.

 

While the current administration is in place there is very little chance of Peter and the PPA being able to work together, he is a pariah. In fact, very little is being optimistic. The interests of road cyclists in particular are secondary to making sure that certain individuals do not get a seat at the table, no matter what they can contribute towards the goals of the association and to the benefit of cyclists.

 

I cannot speak for how Peter feels and I know he can be bombastically repetitive but in all my interactions with him over many years I have no doubt his only interest is the advancement of junior cyclists into professional cyclists.

 

Maybe the hub would be better served without threads about the PPA. Nothing is achieved and they don't take grievances posted here seriously in any event.

[Icycling]

Good post.

 

At the risk of it once again been branded the Pete and Rob anti PPA show, which in my case it most definitely is not, I think it would be fair to say that the animosity between Peter and PPA is mutual.

 

When on Exco, Peter pushed and pushed for better support of road racing, particularly the Giro del Capo as a breeding ground for future SA talent. Apparently the event ran at a loss and the decision was taken to drop it after the 2010 race.  As the event was part of the then Argus Cycle Tour operations, Rotary, as a 50% beneficiary was unwilling to put up with the losses.

 

Peter argued that PPA had plenty of income and should continue to invest in the event.

 

It was around this time that funrides in the Southern Suburbs ceased to exist as well. So the PPA had moved from major support of grass roots road cycling to being an investor of surplus funds.

 

So at the same time PPA was either unwilling or unable to continue with a sizeable chunk of the road calendar they took a decision to invest surplus funds to secure the future of the association.  And it was not long before the fights with CSA started.

 

Peter was against the annihilation of the road racing calendar, was very vocal and outspoken within the PPA structures.  Eventually he gave up as he was man alone and almost as a matter of course any suggestions he made were opposed.

 

While the current administration is in place there is very little chance of Peter and the PPA being able to work together, he is a pariah. In fact, very little is being optimistic. The interests of road cyclists in particular are secondary to making sure that certain individuals do not get a seat at the table, no matter what they can contribute towards the goals of the association and to the benefit of cyclists.

 

I cannot speak for how Peter feels and I know he can be bombastically repetitive but in all my interactions with him over many years I have no doubt his only interest is the advancement of junior cyclists into professional cyclists.

 

Maybe the hub would be better served without threads about the PPA. Nothing is achieved and they don't take grievances posted here seriously in any event.

Thanks Rob.

 

This past week I was very fortunate to join the UCT cycling club on their annual Plett cycling tour. Again I see some road cycling talent from the Western Cape southern sub (a little older than junior). Unfortunately for them event like the Giro del Capo just don't happen anymore for them to gain exposure to good quality tor racing.

[Tubehunter]

Good post.

 

At the risk of it once again been branded the Pete and Rob anti PPA show, which in my case it most definitely is not, I think it would be fair to say that the animosity between Peter and PPA is mutual.

 

When on Exco, Peter pushed and pushed for better support of road racing, particularly the Giro del Capo as a breeding ground for future SA talent. Apparently the event ran at a loss and the decision was taken to drop it after the 2010 race.  As the event was part of the then Argus Cycle Tour operations, Rotary, as a 50% beneficiary was unwilling to put up with the losses.

 

Peter argued that PPA had plenty of income and should continue to invest in the event.

 

It was around this time that funrides in the Southern Suburbs ceased to exist as well. So the PPA had moved from major support of grass roots road cycling to being an investor of surplus funds.

 

So at the same time PPA was either unwilling or unable to continue with a sizeable chunk of the road calendar they took a decision to invest surplus funds to secure the future of the association.  And it was not long before the fights with CSA started.

 

Peter was against the annihilation of the road racing calendar, was very vocal and outspoken within the PPA structures.  Eventually he gave up as he was man alone and almost as a matter of course any suggestions he made were opposed.

 

While the current administration is in place there is very little chance of Peter and the PPA being able to work together, he is a pariah. In fact, very little is being optimistic. The interests of road cyclists in particular are secondary to making sure that certain individuals do not get a seat at the table, no matter what they can contribute towards the goals of the association and to the benefit of cyclists.

 

I cannot speak for how Peter feels and I know he can be bombastically repetitive but in all my interactions with him over many years I have no doubt his only interest is the advancement of junior cyclists into professional cyclists.

 

Maybe the hub would be better served without threads about the PPA. Nothing is achieved and they don't take grievances posted here seriously in any event.

 

Rob, thanks for posting up some additional background! I'll be honest and say I have followed this over the years and I personally am familiar with the involvement and manner in which both Peter and yourself seemed to have been almost discarded by the core of the Exco. It will assist with context for others following though!

 

What's crazy to consider is that both of your views regarding the individual focus of growing cycling are spot on and valid, yet despite your enthusiasm and willingness to the task, your meaningful input is no longer part of the equation within the greatest custodian of cycling related endeavours in our country. This is such a loss and I for one would be beyond excited to see you guys restored to being part of the structures. I do however recognise that whilst there is this open feud with the PPA from yourself and Peter, it creates an untenable situation that will only make the possibility of that a non event. Cycling needs you guys. There are already too few people who are truly prepared to stand up and be counted. Even less are lovers of the sport and daily participants who relate to the needs of the members better than you. 

 

This place is a unique animal. It brings out the best and the worst in both people and what can happen in various situations. I don't think there's anything wrong with discussing the PPA here either, as much as they do not see it as a worthwhile effort to officially engage here, for whatever their reasons, which they are entitled to, they are certainly keeping their finger on the pulse and much discussion is generated in other media from the interactions here! 

[Pure Savage]

I see they are now organizing a cycle sportif of four races this year.

 

We will try support these and try and get a nice team racing vibe going and get as many people riding on those days under controlled conditions which are safer.

 

I also did see the trailer and some of the signs. Hopefully motorists see them!

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[Patchelicious]

If anybody watched SuperCycling, that stuff that Jens said about cycling safety is what PPA and CSA should be preaching EVERYDAY!!

 

We are equals, we have a right to use the roads and cycling bodies must educate MOTORISTS about this.

[dsw]

If anybody watched SuperCycling, that stuff that Jens said about cycling safety is what PPA and CSA should be preaching EVERYDAY!!

 

We are equals, we have a right to use the roads and cycling bodies must educate MOTORISTS about this.

It was a great interview and Jens was as always  full value for his money:

 

” Cycling is so scientific and structured these days…You must follow orders like to push 365 watts for 27 minutes NOW…. You cannot just think, hey, the sun is shining, let me attack”

['Dale]

If anybody watched SuperCycling, that stuff that Jens said about cycling safety is what PPA and CSA should be preaching EVERYDAY!!

 

We are equals, we have a right to use the roads and cycling bodies must educate MOTORISTS about this.

That was a cool interview

 

ABC and all that

 

Lumo knee warmers - hmmm

I'll sleep on it ????

[Mamil]

First one next Sunday - I'm in - hope the older Savages are there - will need to sit on your old man's wheel again.

 

I see they are now organizing a cycle sportif of four races this year.

We will try support these and try and get a nice team racing vibe going and get as many people riding on those days under controlled conditions which are safer.

I also did see the trailer and some of the signs. Hopefully motorists see them!


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[Patchelicious]

This is a bit better... use the funds sell to motorists, stop using the funds to sell to cyclists.

 

[Bloukrans]

From the Legalbrief Today:

 

Cyclists wins R4m damages

Port Elizabeth cyclist Christian Moolman (59) – who suffered severe and debilitating injuries after an unknown vehicle, presumably a truck, crashed into him in November 2013 – has been awarded more than R4m in damages. The Herald reports in addition, the Eastern Cape High Court (Port Elizabeth) ordered the RAF to foot the bill for Moolman’s legal fees, as well as give an undertaking that it would pay any future medical bills or future accommodation in a nursing home. While the matter was set down for trial before Judge Elna Revelas on 22 March, counsel informed her that day that the matter had been settled out of court. All that remained outstanding was the issue of costs. On Friday, Revelas said that in the circumstances, Moolman was entitled to costs, ‘including the costs pertaining to the employment of two counsel’. Revelas also ordered the RAF to cover the fees of any expert witnesses Moolman’s legal team may have consulted.

[andydude]

From the Legalbrief Today:

 

Cyclists wins R4m damages

Port Elizabeth cyclist Christian Moolman (59) – who suffered severe and debilitating injuries after an unknown vehicle, presumably a truck, crashed into him in November 2013 – has been awarded more than R4m in damages. The Herald reports in addition, the Eastern Cape High Court (Port Elizabeth) ordered the RAF to foot the bill for Moolman’s legal fees, as well as give an undertaking that it would pay any future medical bills or future accommodation in a nursing home. While the matter was set down for trial before Judge Elna Revelas on 22 March, counsel informed her that day that the matter had been settled out of court. All that remained outstanding was the issue of costs. On Friday, Revelas said that in the circumstances, Moolman was entitled to costs, ‘including the costs pertaining to the employment of two counsel’. Revelas also ordered the RAF to cover the fees of any expert witnesses Moolman’s legal team may have consulted.

 

Great news!

 

And it made me think, what stops a cyclists from opening a civil case against a negligent driver if the criminal path is not working?

[Patchelicious]

This is a much better update and shows some action, remember we must keep applying pressure to prevent this from becoming just a once off.

 

 

A letter from the CEO

Dear Andre

 

Road Safety

It seems like the current spate of cyclists killed and injured in vehicle collisions is not letting up.

 

In January the cycling community lost 3 cyclists. Last week another cyclist was killed in Gauteng. We received a report of a cyclist knocked off her bike in the Kleinmond area two weeks ago. The cyclist was made to feel like she was at fault and the SAPS officers were siding with the driver. Then there was Faizel Abrahams who was knocked off his bike by a motorist on Kloof Nek Road just 10 days ago. The driver tried to make a getaway, but was stopped by members of the public. Faizel is still in hospital, with months - if not years - of rehab waiting for him. We have been in contact with Faizel’s wife and we know she has appointed legal council. We remain in contact and will assess how we can help.

 

There have probably been more incidents, but these are the ones we know about. In the case of Deon Basson, PPA appointed an advocate to assist the investigating officer. In the case of Delene Boonzaaier, PPA and the same advocate will meet with her parents later this month to look at the progress made in her case and consider the next steps.

 

In at least three of the five cases listed above, the driver tried to, or managed to leave the scene of the crash. This is a criminal offence. In Faizel’s case, for example, the driver was caught, but not arrested. In Deon Basson’s case, the driver was caught, but not arrested and put in jail. In Muldersdrift, the cyclist died and the driver simply drove away.

 

We as cyclists and as PPA cannot sit by and allow this to happen!

 

The situation has become ridiculous and I have written to the MEC of Transport to say as much.

 

I have contacted the people I know in the City of Joburg, demanding that they do not let the Muldersdrift case slip through the cracks.

 

I have written to the Provincial Department of Road Safety, urging that these cases are investigated properly.

 

I have written to Brett Herron, Mayco member for Transport, asking that crashes that happened within the City of Cape Town jurisdiction be given the priority they deserve. If the City says they want to create a Cycling City, then they should be serious about making the roads safer and enforcing the law.

 

We have legislated the '1m law' in the Western Cape - whenever a motorist knocks down a cyclist, the 1m law is obviously broken, but we are yet to see anyone prosecuted. It feels as though the Law Enforcement officers don’t even know the law exists.

 

When a cyclist is killed, the matter does not seem to be taken seriously. It is up to the next of kin or, in some cases PPA, to drive the case and push the authorities to follow due process. Cyclists are baying for justice and rightly so.

 

As an organisation, PPA has to consider which cases have a good chance of being successfully prosecuted and support those. Advocates are expensive and we need to be cognisant of costs and therefore need to be selective with which cases to support. We need a successful prosecution of the 1m law and we need to see a motorist in jail for killing or injuring a cyclist. I am open to any further suggestions from you, the cycling community, to see how we can be taken seriously as a road user group.

[Bloukrans]

Agree much better approach.

 

Small details but was the one guy not Gregory Basson and not Deon Basson.