Ironman 2018 - PE

[gummibear]

Third attack in 3 weeks on Ironman route in PE    

 

Today 22/4/2017 at about 15h00 in Port Elizabeth yet another cyclist was attacked - he was stabbed in the hand. This was on Victoria Drive between Sardinia Bay Rd and Schoenies - about half way between the Rover racetrack entrances. Another cyclist ( who had been similarly attacked just prior to the Ironman, in the same proximity) arrived to recover the bike. It was widely publicised recently that an Ironman athlete from Yugoslavia was attacked and left unconscious by a group of 7 men in the same area - a motorist scared them off. As cyclists who use this road we have had enough! Have the authorities done something about this ongoing situation? We should not have to fear attack and injury riding this beautiful stretch of our incredible city and ask that the SAPS take immediate action. Perhaps Atlas security who we have come to rely heavily on in PE can assist? Please could cyclists and concerned citizens share this post and perhaps tag any friends you may have in positions of influence? Let's take our roads back!

[IceCreamMan]

Third attack in 3 weeks on Ironman route in PE    

 

Today 22/4/2017 at about 15h00 in Port Elizabeth yet another cyclist was attacked - he was stabbed in the hand. This was on Victoria Drive between Sardinia Bay Rd and Schoenies - about half way between the Rover racetrack entrances. Another cyclist ( who had been similarly attacked just prior to the Ironman, in the same proximity) arrived to recover the bike. It was widely publicised recently that an Ironman athlete from Yugoslavia was attacked and left unconscious by a group of 7 men in the same area - a motorist scared them off. As cyclists who use this road we have had enough! Have the authorities done something about this ongoing situation? We should not have to fear attack and injury riding this beautiful stretch of our incredible city and ask that the SAPS take immediate action. Perhaps Atlas security who we have come to rely heavily on in PE can assist? Please could cyclists and concerned citizens share this post and perhaps tag any friends you may have in positions of influence? Let's take our roads back!

Complete bull****..police must now sort this out before some cyclists take guns and take these scum out.

[EmJayZA]

Have u still got the saddle from the previous bike, if so put that on and see how it goes. Guess the geometry of the S2 is different thus might be an element of getting used to and chafes in areas not previously chafed. Or a nice new saddle.

 

Thursday a public holiday, have it sorted before then and get out there again and again. We really are fortunate in Gauteng with the weather and cradle, even in winter.

 

Previous bike? When I say my ride this weekend was my second one, I really meant it. Have not been on a bike since I was in my early teens.  Still getting the hang of the gears, handling and fast descending. Hence my apprehension for doing the 70.3 in June. Does not feel like enough time on my bike considering I will only be able to get out on the road maybe once a week. 

[gummibear]

Surgery looms for attacked cyclist 

 April 24, 2017 Siyamtanda Capa

Miroslav Vrastil

Picture: Supplied

Yet Ironman competitor still loves PE enough to stay on

A veteran Ironman competitor could be forced to undergo facial reconstruction after he sustained cheekbone fractures and an injured eye socket in a brutal attack last week. Miroslav Vrastil, 66, from the Czech Republic, has told how at least 10 men ambushed him while he was cycling along Victoria Drive on Monday last week.

Vrastil, who has been in Port Elizabeth since February and has 76 Ironmans under his belt, was found by residents. He had been beaten and robbed of his cellphone and passport.

His passport was recovered shortly afterwards.

Vrastil said the midday incident was a complete shock.

“The group of men, walking in the same direction as I was going, appeared on the side of the road and, as I was approaching them, they split to both sides of the road and left a narrow passage for me to ride through.”

Vrastil said he immediately felt uneasy but was too close to stop or turn around.

“As I was riding through, they suddenly kicked my bicycle from both sides, trying to make me fall, and my chain came off.

“I don’t remember falling, but I suspect I was hit with an object.

“All I remember is waking up and lying on the ground, with people around me,” the father of seven said.

Vrastil suffered a concussion and temporary amnesia, struggling to remember his name or where he lived.

He was taken to hospital by ambulance.

[IceCreamMan]

Previous bike? When I say my ride this weekend was my second one, I really meant it. Have not been on a bike since I was in my early teens.  Still getting the hang of the gears, handling and fast descending. Hence my apprehension for doing the 70.3 in June. Does not feel like enough time on my bike considering I will only be able to get out on the road maybe once a week. 

 

Ahhh ok I understand now.    Then I am afraid long rides are going to hurt, its just the way it is. Even if the saddle is perfect fit you still going to hurt as you build up to longer distances. You just got to "acclimitise" and build up to longer distances. June is soon, however if you can ride 60kays or so you should be good to go for Durban. The Durban course is fairly gentle in comparison to the cradle. you have 6 weeks plus a couple of public holidays so make sure you use the time well. An get anti chafe cream (if you do not have any) ..

 

Thursday is a public holiday as is Monday ... Ride as much as you can to get used to the bike ASAP.  Aint going to lie to you, june is soon but I think if you generally fit and taking the nature of the bike course into consideration it is do able.... just ride as much as you can.

 

see you in the cradle on Thursday, bright an early

[Wheelsuck]

Ahhh ok I understand now.    Then I am afraid long rides are going to hurt, its just the way it is. Even if the saddle is perfect fit you still going to hurt as you build up to longer distances. You just got to "acclimitise" and build up to longer distances. June is soon, however if you can ride 60kays or so you should be good to go for Durban. The Durban course is fairly gentle in comparison to the cradle. you have 6 weeks plus a couple of public holidays so make sure you use the time well. An get anti chafe cream (if you do not have any) ..

 

Thursday is a public holiday as is Monday ... Ride as much as you can to get used to the bike ASAP.  Aint going to lie to you, june is soon but I think if you generally fit and taking the nature of the bike course into consideration it is do able.... just ride as much as you can.

 

see you in the cradle on Thursday, bright an early

Agree with ICM but just be careful not to do to much-Load the Body -so do the 60km rides and increase by 10% per week, but dont overdo it in terms of frequency so take about 3 weeks to just slowly increase the load on the body. Then use the next 2 to buld a bit of variation-so a couple of rides at race pace and run at race pace type intervals and then taper week.

 

Dont try to do too much rather do the right type of training with quality.

[EmJayZA]

Ahhh ok I understand now.    Then I am afraid long rides are going to hurt, its just the way it is. Even if the saddle is perfect fit you still going to hurt as you build up to longer distances. You just got to "acclimitise" and build up to longer distances. June is soon, however if you can ride 60kays or so you should be good to go for Durban. The Durban course is fairly gentle in comparison to the cradle. you have 6 weeks plus a couple of public holidays so make sure you use the time well. An get anti chafe cream (if you do not have any) ..

 

Thursday is a public holiday as is Monday ... Ride as much as you can to get used to the bike ASAP.  Aint going to lie to you, june is soon but I think if you generally fit and taking the nature of the bike course into consideration it is do able.... just ride as much as you can.

 

see you in the cradle on Thursday, bright an early

 

I can deal with chafing and the sit bone pain. It's the soft tissue pain that feels like razors. I am going to try go out as much as I can once I have the new saddle. My LBS has a demo saddle program and will do a proper fit, so was happy to hear that. I really don't feel like spending a ton of money to find the right saddle. This is why I will pay a little extra for my products from my LBS. 

 

Agree with ICM but just be careful not to do to much-Load the Body -so do the 60km rides and increase by 10% per week, but dont overdo it in terms of frequency so take about 3 weeks to just slowly increase the load on the body. Then use the next 2 to buld a bit of variation-so a couple of rides at race pace and run at race pace type intervals and then taper week.

 

Dont try to do too much rather do the right type of training with quality.

 

Thanks. You are right, but I will keep these as "coffee rides". Think around 22km/ph and will avoid any hectic climbs just so I can get a better feel for my bike and get some better handling. Each ride I see a marked improvement, so need to just get a little more acquainted with my bike and her workings. My base fitness is pretty good, and think I can do a lot of light spinning without impacting the quality of my other training. 

[Davey_Jones]

I will be doing my first full IM next year

[clivem]

Looking to secure accommodation in PE for the race.  Anyone have details of reasonably priced self-catering places not too far from the start?  Thanks

[IceCreamMan]

Looking to secure accommodation in PE for the race. Anyone have details of reasonably priced self-catering places not too far from the start? Thanks

I always stay at road lodge. Cheap an across the road from hobie. Best place in PE.

[_David_]

I always stay at road lodge. Cheap an across the road from hobie. Best place in PE.

 

I looked at Road Lodge, already fully booked for next year. Managed to get a spot at Splash Guest House on Brighton Drive about 2km from the start.

[MarkW]

So it looks like the date is now finalised for 18 15 April 2018 and registrations are open.  Who's in for 2018?

i have booked and paid for 70,3 and full IM package... so no turning back

[MarkW]

Let the serious training begin!

[clivem]

Just entered PE and EL 2018!  

 

Not a bad deal for the combo.

[Chris_]

I just realised my last swim was 2 April.. 

 

and my only cycle (since 2 Apr as well) was 7kms, thanks to a puncture and winter temps winning that battle.

 

I can't wait for this comrades rubbish to be done so I can get back into the tri swing of things

[Oxter]

Will be there

 

Especially as there is the African swing special being offered if you sign up for EL and PE together which is much cheaper than if you signed up for them individually.

Where is this?

 

EDIT: nevermind...found it, almost entered for EL 70.3 the other day. Glad i decided against it at that point