How many events have you bailed on or DNF?

[Rouxenator]

I always find it fascinating when people enter for an event and then either not go or pass their entry on to someone else. Since I started in 2011 I have always been afraid that ones you start bailing (not going) it could become a habit. Anyone else share that point of view?

 

So thus far I only 2 events I did not go to because I was seriously ill, 1 that I substituted to someone else because it was planned horribly and 1 that I DNF due to a mechanical issue. 

 

Would be keen to know how others feel about this. 

[dave303e]

death before DNF or something like that?

 

I will not start if I am really sick(hasnn't happened yet) but I have finnished a few adventure races not in a good way, had serious stomach issues from river water in a 250km adventure race, chundered for the middle 20 hours of the race(easy to chunder on the fly when running and cycling). Over ran myself at wartrail earlier this year, was calling george for the last 30km of the run, recovered well the 2nd and 2rd days atleast.

 

Thankfully am fairly mechanically minded so no mechanical DNF's yet.

 

But my thoughts are if you start and it goes pear shaped, you already there, you already hurting, may as well push on and get a reward for the efforts...

[Letum911]

I have only been entering events for about 2 years, total of 6/7 races. Haven't missed one. My previous sport (show jumping), I never missed one I entered for. In my opinion it's bad style to miss an event as the organizers (and possibly sponsors) planned and catered for you, yes I know they are paid for it but there's still wastage. And you paid for it, so not going is pissing away your own money.

 

Of course if you're seriously ill or have a work/family emergency it's understandable. 

[Robbie Stewart]

I always find it fascinating when people enter for an event and then either not go or pass their entry on to someone else. Since I started in 2011 I have always been afraid that ones you start bailing (not going) it could become a habit. Anyone else share that point of view?

 

So thus far I only 2 events I did not go to because I was seriously ill, 1 that I substituted to someone else because it was planned horribly and 1 that I DNF due to a mechanical issue. 

 

Would be keen to know how others feel about this. 

 

I only DNF'd one event that I started due to a front tyre blow out. I am still miffed, as it was my "home ground advantage" race. (In my mind anyway).

 

Gave up last year's K2C due to a broken arm, and this year's CTCT due to recovering from a second operation to my left arm in November, and the subsequent lack of training thereafter.

 

K2C I was miffed about, CTCT I am happy about, since I got my money back, unlike sooo many others.

[Rouxenator]

My only DNF was also due to a massive tyre slash. Now I know what TPI is and how important it is. 

[Pure Savage]

My son was born so I missed the race the next morning.

[EmJayZA]

I have one DNS. Skipped a 10km run. Got home 4 hours before the race was supposed to start. Lesson learnt to not accept a ride with friends before a race. 

[Velouria]

One - when I broke my back.

 

(Always sounds so much cooler saying I broke my back than saying I broke a bone in my back - in my case, a spinous process on L2). 

 

I still finished the loop - 13 kilometres back to the start.

[Skubarra]

Life happens? Babysitter cancels, you or someone in the family get sick, work deadlines, family or friend events - can think of loads of good reasons why people don't pitch for a race, 

 

Speaking for myself, I have to carefully balance family & cycling time, I would rather skip a minor race which timing is turning out to be an inconvenience to everyone around me and keep some bonus points in the bank for those events I really want to attend.

 

DNF - once because of a mechanical  way back when I started and once last year when I was dropped on the second lap of a 3 lap road race, saw no point in doing a 30km solo TT just to see my name on the bottom of the results list when the finish line was just up ahead.

[I FLY]

2 x DNFs

 

 

Sabie Experience 2008- broke a thumb

 

Epic 2008 - missed cut off on day 5 after struggling to meet cut offs on 1st 4 days - was sick

with a viral infection. Did not recovery for 6 months

 

Not a good year

[I FLY]

One - when I broke my back.

 

(Always sounds so much cooler saying I broke my back than saying I broke a bone in my back - in my case, a spinous process on L2). 

 

I still finished the loop - 13 kilometres back to the start.

Those spinous processes! Most people don't even know what they are.

 

I broke 4 in 2015 and they caused more pain than my broken collarbone.

 

As you say easier and more impresive to say you broke your back.

[Oufy MTB (Roadie)]

Had a DNS, three years ago at Spur MTB the rear shifter jammed the night before whilst lubing the chain. Still went to the start the next morning with the hope that the mechanic could fix it the morning. He unfortunately, could not assist so I had a DNS. If that should happen now, I will just ride the race in one gear (well actually 2x).

 

Otherwise, I pick my races carefully and do not enter until I am dead sure I will be able to commit to it

[shaper]

2 times, both road races and crashes.... first time, broke ribs, 2nd time broke collar bone.... both times ended up in hospital

[Capricorn]

3 x DNFs for me too:

• stellenbosch tour when my left piston exploded just outside of Wellington, near the graveyard. How ironic.
• My first downhill race at helderberg. went off a drop and my back spasmed badly.
• Enduro race at delvera: couldn't continue onto stage 5. one of the pistons exploded, think it was the left one again.

So in each case, it was a physical breakdown that prevented completion of the event, and its that or a bad mechanical that will prevent further participation. In general, i start and finish what I've entered. I don't have an opinion on what other ppl do with their entries. It's their choice after all.

[Frosty]

3x DNS (1 illness, 1 rain-cheque and 1 crash: dislocated AC-joint);

2x DNF (both mechanicals).

 

4 of them being the Fast One (or Hyper2Hyper as it was known in the day), and one being my only crash-related injury that kept me from doing the R4S.

 

Worst attempt to avoid a DNS/DNF was racing 4 days after "the snip".

[Pure Savage]

3x DNS (1 illness, 1 rain-cheque and 1 crash: dislocated AC-joint);

2x DNF (both mechanicals).

 

4 of them being the Fast One (or Hyper2Hyper as it was known in the day), and one being my only crash-related injury that kept me from doing the R4S.

 

Worst attempt to avoid a DNS/DNF was racing 4 days after "the snip".

How long should you wait after "the snip" asking for a friend.