Western Cape Road Cycling

[Pure Savage]

I think a lot of the races are now far more profit orientated than before. Many of them are run by 'private' companies that do it for commercial gain.

 

Another point mentioned above is the issue of medals. Personally I don't care if I don't get a medal. In fact, I see a medal as worthless piece of waste and it ends up in the bin an hour after the race. One could lower the price if you exclude the medal? Granted, kids and noobs like a medal, but after a few it loses its novelty value.

Name one race held for Profit in the Western Cape. All races are held by non profits, WPCA, CTCTT and PPA. They are not milking it with massive profits. I am sure the PPA event this weekend lost money. 

 

Medals: the one tonner gives you the choice to get a medal or not.

[Icycling]

Name one race held for Profit in the Western Cape. All races are held by non profits, WPCA, CTCTT and PPA. They are not milking it with massive profits. I am sure the PPA event this weekend lost money. 

 

Medals: the one tonner gives you the choice to get a medal or not.

Unfortunately maybe its just time to accept that the "hey day" of road cycling in the Western Cape is done and dusted. Giving up all those southern Sub route instead of PPA fighting to keep them was probably a bad move. Thing may never be at the same level as they were in years bye. Only time will tell!

[Karman de Lange]

To Icycling's  point. Why, in today's age of digital entry en timing systems do we have deadlines for entries.  Look I understand if the organisers wanted to personalise some of the numbers/medals for the day, that will not be possible, but a general entry, why not.

 

Only thing I can think of is the indemnity insurance, but surely these work in brackets larger than the few entries you get raceday.

There is few companies that can do on the day ("late") entries, the biggest issue is where they use 3rd party entry system with another timing system  and everyone need to send CSV files between each other.  Don't even bring up the point that someone wants to share their results between 2 events.

 

 

Most of these companies don't work on weekends, so results and entries are only processed the Monday, and by then you have the worst/most inaccurate timing system in the world

 

 

 

I think a lot of the races are now far more profit orientated than before. Many of them are run by 'private' companies that do it for commercial gain.

 

Another point mentioned above is the issue of medals. Personally I don't care if I don't get a medal. In fact, I see a medal as worthless piece of waste and it ends up in the bin an hour after the race. One could lower the price if you exclude the medal? Granted, kids and noobs like a medal, but after a few it loses its novelty value.

 

I want my medal (even after 4 years) .  I write my results on the back of it, so can easy see what I did without looking up strava or 60 different sites that by now lost my results.

[Trek man]

Truth be told it's not about the sport any more but Making money so sad .look @price Cape Town cycle tour . Entry verry steep

[mtgoat]

Why not look at 1/2 races a month, with discount packages for a seasons entry, 50% entry and race by race. Allow for a voucher system on the electronic system that then allows you to pick and choose your race schedule. Funds are then collected up front allow organisers to budget for setup etc, lobby for sponsors etc.

 

Start and finishes can be arranged at schools and the school in question gets discounted entries for students, as well as the opportunity to run stalls to raise funds and provide entertainment to families.

 

Vary the races between the north and south. Schools could also then develop a league around this for interested students. perhaps even have a dedicated start group for them

[Pure Savage]

Unfortunately maybe its just time to accept that the "hey day" of road cycling in the Western Cape is done and dusted. Giving up all those southern Sub route instead of PPA fighting to keep them was probably a bad move. Thing may never be at the same level as they were in years bye. Only time will tell!

 

I dont think so, with sold out DC again this year and the number of road cyclists on Strava increasing this is opposite to what you are saying. I think the events just need to adapt, as stated in the article, its not appealing to the youth or excluding them. As proved in both the analysis of the male and female fields. 

 

Therefore road events need to find away to get more youngsters to start racing, this can be cheaper fees, shorter distances, more of a family apeal and less racing approach. (I know the league is important, but in 5 years there will be only 10 elite riders eligible for Cat 1.)

[mtgoat]

I dont think so, with sold out DC again this year and the number of road cyclists on Strava increasing this is opposite to what you are saying. I think the events just need to adapt, as stated in the article, its not appealing to the youth or excluding them. As proved in both the analysis of the male and female fields. 

 

Therefore road events need to find away to get more youngsters to start racing, this can be cheaper fees, shorter distances, more of a family apeal and less racing approach. (I know the league is important, but in 5 years there will be only 10 elite riders eligible for Cat 1.)

I think a big issue is road safety, when it comes to the kids. A parent may be happier letting them out to play cricket etc in a "safe" environment rather than out on the road to train. Perhaps getting them into crits around the schools/race track in the evening may be the way to introduce kids to road riding/racing. invite the schools to a league at Killarney, maybe?

 

Edit: I have heard the vibe at these are awesome

[Puncture Kid]

Name one race held for Profit in the Western Cape. All races are held by non profits, WPCA, CTCTT and PPA. They are not milking it with massive profits. I am sure the PPA event this weekend lost money. 

 

Medals: the one tonner gives you the choice to get a medal or not.

 

 Ok was more referring to MTB races. Actually O/T for this thread

[Icycling]

I dont think so, with sold out DC again this year and the number of road cyclists on Strava increasing this is opposite to what you are saying. I think the events just need to adapt, as stated in the article, its not appealing to the youth or excluding them. As proved in both the analysis of the male and female fields. 

 

Therefore road events need to find away to get more youngsters to start racing, this can be cheaper fees, shorter distances, more of a family apeal and less racing approach. (I know the league is important, but in 5 years there will be only 10 elite riders eligible for Cat 1.)

I believe the PPA committee is 1 member short - far cry from the last (corrupt) AGM I went too. If you think you can make a contribution, and you feel PPA is the correct avenue then why not ask if you can take up the open spot?

[Pure Savage]

I believe the PPA committee is 1 member short - far cry from the last (corrupt) AGM I went too. If you think you can make a contribution, and you feel PPA is the correct avenue then why not ask if you can take up the open spot?

 

I would if I had the time to attend meetings, with body incorporates, HOA's, family, cycling and doodling on Savage, my time is a little tight. Otherwise I would have suggested the above. I have reached out to PPA to assist on an event basis if required. 

[Icycling]

I would if I had the time to attend meetings, with body incorporates, HOA's, family, cycling and doodling on Savage, my time is a little tight. Otherwise I would have suggested the above. I have reached out to PPA to assist on an event basis if required. 

Is the committee 1 member short? PPA website still has 12 committee members on it - AGM was quite a few weeks back.

[Pure Savage]

Is the committee 1 member short? PPA website still has 12 committee members on it - AGM was quite a few weeks back.

No idea.

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[Bloukrans]

Is the committee 1 member short? PPA website still has 12 committee members on it - AGM was quite a few weeks back.

Why don't you start your own annual PPA bashing thread? You clearly have your knives in for them.

 

BTW the AGM was on 13 September 2017

[daniemare]

Just like empty stadia at team sports, organisers have to engage younger audiences differently. And no use complaining about their culture, its fact.

 

Seemless integration of social media, entry platforms, results sharing, live updates of in race progress etc should be considered. Think, if its not shared, it did not happen. Old school, badly maintained websites don’t cut it anymore. Look at PPA and WPCA facebook, twitter, strava, instagram etc accounts and see what I mean. If you can’t engage with the newer generations how do you expect them to come?

 

Then event differentiation and branding needs attention:

- Best after event beer race

- Best child friendly race

- Most scenic race

- Most climbing race etc

Race organisers need to get together and strategically position each race on the calender. BRANDING, INSTITUTIONS, like the CTCT. That is something that can be sponsored. Create the NEED to ride, and no, it’s not just about the love of riding. In my opinion that is what WPCA should be doing to grow the sport.

[Pure Savage]

Just like empty stadia at team sports, organisers have to engage younger audiences differently. And no use complaining about their culture, its fact.

 

Seemless integration of social media, entry platforms, results sharing, live updates of in race progress etc should be considered. Think, if its not shared, it did not happen. Old school, badly maintained websites don’t cut it anymore. Look at PPA and WPCA facebook, twitter, strava, instagram etc accounts and see what I mean. If you can’t engage with the newer generations how do you expect them to come?

 

Then event differentiation and branding needs attention:

- Best after event beer race

- Best child friendly race

- Most scenic race

- Most climbing race etc

Race organisers need to get together and strategically position each race on the calender. BRANDING, INSTITUTIONS, like the CTCT. That is something that can be sponsored. Create the NEED to ride, and no, it’s not just about the love of riding. In my opinion that is what WPCA should be doing to grow the sport.

100% agreed, Like the ideas for each events. 

[mtgoat]

Can one filter performance on Strava segments by age? Perhaps have noted strava hotspots within the races and have category winners. Prize could be an entry to the race on the calendar.