Western Cape Road Cycling

[J Wakefield]

My understanding is that there was one ambulance, there was a bad crash and they then had to use that ambulance to take the person to hospital. Then they realised they dont have another one and then cancelled the remainder of the race? 

 

Regardless, they should have had 2, especially if its all the way out in Piketberg. Common sense.

 

Thanks for that info but yes, you cant have 1 ambulance at an event like this. or any event for that matter. 

 

But again, brings me back to the same thing all the time. The number or crashes in the bunches today. 

[Bankie99]

So WPCA is caught in this tight spot with regards to ambulances at their races. The cost of a 2nd ambulance is R3-4k per event and they usually try and leverage for a backup ambulance from the same ambulance service should the ambulance on duty need to transport a rider/s to hospital.

 

Obviously everyone will say they should just have 2 ambulances at all times but who bares the cost? And should they push the price up of their races then people will also complain.

 

What we did at our WP race hosted at Paarl de Ville was to have 1 ambulance as usual but then also have 3 backup vehicles with medical staff on board for the minor crashes etc.

 

There is a WP meeting scheduled for this coming Wednesday and I am pretty sure that this will come up as a topic of discussion. 

[Icycling]

Been at the event I will comment.

 

1. On the way thou to the event 1 of the 3 taxis transporting the cyclists (youngsters) to the event lost the rear right back wheel. I passed the taxis going to the event. Fortunately nobody was injured.

 

2. The event had been called off before the cyclist (youngster) took a tumble. I feel quite strongly on what I am about to say but don't have a solution either. The event had booked and paid for 4 (four) EMS "medical cars" a document on this was shown at the event. EMS did not pitch up - NON. The town only probably has 1 ambulance (cannot say the number for sure). EMS service provider had been order at the instruction of I believe of the WC government ( a partner of the sports trust) and is the WC chosen service provider. So what was your ordered and paid for don't pitch thus you end up calling off the event. To be blunt EMS from my understanding sabotaged the event. EMS should be hold accountable - but how far can one push it as there are limited service providers? That's the conundrum. To call off the event was 100% the correct thing to do.

 

3. The accident. This was one of the last groups to leave and the cyclists had already been told this was not a race - just a ride. From what I understand the cyclist (youngster) either fell on a water bottle incident or his gears slipped. I was at the seen of the accident very shortly after it happened - I would suggest less than a minute. The cyclist was definitely out cold and quite a bit of blood was coming from his head / ear. He was lying in the middle of the road just left of the white line. He was not moved at this point as non of us were trained medics and one never knows what more injuries can be done by moving a person. Unfortunately I could only offer my cycling jersey to cover the rider to try and keep him warm. He came round before the ambulance arrive and stated moving althou were suggested he should remain relative still. I cannot give a time on this but definitely don’t think it was as long as 20 min - I wold have suggested the Ambulance was at the scene within 20 min but to be honest everything seems to happen in slow motion when you just waiting for an ambulance. While this was all happening a Traffic officer,  William Newman chairman of CSA and I did traffic control (must confess I am “Blood shy”). The ambulance loaded the cyclist up and all I can say is I hope the cyclist makes a full recovery - it is never nice to see an cyclist down like this.

 

4. Behind the scene - all entries for the riders that enter and arrived were offered back to those cyclist bye the host WPCA. TV had come to the event from JNB to make a program for supersport at cost for the sport trust. Basically what was meant be a really good event ended up been cancel because 1 service provider did not pitch. A cyclist fell these things happen and we wish the cyclist a speedy full recovery, but this was already after the event had been called off.

[Skubarra]

 

2. The event had been called off before the cyclist (youngster) took a tumble. I feel quite strongly on what I am about to say but don't have a solution either. The event had booked and paid for 4 (four) EMS "medical cars" a document on this was shown at the event. EMS did not pitch up - NON. 

 

Durbie Dash had the same issue 2 years ago where ambulances were booked and some just didn't pitch, then when a crash happened and the response took long obviously the organisers took the blame & fury on bikehub, luckily they had the option to change service providers for the following year.

[Icycling]

Durbie Dash had the same issue 2 years ago where ambulances were booked and some just didn't pitch, then when a crash happened and the response took long obviously the organisers took the blame & fury on bikehub, luckily they had the option to change service providers for the following year.

The sport relies on service providers.

 

I cants say what the Durbie Dash did but WPCA / the organizers were very intent on giving the cyclist a full refund on entry. WPCA is made up off people volunteering there time and when something go wrong they at least don't want to take money out of the cyclist. Do they deserve to take Blame &fury on Bikehub? Sure WPCA too will learn from this.

[Max Headroom]

....Getting back to subject of Road Cycling Event and location - In my opinion the biggest impact has been the lack of the 'southern suburbs' rides.  Be it the scenery or the hills or whatever the magic was that attracted different riders.

 

In summer there was a ride just about every weekend in the peninsula - with the years 1995 to 2010 (?) I think were probably the highlight with the number of S-Suburb events, participation and enthusiasm.

 

Moving away from the excitement and variation of hills, views, changing wind directions and challenges of the S-Suburbs has meant that 'country' routes with long, windy, boring, grinding stretches of road have been the new norm. Although more serious riders do longer distances in any weather for training, fun, DC etc the masses of more recreational riders, kids, wives, husbands etc. are killed by sitting grinding for 10km, 20km etc in a south-easter on a boring long stretch (like say, the exposed 30km from malmesbury to paarl.)

 

Southern Suburbs rides must be revived   (and I don't mean time trials up red hill)

[buchanan]

....Getting back to subject of Road Cycling Event and location - In my opinion the biggest impact has been the lack of the 'southern suburbs' rides.  Be it the scenery or the hills or whatever the magic was that attracted different riders.

 

In summer there was a ride just about every weekend in the peninsula - with the years 1995 to 2010 (?) I think were probably the highlight with the number of S-Suburb events, participation and enthusiasm.

 

Moving away from the excitement and variation of hills, views, changing wind directions and challenges of the S-Suburbs has meant that 'country' routes with long, windy, boring, grinding stretches of road have been the new norm. Although more serious riders do longer distances in any weather for training, fun, DC etc the masses of more recreational riders, kids, wives, husbands etc. are killed by sitting grinding for 10km, 20km etc in a south-easter on a boring long stretch (like say, the exposed 30km from malmesbury to paarl.)

 

Southern Suburbs rides must be revived   (and I don't mean time trials up red hill)

 

Agree with you that we could do with a couple of S Suburbs/South Peninsula events. A few decent hills and some variety of scenery.

 

The current N Suburbs events are all very similar, going over much the same Durbanville/Stellenbosch/Wellington/Paarl roads.

 

For me the only interesting one of those courses is the 99er, with Vissershoek coming near the end.

[Pure Savage]

....Getting back to subject of Road Cycling Event and location - In my opinion the biggest impact has been the lack of the 'southern suburbs' rides.  Be it the scenery or the hills or whatever the magic was that attracted different riders.

 

In summer there was a ride just about every weekend in the peninsula - with the years 1995 to 2010 (?) I think were probably the highlight with the number of S-Suburb events, participation and enthusiasm.

 

Moving away from the excitement and variation of hills, views, changing wind directions and challenges of the S-Suburbs has meant that 'country' routes with long, windy, boring, grinding stretches of road have been the new norm. Although more serious riders do longer distances in any weather for training, fun, DC etc the masses of more recreational riders, kids, wives, husbands etc. are killed by sitting grinding for 10km, 20km etc in a south-easter on a boring long stretch (like say, the exposed 30km from malmesbury to paarl.)

 

Southern Suburbs rides must be revived   (and I don't mean time trials up red hill)

What we are going to do is cost the event and publish what the entry fee would be to host the event. 

 

Just on some rough figures, as nobody has done it in a while, it will only just be cheaper than the Argus.

[Kona Kula]

What we are going to do is cost the event and publish what the entry fee would be to host the event. 

 

Just on some rough figures, as nobody has done it in a while, it will only just be cheaper than the Argus.

I think this could be a great exercise.

 

There has been a general trend between too expensive and too far (not in Southern Suburbs).

 

So at what price would people enter an event because it is in Southern Suburbs, vs driving out to a venue that is far or boring.

 

AS most people have complained about the costs of entering even the far events. Does having an expensive race in the Southern suburbs automatically attract more entries.

 

So in my case i must agree with some others that a cost I have to factor in is the cost of my Pinkslip. If there was a race in the Southern Suburbs, that cost would be significantly reduced and I could hide the additional cost of the race in my enjoyment factor. (or just hide the additional cost)

 

AKA I would pay more to race close to home.

 

In fact I would pay more to race my MTB in the Southern Suburbs as well.

[Skubarra]

Excellent thread & article savage. I think you and everyone else covered all the big reasons, personally I would say mtb'ing is the biggest "culprit" ( organising/authority ineptitude & complacency maybe a close second).

 

The variety & choice of mtb'ing events compared to road cycling is just staggering and its generally safer. I think the fact that we are living in mtb'ing heaven is to the detriment of road cycling

 

Most older mtb'ers I know are ex-roadies who cant be bothered with road cycling anymore and as for the younger generation -  I for one would feel more at ease with my own kids on mtb trails than taking their chances on the WC roads. 

 

And then slightly off-topic - Die Burger is maybe a very apt example of where road cycling is going wrong in the WC. The second biggest event in the WC and I would asume still one of the biggest road races in the country, great route through the winelands, great timeslot in December - I would think the one race with loads of potential to grow into a "mini-CTCT" type event with road closures  - yet zero ambition shown from organisers to grow this event, this race is organised & marketed in exactly the same manner it was when I first did it in 2011.

 

PSS - If even die-hard roadies like you and 'Dale are now mtb'ing what chance do road cycling have of survival? 

[Pure Savage]

Excellent thread & article savage. I think you and everyone else covered all the big reasons, personally I would say mtb'ing is the biggest "culprit" ( organising/authority ineptitude & complacency maybe a close second).

 

The variety & choice of mtb'ing events compared to road cycling is just staggering and its generally safer. I think the fact that we are living in mtb'ing heaven is to the detriment of road cycling

 

Most older mtb'ers I know are ex-roadies who cant be bothered with road cycling anymore and as for the younger generation -  I for one would feel more at ease with my own kids on mtb trails than taking their chances on the WC roads. 

 

And then slightly off-topic - Die Burger is maybe a very apt example of where road cycling is going wrong in the WC. The second biggest event in the WC and I would asume still one of the biggest road races in the country, great route through the winelands, great timeslot in December - I would think the one race with loads of potential to grow into a "mini-CTCT" type event with road closures  - yet zero ambition shown from organisers to grow this event, this race is organised & marketed in exactly the same manner it was when I first did it in 2011.

 

PSS - If even die-hard roadies like you and 'Dale are now mtb'ing what chance do road cycling have of survival? 

 

Shot, I have started writing the follow up article. I will even be going full journalist and actually interviewing event organisers and PPA. I think there is a lot of knowledge sharing that is required to the general public. 

 

You laugh, but for my 30th I want a gravel grinder, once thats between my legs I know my focus will shift from racing to stupid long gravel grinds with mates and kids etc. 

 

There does seem to be a short sightedness with these events. "The short routes are not profitable - can them" or "We cannot just give away entries" I also am surprised how few people actually understood the article. There is no youth coming through, in 10 years the membership will dry up completely as the whole field will be above 45. 

 

Need to make the events a Viab again, this race and go home straight away is killing the sport.

[Pure Savage]

I think this could be a great exercise.

 

There has been a general trend between too expensive and too far (not in Southern Suburbs).

 

So at what price would people enter an event because it is in Southern Suburbs, vs driving out to a venue that is far or boring.

 

AS most people have complained about the costs of entering even the far events. Does having an expensive race in the Southern suburbs automatically attract more entries.

 

So in my case i must agree with some others that a cost I have to factor in is the cost of my Pinkslip. If there was a race in the Southern Suburbs, that cost would be significantly reduced and I could hide the additional cost of the race in my enjoyment factor. (or just hide the additional cost)

 

AKA I would pay more to race close to home.

 

In fact I would pay more to race my MTB in the Southern Suburbs as well.

 

Does anyone have a preferred route for a race in S/S, I was thinking, start at a school in Constania, over Ou Kaapse, right around Cape point, back along coast, up Boyes Drive, sneak back to finish on Ladies Mile.

 

https://www.strava.com/routes/10842076

 

https://www.strava.com/routes/10842151

[Pure Savage]

Does anyone have a preferred route for a race in S/S, I was thinking, start at a school in Constania, over Ou Kaapse, right around Cape point, back along coast, up Boyes Drive, sneak back to finish on Ladies Mile.

 

https://www.strava.com/routes/10842076

 

https://www.strava.com/routes/10842151

Road event 1 would be my choice, up the Nek, swing back down not crossing traffic, then up Ou Kaapse, Slang hoek, Then Smits, then Red hill, then around Suburb there, then Boyes Drive, then home. 1900m climbing, 100km.

[Kona Kula]

Does anyone have a preferred route for a race in S/S, I was thinking, start at a school in Constania, over Ou Kaapse, right around Cape point, back along coast, up Boyes Drive, sneak back to finish on Ladies Mile.

 

https://www.strava.com/routes/10842076

 

https://www.strava.com/routes/10842151

I have only been in the cape a year so I cant comment on what races worked before. I would however race either of those routes very happily.

[andydude]

....Getting back to subject of Road Cycling Event and location - In my opinion the biggest impact has been the lack of the 'southern suburbs' rides. Be it the scenery or the hills or whatever the magic was that attracted different riders.

 

In summer there was a ride just about every weekend in the peninsula - with the years 1995 to 2010 (?) I think were probably the highlight with the number of S-Suburb events, participation and enthusiasm.

 

Moving away from the excitement and variation of hills, views, changing wind directions and challenges of the S-Suburbs has meant that 'country' routes with long, windy, boring, grinding stretches of road have been the new norm. Although more serious riders do longer distances in any weather for training, fun, DC etc the masses of more recreational riders, kids, wives, husbands etc. are killed by sitting grinding for 10km, 20km etc in a south-easter on a boring long stretch (like say, the exposed 30km from malmesbury to paarl.)

 

Southern Suburbs rides must be revived (and I don't mean time trials up red hill)

I loved the southern suburbs rides as well!!

 

But there is a problem with road works, congestion, and people not wanting it through their suburb.

 

The problem is that there are almost zero roads with shoulders in the southern suburbs.

 

Remember, a funride is not only the league riders, but also all the other groups. Things probably only return to normal at 12h?

 

Perhaps we can look at possible routes? Maybe something like a simons town, red hill, cape point loop times three?

 

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[andydude]

Road event 1 would be my choice, up the Nek, swing back down not crossing traffic, then up Ou Kaapse, Slang hoek, Then Smits, then Red hill, then around Suburb there, then Boyes Drive, then home. 1900m climbing, 100km.

I like that route. But no way you will get approval over the neck. Just too busy on sundays. And no shoulder. See my other suggestion, what about a basic red hill cape point loop times three to start things off?

 

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