[Event] FNB Wines2Whales Chardonnay

[Grease_Monkey]

You are allowed to have your opinion, even if you don't finish above D batch Probably more people feel like you about this

 

But I have always felt the point of having a race version and an adventure version of an event is for the one to race (and make a fuss about podium winners) and the other one is for the vibe and fun and nobody (officially) cares who wins

I agree - it is the "fun" race for most guys, there were no male pros, so a win there is not the same as a win next weekend. But, I'm pretty sure that if you were the one that won and didn't even have your name mentioned you'd be a bit miffed (it wasn't me so I don't know if they are/are not).

 

Either way, the okes that won did bloody well (not well enough to win next week - but they are working class heroes), and I don't think a mention of that in any way takes away from the ladies (nor would I want it to).... all I'm saying...

 

Either way, I won't keep going on about it, coz that would be taking away from the ladies that won, and that's not my intention.

[Grease_Monkey]

 

No actually it does.

Ok

[Gen]

You're missing my point completely. Forget the podium presentations, just report accurately on the race - doesn't have to be a big deal made about it - I just don't get ignoring it completely.

 

Race results read differently to race reports...

 

And like I said, I don't wanna take anything away from the ladies race - I think it's a great concept, I just think there are a few bugs that need to be worked out. Anyway, I'm just a weekend warior that won't finish anywhere above D batch on a good day, so what do I know...

Imagine that..a man complaining that men aren't getting recognition [emoji23][emoji23]

 

Maybe now you will understand why the ladies have to fight so hard for the exposure and recognition as the what the men normally get.[emoji39][emoji23][emoji111]

Edited October 28, 2018 by Gen

[Grease_Monkey]

Imagine that..a man complaining that men aren't getting recognition [emoji23][emoji23]

 

Maybe now you will understand why the ladies have to fight so hard for the exposure and recognition as the what the men normally get.[emoji39][emoji23][emoji111]

 

It's not about men not getting recognition, it would be just as silly not to recognise the females racing next weekend. But you're right - I'm a male, I cannot possibly understand anything, I won't comment any more on the issue. Was never my intention to turn this into a gender rights debate anyway.

[hubbernero]

Imagine that..a man complaining that men aren't getting recognition [emoji23][emoji23]

 

Maybe now you will understand why the ladies have to fight so hard for the exposure and recognition as the what the men normally get.[emoji39][emoji23][emoji111]

 

Having done W2W Race many times through the years not ONCE have I gotten the impression that the ladies did not get the same recognition as the men. They got the same podium time, category finishers/leaders jerseys, etc etc.

 

I think it's brilliant that they are racing their own race now. However, I have to agree with Grease_Monkey here. In my opinion the least they could have done was to put the top 3 males teams on the stage during prize giving. I would've taken less than 5 mins of their time.

 

Like I said, the ladies teams were never ignored before, or not given any recognition. Why ignore the men during this event completely?

[AllAboutRides]

W2W will always remain one of my favourite stage races, but.......

 

Due to extreme hot weather day 1, they didn't even cater for ice at some of the water points and water points is nothing like a event which Dryland organise.

Finish at hotel was dissapointing, no shade for supporters and not even to mention no free spur burgers as previous years, why?????

 

I knwo most of the riders after stage 3 just want to get home and relax, but having 10 showers at finish for those who want to cool off and spend time at the "so called spectacular finish" was a bit dissapointing, we waited an hour in the heat / sun for showers.

 

I don;t even want to know what the fees will be next year.

 

Above mentioned, no harm to anyone, just my feedback and opinion.

[DJLouw]

W2W will always remain one of my favourite stage races, but.......

 

Due to extreme hot weather day 1, they didn't even cater for ice at some of the water points and water points is nothing like a event which Dryland organise.

 

Finish at hotel was dissapointing, no shade for supporters and not even to mention no free spur burgers as previous years, why?????

 

I knwo most of the riders after stage 3 just want to get home and relax, but having 10 showers at finish for those who want to cool off and spend time at the "so called spectacular finish" was a bit dissapointing, we waited an hour in the heat / sun for showers.

 

I don;t even want to know what the fees will be next year.

 

Above mentioned, no harm to anyone, just my feedback and opinion.

 

Have to agree, This is just personal opinion, but have a 10 year anniversary there was no "WOW" factor for me. Starting yesterday with no music really, No vibe and nobody sounds amped at all. 

 

The last part of yesterdays finish to take us around the graveyard and golf course was useless. Really, I do not care about that extra 2-3km. 

 

With the heat at Oakvalley, there was no attempt to have a chill area. I really feel sorry for the guys that were in tents.

 

All and all fun race but I think it has reached the point of "WOW" need to do this next year again.

[AllAboutRides]

Have to agree, This is just personal opinion, but have a 10 year anniversary there was no "WOW" factor for me. Starting yesterday with no music really, No vibe and nobody sounds amped at all. 

 

The last part of yesterdays finish to take us around the graveyard and golf course was useless. Really, I do not care about that extra 2-3km. 

 

With the heat at Oakvalley, there was no attempt to have a chill area. I really feel sorry for the guys that were in tents.

 

All and all fun race but I think it has reached the point of "WOW" need to do this next year again.

 

TOTALLY AGREE!!!!!

[ACV123]

Have to agree. Organizers really dropped the ball on the finish area. 10 showers for 1200 riders, no shade, no area to buy a beer and share stories with mates. It was a huge anti climax. Left a bad taste after three great days of riding. No WOW factor to speak of!

[Skubarra]

 

I think it's brilliant that they are racing their own race now. However, I have to agree with Grease_Monkey here. In my opinion the least they could have done was to put the top 3 males teams on the stage during prize giving. I would've taken less than 5 mins of their time.

 

Like I said, the ladies teams were never ignored before, or not given any recognition. Why ignore the men during this event completely?

 

Then what about the top 3 vets, elites, masters and what about the mixed teams - shouldn't they also get recognition? Organisers have to draw the line somewhere. Luckily there is good news for all of you who feels the males are discriminated against - this weekend there is a race called the Shiraz and there will be only males on the podium! Lets hope the ladies don't moan too much about not getting recognition then...

[Rapunzel]

^{I had the privilege of riding in the ladies elite group in the event and thoroughly enjoyed the racing. there was a mutual respect amongst the leading men from group B when they came through which was normally between 45min and an hour into each day. I did not appreciate the whole women's lib thing thrown down our throats on the first evening, embarrassing for me and really not great for the guys - they must have felt like they were intruding in a women's only race.}

• ^{The trails were fantastic as always, with a bit of new ST thrown in each day.}
   
• ^{Route markings were not up to scratch in places and we took a wrong turn in Lourensford partly because one of the motorbikes had left a dust storm which together with the low sun, made visibility very bad.}
• ^{I can see a difference in value for money since Epic bought W2W out - no free T-Shirt, no-name jacket is not great quality and no burger at the finish was a real snub in the face and showed the lengths they would go to , to make a bit more money (I had it on good authority that the race organisers asked Spur to donate burgers to cyclists on the last day following all the complaints). Finish venue had NO facilities and minimal shade. The setting was very pretty but to put all facilities including bike park and ablutions nearly a km away didn't work. and no Grandstand management, a tidal pool does not suffice for a shower.}

^{This is an awesome event and I really do hope they find some solutions to these challenges before the race next weekend as for R14 500 for a 3 day event, riders deserve better.}

Edited October 29, 2018 by Rapunzel

[HDW]

Quick race report from my side:

 

Did my 2nd W2W this weekend, and I still think it is a great long weekend of riding your bike.

I did feel the trails were not in the same great shape as they were back in 2015, but then again, try building single track yourself during a drought and you will see its not easy. throw in some nutsacks dragging their back tyres around every berm, and the trails wont look great.

 

Pros:

- Lekker vibe, good food, diverse routes that gives you something of everything without being too hard, decent bike wash and bike park, decent mattress and big enough tent, friendly staff and fellow riders

 

Cons:

- Just too expensive (in my opinion), too many participants (will probably only bother you at the rear end of the race).

 

 

If you complained about the food, you are full of ****. I'm a vegetarian, and there was more than enough food even for me, and it was all tasty. Yes, the Spur burger and chips is not nice, but then dont eat it. The lunch that the organisers provides is sufficient. Also, at the waterpoints you had bananas, banana loaf, jelly babies, watermelon, oranges, potatoes, bar ones, and so on (admittedly not everything at every water point), but there was enough to get by.

 

I skipped the second nights price giving and talk about sponsors because I find it annoying, so I went to go and relax in the chill zone, talk *** with my friends and eat chocolates I brought along. Great evening.

 

Will I do it again if I have to pay for myself - probably in 3 or 4 years. If someone else pays I will be there again next year.

 

 

Edit: One thing I will complain about is the lack of shower facilities at the end, as said above. Not good enough, and we washed with a tuinslang at the bike wash, which wasn't too bad considering the heat.

Edited October 29, 2018 by HDW

[hubbernero]

Then what about the top 3 vets, elites, masters and what about the mixed teams - shouldn't they also get recognition? Organisers have to draw the line somewhere. Luckily there is good news for all of you who feels the males are discriminated against - this weekend there is a race called the Shiraz and there will be only males on the podium! Lets hope the ladies don't moan too much about not getting recognition then...

 

Once again, please point me in the direction when/where the ladies were not being recognised before?

 

I'm not going to get into a discussion re males vs females because there is nothing I will say that will not be construed as being a male chauvinist pig...

[hubbernero]

 ^{I did not appreciate the whole women's lib thing thrown down our throats on the first evening, embarrassing for me and really not great for the guys - they must have felt like they were intruding in a women's only race.}

 

 

Exactly what she said.

[Grease_Monkey]

Then what about the top 3 vets, elites, masters and what about the mixed teams - shouldn't they also get recognition? Organisers have to draw the line somewhere. Luckily there is good news for all of you who feels the males are discriminated against - this weekend there is a race called the Shiraz and there will be only males on the podium! Lets hope the ladies don't moan too much about not getting recognition then...

 

How about just the overall winners? 

[HDW]

^{I did not appreciate the whole women's lib thing thrown down our throats on the first evening, embarrassing for me and really not great for the guys - they must have felt like they were intruding in a women's only race.}

 

I can understand that, its not cool. Especially the lady presenter at the stage who kept saying things like "come on girls, enjoy the race, this is all just for you. You are the special guests this weekend, this weekend is about you." I though it was stupid, and obviously full on all about the marketing with the organisers trying to up interest in their event from the ladies in SA.