Great events no more

[Frosty]

In road cycling, the Argus CTCT and 947 mostly dictate how races are run:

• Must be timed by Racetec;
• Minimum criteria to be a seeding race (CTCT, not 947);
• Seeding, seeding, seeding - probably the thing that drives most (generalising on the most);
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Feel free to add to the list.

 

There are only a certain number of races that make it onto the CTCT seeding list, so why do the other events bother with the timing? Licensed riders get placed by the officials, while the rest just race/ride for bragging rights. It's a service many road cyclists want, but would they think twice about paying less for an entry and use Strava as the timing? Seeding does have it's benefits, as it means groups with similar abilities ride together = somewhat safer conditions.

 

But to host an event on the roads requires certain documents: permits, use of traffic officials (who no longer do it for free - they charge by the hour), all of which costs money. Prize money is dependant on the category of race (National Classic, A/B/C/D grade race). Toilets, fencing, JOC, medical, and a few other services are compulsory (google SASREA for more). 

 

Safety on the roads is a concern for both organiser and participant. The organiser must make provision for the participant's safety, and the riders are expected to ride in a safe and responsible manner (in training and in a race). 

 

Criterium racing does away with that, but the circuit can only safely host a certain number of riders. I'd say this appeals to the hard core racer more than the weekend warriors. Time is also a major problem - it's at least 5 hours to host 7-8 categories (Elite, younger Vets, older Vets, ladies, youth/junior, kiddies, open - young, old, male and female).

 

Distance - dictated by the seeding events (must be above a certain distance). What if the event was shorter?  Allowing many more to cycle to the start, race, and ride home - getting the distance at a cheaper price.

Problem is that I wouldn't want to ride to an event 50Km away that starts at 07:00, and I wouldn't want to drive there for a 40-60Km race. But I would support an event/series that allowed one to pay R50/event (an example) and you have from 06:00 - 12:00 to ride/race the route - with a Strava (segment) route placing you from 1st to last. You do the event in your own time, but have a post race entertainment area to enjoy a beer/drink/food afterwards, before riding home. Ride in a group, you get a better time. Ride on your ace, and find out things about yourself you never knew existed. The reasons are endless, and the event is not "official", so it doesn't need all the sh** that goes with sanctioning, permits, SASREA, etc., etc., etc. As long as the rules of the road are adhered to, the risk lies with the rider. The R50 (example) could be used to fund the key aspects (communication, admin, even a charity donation at the end of the series).

[RABUBI]

Man do I miss SA races.

 

I am currently in Japan for a two year assignment.

 

We have no Idea how spoilt we are in South Africa. Our entries are dirt cheap, even the ones we think is expensive like 94.7 (not talking epic and the other multistage races).

 

Over here almost every marathon (running) or cycling event works on a lottery system. for Tokyo marathon the lottery pool was 300 000 runners. FML. Aaaannd its not like there are an event every weekend, they are few and far inbetween. I got and Entry for Yokohama marathon. Was almost 22 000 Yen. at today's rate almost 2 400 ZAR. Then it got cancelled on the day due to Typhoon.

 

I also basically gave up trying to mountainbike, its not worth it. Trails are few and far between and you have to ride almost 30k to get to a 5km trail. MTB is a bit of a fringe sport here, so very few of the amazing hiking trails are open to us. So switched to trail running instead where entries are as expensive as road running, but at least you see amazing places.

 

I went mountainbiking with a few of the local Japanese. Showed them a video clip of Sani2 C Umkomaas valley and some pics of Cape Pioneer. Was like showing hungry kids a cooking show.

 

You cannot believe how much I wish to do something simple like Babbas Lodge or Rooiwal.

.

[NicoBoshoff]

Meanwhile, Attakwas enjoying record field this year.

[Shebeen]

Man do I miss SA races.

 

I am currently in Japan for a two year assignment.

 

We have no Idea how spoilt we are in South Africa. Our entries are dirt cheap, even the ones we think is expensive like 94.7 (not talking epic and the other multistage races).

 

Over here almost every marathon (running) or cycling event works on a lottery system. for Tokyo marathon the lottery pool was 300 000 runners. FML. Aaaannd its not like there are an event every weekend, they are few and far inbetween. I got and Entry for Yokohama marathon. Was almost 22 000 Yen. at today's rate almost 2 400 ZAR. Then it got cancelled on the day due to Typhoon.

 

I also basically gave up trying to mountainbike, its not worth it. Trails are few and far between and you have to ride almost 30k to get to a 5km trail. MTB is a bit of a fringe sport here, so very few of the amazing hiking trails are open to us. So switched to trail running instead where entries are as expensive as road running, but at least you see amazing places.

 

I went mountainbiking with a few of the local Japanese. Showed them a video clip of Sani2 C Umkomaas valley and some pics of Cape Pioneer. Was like showing hungry kids a cooking show.

 

You cannot believe how much I wish to do something simple like Babbas Lodge or Rooiwal.

.

and that's the home of Shimano!

[Wil6]

Man do I miss SA races.

 

I am currently in Japan for a two year assignment.

 

We have no Idea how spoilt we are in South Africa. Our entries are dirt cheap, even the ones we think is expensive like 94.7 (not talking epic and the other multistage races).

 

Over here almost every marathon (running) or cycling event works on a lottery system. for Tokyo marathon the lottery pool was 300 000 runners. FML. Aaaannd its not like there are an event every weekend, they are few and far inbetween. I got and Entry for Yokohama marathon. Was almost 22 000 Yen. at today's rate almost 2 400 ZAR. Then it got cancelled on the day due to Typhoon.

 

I also basically gave up trying to mountainbike, its not worth it. Trails are few and far between and you have to ride almost 30k to get to a 5km trail. MTB is a bit of a fringe sport here, so very few of the amazing hiking trails are open to us. So switched to trail running instead where entries are as expensive as road running, but at least you see amazing places.

 

I went mountainbiking with a few of the local Japanese. Showed them a video clip of Sani2 C Umkomaas valley and some pics of Cape Pioneer. Was like showing hungry kids a cooking show.

 

You cannot believe how much I wish to do something simple like Babbas Lodge or Rooiwal.

.

There is a nice Afrikaans saying for this. Ons kla met die wit brood onder die arm. 

 

I think it's not a bad thing for the VERY overpriced stage races to have a kick in the balls, but we must keep on supporting our local races, as well as the good ones. I remember when I started to MTB in Bloemfontein in 2010, there were about 3 or 5 events per year in the whole of Free State. Now there are one every weekend.

[Skubarra]

Meanwhile, Attakwas enjoying record field this year.

 

Yes, and it is ridiculously expensive for a one-day race, not even counting in the logistics of the start & finish in different towns & travelling to Oudtshoorn & accommodation . Then roadies moan about R300 entry fees killing their sport - I don't think us cyclists know what we really want...

[Jase619]

Most road races in Bloem are already bare-bones, and there are about three to four in Jan/Feb, and again in Sep/Oct. Most have no medals, no prize-giving.

 

The cost of the traffic department and insurance is massive, so even if there are sponsors for the event (at least one of the local events at the end of last year had no sponsors other than the start/finish venue) most of their money will just cover those costs.

Due to the costs, there are fewer distance options to choose from, so often the short distance is too far for young kids or beginners, so fewer new riders coming in.

There is little to no newspaper coverage of the events, so any sponsor will have exposure to just about 50-100 people that probably doesn't even know what said sponsor's products or services are.

And then, the events take place on the same roads most of the riders ride every day, so some don't bother supporting the events.

 

It is a tricky situation though, no simple solution.

 

I do appreciate the effort of actually giving us some races locally though, will support them as long as I can, even though impossible for the main 3 at the beginning of this year due to family commitments.

 

While it is the same routes more or less, and there aren't really a plethora of variations to choose from, not often do you encounter as many people and I do like the vibe of an "event" as opposed to a club ride or normal training ride.

 

But agreed, it is tricky, but the more we support the better it will get hopefully. That's my stance with the Mangaung Cycle Tour, if we support hopefully they can improve every year and get it back to the old days of the OFM. 

[HdB]

I do appreciate the effort of actually giving us some races locally though, will support them as long as I can, even though impossible for the main 3 at the beginning of this year due to family commitments.

 

While it is the same routes more or less, and there aren't really a plethora of variations to choose from, not often do you encounter as many people and I do like the vibe of an "event" as opposed to a club ride or normal training ride.

 

But agreed, it is tricky, but the more we support the better it will get hopefully. That's my stance with the Mangaung Cycle Tour, if we support hopefully they can improve every year and get it back to the old days of the OFM. 

Absolutely agree - I try to ride as many of them as I can, MTB and road (Starting with Weltevreden 100km tomorrow).

To support them and hope that they continue, but also because it is better training for what I consider to be my big events - Herald, Argus, Mangaung Cycle Tour, hopefully the Amashova too this year.

 

I will miss the one that is on the same weekend as the Herald, but for the rest I'm there.

[Wil6]

Yes, and it is ridiculously expensive for a one-day race, not even counting in the logistics of the start & finish in different towns & travelling to Oudtshoorn & accommodation . Then roadies moan about R300 entry fees killing their sport - I don't think us cyclists know what we really want...

Have you ever done the Atta?

[EmptyB]

Meanwhile, Attakwas enjoying record field this year.

And Trans Baviaans Race and repeat both sold out looooong in advance. The logistics coming from Jozi is a ball ache but worth the trip!!

[Skubarra]

Have you ever done the Atta?

 

Twice - but from this year onwards I am doing other interesting races 

[Paddaman]

There was an old stage race for amateurs, that was great fun, the Tzaneen Tropic Tour around Moegoba's kloof area.  Did it once, great fun.

[EmptyB]

There was an old stage race for amateurs, that was great fun, the Tzaneen Tropic Tour around Moegoba's kloof area. Did it once, great fun.

Any riding around Magoebaskloof is awesome. Think there's a new 3 day race there this year??

 

I mainly take a MTB holiday there...so lekker!!

[wiledog_x]

I'm doing the 30km at Hazeldean Cowhouse this weekend - a nice local race in Pta catering for families, newbies etc. and all on their own trails. BUT, I have to pay an EXTRA R45 for bloody CSA license, on top of the entry fee (R150 for 30km which is cheap.)

 

I paid it, but it will be the last time I do that. This CSA fee needs to be dropped from local small races. What does the CSA add? Nothing. Its' pure greed, is what it is. It is not in the interest of the sport, and doesn't help small race organisers.

 

I agree with the park run model for cycling... give the people a socially driven "race" experience. CSA, for one, should wake up and smell the times we live in.

[Squier]

I'm doing the 30km at Hazeldean Cowhouse this weekend - a nice local race in Pta catering for families, newbies etc. and all on their own trails. BUT, I have to pay an EXTRA R45 for bloody CSA license, on top of the entry fee (R150 for 30km which is cheap.)

 

I paid it, but it will be the last time I do that. This CSA fee needs to be dropped from local small races. What does the CSA add? Nothing. Its' pure greed, is what it is. It is not in the interest of the sport, and doesn't help small race organisers.

 

I agree with the park run model for cycling... give the people a socially driven "race" experience. CSA, for one, should wake up and smell the times we live in.

And you don't have a choice. You have to pay the R45 when you enter.

 

What really bugs me is that even though every one has to pay the R45 at every race our athletes still need to self fund their trip to Worlds.

 

@Rabubi, I think Babbas also falls under the category of races no longer on the calendar.

[Mousea]

Hosting races is expensive, sponsors want value & people are short of cash. I agree that 'back to basics' races/events may be a great option. Simple, no frills etc. Unfortunately timing and medics are expensive but necessary.  

Karkloof trail Blazer

No frills no fuss.

far nicer  to do than the Karkloof Classic