Rider hit by elephant @ trailseeker

[Gen]

Heal up soon. Sounds hectic!

Yoh.. glad is recovering..

[LongDonkey]

Given the number of DNF / DNS, a lot of people were hurt on the race, either by beasts or heat. Some war stories are best delivered by others, i think i would give up cycling if an elephant encounter happened to me.

[Wet Ears]

Given the number of DNF / DNS, a lot of people were hurt on the race, either by beasts or heat. Some war stories are best delivered by others, i think i would give up cycling if an elephant encounter happened to me.

Where does one find the results?

 

Think a lot of the DNS was due to ridiculously late start times in that heat!

[leeubok]

I wanted to write a long story of how I think the owners and race organizers were irresponsible by allowing a chopper to fly around during the race. Elephants generally do not react well to a chopper buzzing overhead. So having 100's of cyclists strung out over a long distance, and flying up and down with a chopper was asking for trouble. Ideally they should've checked where the ellies are before the race, and shoo them away with the chopper. 

 

But animals are unpredictable and I don't know what happened exactly. Maybe they did this, but the herd moved back? Or they missed a couple?  

 

I just hope it doesn't mean the end of these type of races. There are still several races/rides across the country that go through protected areas with dangerous wildlife. But it takes just one bad incident (like this one) to make organizers think twice about hosting an event like this

[LongDonkey]

Where does one find the results?

 

Think a lot of the DNS was due to ridiculously late start times in that heat!

Jumpertrax

Agreed, it was silly of organisers to try be nice to cyclists driving in from Pta. Pretty sure most would rather wake up an hour earlier than have to finish an hour later into that heat. 

[rorydewet]

word is the guy was riding an e bike in a normal CSA sanctioned event

 

the elephant heard it was a e bike and did what he thought was fair

 

stopped the guy riding

[rorydewet]

I wanted to write a long story of how I think the owners and race organizers were irresponsible by allowing a chopper to fly around during the race. Elephants generally do not react well to a chopper buzzing overhead. So having 100's of cyclists strung out over a long distance, and flying up and down with a chopper was asking for trouble. Ideally they should've checked where the ellies are before the race, and shoo them away with the chopper. 

 

But animals are unpredictable and I don't know what happened exactly. Maybe they did this, but the herd moved back? Or they missed a couple?  

 

I just hope it doesn't mean the end of these type of races. There are still several races/rides across the country that go through protected areas with dangerous wildlife. But it takes just one bad incident (like this one) to make organizers think twice about hosting an event like this

 they chopper wasnt planned

 

it was there to evac a guy who had a heart attack

[Long Wheel Base]

word is the guy was riding an e bike in a normal CSA sanctioned event

 

the elephant heard it was a e bike and did what he thought was fair

 

stopped the guy riding

So not the short socks?

[kingalton]

Where does one find the results?

 

Think a lot of the DNS was due to ridiculously late start times in that heat!

I recorded 32 average for my ride and a max of 38, it was crazy hot and dry out there and I was done by just after 11.. the back markers must have REALLY cooked..

I saw a lot of elephant deposits, I didn't see much game, besides the hippo in the dam, but I was wary the entire time..  and I am sure the game saw me...

The risk may be too big to hold events again there... lets see!

[leeubok]

 they chopper wasnt planned

 

it was there to evac a guy who had a heart attack

Ah ok, read about the evac but didn't put 2 and 2 together. Very unfortunate and unlucky incident then

[LeoKnight]

Heal up soon. Sounds hectic!

 

 

Poor reporting by the journalist, no information on the bike?  Is it at least ok?  

 

But on serious note, wishing the rider a speedy recovery

[CharlesZ]

I wanted to write a long story of how I think the owners and race organizers were irresponsible by allowing a chopper to fly around during the race. Elephants generally do not react well to a chopper buzzing overhead. So having 100's of cyclists strung out over a long distance, and flying up and down with a chopper was asking for trouble. Ideally they should've checked where the ellies are before the race, and shoo them away with the chopper. 

 

But animals are unpredictable and I don't know what happened exactly. Maybe they did this, but the herd moved back? Or they missed a couple?  

 

I just hope it doesn't mean the end of these type of races. There are still several races/rides across the country that go through protected areas with dangerous wildlife. But it takes just one bad incident (like this one) to make organizers think twice about hosting an event like this

agree on your statement about not allowing a chopper but the chopper had to come in for an medical emergency. Even if they elephants was seen, the chopper must still come in and the standard for most wildlife is to flee when a chopper is closeby. That's something that is unplanned. We must aslo remember this is the 1st time it ever happened and can be seen as a freak accident. There will always be risk involved when entering dangerous game area even if you had a guide it would still have happened. 

[BaGearA]

can we all agree that riding in A reseve with some SERIOUS game is a stupid idea in itself ?

 

Even just A buffalo is one mother of dangerous animal 

[CharlesZ]

can we all agree that riding in A reseve with some SERIOUS game is a stupid idea in itself ?

 

Even just A buffalo is one mother of dangerous animal 

won't agree ever to that. That's part of the fun and thrills

 

Just coming from a ex field guide that worked in Big 5 territory

[Knersboy]

can we all agree that riding in A reseve with some SERIOUS game is a stupid idea in itself ?

 

Even just A buffalo is one mother of dangerous animal

 

Still safer than riding on the road

[BaGearA]

won't agree ever to that. That's part of the fun and thrills

 

Just coming from a ex field guide that worked in Big 5 territory

So you probably know what to look at out for and what the best way is to react when A dangerous animal is spooked  , where  90% of the field at these events don't