[Event] 100 Cycle Challenge

[Zatek]

Only a couple spotted the camera

[Jase619]

Was a good race, felt quite safe for 99% of the race. Just a crossing in the beginning somewhere was a bit hectic with Metro struggling to control taxis and so on, but further more perfect. 

 

Start area could do with some improvement though. They only pitched up with the boards with the batches on it at like 7:30, looks like someone forgot them. After that the start was much better. Had the usual idiots slipping into the earlier batches, but nothing new there.

 

Any idea why we started late?

[Zatek]

The EMPD was late.

[Long Wheel Base]

Some pics of the VB bunch

Last pic, MVDP?

[JA-Q001]

Was a good race, felt quite safe for 99% of the race. Just a crossing in the beginning somewhere was a bit hectic with Metro struggling to control taxis and so on, but further more perfect. 

 

Start area could do with some improvement though. They only pitched up with the boards with the batches on it at like 7:30, looks like someone forgot them. After that the start was much better. Had the usual idiots slipping into the earlier batches, but nothing new there.

 

Any idea why we started late?

 

The batch boards where there from the time we arrive at the feeding gate at 6:45. The biggest problem was the cyclists not reading the instructions stating that the must remain behind the entrance gate and wait for their bath to be called and loaded. There were guys from EL standing in the starting area from before the first batch started.

[s14phoenix]

i was sleeping in A ... missed the split .. blew myself trying to bridge ... urghhhhh 

 

but it was fun (LOL)

 

 

lol thats my fault.

i put a big effort in up that highway 5-6 people then bridged to me, and from there around another 15 or so. bunch really blew up along the highway.

 

tried to jump ahead on the last hill and got caught 300m from the line.

got 5th i think. had a blast!

 

 

Brilliant Dude !!  first race back in A ... hopefully i will be more awake next time 

 

Hey I was also caught just behind and then saw the split - quite a few splits where guys just could not hold the wheel in front and then the guys behind just sat in and let the group go - extremely frustrating when you are blocked in and nothing you can do

 

I also went to the edge of blowing up -  trying to cross but got about halfway there and went back to the group ahead. On the last few climbs we made up a small amount of time and caught some that where dropped off the very front but those last 5km was hard yards...

 

I just want to say   :thumbup:  to the ladies in the AL bunch - good to see such strong ladies right up there - WELL DONE!!!

[simon davenall]

What a race. Mass confusion at the start regarding the batches and running late did not help. must be my fastest race start section ever. Glad it never went thru Vervoedpark, and Alberton with that size A bunch. Don't know why the bunch was so large and I think there were so riders that would of been in the later bunches at other races thrown into the A bunch. I'm glad the guys spent 13hrs the day before marking the route and filling the potholes otherwise. I might need new wheels at least this week had I hit a pothole at those speeds. Way too much yoyo in the bunch. I felt sorry for the guys that tried to make a break but did not succeed but they got it right coming onto the highway and putting the gutter into the cones. It's racing and I knew it was going to happen but way too dangerous having an open highway and bunch racing with mass participation race where you are passing riders on the highway. That was the scariest 12km of my life tying to dodge the cones. I touched 3 cones and flattened one at full tilt. Glad Road Ranges were there looking after us. The finish was great but too many participants never received times. Maybe it was an issue with the mats, position of them. I hope they correct it. I really wanted to do that race and I have done it. Will I be back, no thanks its just too dangerous. I hope the people that crashed have a speedy recovery. Enjoy the ride, even if its just for coffee.

[Escapee..]

Start was a bit of a mess with everyone just standing around not really knowing what is happening.

 

With the 50km guys they had them lining up from inside the Germiston Lake area, not sure why they didnt do it with the 100km

 

Started 20 min late in a massive A bunch. MAX HR achieved in the first few km to get back to bunch just to drop my chain somehow as we turned left going to Alrode.

 

Got into a small group, I think with bmw1za.

Cramped with 20km to go and had a looooooooooong slow solo ride to the end.

 

Saw some very pissed of motorist at the big intersection just before the N17 and then also the guys stuck on the highway.

 

Chatted to one of the organisers after the race, sounds like they wont have the N17 section again.

[Scalpel]

I have only one gripe! Why do they insist on taking us over to the right hand lane of the highway and then back at the off ramp. We should stay left!! Its safer for everyone involved.

[Frosty]

Only a couple spotted the camera

I sent the photo to Stefano - such a character on and off the bike.

[gerrit_c]

Besides all the start related issues: The highway really was problematic, because one lane was too narrow for the big (A plus some B) bunch I was in at that time.
Then the loads of fellow riders passing the bunch on the traffic dedicated lane, forcing motorists to pass on the shoulder, didn't make it better, and I think in all honesty they should all be disqualified for leaving the lane and putting everyone around them in danger. The entitlement on SA roads is on the same scary level for motorists and cyclists alike it seems. 

[mecheng89]

What a race. Mass confusion at the start regarding the batches and running late did not help. must be my fastest race start section ever. Glad it never went thru Vervoedpark, and Alberton with that size A bunch. Don't know why the bunch was so large and I think there were so riders that would of been in the later bunches at other races thrown into the A bunch. I'm glad the guys spent 13hrs the day before marking the route and filling the potholes otherwise. I might need new wheels at least this week had I hit a pothole at those speeds. Way too much yoyo in the bunch. I felt sorry for the guys that tried to make a break but did not succeed but they got it right coming onto the highway and putting the gutter into the cones. It's racing and I knew it was going to happen but way too dangerous having an open highway and bunch racing with mass participation race where you are passing riders on the highway. That was the scariest 12km of my life tying to dodge the cones. I touched 3 cones and flattened one at full tilt. Glad Road Ranges were there looking after us. The finish was great but too many participants never received times. Maybe it was an issue with the mats, position of them. I hope they correct it. I really wanted to do that race and I have done it. Will I be back, no thanks its just too dangerous. I hope the people that crashed have a speedy recovery. Enjoy the ride, even if its just for coffee.

Look who it is! 

[s14phoenix]

I have only one gripe! Why do they insist on taking us over to the right hand lane of the highway and then back at the off ramp. We should stay left!! Its safer for everyone involved.

 

Problem is that we where sharing the highway with the cars that also wanted to use all the other offramps we were riding past - having to stop the cars at each offramp so the groups could pass would have caused more issues.

 

However I don't think that using the highway section in a "shared" capacity was a good idea anyway either use it completely or not at all.

 

Then there was the id10ts riding left of the cones to sit out the wind was utter stupidity. Unfortunately gutters and wind is racing. Even in the alphabet soup that is open seeded.

 

One of the AL ladies went over an already knocked cone right in front of me and it sent her rear wheel up and over the cone - she stayed upright - greats skills lady!

[arendoog]

The EMPD was late.

As expected !

[s14phoenix]

Looks like the VB bunch had some CX riders showing off some skills...

 

[Jase619]

The batch boards where there from the time we arrive at the feeding gate at 6:45. The biggest problem was the cyclists not reading the instructions stating that the must remain behind the entrance gate and wait for their bath to be called and loaded. There were guys from EL standing in the starting area from before the first batch started.

 

Never saw them till someone came scurrying past with them after A batch was supposed to start. Then suddenly they were held in the air. Considering there was no signage whatsoever, I'm not really surprised no one waited behind the gate. Would be far easier to line the people up in the massive open area before the gates, maybe have some signs? Maybe a speaker so that the people can hear the announcements. Not really sure it's the cyclists fault, we are sheep, and when one person goes forward we all follow, regardless of what batch you are in.

 

I blame FOMO