Gr3mlin131 Posted June 6, 2019 Posted June 6, 2019 I think it takes away that sense of accomplishment There is something about saying .... I completed the 109kms Everything in life is being toned down to suit the masses You wanna do the cycle tour....then git gud You wanna git gud, do the double. Or even the triple with the MTB the week before,
mrcg Posted June 6, 2019 Posted June 6, 2019 Always have to laugh at the "masses": immediate shooting from the hip (i.e. keyboard) without thinking it through, resisting change, different approaches....What is the difference to you if there is a shorter route option available? How does that dilute the "main" event on a different day? As with all mtb events, choose your distance and go.If more people actually come to event and participate, meaning more people do at least something outside of their comfort zone, so much the better. Maybe sparks them to do more. Our societal problem with obesity, poor nutrition and too much of a sedentary lifestyle is increasing. In fact it is epidemic.Live and let live. I really don't get it.
The Ouzo Posted June 6, 2019 Posted June 6, 2019 I think its a good thing.If you're one "serious" cyclist in a family, its now easier to justify the expense of going down to the Cape because the less fit in the family can now ride too. My very first Argus, my mates sister wanted to ride but would never have completed the 109km, so she rode to Fish Hoek and then pulled out. No medal, no official accomplishment. Shorter race the day before will get many of the masses off the road on the Sunday. It means keeping the roads closed for a shorted period which will also be better for traffic.
DJR Posted June 6, 2019 Posted June 6, 2019 Yes it. Might get more people out on bikes, winner.That is what the CTCT is all about. The more cyclists we have, the better. The more awareness the better safety will be for all, every day of the year.
DieselnDust Posted June 6, 2019 Author Posted June 6, 2019 Like teaching them how to take selfies and posting a motivational post on how they have 2 balls not 1 so you can't kick me down or how its back to the drawing board and working hard getting it done while having the cleanest bike cause of "X" bike cleaner? These are important skills !!Comicsans
Pure Savage Posted June 7, 2019 Posted June 7, 2019 I think it takes away that sense of accomplishment There is something about saying .... I completed the 109kms Everything in life is being toned down to suit the masses You wanna do the cycle tour....then git gudYou would like a 9 year old to git gud? What is wrong with an event that caters to 6-12 year olds cycling on some of the most scenic roads in Cape Town which would be 100% closed from traffic? Please, everyone has their goals, be it top 100, sub 3, sub 4, sub 5 or just finish. No one goal is more important, valuable than another. Its a fun ride. They have added a option so more people can enjoy a fun ride.
BuffsVintageBikes Posted June 7, 2019 Posted June 7, 2019 If you read PPA's message on FB it becomes very obvious that they're going this route to try and generate more cash due to the dwindling numbers in the funrides. PPA gets 50% of the CTCT profits so it makes sense for them to go this route.Not sure I agree with it though, I'm of the opinion that it's going to water down the achievement of finishing the long route. Kinda of like having a marathon distance option at the Comrades.
CAAD4 Posted June 7, 2019 Posted June 7, 2019 If you read PPA's message on FB it becomes very obvious that they're going this route to try and generate more cash due to the dwindling numbers in the funrides. PPA gets 50% of the CTCT profits so it makes sense for them to go this route.Not sure I agree with it though, I'm of the opinion that it's going to water down the achievement of finishing the long route. Kinda of like having a marathon distance option at the Comrades.Accomplishment in finishing the longer route? I guess it's the World fun ride Champs after all. Those who want a shorter Comrades, might run OMTOM then, but I don't run, so what do I know? I like my knees too much and chose Instead to watch with utmost respect.
gogo@ Posted June 7, 2019 Posted June 7, 2019 First thought was, noooo... no short-cuts please, it's supposed to be a challenge!Plenty second thoughts, though, in the direction of change-is-good. But, how quickly we forget. It took me YEARS to enter my first Cycle Tour. (Why?why?whY?) I thought it was such a huge thing. Ha! Now I really regret not getting to that start line earlier in life. There would have been so many more opportunities to enter other events even more challenging.Let's give it a chance and see where it takes us!
Wayne pudding Mol Posted June 7, 2019 Posted June 7, 2019 Don’t think comrades can be compared to CTCT - a half distance comrades is still tougher than a full August though I agree it wouldn't count - a short route makes it more viable financially for out of towners and could be a gateway for less serious riders to start with a reasonable target - for most 109km is a long ride and for others a warm up on Saturday will be funI say give it a chance and then on Saturday my warm up will be safer from cars anyway
Jewbacca Posted June 7, 2019 Posted June 7, 2019 Why is there always so much ego thrown around when CTCT/Comrades/Oceans are mentioned. Who cares if someone rides a shorter route on a different day? Who cares if someone does the 2 oceans 21km and says 'I did Oceans' or the guy does half Iron Man in Durban and says 'I did Iron Man' etc... Seriously, don't you do the race/event for your own sense of achievement? They are businesses and cater for mass participation. As a business, appealing to a wider audience = more bums in seats = good business. I think this is great. Let them ride e-bikes. Get people on the road doing the event. 'Achievement' is relative. Finishing any of the above events is 'easy'. Nothing to get elitist about really.
Skubarra Posted June 7, 2019 Posted June 7, 2019 Who cares if someone rides a shorter route on a different day? Who cares if someone does the 2 oceans 21km and says 'I did Oceans' or the guy does half Iron Man in Durban and says 'I did Iron Man' etc... 2 Oceans is a good example - never heard someone say the half diminishes the full marathon. I would draw the line at e-bikes though.... Make it a seperate event / ride if you want to do something for ebikes like they do at the Knysna Festival.
The Ouzo Posted June 7, 2019 Posted June 7, 2019 'Achievement' is relative. Finishing any of the above events is 'easy'. Nothing to get elitist about really.I beg to differ. I've been doing CTCT since 1999, its still an effort and accomplishment for me to finish it.And even though 35 000 people line up for it every year, chat to a non "athlete" and say you rode 109km and watch their eyes. So please dont dismiss doing it as easy, I think you'll find for 90% of the field its a real effort, for 60% of the field its pushing their limits. But I'm not against the shorter route either.
Long Wheel Base Posted June 7, 2019 Posted June 7, 2019 Next year I'm hoping for a 5km Comrades...I would probably struggle more with that than 109km Argus.
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