947 Cycle Challenge 2019

[Rob22]

Didn't have a great ride...over-fat and under-fit (!) but celebrated with a mate who rode his 10th consecutive. Already the pain is subsiding and I'm thinking of next year...

 

In general though the organisation was pretty good. Just a bit of chaos at Makro when the screen failed. Found it ironic that the PA was very indistinct in the holding area but pitch-perfect in the start pens (when we didn't need it). Maybe a learning for next year? Get the sound right in the holding area as that's where comms are critical.

Thank you for this feedback, point taken. We did make a change to the sound system during the morning with similar comments which did improve the sound in the assembly area.  As for the screen, so much incompetence for what you would think is a relatively simple technology 

[Dexter-morgan]

I saw many of those safety pins all over the road, that was punctures waiting to happen.

[Popit]

A BIG Chapeau to the gent in the Clover kit with the Cannondale Gravel Grinder in VE - 2nd bunch.  On gavel knobbies nogal.  You made us all look like fools on our 6.8kg road bikes!! 

 

Respect!!

Underachiever , what kit were you in  .

I was there too ... Paul Scott Financial Services Kit on a black S-Works .

Ja that oke was proper strong ...

[The Ouzo]

I saw many of those safety pins all over the road, that was punctures waiting to happen.

one of mine must be lying out there somewhere. Havent lost a safety pin in years.

[Tommo22]

Yep the cows shouted all kinds of rubbish and was damn irritating. Dont think those specific ridiers were representing the "brand" well.

 

Same goes for the Brain Child Fund train. A fantastic cause, unraveled by a pushy, shouty and totally unreasonable crew battering their way through the other riders. There are other ways to generate positive awareness and goodwill --- this is not one of them.

[475]

I'm happy with that, very close to a perfect day out, we always knew the wind would be from the front on the highway, it always is.

 

To the guys in B-batch: I am willing to form a rolling echelon in the crosswind on the M1 with guys willing to work, it seems to be the easiest way to make progress. Better than being pummeled in the gutter...

 

Did you manage to get a pace-line of any sort going?

[Frosty]

Thank you for this feedback, point taken. We did make a change to the sound system during the morning with similar comments which did improve the sound in the assembly area. As for the screen, so much incompetence for what you would think is a relatively simple technology

A fair level of incompetence too from some cyclists. I saw riders from with A, B, C, D, E, F as well as H, M and EE all trying to get through the “gate” at the holding area. Surely they know they are starting at a certain time, but not 1-2 hour(s) before.

 

As a backup, I’d add those clipboards that you had at the entrance to each batch chute. Add it to the main entrance in case the digital signs let you down again, so the riders know which batches are losing next. It used to be done a number of years back, when the start was at Woodmead.

 

Now that I read the first paragraph again, many of the D group thought that DL was their start group, so that could be why A, B and C we’re trying to get through.

 

As a fellow person that manages the start batches (for “my” race), I know how it works so it’s quite simple for me.

[Popit]

Thank you kind sir!! It was indeed me and I had a blast!! So much respect for the Cannondale Topstone I was riding. Entry level gravel bike that is so diverse and fun to ride!!

Hey Scalpel , you rode like a star .... please don't get a road bike , will be extra pain for all of us .

I was in your bunch on the black S-Works .

[The Ouzo]

A fair level of incompetence too from some cyclists. I saw riders from with A, B, C, D, E, F as well as H, M and EE all trying to get through the “gate” at the holding area. Surely they know they are starting at a certain time, but not 1-2 hour(s) before.

 

As a backup, I’d add those clipboards that you had at the entrance to each batch chute. Add it to the main entrance in case the digital signs let you down again, so the riders know which batches are losing next. It used to be done a number of years back, when the start was at Woodmead.

 

Now that I read the first paragraph again, many of the D group thought that DL was their start group, so that could be why A, B and C we’re trying to get through.

 

As a fellow person that manages the start batches (for “my” race), I know how it works so it’s quite simple for me.

 

With the Screen down it was a little confusing, even for someone thats done this a number of times.

It took a number of batches loading before I realised what was happening.

[Scalpel]

Hey Scalpel , you rode like a star .... please don't get a road bike , will be extra pain for all of us .

I was in your bunch on the black S-Works .

 

Thanks for the compliment Popit! You had a lekker solid ride as well. We had an effective little group going there. I must say the gravel bike is awesome, I might consider not getting a roabike again.

[Vetplant]

Did you manage to get a pace-line of any sort going?

To be perfectly honest, my B-batch seeding was overly generous from the seeding system.

 

I burnt too many matches in trying to stick with the main bunch on those first bunch of climbs.

 

I only decided at around Jan Smuts that I need to do the climbs at my own pace and then stick with whatever group comes past near NM Bridge, which duly came past and subsequently I was nackered as we entered the M1.

 

I shamelessly wheelsucked all the way down, hoping to rebuild my stores before Kyalami but they spat me out the back so quickly before the Kyalami entrance I was actually happy to be solo as I was able to stop at the waterpoint to refill supplies and reset my mind for a couple of seconds.

 

It made the final hour from there much more tolerable. I was able to do a couple of pulls on Summit road with two seriously strong riders who had me bleeding through my eyeballs just hanging on in their slip. The one guy had "Flash" on his number, which is definitely accurate.

 

I think the course is just not suited to my build, so will never be able to stick with the front of my start group. Thus next year I will try to pace the climbs in the 1st half better, to have more in the tank as we hit the M1.

Edited November 18, 2019 by Swift&Aero

[OldBull]

Could not make it last year but must say this route is much better than the other way round. We also discussed it in our club group today and all agree with this.

 

I had a great time yesterday and the organization was great.

 

Thanx to the team that organized and executed this race.

 

WELL DONE!!!!

[Underachiever]

Hey Scalpel , you rode like a star .... please don't get a road bike , will be extra pain for all of us .

I was in your bunch on the black S-Works .

I need to go and check out the piccies, since I was in your group too of course.  We have a shared passion for nice watches.  Both from the Far East too!!!

[Underachiever]

Underachiever , what kit were you in  .

I was there too ... Paul Scott Financial Services Kit on a black S-Works .

Ja that oke was proper strong ...

Ah!!!  I was in the purple/grey jersey. Black bib,  Giant TCR with the pink bar tape :-)

[Veebee]

Could not make it last year but must say this route is much better than the other way round. We also discussed it in our club group today and all agree with this.

 

I had a great time yesterday and the organization was great.

 

Thanx to the team that organized and executed this race.

 

WELL DONE!!!!

 

For me, I prefer the non flipped route. I take a while to get going and the hard climbs from the start just killed me, or maybe I just need to get leaner and build more power

[edgarblount]

I prefer the new route. Get the climbing out of the way and than ride down hill into a gentle breeze. What's not to like.