[Event] Coronation Double Century 2019

[Pure Savage]

Safety should trump logistics.

If you start the slower rides last you will have safety issues as the slower riders will be riding in the heat of the day and finishing at dusk. 

[Patchelicious]

If you start the slower rides last you will have safety issues as the slower riders will be riding in the heat of the day and finishing at dusk.

Like you said, the format is the way it is because of closing the passes, not because the race organisers view of the heat.

 

Look I understand why its done the way it is, and the heat is not the reason, this is a consequence.

We ca start rattling off 30 different reason why the one format is better than the other, but the primary reason for the format is organiser logistics not rider safety. This is not an attack on the orgnisers, it is a simple statement.

 

Fast teams enter the DC knowing they will need to navigate slower teams, in the same way that everybody enters it knowing it will be hot, and that there are hills at the end.

 

I dont think the format should change, I just think the drafting rules need to be enforced a little bit more, as its the breaking of the no drafting rules that leads to large bunches forming, which in turn makes the passing more difficult and dangerous.

 

Edit: and it makes some people “punchy”

Edited November 25, 2019 by Patchelicious

[babse]

If you start the slower rides last you will have safety issues as the slower riders will be riding in the heat of the day and finishing at dusk. 

yep...

 

I think its fine as it is. People should try harder to avoid passing incidents but with that number of riders on an open road there will always be risks involved.

[Spinnekop]

I dont think the format should change, I just think the drafting rules need to be enforced a little bit more, as its the breaking of the no drafting rules that leads to large bunches forming, which in turn makes the passing more difficult and dangerous.

 

 

This.

 

It should sort the problem to a big extend.  We had LOTs of teams hooking on to the train.  Easy to do and annoying as hell as they tend to interfere with the dynamic of the group.

[reflexus]

As far as I understand, if there has been a breach of rules (in this instance drafting or intentional obstruction) then you can raise an objection or challenge with the race officials and action will be taken - time penalties or a DQ. 

If a team feels strongly that this has taken place then raise an objection and make it known, this might discourage the more blatant drafting or drifting out wide.

 

A couple of times I was isolated with a couple of team-mates and we asked faster teams coming along if we could get a tow and they happily obliged.

[davidtinker]

Its a fun day out for most teams so why stress about drafting? Its impossible to police drafting in such an event, other than for teams going for the podium. They can can only really draft each other anyway .. easy to watch for that

[BuffsVintageBikes]

Another absolutely superb DC. I was cruising the route on my KTM690 with a drone pilot on the back taking footage of the Breitling Teams. As much as I thoroughly enjoyed watching the race unfold, I couldn’t help wishing I was in there racing with you guys. Tradouw’s Pass was absolutely spectacular that time of the morning.

 

The only time in the race where I became fearful for the riders was from the 1^st compulsory stop to the left turn at Robertson where everyone was trying to hide from the wind. Lots of very large groups formed and the riders took up most of the road. There was some very irresponsible riding happening there and had I been an official, a few teams would have received a red card at that point in the race. At times I couldn’t get past on the motorbike as I was too afraid to risk passing on the blind rises yet some of the riders decided to sit echelon in those conditions. Craziness at its best.

 

Other than that, I thought the race was brilliant in all aspects. The Savages looked savage all day and had a great gees going, as did many of the other teams. Then there were a few teams that had the wheels come off, big time. It’s always amusing watching this from the side line as I can almost predict the chaos about to unfold. Many dropped riders lost their sense of humour with their teammates and the comments were priceless… and unrepeatable

 

Well done to all who finished, especially those that crossed then line with all 12 riders together

[Slowbee]

I wonder if we can get a hub team together ?

 

For folk like me who want to ride the DC and experience the event and just finish. Non of this ride for a pb, bleed through your eyes kind of thing. Just a lekker days ride with 12 other people helping each other finish.

[Gr3mlin131]

I wonder if we can get a hub team together ?

 

For folk like me who want to ride the DC and experience the event and just finish. Non of this ride for a pb, bleed through your eyes kind of thing. Just a lekker days ride with 12 other people helping each other finish.

 

This type of team I would gladly join. Hub team all finishing together. Most likely a couple of other teams just there to finish, 

[Slowbee]

When will we know the dates of the next DC? And how tricky is it to enter ?

[Karman de Lange]

When will we know the dates of the next DC? And how tricky is it to enter ?

 2nd last weekend of November normally.

 

First batch sold out in 1min 30s this year, not sure about rest.. think corporate had entries for while.

 

its getting rather difficult to find teams , know few people that did not ride as could not find any teams to join , all full, even our team started with 12 this year...

[Wayne pudding Mol]

I wonder if we can get a hub team together ?

 

For folk like me who want to ride the DC and experience the event and just finish. Non of this ride for a pb, bleed through your eyes kind of thing. Just a lekker days ride with 12 other people helping each other finish.

I'd love to do it but when I see people riding 200km in an hour longer than my CTCT times I get nervous  - Using a 330 CTC can I assume it would take me twice as long plus a bit more as I fade.  So I need a team who wants to ride for 8 hours  - hell that's a long time on a bicycle

[Dicky DQ]

Like you said, the format is the way it is because of closing the passes, not because the race organisers view of the heat.

 

Look I understand why its done the way it is, and the heat is not the reason, this is a consequence.

We ca start rattling off 30 different reason why the one format is better than the other, but the primary reason for the format is organiser logistics not rider safety. This is not an attack on the orgnisers, it is a simple statement.

 

Fast teams enter the DC knowing they will need to navigate slower teams, in the same way that everybody enters it knowing it will be hot, and that there are hills at the end.

 

I dont think the format should change, I just think the drafting rules need to be enforced a little bit more, as its the breaking of the no drafting rules that leads to large bunches forming, which in turn makes the passing more difficult and dangerous.

 

Edit: and it makes some people “punchy”

And the half hour stops need to be removed. You can stop for as long as you want but the clock keeps ticking.

 

The way it always was and the way it always should be.

 

It is also going to be interesting to see how the times change after the roadworks are completed. Even with the hour lunch breaks I foresee times getting to be 30 to 45 minutes longer at the pointy end.

 

This will also change the team dynamic. Do you drop a strong rider early on with a puncture knowing he can make it back in the 1st or 2nd half hour free period.

Edited November 25, 2019 by TDFN

[Karman de Lange]

And the half hour stops need to be removed. You can stop for as long as you want but the clock keeps ticking.

 

The way it always was and the way it always should be.

 

It is also going to be interesting to see how the times change after the roadworks are completed. Even with the hour lunch breaks I foresee times getting to be 30 to 45 minutes longer at the pointy end.

The 30 min stops again is saftey thing

 

was 280 teams this year, 2km long feeding zones.  Takes about 5-10 mins just to get to your car, now imagine 3000 riders racing past people running to the loo, Having chat in middle road. Falling over cooler boxes etc.   Just not my idea of fun..

 

This was my 4th DC and wont change a thing..  it just works... just wish legs would as well to the end..

[ChrisF]

I wonder if we can get a hub team together ?

 

For folk like me who want to ride the DC and experience the event and just finish. Non of this ride for a pb, bleed through your eyes kind of thing. Just a lekker days ride with 12 other people helping each other finish.

 

Slowbee it is understandable that a lot of the feedback is about the "racers" and the "racing" ....

 

 

I was pleasantly surprized about the number of "middle aged men and ladies" having a lekka ride out in the valley !!  MANY groups with a few older riders .... even one group with probably all riders well over 50 years of age.

 

 

Given the "slow-start-first" process it would be unwise to join this event if you dont know bunch riding rules .... but if you know how you keep your lane, and if you can manage the distance, no reason why not. 

 

 

Yes, we also noted a few losing their sense of humour.  Emphasis on a FEW.  By far the most participants were brilliant sports.

Edited November 25, 2019 by ChrisF

[Karman de Lange]

I'd love to do it but when I see people riding 200km in an hour longer than my CTCT times I get nervous  - Using a 330 CTC can I assume it would take me twice as long plus a bit more as I fade.  So I need a team who wants to ride for 8 hours  - hell that's a long time on a bicycle

i did 3:20 ctc, DC official time ~5:50, ~7 hrs on road..  you just need team that works together... which is the most difficult part...