[Event] Emperors Palace Classic 2022

[Frosty]

And then heading out on Rondebult just after the N17 offramp before Kingfisher Ave.
Most of the potholes have opened up again. Perhaps they'll be filled before the weekend.

[Frosty]

The rest of the route isn't too bad.
Some more potholes, have been left open for a few weeks now, on the R103 between Magagula Heights and Diana Road, but it's on an uphill, so speeds will be slower.
 

Edited March 22, 2022 by Frosty

[The Ouzo]

Also if you're in the emergency lane, on that little kicker, coming back over the N17, whilst there are no potholes the tar is rather bumpy

 

 

[Frosty]

Oh, forgot about the last few turns coming in to the finish, off Yaldwin.
Lots of stones cover pretty much most of the left side of the road.
Going out isn't as bad as the slipway is free of stones.

[The Ouzo]

30 minutes ago, Frosty said:

Oh, forgot about the last few turns coming in to the finish, off Yaldwin.
Lots of stones cover pretty much most of the left side of the road.
Going out isn't as bad as the slipway is free of stones.

Yes hopefully they sweep that intersection, it won’t remove the potholes but will at least get rid of all those stones

[Underachiever]

Great pics showing the hazards.  DANKIE!!!

[Frosty]

On 3/22/2022 at 3:05 PM, ouzo said:

I'm not racing (despite it starting on my doorstep), but can perhaps join you for your ride home

On 3/22/2022 at 3:23 PM, Frosty said:

If all goes according to plan, we're leaving at +/- 10:00 from the Emperor's parking area. You're welcome to ride with us (20Km to Alberton); but we might be stopping for coffee on the way home. Will confirm on Saturday.

We are riding straight home, and not stopping for coffee on the route. If you want to still join us, meet us at one of the two following spots.

Regrouping here after the race.

or leaving from the Engen garage on Griffiths Road at 10:00.

[Underachiever]

On 3/22/2022 at 5:02 PM, Frosty said:

Oh, forgot about the last few turns coming in to the finish, off Yaldwin.
Lots of stones cover pretty much most of the left side of the road.
Going out isn't as bad as the slipway is free of stones.

I see this turn (a real fast left hander) is still covered in the gravel and large stones.  Perhaps they will fix tonight??

Edited March 26, 2022 by Underachiever

[The Ouzo]

2 hours ago, Frosty said:

We are riding straight home, and not stopping for coffee on the route. If you want to still join us, meet us at one of the two following spots.

Regrouping here after the race.

or leaving from the Engen garage on Griffiths Road at 10:00.

Thanks

 

Depending on timing I might stop by the re-grouping point to say howzit, but I need to be home for other commitments after that so wont join you for the ride back to Alberton.

[Frosty]

1 hour ago, Underachiever said:

I see this turn (a real fast left hander) is still covered in the gravel and large stones.  Perhaps they will fix tonight??

On a scale of 1 (likely) to 10 (unlikely), I’ll go with 20.

[The Ouzo]

28 minutes ago, Frosty said:

On a scale of 1 (likely) to 10 (unlikely), I’ll go with 20.

And we just had a quick but heavy downpour in the area, so expect more gravel etc. on the roads. 

[Peter Parker]

Holly molly,  potholes galore. 

I dont think much effort was put into fixing them. 

Hope all those that fell in BL are ok. 

[mecheng89]

25 minutes ago, Peter Parker said:

Holly molly,  potholes galore. 

I dont think much effort was put into fixing them. 

Hope all those that fell in BL are ok. 

I was in BL at that time. Lucky for me I did not tumble, but I can't say the same for 2 mates - one with a wrecked RD, another with a wrecked shoulder. Bunch racing is not easy! 

[Ispeed_V]

Ended up as a 100km training ride after a puncture at the  70km mark that would'nt seal. Ended up having to put a tube in (big thanks to the gent who stopped to give me tube). No sooner had I bombed it, and then the inner valve pulls out when detaching the bomb. A second big thanks to the gent who stopped to loan me his pump so that I could at least get back on my way.

What should have been a quick 5 min fix ended up taking almost 30 mins.

Lesson learnt, don't put all your trust in tubeless tyres and always carry a spare tube or two in the event like the above.

Lesson two, make sure the valve is screwed in tight before inflating it.

 

[Peter Parker]

Other than the dodgey roads and sewage, how did Vukani get 20odd members all in the BL group.

And, why were they racing like they were trying to win SA champs or something?

They were just causing a hazard to.the rest of the group, 3 or 4 would attack of the front, the others at the front would slow the pace all of a sudden and others would ride on the right side of the bunch so no one else could get out and chase. 

I wouldnt be surprised if these tactics lead to the crashes in the last 20kms.

Im sure the  Noddy badges were worth it.

Edited March 28, 2022 by Peter Parker

[The Ouzo]

Just now, Peter Parker said:

Firstly how did Vukani get 20odd members all in the BL group.

And secondly, why were they racing like they were trying to win SA champs or something?

They were just causing a hazard to.the rest of the group, 3 or 4 would attack of the front, the others at the front would slow the pace all of a sudden and others would ride on the right side of the bunch so no one else could get out and chase. 

I wouldnt be surprised if these tactics lead to the crashes in the last 20kms.

Im sure the  Noddy badges were worth it.

no the first time there have been reports of them riding like this.