[Event] Virgin Active 947 Ride Joburg Road

[The Ouzo]

13 hours ago, Sandro said:

If its about the goodie bag then they have zero value to me. I remember the days of stuffed goodie bags mostly with useless nonsense that I ended up chucking or giving away anyway. I pay for the organization and mainly the road closure which is generally excellent so I have no issues. But if people are looking for different bang for their buck thats their prerogative, I get it.

most of the time the stuff in the goodie bags are samples or freebies from sponsors.

We like free stuff.

But this years goodie bag should rather have not  been, not sure what everyone else got but all that was inside mine was a bottle, surely they could have gotten some other sponsors to chuck in some expired chocolate bars and some skin care samples ? Its like they didnt even try.

[NicoSmit]

18 hours ago, Frosty said:

I’ve done 21, and I also have a white bib, with black text. It’s (not) the end of world as we know it, and I feel fine.

Doing no 27 this year and no red asked the lady at enquiries no more coloured no 

[Frosty]

2 hours ago, NicoSmit said:

Doing no 27 this year and no red asked the lady at enquiries no more coloured no 

Now it's like Strava... virtual badges

[Mansoor]

Hello, does anyone have a copy of the batch start times and expected finish times for the batches? It was available when the reseeding option was open but the link doesn't work anymore? Thanks

[Ozzie NL]

On 11/14/2024 at 12:44 PM, Dexter-morgan said:

on the e-mail it mentioned 11000 odd, so nowhere near previous numbers.

From what I understand last year had 7k finishers.

Would expect decline to continue so probably 6.6k this time around?

[Mountain Bru]

Can't help but wonder if the rapid decline in participation is also partly caused by the change of start and finish venue. I have no idea when the decline started, and I'm sure Covid is main factor, but I can't help but think that the new venue and associated route must play a role. 

Firstly, most newbies I know that ride really struggle with the climbs being predominantly backloaded in the route, which was different when the start was in Woodmead / Steyn City. 

Secondly, driving to Soweto is also a different experience to driving to Fourways / Woodmead. I definitely preferred picking up my race pack in the Dome rather than at Soccer City. I can't say I notice much of a difference in traffic on race day now vs at previous venues. 

Ironically, I think the parking and logistic struggles associated with 20 000 entrants probably played a big role in the decision to move the start/finish venue, and subsequently, I don't think they've ever had 20 000 entrants again. 

 

Edited Friday at 02:41 PM by Mountain Bru

[ChrisF]

13 minutes ago, Mountain Bru said:

Can't help but wonder if the rapid decline in participation is also partly caused by the change of start and finish venue. I have no idea when the decline started, and I'm sure Covid is main factor, but I can't help but think that the new venue and associated route must play a role. 

Firstly, most newbies I know that ride really struggle with the climbs being predominantly backloaded in the route, which was different when the start was in Woodmead / Steyn City. 

Secondly, driving to Soweto is also a different experience to driving to Fourways / Woodmead. I definitely preferred picking up my race pack in the Dome rather than at Soccer City. I can't say I notice much of a difference in traffic on race day now vs at previous venues. 

Ironically, I think the parking and logistic struggles associated with 20 000 entrants probably played a big role in the decision to move the start/finish venue, and subsequently, I don't think they've ever had 20 000 entrants again. 

 

 

When you watch GMBN, GCN, etc you quickly realise the decline is a worldwide thing ....

 

 

[117]

1 hour ago, ChrisF said:

 

When you watch GMBN, GCN, etc you quickly realise the decline is a worldwide thing ....

 

 

Must be because the goodie bags world wide are getting smaller 

[love2fly]

3 hours ago, Mountain Bru said:

Can't help but wonder if the rapid decline in participation is also partly caused by the change of start and finish venue. I have no idea when the decline started, and I'm sure Covid is main factor, but I can't help but think that the new venue and associated route must play a role. 

Firstly, most newbies I know that ride really struggle with the climbs being predominantly backloaded in the route, which was different when the start was in Woodmead / Steyn City. 

Secondly, driving to Soweto is also a different experience to driving to Fourways / Woodmead. I definitely preferred picking up my race pack in the Dome rather than at Soccer City. I can't say I notice much of a difference in traffic on race day now vs at previous venues. 

Ironically, I think the parking and logistic struggles associated with 20 000 entrants probably played a big role in the decision to move the start/finish venue, and subsequently, I don't think they've ever had 20 000 entrants again. 

 

You have a whole year to train and not be a newbie. I started riding mid Jan 1999 and had smoked for 19 years. I quit smoking two weeks before the Argus and still managed a 4:42 at the age of 37......there aren't any hills in the route that should make anyone struggle but they do....I see riders walk up Edinburgh drive in the Argus.....hours in the saddle is what's needed ...

[eddy]

On 11/15/2024 at 7:10 AM, 117 said:

I usually find they dish those treats out at the bottom of Jan Smuts.

I mean, really! There? I'd prefer the top of jan smuts thanks

I'll be braaing halfway up Jan Smuts and handing out abuse to all laggards....

[The Ouzo]

15 hours ago, love2fly said:

You have a whole year to train and not be a newbie. I started riding mid Jan 1999 and had smoked for 19 years. I quit smoking two weeks before the Argus and still managed a 4:42 at the age of 37......there aren't any hills in the route that should make anyone struggle but they do....I see riders walk up Edinburgh drive in the Argus.....hours in the saddle is what's needed ...

the new route with the hills at the end , to me, is much easier than any of the previous routes. I think mainly because there are actually less hills.

[Bike Dewing]

Starting to feel extremely gutted that im packing house this weekend and not resting, eating, drinking and prepping for tomorrow.. 

😰😭

 

[GaryvdM]

1 hour ago, The Ouzo said:

the new route with the hills at the end , to me, is much easier than any of the previous routes. I think mainly because there are actually less hills.

Also given the downhills are in the first half, I find it easier to get a good bunch to draft with.

[The Ouzo]

13 minutes ago, GaryvdM said:

Also given the downhills are in the first half, I find it easier to get a good bunch to draft with.

would love to see what the average finishing time is between the older routes and the new route

[Chadvdw67]

2 hours ago, Bike Dewing said:

Starting to feel extremely gutted that im packing house this weekend and not resting, eating, drinking and prepping for tomorrow.. 

😰😭

 

If it makes you feel any better, the sleepless nights and anxiety of the ride is overflowing for me, so maybe I am panicking for you 🤔 

 

On a side note, to the rest of you people who may be snooping around here, I am in batch G, and looking to finish in under 3:30, is there anybody else in the same/similar start batch with the same goal? Looking to maybe join some guys to make it a little more "doable"

[Frosty]

4 minutes ago, Chadvdw67 said:

On a side note, to the rest of you people who may be snooping around here, I am in batch G, and looking to finish in under 3:30, is there anybody else in the same/similar start batch with the same goal? Looking to maybe join some guys to make it a little more "doable"

We (my club) are most likely starting in G, with a goal of 3:30. We’ll stop at a water point of two, and make up time inbetween. Nothing excessive, in terms of effort.

If you want to tag along, look for guys in lumo yellow/green kit.