Calendar clashes!

[Scalpel]

Good afternoon. Why is it so difficult to organise the SA events calendar? More than one event on the same weekend seems to be the norm. Cannondale Maluti Double 90, SA Gravel in Karkloof and Groot Trap all on the same weekend! Why do we have to make these choices. I see the Cradle Cruise and Berg and Bush is also on the same weekend. Tankwa Trek and Road SA's was on the same weekend. Seriously can it be that difficult! 

[andydude]

Think about it, there are only 52 weeks in a year. And you can probably exclude a few due to Dec/Jan holidays, weather, etc.

And a lot more events across the different disciplines.

Then yes, it can be that difficult!

[Scalpel]

Andy I understand your very valid point. Surely an SA Champs event should get priority?

 

[Nick]

My guess is that there isn't really that much overlap in demand and the events don't feel the impact. Especially considering that all the clashes you mention are events happening in different provinces. That's a pretty big ask for every event in the country to not overlap for a handful of riders.

[ChrisF]

4 minutes ago, Scalpel said:

Andy I understand your very valid point. Surely an SA Champs event should get priority?

 

 

Why ?

 

Seriously, the friends that ride SA's are not too worried about the weekend stuff.

[ChrisF]

36 minutes ago, andydude said:

Think about it, there are only 52 weeks in a year. And you can probably exclude a few due to Dec/Jan holidays, weather, etc.

And a lot more events across the different disciplines.

Then yes, it can be that difficult!

 

Hiehie .... you are obviously correct.

 

Add in school exams, long weekends, etc, and the weekends where you can draw a crowd narrows down significantly.

 

As much as I understand all that .... I often look at the Worcester MTB races ... 80% of the races in the span of a few weeks.  Financially, family, etc, it would really make sense to spread these out a bit ....

 

 

PLEASE bring back Fine Breede race .... pretty please.

[andydude]

16 minutes ago, Scalpel said:

Andy I understand your very valid point. Surely an SA Champs event should get priority?

 

Oh yes I think so as well. But there are so many SA Champs in road and XCO and XCM and downhill and gravel. And I think SA Champs is not always first to jump with calendar dates, because they are waiting for provinces/organisers to bid for the champs. And in that time other events fill up the calendar.

Edit: wasn't sure about to or too so changed to as well 😄

Edited Tuesday at 02:38 PM by andydude

[Scalpel]

I agree CSA might be a bit slow out of the blocks with their dates. For me it does not really make a difference as I do not race anymore. Just came up in a group ride this morning. Wife wants to do the Double 90 and husband gravel champs! So who wins? I presume a happy wife always trumps any other desires!!

[ChrisF]

1 minute ago, Scalpel said:

I agree CSA might be a bit slow out of the blocks with their dates. For me it does not really make a difference as I do not race anymore. Just came up in a group ride this morning. Wife wants to do the Double 90 and husband gravel champs! So who wins? I presume a happy wife always trumps any other desires!!

 

That sucks.

 

Gotta love your punch line though.

[DieselnDust]

1 hour ago, Scalpel said:

I agree CSA might be a bit slow out of the blocks with their dates. For me it does not really make a difference as I do not race anymore. Just came up in a group ride this morning. Wife wants to do the Double 90 and husband gravel champs! So who wins? I presume a happy wife always trumps any other desires!!

……so you’re making their problems your problems…..🤔……

[Eugene]

From what I understand, most events are organised privately and the organisers probably are not too concerned whether their event clashes with another. 

However, events usually have to be registered with CSA, so I suppose the responsibility to advise organisers of clashes lies with the CSA. 

It's been a while since I have followed cycling locally, but their was a time that certain events had "Classique" status, meaning no other CSA sanctioned event could take place on that day. Not sure if this still applies. 

 

[DanMan]

On 3/4/2025 at 2:18 PM, Scalpel said:

Good afternoon. Why is it so difficult to organise the SA events calendar? More than one event on the same weekend seems to be the norm. Cannondale Maluti Double 90, SA Gravel in Karkloof and Groot Trap all on the same weekend! Why do we have to make these choices. I see the Cradle Cruise and Berg and Bush is also on the same weekend. Tankwa Trek and Road SA's was on the same weekend. Seriously can it be that difficult! 

I doubt if an organizer is going to adhere to CyclingSA. What are they gaining if they are adhering to CyclingSA but the next organizer does not?  I think all the organizers are fully aware off events going on around them, so it is ultimately their decision to continue on that date.

[ajnkzn]

Guys all I can say is, if you can, SA Gravel is going to be good. 

[Shebeen]

17 hours ago, Eugene said:

From what I understand, most events are organised privately and the organisers probably are not too concerned whether their event clashes with another. 

However, events usually have to be registered with CSA, so I suppose the responsibility to advise organisers of clashes lies with the CSA. 

It's been a while since I have followed cycling locally, but their was a time that certain events had "Classique" status, meaning no other CSA sanctioned event could take place on that day. Not sure if this still applies. 

 

probably a slightly apples and lemons comparison, but ASA does seem to run the athletics calendar quite well. the road running races are well spread out and don't seem to clash within a reason, not even over a weekend. The trail running events then seem to fit in amongst themselves despite not being regulated.

 

 

[sias]

On 3/4/2025 at 2:18 PM, Scalpel said:

Why is it so difficult to organise the SA events calendar? Seriously can it be that difficult! 

Yes it can be and is that difficult. I take it you know the whole process from UCI to Africa to SA national(champs in road, BMX, XCM, XCO and gravel and national series in XCO and XCM) to provincial(champs in road, XCM and XCO plus provincial series in XCM and XCO) to private series (Trailseeker etc.) to kerkbazaar races? Oh yes, and the school series as well.

To keep everyone happy is an impossible task and we can only do so much. Of course any well thought out suggestions would be most welcome! For example - which of the 17 races in March would you have us cancel because they take place in the same week of the Epic? Or the 9 races in different provinces on the same weekend as the Maluti in Apr? Or the 8 races on the same weekend as the XCM champs in May? Which ones would you move to different dates?

Just my 2cw.

Edited 13 hours ago by sias