Wheelie Posted February 10, 2009 Posted February 10, 2009 We had several complaints about supporter vehicles on the route - any suggestions???????
2 X 2 Posted February 10, 2009 Posted February 10, 2009 Are you talking about supporters that support the race as spectators or is it support for the teams (team cars). If it is support cars driving behind their teams, I'm against it General supporters that support the race and ride in a supporter bus, I don't have a problem with
Spinnekop Posted February 10, 2009 Posted February 10, 2009 Well.....you are NOT going to control supporters on the Kremetart. It is 180km on one day. For that to work as a funrider, you need SUPPORT! The guys voting "not allowed" obviously have not done the Kremetart.... That said, what is the gripes about? I enjoy it when the guys stop and watch.......as long as the cars pass the bunches in an orderly fasion...... If it is a supporter or a normal road user, you ARE going to have cars passing you in the race......if you keep left of the white line, all is good.... Yes?
Gman1834 Posted February 10, 2009 Posted February 10, 2009 If you are talking about the supporter bus at the Kremetart, it would be nice if they started 10min after the last group. If the driver slow down and pass a group slowly it will give the supporters change to see the riders in action.
Sean Badenhorst Posted February 10, 2009 Posted February 10, 2009 We had several complaints about supporter vehicles on the route - any suggestions??????? And this would be which of the more than 1000 road and MTB races in SA?
Guest Big H Posted February 10, 2009 Posted February 10, 2009 We had several complaints about supporter vehicles on the route - any suggestions??????? And this would be which of the more than 1000 road and MTB races in SA? Sean, Sean Sean........ moet nou nie 'n dommie wees nie...... jy weet moes Wheelie/Wheelbarrow/Kruiwa is die baas van die spyker en sement winkel en ook die baas van die plaas by die Kremetart. Jy weet ook mos nou al teen die tyd dat hy bang is vir die internet en dan altyd die verkeerde dinge se as hy daar sit met sy mond vol tanne....... amper soos van daai mense op Idols wat bang is vir Randall!!!!!!!!!
jmaccelari Posted February 10, 2009 Posted February 10, 2009 The guys voting "not allowed" obviously have not done the Kremetart....I've done it twice: both times without support. Came second in theVets 40+ first time, then 3rd in the men's tandems (with a very unfitpartner), so I'd quibble with you there... My tuppence: I've not had a problem with support vehicles. It does getvery congested at the rest points, but then I'm on a bike so it doesn'taffect me!
amateur Posted February 10, 2009 Posted February 10, 2009 I've driven support for 2 years now on this race and if they leave before the bunches start then they will stop on the road to wait for their guys and then just race ahead and leap-frog the riders to stop ahead again, same goes if they leave behind the bunches they leap-frog the riders until they get to their riders and then do the same as menitoned above. In my personal opinion you should lay down rules for the drivers in terms of how to pass the cyclists and how to behave, and then let them leave when they want, because it's probably safer for them to drive just behind their riders rather then leap-frog other groups anyway at speed to get to their riders. I don't think it's something that you'll be able to control properly, and I really think that support is needed on this race as it is so long, last year we stoped to take photo's of riders and ended up helping to fix punctures and pump up tyres of general riders on the side of the road, who just stoped and said can you help us. Had we not been there with a pump and some spare tubes, their races would have been over. It's a no win situation on this one I'm afraid. Question is why is this an issue? Has anyone complained or have any of the riders been injured because of a suporters car??
Captain Slow Posted February 12, 2009 Posted February 12, 2009 I have driven my 'Patrol' vehicle as support/emergency vehicle in quite a few races and would like to comment; - Firstly, cyclists need to learn how to ride/race especially in races that don't have full road closure. They don't keep left & pass right especially the slower guys and the faster guys pass on the rhs of the road. Dangerous stuff!! - Family/Spouse/Girlfriend/Boyfriend supporters really cause chaos and don't respect the other road users (bicycles & motor-vehicles) and should at least know the basics when riding support. They stop anywhere, drive like lunatics and are generally very unsafe!! There should be general safety supporter guidelines included in all race packs!!
scotty Posted February 12, 2009 Posted February 12, 2009 Havent had the need for support vehicles as there is enough to eat and drink at the stops, but if a must then they should leave before the 1st stage group starts as leaving after will require them to navigate past riders.
Rakker Posted February 12, 2009 Posted February 12, 2009 When doing support for a team, the supporter vehicles often go between the support vehicle(s) and the bunch. It then becomes difficult to stay with the guys who might need a quick wheel change. It also happened in the past that a break got away and support vehicles couldn't follow because the supporters didn't overtake the chase bunch. Quite stressful for an overstressed person like me. I say have the supporters there, but lay down some rules AND make sure those rules are obeyed.
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