Emperors Palace Classic

[benadeja]

Just a question from a newbie , the shorter distance 50km riders , do they all start at the same time or are they also split into groups with different starting times ? benadeja2010-02-02 08:40:13

[Zula]

Ive entered this race and see I have a 06h50 start time.

 

 

 

Is this even a good race?

 

 

 

Never done it before and now Im unsure after reading all the comments on this thread!

 

 

 

Thanks guys

[Ryan]

 

Ive entered this race and see I have a 06h50 start time.

 

 

 

Is this even a good race?

 

 

 

Never done it before and now Im unsure after reading all the comments on this thread!

 

 

 

Thanks guys

 

Define "good race"?

 

It is quite easy. So it is a good race to improve your seeding. Nothing spectacular about it.

 

You go, you race it, you go home.

 

[BryanB]

A word of warning to fellow cyclists doing the 103 km Emperors on Sunday. At the 4 way stop on the R23 you turn left to Tsakane. BEWARE........BEWARE. The downhill section just after the hill is very, and I mean very potholed. Be very careful on this stretch

[BryanB]

Nope. You will get a start time. Shorter distances usually go off much later.

[Zoo Cookie]

although I enjoyed this race last year, I am sorry I entered for this one. Safety has become a huge concern - potholes everywhere .

[Thug]

Online entries on the cycle lab website. scroll down to see the races you have entered' date=' click on the race and it should bring up a page with the information.

 

[/quote']

 

 

 

"Clicking" on the race would only appear to work in IE as it neither works in Firefox or Chrome.

[idrive]

The mountainbike route is impassable .... I tried riding thee today....water, water, water everywhere.

[Ryan]

 

Online entries on the cycle lab website. scroll down to see the races you have entered' date=' click on the race and it should bring up a page with the information.

 

[/quote']

 

 

 

"Clicking" on the race would only appear to work in IE as it neither works in Firefox or Chrome.

 

You are correct. IE works. Firefox doesn't.

 

[Zula]

Hi Guys,

 

 

 

I just got off the phone to Wynand the race organiser. I sent him an email voicing my concerns RE the potholes, because I for one would rather not ride than G-D forbid fall and risk injuries. He responded by asking me for my phone number and gave me a ring personally (which I think was good on him!)

 

 

 

He said a gent Mark Thys (who I dont know but several of you may) has a company called Tarmac and on Thurs he will drive the route and fill the potholes. Wynand is fully aware of the bad section when we turn left toward Tsakane (apparently 1km of potholes) and on JetPark road there is apparently 1 biggy.

 

 

 

So big up on Wynan for phoning me personally and letting me know that he is aware and that they will be filled with tar on Thurs.

 

 

 

This makes me alot more comfy as I was seriously considering canning the whole idea of racing.

 

 

 

Have a good day.

[Trubie]

That's how I know him... good oke

 

do yourself a favour and look at which races they organize, being a cyclist himself, he obviously knows what is NB to riders and makes sure it gets the proper attention.

 

Great one thanks Wynand!

[Trubie]

please also do something about the water on the MTB route

[Mavro]

has anyone got there race no yet?

[mercurystorm]

Yes, arrived about 10minutes ago via SMS

 

Group GL starting @ 06:49

 

[Zula]

hey mercystorm

 

 

 

c u there in group GL

 

 

 

[BendeBeer]

That's how I know him... good oke

 

do yourself a favour and look at which races they organize' date=' being a cyclist himself, he obviously knows what is NB to riders and makes sure it gets the proper attention.

 

Great one thanks Wynand!

[/quote']

I did this race last year and I will ride it again as I view this as a good race based on the following criteria:

The quality of the organisers - is the route properly marked and marshalled? - This was also a concern last year and I could see that an effort was made re the potholes last year on the same route.  I don't mind paying the extra R50 for a properly marshalled and marked route, especially where potholes etc is of concern.

The accessibility of the start venue - the casino is very convenient on the highway with enough parking etc at the start.

There are enough entries that you will have company if you get dropped by your group - (e.g. compared to the Berge & Dale  - if you're not under the top 350 riders in the field you are basically on your own for most of the way if you're not riding with friends.)

The route is not the most challenging or the most scenic (compared to the Berge & Dale for example), which is the biggest downside in my view.  But this is also true of the Fast One.  I was really wowed by the scenery on the Berge & Dale last week...