Simonsvlei Funride

[nofear]

Just thought I'd share this letter that I emailed to the PPA this morning.

 

 

 

Good Morning,

 

 

 

I'm writing this email as I was one of the participants involved in a crash 1km from the finish line. I wish to comment on some of the issues that I feel need to be improved for future events. The medics were not adequately prepared for the day, some arriving late and then leaving half way in the event. At one stage there were no medics available as all were assisting the ambulances. Two ladies attempted to assist with a home first aid kit (only one available as the rest were taken with the ambulances) that lacked the proper medicine to deal with the cleaning of wounds. The Tent made available was not big enough and I suffered severe sunburn as it failed to provide sufficient shade. Only plastic chairs were available and no beds were present. As far as I am aware there were many incidents probably more than normal that obviously impacted on the Medical resources but has highlighted many inadequacies.

 

 

 

There must have been a good reason for the amount of incidents, the R101 was not blocked to traffic. Being the last 10km's of the route most cyclists would have picked up pace. The R101 is particularly narrow and with a combination of slower riders from the shorter routes resulted in many cyclists overtaking on the white line often in oncoming traffic. The entire route was fast paced with no large climbs to break up the large groups resulting in very large pelotons. During the race I group caught the H group and J group caught up with the both groups, was the timing interval between starts sufficient being a fast paced race? The finish was not an uphill finish either. A recipe for disaster.

 

 

 

Please pass this on the race organisers for there consideration in future events. I would appreciate your feedback.

[niklasvm]

Thanks, let us know if they respond.

[SURFER]

Like to hear their response.  The finish was madness. Downhill, vechiles and slow riders from short route.

[firewolf]

could not do the race as was up in durbs but from what i have heard from friends the finish was the most dangerous ever. safety first? or last

?

 

 

 

 

 

 

[ShortLegs]

This was one hectic finish to what was otherwise a good race. It's a

pity there was no wind as the course dictated big bunch finishes with

it's flat profile.

 

 

 

The finish was a sprinters dream, but coupled with the narrow R101 and

location of the finish line it was always going to be dicey. We

were sprinting at 63kph when a touch of wheels brought down the SV

bunch as we opened the taps. I didn't even get a chance to go for it

before having to use all my track skills and then some to avoid the

falling bodies and bikes.

 

 

 

I've seen 3 of the bikes written off with Kernels bartape still nice and

bloody and I've sent what I felt was a constructive email to the

organisers/PPA voicing my concerns.

 

 

 

Hopefully after the broken bones, ligaments and skin grafts are all

healed up, this race will be used to learn from and for the sake of the

cyclists, make the races organised be the PPA, safer for all.

[firewolf]

man I feel pain for any one whose bike is damaged.  And written off is even worse!  Insurance hassles.  Bodily pains. Replacement costs.