Marshals at emperors

[HappyMartin]

Let me start by saying that I was marshaling at Emperors at the large intersection of great North Road and Rondebult. I think that is the names, I am not from the area.

 

 

 

We had 2 metro cops with us and 3 amateurs to assist. At the beginning the metro told us that they were in charge and we must do as they say. Fair enough. what do I know about directing traffic. First incident was when the 2 metro guys screwed up and directed a lone cyclist through the intersection while also directing a car through. how the cyclist was not hit I will never know. I offer this furious man my apologies even though I was not involved and was following metro orders and was 30 m down the road at a slip road. Still it was unpleasant being told very directly by him that I was an f ing idiot.

 

 

 

To the old man that called me a moffgat and an f ing c**t for delaying his journey by 10 minutes and then driving at me i offer no apologies for calling you a prick.

 

 

 

To the woman that got out of her car and hurled abuse at us all using language my old RSM would have been proud of, I salute you, you are a true mother of our nation.

 

 

 

To all the other people that hurled abuse, lay on their hooters, pushed through endangering our lives and that of the cyclists, well done. Were you late for church or something.

 

 

 

To the VC rider that had apparently been dropped by his group and threatened us with physical violence. We did not decide to stop the cyclists. That was a metro decision and no you do not have automatic right of way you stupid retard. Oh and I have your race number.

 

 

 

To all the wonderful cyclists that politely thanked me for my efforts, you are amazing, you made it bearable but sorry to say, I will not be marshaling again.

 

 

 

I missed doing the race, I had to be up at 4am. I received no compensation, not a cup of water or snack. I was not involved in any of the planning at all. I thought it would be a good thing to do and to put something back into the sport. I did not expect the threats from the motorists but the anger and hatred directed at us from the cyclists was most galling.

 

 

 

I will never do that again.      

[Mojoman]

Wow, thats enough to put anyone off marshalling!

[flex]

Thanks, Martin. I must say I always make a point of thanking the marshals on races but also have to confess that I sometimes forget or don't think to do it when I'm concentrating on the race and staying safe in the bunch.

 

 

 

People are quick to complain about marshals when in reality it must be a really tricky job to do. Please do it again - I promise to smile and thank you as I come past

 

 

 

I heard there were a few dangerous incidents at some intersections yesterday. I rode in the A bunch and it was smooth sailing all the way, except for some chop in a car who ignored the marshals and turned into the intersection as we were coming through. Moron.

[Puncture Girl]

Happy Martin - thanks for Marshalling.  Being more of a fun rider I enjoy greeting and thanking the marshalls for the work they do as I ride past.  It is sad to hear of your experiences.

 

As a cyclist in yesterdays race I had the scare of my life at the 50km turn around when I was told it was safe to go by one person and then another let a car through.  Luckily I was keeping a beady eye on the traffic and was slow enough to stop safely and unclip.  But for the rest of the race I was tense and my shoulders are 'eina' this morning.  At least the marshall apologised and yelled something at the other one to be more careful.  Didn't stop me from greeting and thanking.

 

I must say the motorists in the area are scary - especially at the busy intersections who were apparently happy to throw and yell abuse at everyone.  In all honesty I'm now hesitant to ride any races on the East Rand because of this.   

 

And as for the fun riders on Mountain bikes who felt they were out for a social and chat and taking over the whole left lane - not giving a hoot about vehicles or faster bunches - SHAME on you!!!

 

 

Puncture Girl2010-02-08 01:18:20

[Wayne Potgieter]

Martin.

 

 

 

Stay Happy.

 

 

 

Thanks for your efforts.

 

 

 

It is most unfortunate that you were treated in such a manner.

[djvr]

Martin, thanks for your efforts. I had a chat with you when we where stopped at the intersection. Don't let the morons get to you. They will always be part of life. We had a motorcyclist passing us at one stage giving us the middle finger for no reason. This was on a dual road and everyone in the bunch were to the left of the white line. Idiot

[scotty]

Happymartin you manned the busiest road on the East Rand, tempers were bound to flare as it would be impossible to keep both motorsts and cyclists happy.

Well done to you and all the other marshals.

[davem]

 

Hi (un)Happymartin

 

At Ironman, the race instructions are very clear, if you abuse a marshal you will be banned for life!

 

Make an issue. Get the guy disciplined by the race organisers and CSA. Without marshals, races will not happen. There is never, ever a reason to abuse a marshal.

 

As for the motorists, whenever I go through an intersection where traffic is stopped, I try to raise a hand to the stopped cars to say Thank You. They are also making a small sacrifice to let us race. By showing gratitude, maybe they will be a little slower to jump on the hooter.

 

Cheers

Dave

 

 

davem2010-02-08 02:33:46

[Joe Low]

Hi (Un)Happy Martin.

 

You were a star in an impossible situation.

 

The VC rider was unbelievable as he then tried to cross the intersection & at least 8 lanes of snarling traffic, I was the one advising him loudly: "Do as you're told you wanker"; i'm always keen to help .

 

In truth we were stopped for less than a minute and you shouted "Fast ladies coming" - I thought that was my lucky day but turned out it was just some of the % group approaching; and the cops opened up the intersection for us.

 

There is no way a race should be run across that intersection I hope they find a way round it next year.

 

At 9 o' clock it was tough; it could only have got busier and worse as the morning went on and you're waiting on a constant dribble of cyclists whilst more motorists want to exercise their right to shop.

 

Thanks again.

 

 

[HappyMartin]

Martin' date=' thanks for your efforts. I had a chat with you when we where stopped at the intersection. Don't let the morons get to you. They will always be part of life. We had a motorcyclist passing us at one stage giving us the middle finger for no reason. This was on a dual road and everyone in the bunch were to the left of the white line. Idiot [/quote']

 

 

 

Thanks but it was one of my mates you chatted with. I appreciate your sentiments.

 

 

 

Thanks to all the posts here. I will take the Tri advice, I always listen to tri athletes, and we are going to report 2 cyclists and lets see what comes of it.

[Li Mu Bai]

Hey, Martin, thanks for taking the time to help the race.

the amount of monkeys on the road yesterday was quite incredible, from huge trucks overtaking us, to cars undertaking us on the sand 'pavement'. Not a pleasant job you signed up for, the metro cops were unbelievable too in how close they cut it letting cars thru in front of our 40km/h bunch.

thank goodness there weren't any incidents.

at least foul language you can ignore and write off, physical injury is another matter. thanks again to you and all the other marshals who helped.

 

[Mavric Man]

Reading this post wouldnt it be nice if CSA gave cyclist the option to participate in a voluntary marshalling roster throughtout the year! In that way we can all chip in an help make races safer - well i suppose that would be in an ideal world.

[MaxUmis]

Hehehe!

 

I was enjoying what was left of my little CT getaway while you okes were battling it out in the Brakpan suburbs.

 

The reports of the incidents don't really surprise me.

 

Dis 'n lekke valley daai my china! 1200cc Motorcycles wiff okes sporting a lekke mullet gooi-ing zaps, aunties telling you about your ma's Dutch cat and okes showing you exactly how to wheel spin a 1.4 car wiff tinted windows, 17" mags and free flow exhaust.... Sounds like a normal day in the Boksburg/Brakpan/Benoni area.

[scotty]

It would add a bit more distance, but there are alternate routes through the industrial area to avoid North Rand road.

[Andyr249]

Martin, thanks for your efforts yesterday! I'm sure most of the cyclists appreciate your efforts even if we don't yell a thanks to you.

Rude, were you in A bunch yesterday? We had the moron overtake on the gravel on the left and a few close calls at some intersections.

[Li Mu Bai]

yes, that gravel rider was quite something. I was amazed at how many in the A bunch would cross the white line even with oncoming cars bearing down on them and not budge. dangerous. Our motorbike marshal had his hands full at times.