Lost City Cansa race

[quinton]

I have entered the race, but will be driving through in the morning.

the race is relatively flat but you need to get some training in for the home stretch. The 2nd half of the race is a little boring.

 

[Cruxpearl]

Will most certainly be doing the MTB thing!!!!

[narra]

Slowjoe Will also do it Did it two years ago, it is true about the first part with the traffic, but the rest of the race is fast. You have to be very alert in the bunch the first part and make sure that you don't end up in the middle of the bunch. There is a bump just after half-way that will catch you of guard if you don't know of it, but now you do so you should be fine. You doing a training ride on Saturday ?  The arm bands idea has made place for the offical kit of the hub. TCS Kit

[Jason]

Will most certainly be doing the MTB thing!!!!

I reckon I'm also in... Need to speak to the mama and papa in-laws and see if we can pinch the MTB *spit* for the weekend.

[slowjoe]

narra, 2 years ago, eish! seasoned bugger  ... i've only been cycling for 9 months now.

What u mean training ride the saturday? Isnt the race on the saturday?

[narra]

I mean this Saturday (07/07/07 ) ?

[2 X 2]

We're also doing it, staying at Manyane again.  Excellent camp to stay.  Just hope the wind will be weaker

Btw, Sammajoor is organizing our campsites and he'll also be the Kamp Kommandant.  It's going to be FUN!

[slowjoe]

didnt plan anything, the 2 guys i cycle with is full of excuses, the 1 stopped completely over winter, the otherz going to namibia next week and feels the need to be with his family over the weekend, c'mon, i also have a family and taking a few hours out of your weekend to ride wont hurt anybody. Im keen to ride if ur keen, you'd just have to slow down to a blur so I can keep up .

The route we cycle from Total towards mulders is 60km, we cud do that twice?  ... or not

[Wannabe]

Witnessed 2 scary incidents on that first section last year (net certain, but either A or B bunch) After the second incident/accident I actually contemplated turning around, but the idea of hundreds of cycles coming from the front, and the same amount of kamikazi taxis from the back, scared me more than going on. Took it as an expensive training ride from then on.

I will be doing the MTB on the Sunday.

[slowjoe]

I dont like all the comment bout that first section. How many times has this event taken place? Surely they could have made a plan there by now!

[scotty]

Not much they can do bar at least having at least rolling road closure which i dont believe they will be able to do.

[Wannabe]

Its been going for Ten years (10th this year). Lots has been done, including limiting the number of entries, reducing the size of the starting bunches, etc. They now have motorcycles riding with the bunches, trying to keep them in check. It has helped, no SERIOUS incidents/accidents were REPORTED last year. But you know cyclists, the moment the lycra goes on, the helmet goes onto the noggin, and the bum hits the seat, the BRAIN switches off, and all logic/reason goes out the window. They go over the centre line in the road, take over the whole road surface, put people into the gutter on the right hand side, although there is no road closure, etc.

They tried to close the road for a Running race once, and the locals did not take kindly to it, stoning the runners. As a result they will not even contemplate giving permission for Road closure.

No, the Organisers are trying their best, it is mostly the cyclist themselves that makes this race a bit dangerous.

Wannabe2007-07-05 08:01:03

[brg0209]

This will be my 4th, so far I have not experienced any problems at all,(touch wood), nice beer garden and boerie rolls afterwards...so all is well . Stay at Sun City and have a blast, great for the family and the kids enjoy the valley. All in all it is a great weekend

[narra]

People talk about the start of this race every year on the hub  Nothing wrong with this race, slowjoe. I might just avoid the A or B bunch if you are really worried about the start

[Wannabe]

The dangerous section I am talking about is only a couple of km long (starts just after the first left turn at the V split in the road, and ends at the first stop sign just before Mogwase. )

The reason is that the bunches are stil big and  frisky, with attacks going on at the front. The rest of the bunch then chases this breaks down and then the bunches do just that, bunch up and then the incidents/accidents occur when the tailenders arrives at a great rate of knots and has to brake sharply to avoid running into the back of the guys in front. The nature of the profile over that first section contributes to this because it has a couple of short, sharp climbs, with the front starting the next climb, while the back is still going downhill. All the while you have vehicles overtaking from the back, and coming from the front. The rest of the route is fine, except for the section before you turn left at the 4 way stop. There is a fair amount of long drags on this section, and a lot of trucks that carries stuff to and from the Mines in Thabazimbi/Northam..

 

If you take this into consideration and stay out of trouble, it is not that bad. I JUST DO NOT LIKE THIS SECTION. Still maintains that this race will be safer on a Sunday, due to the reduced amount of vehicles on the route.

 

MUST ADMIT, THE ATMOSPHERE AT THE START/FINISH AREA IS ABSOLUTELY BRILLIANT, AND THEN THERE IS SINCITY ITSELF!!!!

Wannabe2007-07-06 00:27:13