SWAKOPMUND - DESERT TRIATHLON

[PIETERMAN]

Despite no warning on their website when I decided to enter the race it seems now that tt-bikes "will not" be allowed on the course.

Their website even had pics with tt-bikes on the cycle route.

This I (from Eastern Cape) realised when (just be chance) I queried re the race routes last Friday as I'm departing on Monday.

The advice from the organisers - "bring your road bike" as we have now changed the cycle route to a SALT ROAD (yes you have read that correctly) between Swakopmund and Henties Bay. Apparently it is more scenic and safer... than the previous tar road that has been used before.

 

Anyway if anyone is racing this (4 December) or planning to go, it seems road bike is your "only" option, the organisers apparently (from Windhoek) does not know the condition (they hope to get feedback from locals that may have ridden it this weekend)of the SALT ROAD and recommended I take a road bike. Carbon racing wheels and stiff tt frames are not that great and stable on a bad corroded and slippery road, just think what would happen if it rains. What be worse the slippery mud or corrosion caused by the SALT...? I suggested we change the race to Xterra format at least then you wont be worried too much if you fall... (with your mtb).

 

Road bike for what?? Stability in the mud? Organisers said bring training wheels, hmmm? virtually the same handling in those conditions, except training wheels are cheaper to replace and maintain.

[Genesis]

Im not sure if the correct word is disorganised or unorganised, but from what you saying about the organisers and the race, I would think about cutting my losses and give this race a miss.

 

This is just my 2c worth, and hopefully Im wrong, but to travel all that way to be completely unimpressed would irritate the C%&p out of me.

 

Best of Luck

[PIETERMAN]

Conditions were "suitable" for tt bikes, not ideal as you do get quite a lot of sand in your drivetrain and the Salt road is not friendly to tyres. I got a few cuts (on road training tyres) but think gaitor skins or similar would do when using tubbies.

 

The (SALT) tt route (2 laps of 45km) is relative flat and fast with long drags out and back, wind was a factor on the way back. A tt bike with racing wheels would kill this route. I managed a 2:41 with my 10yo roadbike a KHS Aero 800, Rolf Vigor wheels converted into a tweener on short notice. Fortunately no injuries but battled to run the last 6km's as the "new" bike position messed up my running legs.

 

Overall time 5:00:41, pity of not having my tt-bike... I think I lost at least 10-15min and an opportunity to sub 5:00 a 1/2IM distance?

 

I doubt whether informed (non-Namibian) triathletes will risk their expensive tt bikes and racing wheels in these conditions, traffic between Swakop and Walvis should be converted to the Salt rd and the existing tar road (parallel to the Salt rd) be closed and used for the tt during the race.

 

Swakop provides a special and unique experience but in my view the organisers need to guarantee tt on safe tar road before numbers of international athletes will increase. The real business and numbers are in the Age Groupers. If they get it right and manage to provide travelling packages decreasing travel costs, accommodation and car rental, this race has potential to attract more entrants than can be accommodated.

 

Travelling (air travel and car rental, accommodation)to Swakop is expensive, for a lot less you can do prof organised local races or fully catered training camps (where safe tt is guaranteed).

[Slowbee]

You, Master Pieterman, are absolutely plain and simply STARK RAVING BONKERS MAD!!!

 

well done on the ride though. You staying in town for another run at the DD?

[JamesW007]

I did the Sprint Distance and thought the race was well organised. Not that we need much support in the 1h20 that we spend on the course..

 

I'm sad that you didn't have a great expreience here in Nam, but must say that this was one of the better events of the year. namibia is starting to get organised with hosting events but usually fall short when it comes to communication and marshalling. Both these areas were excellent in my opinion.

 

Thanks so much for coming to the event though, there are 3 worth doing at this stage and the FNB Dessert tri is my favorite.

 

I guarentee that they just get better year on year, so next year when you come back (with a huge group of Hubbers) things will be better. Closing roads for events here is sticky because of the relatively small following of the sport, for now.

 

WELL DONE ON YR TIME BTW!!

[sias]

Just FYI Pieterman - the salt road is between Swakop and Henties - NOT Swakop and Walvis. That salt road is normally in better condition and smoother than our tar roads. The road between Henties and Swakop is dead pan flat.

[JamesW007]

No the Salt road that we raced on is the "new one" between Swakop and Walvis.

 

It runs behind the dunes all the way to Dune 7. (If you are familiar with the area.) It used to be a gravel road but has been upgraded to accomodate the heavy vehicle traffic. (Salt Trucks)

 

Last year the route followed the Henties Salt Road This yearthey were afraid that it would be to slippery.

[sias]

Oh, OK! Last time I was on that road it looked like a sand road that was compacted. I stand corrected!

[trigeezer]

Funny thing that the salt flats in Utah are used to post land speed records. The new route in Swakop was epic, the times were faster than anything ever ridden during this race before and the route choice has given this event a new lease on life.

 

There is no doubt that anyone chasing a PB should be here in 2012. I will def. be back.

 

Namibia is a little wild compared to SA, and thats part of the charm of our races. Those that brought roadbikes because the organisors said it was a safer bet can tell all their mates that this is very good tt route, even with a little bit of moisture the surface is fast as sin.

 

Well done to OTB for another well run event, and thanks to all the foreigners who spent the money and made the long trip.

 

Part of doing out of town events is smelling the roses, and this race is no different. Dont get to tied up in the details, go with the flow and have a good time!

[PIETERMAN]

Hi Slowbee, Nope this year I am planning Jail Break and then training camp in Golden Gate. Want to PB, IMBC in Jan.

 

There were four things I disliked of the organisation or what it caused (indirectly):

- Stating on a www (to international athletes) that tt bikes will be allowed and then failure to communicate timeously to entrants that it is a "road bike" only race;

- Allowing tt bikes on the day as that definately gave (mostly locals) an unfair advantage;

- The way (and comments) in which the organiser handled and communicated with me personally via e-mail re this matter and on the day of the race;

- not allowing tt-bikes causing friends at a very late stage it not worth to race.

 

I enjoyed my race and found the people friendly.

Will I do the race again? I doubt it, except if they get complete road closure of the tar road. It is just too expensive to train, travel to, organise life to be able to race and then end up with "a road bike at a time trial bike fight..." PE has more than a million residents and it has total road closure (IMSA) for the whole day, similar for EL (IMBC). The organisers (of Desert Tri) need to get political will behind them and understand what an economical benefit it will be for NAM if they have a sell out race. But for that you have to guarantee tt bikes allowed especially if stated on your www address. In order to increase race numbers significantly the organisers need to understand their target market is age groupers in RSA.

 

Rumours of Challenge having an IM distance in Cape Town in Nov 2011 and another 1/2IM in Durban in Jun / Jul, we already have JB and Prestige in Dec both excellent races.

 

The Swakop Tri is special and unique but for that money, no guaranteed tt and the established local races available in RSA I doubt whether the majority of SA'ns will give it a go. But with the right organisation and upgrading the race to official 70.3 status it may be a different scenario.

[Slowbee]

Pieterman =

[hendries]

It's called skoolgeld, bro - get with the programme

 

If I come to SA I'll be happy to do well there in my age group and in my distance, and learn to do better the 2nd or 3rd time around

 

Don't knock us, there is around 200 passionate triathletes here and we are happy to have a few events to play in. If you know how we struggle for sponshorships and recognition, you'll be dancing with us about our progress

 

Wanna have fun next year? come to the Mariental Tri in Nov. Hard core hills, no traffick, and you can even bring your tribike if you want. And try and beat the locals then ...

 

Here are a few names: Patrick or Tokkie at Cycletec in Windhoek is a good start if you need race info. And really, the OTB people were v well organized so we are bemused by your unhappiness... ? !

 

You came 3rd in one of the v premium TRI races in NAM and you don't wanna come back?

 

Shame on you ...