Ride for Sight !!

[Trubie]

I rode in A and I can tell you from what I saw - and I finished in the main bunch - so I was pretty much part of the race the whole way, the tandems were also just to glad to be riding in the bunch and not on the front.

The first 10/15 k's certainly had us all at the edge of our seats with the pace, but it wasnt long before the A riders passed the tandems and due to the nature of the route they didnt make the pace that much. So I have no doubt that they aided with the pace, but I also doubt its the 20 mins advantage that some have claimed here.

Last week A also ave in excess of 40, so its not that much faster is it?

It worked in the favour of both, more so for the tandems that would have been dropped who now had some A bunchers wheels to hang on to........

[Joker]

Going up the drags - always

[riaanb]

I hope in future they will look again into this category thing (C1- C4) as I think it is one of the stupidest ideas of CSA ever, how long before cyclist is going to be killed - because this big bunch riding is very, very unsafe on roads that are not close and traffic all over the show

 

The bunches were too big, especially with the tandems and then C4. The thing is, as far as I'm aware, having a license does not entitle you to automatically start in the Cat 1-4. They can make each bunch a safe size and those that don't make the cut have to fall into the correct open-seeded bunch.

[TNT1]

The bunches were too big, especially with the tandems and then C4. The thing is, as far as I'm aware, having a license does not entitle you to automatically start in the Cat 1-4. They can make each bunch a safe size and those that don't make the cut have to fall into the correct open-seeded bunch.

 

Yeah, but I don't think that system/procedure has been spelled out and implemented from the CSA properly.

[Cycfan]

I started in C4 and am very upset on what happened. I personally feel the race commissaries is in competent and blame him and also the persons who let the racing tandems start behind us - as already said what did they thinking of putting the AL with them sure they must have thought that they will caught us as the tandems obtain higher speed than a single bike. Back to the race commissaries - when he saw the racing tandems are going to caught us he should have drive up in front and ask us let the bunch pass and ride in front of us until the tandems and AL was in clear. I was one of the cyclists who immediately fall back and think it is just mercy from above that no cyclists were killed. Also big was my disappointment when we ride hard and sprint to the finished that the whole C4 is been disqualified!! Al my expenses for nothing (travelling, entry accommodation etc) (they told us that only the riders of C4 that went with the tandems will be disqualified). I hope in future they will look again into this category thing (C1- C4) as I think it is one of the stupidest ideas of CSA ever, how long before cyclist is going to be killed - because this big bunch riding is very, very unsafe on roads that are not close and traffic all over the show (At the Fast one Our bunch was also too big and it was very dangerous as well. I can't tell you how p... off I am at this stage. I seriously am considering to only ride mountain bike

[Gobbo]

Got my time from racetec cant believe i was faster than the cat2 guys i doubt it will happen again , last week was also fast with a 42 ave in the A bunch , i dont recall the A bunch been this fast , I am happy to keep up

On the whole tandem issue , never do that again please guys it was dangerous and stupid , maybe let the A's and tandems start before cat4 , just my 2c worth

cycle safe all

[gtr1]

Maybe the problem is indicative of the new seeding system. The AL bunch are guys who don't want a license, but are obviously way faster than the "licensed" Cat 4 riders. If all things were equal, the A bunch would probably be in Cat 1 or 2. So that's where the problem actually lies.

 

I agree tandems should have a race of their own and start behind the Cat1's, but the A's are always gonna be faster than the Cat 4's IMHO.

 

Another issue with the dangerous/inexperienced riding. The jump between Cat's is possibly too big. I'm not sure what qualifes you to move from Cat 2 to Cat 1, but yesterday the Cat 1 time was 15 min's faster than Cat 2 ( don't shoot me if wqrong, but what I worked out watching at the end) That's a huge jump for someone moving up from Cat 2. Can they all cope with that jump ????

[Harry Potter]

My 2c will be a well done to the A bunch for getting the surprise of starting with the tandems and be fast as it were, and still managed to do a good Safety job under the circumstances

[Bbox]

My 2c will be a well done to the A bunch for getting the surprise of starting with the tandems and be fast as it were, and still managed to do a good Safety job under the circumstances

 

I agree

[Spinnekop]

A very very wise post this one.....

 

Maybe the problem is indicative of the new seeding system. The AL bunch are guys who don't want a license, but are obviously way faster than the "licensed" Cat 4 riders. If all things were equal, the A bunch would probably be in Cat 1 or 2. So that's where the problem actually lies.

 

So......in 3 months CSA is going to sit down and decide if this is working or not....so what do they do??

 

The statement above is about as true as it comes and it's going to stay that way until CSA change the rules again.

 

So.

Why are there so many fast A bunch riders?

• $$$$$.....too much to pay for a license?
  
• Too lazy to go try race licensed?
  
• Dont want to get detected at dope controls?
  

 

Just asking......

I suspect it is about the money.

 

MY ANSWER: Two groups. Cat 1.......which is the guys that does it for a living...and the rest. The rest gets seeded A-ZZ. Same as Argus. Same as in the 80's. It worked....but CSA did not collect R375 from the fast guys.......mmmmmm

 

I agree tandems should have a race of their own and start behind the Cat1's, but the A's are always gonna be faster than the Cat 4's IMHO.

 

Agree. If the tandems were not part of the A group they would have gone 5 minutes slower. Problems avoided!!!

 

Another issue with the dangerous/inexperienced riding. The jump between Cat's is possibly too big. I'm not sure what qualifes you to move from Cat 2 to Cat 1, but yesterday the Cat 1 time was 15 min's faster than Cat 2 ( don't shoot me if wqrong, but what I worked out watching at the end) That's a huge jump for someone moving up from Cat 2. Can they all cope with that jump ????

 

First off....nope.....the boys can't cope....I think the bunch was a third of the size it was at the start? LOADS of crashes with inexperienced riders not being cautios enough.....That front pack is something to witness.....it moves the whole time.....it's a scary organism that smells of sweat and burning break dust.

 

Secondly......how to move from Cat 2 to 1?

You pay CSA.

 

Enter a team R1500-R2500 and you are in Cat 1.

 

$$$$$$$$ makes the world goes round.

 

Do the guys in Cat 1 all ride there DESERVINGLY according to ability? Nope.

 

Why are they so much faster?

Because all the Elite and fast Vet teams for 2010 rides there, leaving the rest of the field pretty much with nobody to work in the front of the group.....

[Andyr249]

Nope, no breakaway grp up ahead

Bunch finished together, Riaan La Cock took honours, with Linden guy 2nd.

 

There was a breakaway. I heard it mentioned in the bunch and have a look at the results. 5 riders got 2:41 and then the main bunch got 2:43. What happened to the missing "42"?

 

Sticking the Tandems with AL gave AL a 20 Min Advantage over BL. Winning time in AL was seriously 20+mins ahead of BL.

 

Glad that i got off that one in one piece

 

It was never a 20 minute advantage. Maybe a couple of minutes but at all the races so far this year A has been flying!

 

I am a rider in C4 and obviously read the negative comments with some dismay and a lot of disappointment. It is a pity that a "self-chosen" few would cause such aggrivation and mayhem at the expense, safety, general sanity and joy of the majority of decent riders. It should also be noted as one individual commented (and in hind sight, it may be better for the tandems to start before C4 at least {some of them posted times that placed them among C1's})The argument by some then, that one should not have a racing licence if you are going to get caught, does not hold water, since the new seeding system in the catagories, is done to supply an equalisation of ability. It is only natural that some will get caught by riders in later start groups- it is the nature of cycling. To get back to the C4/ tandem fiasco, do note that a minority was responsible for the ultimate disqualification. From where I was positioned, we shouted at C4 and SOME A1 riders to fall back and not chase. The tandems caught us on a very narrow road with a rough surface. At that stage, our group was still very big and it was impossible to suddenly engage single file in order for them to pass. Maybe, the marshalls should have held them back till it was safe in terms of numbers, road width, etc. to pass? There were 10 of us that ultimately sprinted for a top 10 finish (futile exercise ultimately)in our group, riding in good time and I just feel the marshalls should have noted specific race numbers of the culprits and remove them from the race. For what it is worth, apologies to those affected by the fools in our group.

 

Apology accepted. Sorry that your race was also spoiled by a few idiots who thought it would be smart to join our A bunch. Noting specific numbers would be difficult as I saw quite a lot of C4 riders who had joined.

 

I find it disgusting that you marshals got sworn at and called names. I have nothing but praise for you guys at yesterdays race. I made a point to say hello to just about every marshal and say thank you when they kept traffic back for us to pass through the intersections. I was not racing, i rode to finish and it cost me nothing to say thanks.

 

It is a thankless task being a marshal at these events. Perhaps some cyclists need to consider this and save themselves from being an arse by keeping their rude mouths shut.

 

That is disgusting! Especially since the marshals are out there for our safety!

[Harry Potter]

Spinnekop. Making it only C1 and A-ZZ sounds fair, C1 Only pay R75 for license and the Rest Pay R275 for a license. Seeding acording to race index, and any cyclist can be randomley WADA tested from C1-ZZ

[gtr1]

Spinnekop. Making it only C1 and A-ZZ sounds fair, C1 Only pay R75 for license and the Rest Pay R275 for a license. Seeding acording to race index, and any cyclist can be randomley WADA tested from C1-ZZ

 

I agree. You wanna be a pro, get a license and race with the pro's. The rest get seeded normally and race against each other in their respective groups.

 

I also have no problem with the sponsored teams all riding together with the pro's. But there should be a max number per team eg 5. After a while the teams will look for better talent if they have riders who can't maintain, or if they want results. That way you'll have a better spread of talent and more competitive teams over time, rather than the 2, maybe 3 competitive teams you get now.

[Spinnekop]

I agree. You wanna be a pro, get a license and race with the pro's. The rest get seeded normally and race against each other in their respective groups.

 

I also have no problem with the sponsored teams all riding together with the pro's. But there should be a max number per team eg 5. After a while the teams will look for better talent if they have riders who can't maintain, or if they want results. That way you'll have a better spread of talent and more competitive teams over time, rather than the 2, maybe 3 competitive teams you get now.

 

aaaaa...but they ARE capped....capped at 8 per team. 6 for the Vets teams.

That is why some 'pros' get to ride Cat 2 because their team already has the required 8 riders.

 

Look for better talent? They can't! The teams get forced to select PDI's.

This is all good but some of the guys are WAY in over their heads!

Just ask the poor soul the crashed because his wheel came off in the race? Literally came off!!!! What is he doing there? Come on?!?!?!

Someone should develop these guys first in order for them to be able and only THEN chuck them into the deep end!!

 

But that's besides the point and we are seriously jacking this thread.

[TNT1]

spinnekop, what happened going over the railway bridge going into leondale? I just saw the okes going down.

[Teardrop]

Just like to thank the marshalls for trying to contend with the big bunch that formed. Note organizers, take what has worked in previous races and apply to yours. The previous races the A bunch had a full blue light escort ( We did not get winnie's driver because he stops for nobody ) Worked excellent with the blue light car.

 

As for the start. The tandems should have been seperated there and then. I promise you the A bunch riders would not have moaned about starting three minutes later.

 

What the race organizers ( i think they dont know ) do not understand that there is some serious racing in the A bunch. We or some of the guys can compete with cat 2 but chose not to because they still want to enjoy the racing.

 

Maybe start the A bunch bit up the times i.e. before the C4 or even the C3's. But as for general consensus on the form it was hard, fast and damm right dangerous with all the meddling of the slower riders into the big bunches.

 

Food for thought that the racing tandems should start behind Cat 1 riders!

 

Those wondering how the tandems influenced the A bunch, two rider break away with about 30km with a tandem. Bunch could not reel them in, they helped a bit on the drags up and the tandem motered away on the flats and down hill pulling them along. Tandems sat up and let the singles do most of the work to the end. At the end the gap was about a minute between the bunch sprint and the over all winners.