Tour of South Africa Shocking

[Puncture Girl]

the way motorists act didn't just change minutes before the tour started, it's common knowledge that motorists act like idiots the second they get behind the wheel, and yet loads of sporting events still managed to get completed in SA without problem... at the end of the day it would seem that CSA did not do enough to involve the communities the route passed through, they certainly failed in the marketing of the event and that in my opinion goes a long way in explaining todays fiasco!

 

+ 1

[MooToo]

Don't think that would have helped. I consider myself an informed person. I read two or more different newspapers a day. I live within 1km of the route. I have no recollection of seeing a notice like that. The only reason I know about the Tour and the route is that I spend time on the Hub.

I was the chairman of a cycling club until this weekend. The only notice I received through official channels regarding the event was a request for volunteers to help out - one week before the event.

 

I gather you dont read that well, or listen because it was all over the wireless and TV, on Supercycling etc. No wonder you're an EX chairman of a cycling club. You interests were not with cycling and your members or else you would have know.

Edited February 20, 2011 by MooToo

[Mojoman]

Poor show, the coverage was dismal, were they running the video feed on GPRS or something?

[Aggies]

Have anyone of you see flyers being distributed or any billboards indicating that the roads will be closed? NOTHING!! Only cyclist and some sporting public was aware of the event.

 

Totally Shcoking!

 

If you want to take the tour to the people - CLOSE THE ROAD.

 

This all is indicative of planning - what would you have expected after what happened at the SA road champs? It portrays an extreme bad image of SA. How is it possible that we can stage world cups?

 

Urgently get in some people in the know to assist with the rest of the tour.

[gummibear]

What was said at press conference?

[Mojoman]

I gather you dont read that well, or listen because it was all over the wireless and TV, on Supercycling etc. No wonder you're an EX chairman of a cycling club. You intersts were not with cycling and its members or else you would have know.

Yes it was on Supercycling but where else? I don't think it made the news really...

[Mojoman]

They should have started the tour off in Rustenburg or somewhere largish but quiet on a weekend.

[Andrew_ew]

the way motorists act didn't just change minutes before the tour started, it's common knowledge that motorists act like idiots the second they get behind the wheel, and yet loads of sporting events still managed to get completed in SA without problem... at the end of the day it would seem that CSA did not do enough to involve the communities the route passed through, they certainly failed in the marketing of the event and that in my opinion goes a long way in explaining todays fiasco!

 

+1

[Broker]

I gather you dont read that well, or listen because it was all over the wireless and TV, on Supercycling etc. No wonder you're an EX chairman of a cycling club. You interests were not with cycling and your members or else you would have know.

 

Mootoo - I don't know where you're from but this was certainly not all over the wireless and TV in the Gauteng region or in the areas that was effected by the race. Stop defending an absolute shocking disaster.

[EigerSA]

I gather you dont read that well, or listen because it was all over the wireless and TV, on Supercycling etc. No wonder you're an EX chairman of a cycling club. You interests were not with cycling and your members or else you would have know.

 

if you're not a cyclist (and don't watch supercycling by default) or don't have access to dstv, then there is no way to have known about the tour. The first ad I saw for the tour was during yesterday's broadcast, the radio is on all day in my workshop and I heard nothing there, as for tv, absolutely nothing been advertised!

[Minion]

I gather you dont read that well, or listen because it was all over the wireless and TV, on Supercycling etc. No wonder you're an EX chairman of a cycling club. You interests were not with cycling and your members or else you would have know.

Ummm, I did know. I take an active interest in cycling.

 

Were I a normal member of the Johannesburg population, I wouldn't have a clue about it.

 

Compare this to the publicity for the 94.7:

- they place posters all along the route

- they distribute flyers in the affected areas

- they have frequent adverts on the most popular radio station in JHB

- they have frequent adverts in all the major JHB newspapers in the weeks leading up to the race

Edited February 20, 2011 by Edam

[Christie]

I agree that it is dissapointing that today was such a stuff-up. It sounds like the organizers did not do their homework. Let's hope they will learn from this and we don't have a repeat of this for the rest of the tour, and that the next one will be organized better.

 

They need barricades in addition to rolling road closure through the middle of a busy city. 1 or 2 metro cops per intersection won't keep all the traffic out.

 

I am definately not ashamed to be South African - we hosted the SWC, we have won 2 RWCs, we have the Kruger and game reserves, the garden route, the Cape and winelands. We have one of the best climates in the world to live in. We live in one of the few confilict zones of the 80s and 90s that now have relative peace. Maintain some perspective, guys!

[Warped]

Ummm, I did know. I take an active interest in cycling.

 

Were I a normal member of the Johannesburg population, I wouldn't have a clue about it.

 

Compare this to the publicity for the 94.7:

- they place posters all along the route

- they distribute flyers in the affected areas

- they have frequent adverts on the most popular radio station in JHB

- they have frequent adverts in all the major JHB newspapers in the weeks leading up to the race

 

Agree 100%.

 

My wife is vaguely aware of the tour but did not know of the route and what the impact would be on traffic until I warned her when she wanted to set off to do shopping. Her immediate reaction was to ask why the had been no billboards on the route.

[EigerSA]

I agree that it is dissapointing that today was such a stuff-up. It sounds like the organizers did not do their homework. Let's hope they will learn from this and we don't have a repeat of this for the rest of the tour, and that the next one will be organized better.

 

They need barricades in addition to rolling road closure through the middle of a busy city. 1 or 2 metro cops per intersection won't keep all the traffic out.

 

I am definately not ashamed to be South African - we hosted the SWC, we have won 2 RWCs, we have the Kruger and game reserves, the garden route, the Cape and winelands. We have one of the best climates in the world to live in. We live in one of the few confilict zones of the 80s and 90s that now have relative peace. Maintain some perspective, guys!

 

+1

[Don1]

I hear, understand and agree with the comments about poor organisation...to some extent (with regards to publicity, notifictions and advertising), however people this is not Australia, this is Africa.

 

Its a bit like organising a game of cricket in Baghdad. Everyone knew and had the feeling in thier gut that this was going to be disastrous, or at the very least that it would have some major "embarrasing" moments . Anyone still even riding a road bike in Africa, is bit like that cricketer in Baghdad. Intentions are good and sounds nice, but its an event and an organisiation project that has some mighty odds stacked up against it. The roads are not condusive to road riding in SA, the larger public and road users DONT WANT YOU on the roads, let alone be held up by you.

 

MTB events like Epic are world class and will remain the world class premier event it is because it is OFF THE ROADS and away from the "people".

 

 

 

 

[Puncture Girl]

http://www.sport24.co.za/OtherSport/CycleTour/Traffic-concerns-hit-cycle-tour-20110220