Danger Dassie Posted February 21, 2011 Posted February 21, 2011 The sad part is that the early part of Stage 2 (yesterday) seemed so organised? I was watching with a fairly big crowd at the first KOM point at the top of Christiaan de Wet. There were plenty of cops and marshalls ahead of the riders. Traffic was under control and crowd support was great. I was ready to watch the finish at Monte Casino and then the stuff ups came! Poor planning at the end of the day? And add a few more years before any of the big teams will even think about coming. Pity. That's the thing, the stuff ups started in Rosebank because of motorists ignoring marshals and officials. After that happened 2 or 3 times there was no option but to suspend the stage. As far as some of the negative comments about Soweto, they were far more well behaved there than some of our more 'affluent' areas. Even at Dobson Market which was a stuff up with traffic, there was no incidents like other areas.Also, if some people bother to read or inform themselves, you'll note that in one of IanJ's posts he mentions that some of the most responsive cycle clubs were from the Soweto area.
ewep Posted February 21, 2011 Posted February 21, 2011 Up to a point… Until brannas and Coke, or a free lita Ford Cortina wif big takkies come into play! That's the thing, the stuff ups started in Rosebank because of motorists ignoring marshals and officials. After that happened 2 or 3 times there was no option but to suspend the stage. As far as some of the negative comments about Soweto, they were far more well behaved there than some of our more 'affluent' areas. Even at Dobson Market which was a stuff up with traffic, there was no incidents like other areas.Also, if some people bother to read or inform themselves, you'll note that in one of IanJ's posts he mentions that some of the most responsive cycle clubs were from the Soweto area. I have marshalled 2 Tour de Soweto races, and at both races the people in and around Soweto were great. Yes, there were problems here and there, but in general the people were more tolerant, etc. (this includes the taxis!) than the people we read about here.
Tumbleweed Posted February 21, 2011 Posted February 21, 2011 That's the thing, the stuff ups started in Rosebank because of motorists ignoring marshals and officials. After that happened 2 or 3 times there was no option but to suspend the stage. As far as some of the negative comments about Soweto, they were far more well behaved there than some of our more 'affluent' areas. Even at Dobson Market which was a stuff up with traffic, there was no incidents like other areas.Also, if some people bother to read or inform themselves, you'll note that in one of IanJ's posts he mentions that some of the most responsive cycle clubs were from the Soweto area. Nice post. Spot-on.
Tumbleweed Posted February 21, 2011 Posted February 21, 2011 Until brannas and Coke, or a free lita Ford Cortina wif big takkies come into play! I have marshalled 2 Tour de Soweto races, and at both races the people in and around Soweto were great. Yes, there were problems here and there, but in general the people were more tolerant, etc. (this includes the taxis!) than the people we read about here. There was only one taxi that caused any hassle in that area. The vehicles that snuck into the convoy were private cars as far as I could make out.
scotty Posted February 21, 2011 Posted February 21, 2011 I have marshalled 2 Tour de Soweto races, and at both races the people in and around Soweto were great. Yes, there were problems here and there, but in general the people were more tolerant, etc. (this includes the taxis!) than the people we read about here. If anyone has experienced it from a motorists, cyclists and motorized marshals point of view its you.
Guest Big H Posted February 21, 2011 Posted February 21, 2011 (edited) BigH, just wondering, why are you on this forum? You don't like cyclists, criticize them at every opportunity and by my observation don't spend much time on a bike .... just saying Not your place to say that..... maybe I act as your conscience..... if the shoe fits wear it. We do train on spinners at least three to five hours a week. It is not condusive to cycle where I live. Edited February 21, 2011 by Big H
Robotech Posted February 21, 2011 Posted February 21, 2011 Didn't we have the World B championships in South Africa a year or 2 ago and that went off without a hitch...although i have to admit that the publicity around that event was excellent...
Guest Big H Posted February 21, 2011 Posted February 21, 2011 Nice post. Spot-on. I could not see direct transmission of the tour. From the re-run I saw last night I could see that the rolling road block suffocated due to traffic congestion somehwere in Soweto where another road diagonally crossed. There were traffic in the intersection that cyclists had to weave through. Maybe not Soweto people but high traffic volumes that will cause any rolling road block to suffocate.
Zeps Posted February 21, 2011 Posted February 21, 2011 Not your place to say that..... maybe I act as your conscience..... if the shoe fits wear it. My understanding is that on this forum anyone can say anything they want (and do)
Tumbleweed Posted February 21, 2011 Posted February 21, 2011 I could not see direct transmission of the tour. From the re-run I saw last night I could see that the rolling road block suffocated due to traffic congestion somehwere in Soweto where another road diagonally crossed. There were traffic in the intersection that cyclists had to weave through. Maybe not Soweto people but high traffic volumes that will cause any rolling road block to suffocate. I referred to that in my next post. We got through there quite quickly and safely.
Guest Big H Posted February 21, 2011 Posted February 21, 2011 I referred to that in my next post. We got through there quite quickly and safely. Sorri.... Did not see your post. Here in Nigeria we see that quite often when a MOPOL vehicle's occupant need to go and buy Kada Chicken they come blazing down the road at full speed on the wrong side of the road, hitting other cars with iron bars if they do not give way ...... With a string of other cars following in their "slipstream"
Mrs Pickled Posted February 21, 2011 Posted February 21, 2011 We were at Dunkeld yesterday morning to watch the Tour come past. 99% of the shoppers in the centre were unaware of the event, the rolling road closures or what the noise and choas were about. Many asked why there was no publicity or aweareness generated like the organisers of 94.7 do. The mororists were simply downright rude, impatient and ill mannered- shouting at the marshalls, hooting, swearing and generally unacommodating. What scared me was the reckless way they just disregareded any attempts by these officials to try to control traffic and keep EVERYONE safe. The hostility, aggression and lack or tolerance really shocked me. Its a huge pity that what could have been a really awesome day out with people cheering on a new event had to turn into this nasty, nasty business.
Tumbleweed Posted February 21, 2011 Posted February 21, 2011 Sorri.... Did not see your post. Here in Nigeria we see that quite often when a MOPOL vehicle's occupant need to go and buy Kada Chicken they come blazing down the road at full speed on the wrong side of the road, hitting other cars with iron bars if they do not give way ...... With a string of other cars following in their "slipstream" Think we could apply this to Rosebank and Sandton?
Guest Big H Posted February 21, 2011 Posted February 21, 2011 Think we could apply this to Rosebank and Sandton? Yes but not too quick with names..... The tour is far from over!!!!!! Any news on Europcar!
Guest Frail4Life Posted February 21, 2011 Posted February 21, 2011 Its okay Big H I know how to toi toi and have had plenty tear gas and police batons back in the day so yeah let them come ... we will make sure the press are there, and it will be non-violent from our side, its worked before and it can work again.
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