2011-02-23
Race Report
What a lovely race we had on Saturday afternoon. Well some people used other adjectives as the first lap was in extreme heat. Was like having a hair dryer on full blast into our faces. Thank goodness Aubery made a few detours into the forest. On my third lap the sea breeze began to blow. Then it was stunning.
But what a lovely course. Reminded me of parts of Jonkershoek. Tight turns around trees. One lovely splash through mud (only mud on the course). Made the bike look nice and dirty to impress those at home. Everyone said they were happy with the course as it had a little bit of everything. Only negatives was the language we used to describe that long up hill. Aubrey I think you the new Dr Evil.
We are negotiating with Pieter (owner of Shabanga) to get a discount for members on the menu. And we would like to permanently mark the course.
Thanks to Cathi and a few others we have a list of a few adventures that occurred during the race:
Bradley McClaren had a chain snap. I saw one other dejected rider walking back to the start. So it was two people breaking chains (Dr Evil again). Offered him my chain breaker. Told me that it does not work on a ten speed. So glad I only have a 9 speed. Benj Fossati had serious mechanicals. Course was not for sissies or bikes with weaknesses.
Antoinette had to reprimand a fun rider for weaving in front of 2 racing cyclists. She explained the dangers of this to the fun rider as well as the importance of consideration toward other cyclists. Another fun rider did not report that they had completed and ignored Antoinette when she questioned the fun rider. Antoinette also explained to this fun rider the importance of checking in with the finish line officials and that it was only for the cyclists safety that we insist on this.
Another racing cyclist (we only heard later) had had a puncture. This cyclists did not come past the finish line and report his DNF but got into his car and left. We only realized a long while later that he had gone.
The importance of correct etiquette at races cannot be over emphasized. Not only toward other cyclists but for correct record keeping for the officials. If a cyclist does not report that they are finished or completed, we could assume that they are still out on the course and send people out unnecessarily to look for them.
Jeffrey Mauer and Micheal Van der Bank treated us to a lovely sprint finish. But also highlighted the need to treat the finish line with respect. With lap racing you will never know when some high speed racers will suddenly appear.
Alexa Bickell and a few others took a little tumble and suffered a few scratches to their legs. All part of the fun.
A big thank you must be said to Pieter for the course. Secondly to hard working people like Cathi and Winston, sitting all day in the heat to give us our times. A huge thank you to Aubrey Van Reeken for the lovely well marked course. And to Antoinette for making the race possible and giving us a lot of pointers for future races
This morning Cathis son, Callen had a chain snap at 5.15 on the beachfront. On her way to fetch him Cathi saw so many cyclists cycling in the dark with no lights. Old Main Transkei Road, 4 poppies riding all over the road on their mountain bikes and at the Epsom Road Circle 2 x male cyclists riding all over the WRONG side of the road !
After the ride so many cyclist were telling me of aches and pains that wont go a way. So I have approached a physio to talk to club members. Please indicate if you would be willing to attend a lecture with a question and answer session with a sports physio. We will learn correct stretching as well as first line treatment of the bangs and bruises we get. This would take place at Com Office one evening. Please send your responses asap.
Yours in cycling
Cameron
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