Entries are open for 2016 Mangaung Cycle Tour

I received my start time for Sunday's road race, AL starting at 6:15.

Nothing yet for the MTB ride, doing the 75km.

 

Anyone else doing the double?

 

Edit: MTB info also received, AL at 7:45.

To all Mangaung MTB participants:

Please take note that there was an error with the start times sent to you today. Below are the correct start times which will also be communicated to you by Cycle events

30 km - 07h00

75 km - 07h30

55 km - 07h45

Well, the MTB ride was a bit of a mess due an issue at the entrance of the botanical gardens. Some of the earlier riders were allowed through, but when we got there they had obstructed the entrance with a small truck.

So my 75km turned into a 30km. Hopefully we are provided with more information eventually regarding which party decided to not play ball and why.

The road race went much better, haven't yet heard of people missing the route (unlike last year).

The speed allowed in the neutral zone was a bit high, and that combined with some loose gravel and speed bumps to end some riders' race early on.

Overall, not a bad weekend of riding, hopefully the event can improve even further next year.

Well, the MTB ride was a bit of a mess due an issue at the entrance of the botanical gardens. Some of the earlier riders were allowed through, but when we got there they had obstructed the entrance with a small truck.

So my 75km turned into a 30km. Hopefully we are provided with more information eventually regarding which party decided to not play ball and why.

 

The road race went much better, haven't yet heard of people missing the route (unlike last year).

The speed allowed in the neutral zone was a bit high, and that combined with some loose gravel and speed bumps to end some riders' race early on.

 

Overall, not a bad weekend of riding, hopefully the event can improve even further next year.

Rest of the route was a mess with *** marking and some gates being locked.

Apparently the oke who did route planning did not get landowner permission (including botanical gardens)

I'm quite pissed off as the race time will not be published so no seeding improvement for me.

This race was well supported in the past espicially with the lead up to 94.7

Bad organising like this will not attract any worthwhile sponsors unfortunately and this will keep the race numbers and support down

The road race was at least well organised and well run, was a bit skeptical after reading about the stuff up that was the MTB race, but all round good day out.

I was very disappointed. My wife and I entered the 55km (she has been building up to this event and it would have been her first 'long' one) and ended up doing 18km. R300(with PPA discount) for the both of us.

We were also turned back at the botanical gardens gate and then advised that the route has been closed and we should head back to the start. It will be great to get feedback from the PPA as to the cause. I have heard numerous stories which varies from the organiser not obtaining the proper permission from landowners to riders cutting wires in the gardens due to another gate being closed(not open because the lady was late) with this action prompting the lady from the gardens to refuse entry to the rest of the field. From what I gather there were some issues with route marking further on from the riders that got through. I also think that the level of tech skill expected from the riders doing the 35km was a bit of a stretch. There was no proper description of the route and in my humble opinion the very rocky nature of the trail through 7dams with small drop-offs etc. is not something the average 35km rider expects.

I volunteered at a waterpoint on the road race and all the feedback from the riders seemed a lot more positive. One of the ER24 guys did say that there was an incident where a vehicle got onto the route and 4 riders were badly hurt and taken to hospital.

All in all not a good weekend for the PPA Mangaung weekend I think.

So the route for the 2017 race is out, and it avoids the whole Heidedal part (where I understand the accident with the vehicle happened last year).

I've created the 99km route on Strava, based on the route image:

https://www.strava.com/routes/9258520

So the route for the 2017 race is out, and it avoids the whole Heidedal part (where I understand the accident with the vehicle happened last year).

 

I've created the 99km route on Strava, based on the route image:

https://www.strava.com/routes/9258520

Best idea they have ever had, that part of the race had me pooing myself

Best idea they have ever had, that part of the race had me pooing myself

A slight route update was announced, as someone at the municipality decided to go speedbump crazy on the Lucas Steyn stretch. I'm not complaining, mind you - even the double-cabs/X5s/Discovery's shouldn't be able to speed there now, so it is bound to be more safe.

I've updated the route on Strava.

A slight route update was announced, as someone at the municipality decided to go speedbump crazy on the Lucas Steyn stretch. I'm not complaining, mind you - even the double-cabs/X5s/Discovery's shouldn't be able to speed there now, so it is bound to be more safe.

 

I've updated the route on Strava.

I see they have changed the route again, sending us through the K@k part of town again. Wonder how the people who hit the car last year will feel about that. . . Full road closure may help, but who knows.

ja nee

once the organisers can sort out routes (and do them properly) I'll think of doing this ride again

the mess last year with the MTB routes and the vehicle accident made my decision not to enter this year somewhat less complicated.

I've already entered...

Personally I'm not that worried, as A/B bunches will be through that part fast enough to not even worry.

However, if I was looking at 4+ hours, I'd be very concerned. It is a few km stretch where a lot can go wrong, even with full road closure.

I have not seen any mention yet of an MTB event this year, come to think of it.

Guess I have to update the route on Strava again. Again.

I've already entered...

 

Personally I'm not that worried, as A/B bunches will be through that part fast enough to not even worry.

However, if I was looking at 4+ hours, I'd be very concerned. It is a few km stretch where a lot can go wrong, even with full road closure.

 

I have not seen any mention yet of an MTB event this year, come to think of it.

 

Guess I have to update the route on Strava again. Again.

True, just in general thought they would have changed it. Looks like it comes from Mangaung's side, not realy from themselves. Presume that using too much of the N1 is a problem for them. 

They not running the MTB event themselves, but they have basically outsourced it to another group who will be organising it. Hopefully that means the Road race gets full attention.

So, anyone else here ride the race this weekend?

And, anyone else involved in the crash(es) at the bridge near Glen?

I fell right at the start of the bridge, thanks to someone on the left-hand side locking his rear brake and smashing into the hay bales side-on. Somehow managed to land on my feet and right hand, and just kept running a few steps to avoid the rest of the carnage.

So, zero damage to myself, and some relatively minor damage (will let the LBS make sure) to my ergos and rear derailleur and/or hanger.

I know of at least one person with a broken collarbone, so I count myself VERY lucky.

Yeah, pulled away in CL. Climbed onto a massive bunch from home affairs till Glen. Just as we hit a downhill on the N1 some guy in the middle of the bunch had a massive Wipeout, luckily took no one else out, but he crashed right next to me and it was gruesome. Was that not the guy with the broken collarbone possibly?

Glen was also a stuff up with that bridge and the condition of the road before it, but luckily made it through alright!

At least the stretch through the Township was better than last year!

Hmm, no, we were in AL. But it sounds like there were lots of falls, in different places and bunches. Some lovely photos of scars and neck braces on the one WhatsApp group.

Did you see if the rider who fell on the N1 had a dark shirt with blue writing on?

The guy who caused the crash I went down in is also a Bloem rider, I find it odd that he misjudged the bridge so badly given how frequently it is used in training and races.

The township stretch did seem better, though possibly we weren't going as fast as last year due to the headwind.

Now for a few less hectic weekends!

Hmm, no, we were in AL. But it sounds like there were lots of falls, in different places and bunches. Some lovely photos of scars and neck braces on the one WhatsApp group.

 

Did you see if the rider who fell on the N1 had a dark shirt with blue writing on?

The guy who caused the crash I went down in is also a Bloem rider, I find it odd that he misjudged the bridge so badly given how frequently it is used in training and races.

The township stretch did seem better, though possibly we weren't going as fast as last year due to the headwind.

 

Now for a few less hectic weekends!

Misunderstood about the guy with the collarbone, didn't realise he was in your bunch. To be honest didn't really see what shirt he was wearing, so can't say. 

That headwind was shitty, but would take a headwind over the maniacs we had to deal with last year!

Strange that there are less finishers on Racetec than last year yet it felt like we were more. Maybe it was all the MTBs without chips that caused that.