Dome2Dome Shambles
What did you think about the organisation of the Dome2Dome Cycling Spectacular?
There have been a number of interesting comments from very disgruntled cyclists that took part in the Dome2Dome this past weekend. What did you think of the race?
Nic White and a number of professional cycling teams took part in the race, and whilst he mentions a crash which inevitably occurs when more and more riders are racing at that level, he never mentions poor organisation.
Do you think the issues were due to the last minute venue and route changes?
Here are just some of the comments that riders have submitted about the event.
Issues: To say the least, this race was a shocking and a very dangerous experience!!!! I will never do this race again and I will also inform all my friends to do the same. Thanks to this race my friends that just strated cycling on the road a year ago, have now decided to sell their road bikes and move over to mountain biking for safety and enjoyment reasons!
This race was an insult to SA road cycling events and also to sponsors!
Anonymous: From this point on forwards I WILL recommend all my cycling friends and my cycling club to never do the Dome2Dome race (or whatever the name might change to).
Anonymous:Thanks to the organisers, not for a great race, but for deserting us. When the marshals withdrew off the course, it seems the took directional signage with them, Very clever, this meant that a big group of us, some 20 plus riders missed the last CRUCIAL turn on to the R28 and the finish line.
And yet one rider claims they had no issues at all ...
Anonymous:I have read all these comments with interest. I also did the race and loved it. It's amazing how someone can have such a different race experience!
Did you do the race? How did you find it? Please comment below and share it with us, and rate it on Rate Your Race.
Last updated: 7 September 2010 - 5:03pm
Recent comments
- Well don organisers! Compared
22 hours 9 min ago - Bit far from Jhb..lol
1 day 22 min ago - Will join you tomorrow!
1 day 38 min ago - Roadkill...
1 day 1 hour ago - Ha! Used to love playing this
1 day 13 hours ago - Jip, enjoyed the route. Hats
1 day 18 hours ago - Nice route. Pathetic
1 day 19 hours ago - Read it again... "...Shan
1 day 20 hours ago - You don't know who Shan
1 day 21 hours ago - When your bike odometer has
2 days 20 hours ago
I started late because i got caught up in the traffic jam to park somewhere nearby in the veld. If i had arrived earlier that would not have been a problem.
I had a close shave with big 4x4 towing a boat along. I actually jerked my head to one side so that the boat could fit past me !
Yeah, it does get kinda cosy sharing a one lane country road with bikers and water sport enthusiasts, especially when you're busy overtaking back markers. There was a watering point at the 60km mark that ran dry, i got there just in time for the last little limp paper cup of Powerade.
As to the above comment about 20 plus riders who feel that they were deserted. I would say that ALL races must have a cut-off time rule effective at the halfway or 3/4 way mark. If riders can't get to those cut-off points in time then they must be taken off the course for their own safety.
I found the parking a bit hectic.
The route designer of the 40km race had a warped sense of humour! That continous climb to the finish was hectic forcing me for the first time, to stop and take a breather. Many cyclists were pushing their bkes,
this race was not to bad... considering this race vs the Norie Cradle Challenge. I feel for those cyclists being deserted, the same thing happened to about 20 of us in that race as well. I had a good race, finished well and enjoyed it. The road was a bit dangerous, especially with those bikes flying by...
This happened to myself and a few riders during last years Assishova as well. We were about middle of the field when a route marker blew away and we were promptly sent out onto a busy arterial route by the marshals who apparently had absolutely no clue what was going on. Luckily I had local knowledge of the area and we made it back in one piece but not before many a dangerous encounter with cane trucks and taxis. This kind of thing is really unforgivable! Considering the entry fees we pay especially. The incindednt really spoilt our race and there would have been action taken had one of us been injured! As mentioned above, if riders are far behind they should be withdrawn from the route. Cycling SA should take these matters very seriously, fining or with drawing rights of organisers all together, for offenders
What a great race, as for me with the training i did, i was chuffed that i managed to come
first in my group. I'll try to win the 40km overall this year... Depending where the route takes me this year?
I thought that the race was well designed to prevent cyclist crashes as the hills split the large bunches. Unfortunately, one cyclist was struck by a motorist who seems to have been driving carelessly.
I thought the race was well organised though I don't stop at water tables and arrived early and found decent parking.
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