Hi guys & gals, we lost a week due to the unfortunate bikejack incident and I now boast a brand spanking new titanium part of my left arm's ulna that was crushed with a rock bigger than your head. Apart from that we gained valuable practical experience, it was our 8th bikejack incident over the past 7 years - we only lost some bikes with 4 of them. We could probably claim to be very experienced bikejack victims. Add to that validated self defense and survival skills and we will be packaging a "mountain biker's survival skills" workshop shortly.
Bottom line - apology for the delay and thanks for your patience. All podium finishers of categories that had more than 5 participants have been sorted and tracked down as some did not furnish us with all the required contact details and we had to facebook some to finally get hold of everyone. We have contacted all podium finishers and confirmed with them what they will be receiving, and now also have everyone's banking details. Our bean counters will start with EFTs tomorrow.
As for the totally undesired and unplanned hick-up regarding the timing system that crashed, if we could have change any of it, we would have done so. Just the more reason to join our next race on 28 Apr 12! Even though the 1st race was aimed at and served as an introductory race to the series, a podium contributes toward seeding for the Grand Finale. Your best 3 podium results of the 4 races will count for seeding purposes. The purpose of the seeding is to allow participants that do well throughout the year, the advantage of starting the Grand Finale from the front line, although non-seeded riders can also partake. Our log will be drafted from the 2nd race on.
Rest assure, the technical challenge posed by the race course will increase towards the Grand Finale. Those that questioned the statement that you will have to ride the course before race day to cope with the challenges: there is vast difference between "riding" and "racing". We haven't had a single pinch flat that I know of before the race on that step-bridge, yet on race day quite a few guys punctured there. It will be worth your while to attend the skills workshops preceding each race - we'll share with you the physiology why even pro riders make mistakes when they get tired ...
Edited by Enticement, 07 February 2012 - 10:53 .