No Security - No ride

I wrote this letter to Ride Magazine. They were initially keen on publishing it - especially after we forwarded them various race directors responses to break ins - but it wasn't taken further. We had 4 separate break-in incidents at 4 separate races (Org de Rac; Wine2Whales; Greyton & Tulbagh). The pattern was always the same: races in rural areas attract opportunistic criminals. And insurance companies don't pay out if your valuables weren't in a boot. So those of you driving bakkies and SUV's - you'd better be riding with all your valuables.....ridiculous.


Letter as follows:
Early morning, all excited, you pack your valuable cycling gear and accessories and head out to a race! You normally spot the other riders as there are very few cars out at this time – and the various bikes hitched on the cars are a classic tell-tale sign. Music is on. Great tracks playing! You're doing mental checks on your equipment; remembering where your timing chip is in the kit bag; spares; race profile…. Bottles? Ok – got them! (phew…)



Always a good feeling as you prep up and wheel into your start chute. You're checking out other bikes; other riders; you're loosening up; laughing with your buddies…you're ready to ride.
And off you go!

Race is over! What a blast! You’re checking your time; making your way to the beer tent; comparing war stories with your mates. This is why you ride! We could chat for ever….but other weekend commitments nag and we head off to find the car amongst all the others….

Time to go home now. It’s been a hoot.
And you get back to your car and you need to take a second look because your brain doesn’t like what it sees – the broken back window has just shattered your sense of happiness. Shit! You mentally calculate what was left in the car. Please just not my wallet…and my iPod! Damn – was my camera in there?
Frantic, despondent check confirms the worst. It’s all gone. Even the cubby hole has been emptied out. What an invasion of privacy!

On the drive back home your mind thinks of a course of action. Insurance – all good; glass replacement – no worries; police report – hmmm, better get that done. Driver’s license? Damn it. Bank cards? Double damn it!

Monday you engage with the race organisers. Apologies won’t help, you cry! What are you doing about it? What do you mean “it was at my own risk?” Why are you so full of shit? Can no-one help? Can’t I blame anyone for this?


This is now a plea to race-organisers: please provide security at races. If you already do – thanks – but advertise it so we know!
To those race organisers who refuse to provide security - us cyclists are unfortunately going to start boycotting your events.
No helmet security – no ride.