tombeej

Lol that day I took you on the easiest route Daryl That way I took you was one of about 5 ways in and out on the Kloof/Hillcrest side alone. There are 3 other big climbs hidden in the back side that I've personally done, and about 3 others that I know are there but I haven't got round to yet. And then there's that one single tarred climb out the back via Nagle Dam to Wartburg that only a few people have ever cycled (according to Strava at least). It's a gem because it's the only true crossing of the Valley and makes for an epic ride. One over the top at Harburg, you've got the choice of going round via PMB or the opposite direction to Ballito.

Keen!

Yip it will be a road ride, all on tar. There's some genuine TDF-level terrain there. Terrain that honours the L'Etape ethos ("ride a stage of the Tour de France") that this Midlands route simply can't. Here's a recent ride I did, crossing the Valley from the Hillcrest area up into the Noodsberg range (1000m elevation) and then down to Ballito and back to DBN: https://www.relive.cc/view/895624487

Yip, what I said

Ok 'busy' is relatively speaking. Compared to JHB roads: wonderful. Compared to the Valley: busy. It is right in the middle of the very popular Midlands Meander after all so without closure you're going to be dealing with traffic. And yes, only a section of the route is poor. Much of it is excellent. So I don't know if that was an exaggeration. But the Valley still knocks the socks off the Letape route. Awe inspiring stuff. Anyway, just a suggestion

As a licensed rider I'm out if they don't sort this mess out. If that happens, I'll plan my own big ride out in the Valley of Thousand Hills or similar. Others in a similar situation as me who still want a nice epic day out, please join me! And the roads are very quiete down there, few cars. So those folks who don't want to race on a busy & dodgy road, you're welcome too.

Yes I believe so. Hopefully next weekend will be better.

Grant, you still alive?

All the best, Grant, it's going to be seriously hot. Do you have a support vehicle for all the water you'll need (and in case someone goes into distress)?

I've checked 5 different weather sites. Your one is the most extreme in terms of the amount of rain expected. But yes, the general consensus across all of them is that it's going to be raining to some degree on Sunday. Vivek and everyone else, what do you want to do? Cancel this weekend and push out to next weekend? I'll probably still drive up on Sunday if there's a chance of finding ridable conditions (I don't mind a bit of rain). DBN is definitely out so my only chance is to go inland.

Guys, take a look at Sunday's weather. Much better conditions: cool, overcast with maybe a bit of rain. Perfect riding conditions in my book.

When it comes to getting an accurate temperature forecast that takes into account humidity, etc., I have been following Accuweather's RealFeel® index. It gives a much better idea of what the conditions will really feel like out there in the sun. Saturday's RealFeel® index is 36°And the Max UV Index is 9 (very high) http://www.accuweather.com/en/za/pietermaritzburg/305606/daily-weather-forecast/305606?day=5

Forecast says stiff NE and 35 degrees (and very high UV index). I don't ride in the heat as much as possible (which is why I normally start my rides at 3am, sometimes even 2am). So if it's going to be that hot, I'm most likely pulling out I'm afraid, and do a solo night ride instead.

Nope, quite happy to ride at the groups pace. If someone punctures we all stop. And lots of photo taking along the way, I'm sure. One of those rides where it's all about the simple joy of riding, not about time or ave. speed. We can even stop for a Wimpy coffee in Mooi River. Why rush Just hoping the weather is a bit cooler next weekend. We're melting in this heat wave.

They have to keep pedaling downhill, feathering the brake to keep their cadence within acceptable levels.

Ja here is Grey on his uni. I think it's a 36 inch fixie wheel. So while I might have been a bit longer on the road, at least I could freewheel and relax whenever I felt like it, and draft as well of course. Gray had to pedal nonstop the whole way while balancing on 1 wheel. I'm guessing his core muscles are far more sore than his legs muscles today.

Gray is a clubmate of mine, and he's the one who deserves the kudos. There were 2 guys on uni's who completed the Shova yesterday (my apologies to the other guy - don't know his name).

Now you've got me wondering who you are - I haven't raced boats since 2008 so someone from my past...?

Hi guys Scott, buddy, I'm going to have to give you a klap next time I see you! Thanks for this, much appreciated. But to be honest, attempting a 'Double Amashova' was a personal thing, not for any recognition (a little embarrassed by this thread ). I'm drawn to 'inspiring' rides - ones that capture my imagination and doing The Double was one of those. It was just a random thought that came to me on a random ride one day and then wouldn't leave me alone. So I just decided to give it a bash. I had no intention of telling anyone about it really; it was just another ride. I never thought it was super special - I've seen much more impressive stuff done by many others here on the Hub. And a DC is not really a massive distance in itself. Having said that, I have to admit that it did turn out to be a special ride; one of my most memorable ones. It was an awesome experience. The ride through the night to PMB was beautiful under a massive full moon. Just me alone with my thoughts in the great outdoors - wonderful solitude. And then the ride back was completely opposite: sharing the road with thousands of my fellow riders. No more solitude, more speed, more fun, new friends. Two very contrasting halves of my favourite DC so far. Might just do it again next year

The guys doing the road race will benefit from being in the TDF as long as possible, esp. the light climbers. It's a long, hard, very hilly course. The 'racing legs' they'll carry through from the TDF should only help them. But the track is a completely different discipline. Cav has to get back to his track-specific preparation. Super hard endurance work will only take him backwards - definitely not what he wants to be doing in the lead-up to the Olympics. He needs to be fine-tuning with the relevant speed work needed for the Omnium events. The TT guys... well it's 50/50 whether to stay or drop out, I guess. Cancellara is an old toppie and these big efforts in very high temperatures just take that much longer to recover from than a youngster like Dumoulin. The ITT is exactly 3 weeks away. I understand that he feels he needs to leave now for a bit of recovery and then to get back into TT-specific training.

So instead of all this whining and weird self-righteous anger at Cav, how about we recognise his achievements in this years TDF (exceptional), what he's singlehandedly done for the Qubeka charity (massive) and the exposure he's given DD (hugely valuable) and his support of cycling in Africa (so appreciated). And how about we recognise that he's got an Olympic Games to prepare for in just a few weeks FFS, that he originally signed up with DDD with this explicit understanding, and that everyone involved in the sport (including us, the supporters) always knew he was never going to get to Paris for this reason.

To start off (and to help you understand a bit better), you need to understand that the Tour de France is a tour of individual races linked together under one larger umbrella event. In other words, each individual stage is recognised as a separate race in its own right, with its own victor who can then claim a 'World Tour race victory', its own UCI world tour points, etc. Getting upset about Cav leaving the TDF 'early' is like getting upset with a mtber for not entering all events in the MTN national mtb series. Or getting upset with Federer for not competing in every single event on the world tennis tour, etc. So imagine you hear someone say that Nino Schurter should have his World Cup XCO series wins taken away from him because he didn't enter the final 5 races in the series calendar, and therefore also lose his UCI points in the process, thereby dropping is world ranking (like some fool said earlier in this thread about Cav). Would that not sound completely laughable to you? This is exactly the same thing.

Ja I agree. Something is clearly not right with him. Those rumours of him carrying an illness must have something to them. Or an injury. Whatever, he's way better than this. But I also agree with other comments re. the teams performance as a whole - disappointing all round.

Gorka Izagirre is a big blow for Movistar. Last thing they wanted.

So the other teams say Sky are too strong, their 'tempo' pace puts everyone into the red, wadda wadda fish paste. Sorry, that doesn't cut it with me. I have not seen one attempt by any team to try and do something about it. Like a bunch of deer in the headlights. There's always a way to beat a better opponent, especially in a team environment. You just have to be smarter with your tactics. To get to Froome they need to get rid of his skyborg lieutenants. They have to isolate him and then start tag-teaming on him until he cracks (he can't follow all the attacks on his own - he will crack). For example, off the top of my head, here is one: Movistar sends 2 riders into the break (which they've done already this TDF)At the critical part of the race (about 3 - 5 km below the summit of the penultimate climb of the day) these 2 riders drift back so that they're about 30 seconds ahead of the GC bunch.Valverde attacks from the bunch and bridges across to the 2 up ahead. The skyborgs have to respond to close the gap since Valverde is high on GC.Those 3 Movistar riders go full gas for as long as possible to keep the advantage over the summit and down to the base of the final climb. Valverde does less turns to stay as fresh as possible for the final climb.The effort required by the skyborgs to close the gap eventually finishes them off for the final climb (and if they're still there, they'll not be nearly as effective anyway - they won't be able to hold their infernal pace as before).Froome is now on his own and isolated.Valverde is ahead on his own on the final climb to the finish. Froome has to close him down by himself. Quintana waits on his wheel.As soon as Froome closes the gap, Quintana attacks with a buddy (Porte/Bardet/Mollema) and forces Froome (who's been in the red) to have to close again asap.As soon as Froome has made it across, someone else can attack him immediately.And so they go until Froome cracks. And I thought that up while I was sitting on the bogs this morning. Come on Movistar et al. Time to come up with an original idea of your own!