Tom this looks like a super ride. Maybe we can organise it one day between a few clubs, backup vehicle etc etc etc. Each person contribute to costs and then contribute another amount to a charity. Will work out costing much less than an "official" event and this ride will really be an adventure
Keen!
Are you going to ride a road bike in the valley?
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:
Please tell me that is an exaggeration. Please
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)?
Be sure to pack your gumboots. Looks like howick is expecting about 23mm of rain on Sunday.
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.
Where did you see this Tom ?
I just checked Windguru and Accuweather and both showing it to be a "decent" day.
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.
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.
I dont know about everyone else but I will probably be riding at around 22-23km avg over that distance and elevation. Tombeej and a few of the other stronger guys may go out harder.
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.
We passed them on the road just after water point 1, climbing one of the small drags before the turn towards Cato Ridge.
Anyone know how they fair on the downhills?
They have to keep pedaling downhill, feathering the brake to keep their cadence within acceptable levels.
I saw a guy at the start riding what looked like the front half of a penny-farthing, was this him?
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.
Well done TonBeej !
On a similar note. does anyone know if that nutter Gray, finished the Shova on his unicycle ?
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).
Kudos Tombeej.
So, next challenge.
Ride up to PMB with your bike, and then paddle back to Durbs doing a non-stop Duzi.
Come on. I know you are a great paddler also.
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
Louis is also going to olympics is he not?
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 up front I don't get all the intricacies of the TDF.
It does however seem somewhat wrong for a sprinter to burn himself out on the sprinter type stages win a few than withdraw
Seems a bit like going flat out to get the strava KOM segment than getting a lift home with KOM bragging rights !
I'm actually starting to feel sorry for NQ. He isn't saying much but something is not right. He looks to be on the edge of popping completely.
And I have never been a fan of his. But he is suffering and doing it in silence. Hats off for that.
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:
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!
L’Étape South Africa
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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.