tombeej

Patch, are you thinking of joining - had enough of crushing it with the big boys? Our start time is 07h05 so we'll be done around 10h05 to 10h15 I guess. The last batch (WW) goes off at 10h28, so lots of time to get in for a second lap.

100% right, I've added them to the list. Jeepers, this is turning into a whole peloton.

Welcome aboard

Just remember, no matter what the weather, no rain jackets or other flappy loose clothing. In fact, the windier the weather, the tighter your clothing must be. May as well tie a boat anchor to your bike with a length of rope if you arrive on the start line in loose, flappy kit. Even if it starts snowing...

The I-Team heading out from the start to Pooks Hill, the sheriff showing the way...

We'll look something like this...

I think if we're not tight from the start it will be like losing each other in Sandton City during Christmas shopping, very soon spread over an area with many others mixing in around us, and we start losing sight of each other. We'll make our lives a lot easier if we keep tight together going up the hill. No need to race to the top, but of course no need to dawdle either. So the front guys must just get into a good strong pace that's not stupid and we all keep looking around to each other to make sure we're not getting stretched out and dropping people. Again, I'll be at the back to make sure we don't lose anyone. Once we've warmed up and the nerves have settled we can steadily start turning up the volume until we're into full group race pace.

To the stronger riders who have decided to join the I-Team, my sincere hope is that the plan remains that we're doing this to help others achieve their goals. And maybe only for a few that means anywhere close to a sub 3. For others in the team, just breaking sub 3h15 would be a great achievement. My expectation is that any stronger rider dropping back from earlier batches is doing it for the same reasons - offering their services to the team, to get more of a kick out of seeing teammates beat their PBs than their own times. We are not going to be faster than the front bunches of those earlier batches. To be clear, we will be slower. Anyone still wanting to ride for their own time should perhaps stick to their original early batch. For me, this I-Team project was always about something bigger than the individual. I hope everyone feels the same way.

Each us must just hold onto the wheel of our teammate in front and not let gaps open up so that other riders start mixing in among us.

That's a very good plan.

I'll be sitting behind you guys for the first 30 - 40 km, you'll be pulling me . That first hill is called Pooks Hill, and to be honest the only way to get up there is as quickly as possible while remaining together. The start of a race is always going to be full of adrenalin, nerves, excitement and a little too much enthusiasm. So it always ends up being guns blazing, but we need to keep looking around for each other in the melee, stay together, and once we've gone over the top onto that flatter section we can then settle down and have the stronger riders lead the way in an orderly fashion. I'll sit at the back and make sure we don't leave anyone behind. If people do fall off I'll be there to pace them back on again. So basically I'll be the groups 'sweep'.

Tough news, Hayley. All the best with the recovery.

It's how we roll

With full road closure I think we could easily fit 22 - 24 riders in an echelon (most definitely on the M1). But if our group is too big with other hangers-on, I'd rather we stick to working for each other and shell anyone else not part of the team. Would definitely want to avoid having us split into 2 groups that are mixed with other non-team riders. We'll lose each other very quickly and become impossible to keep the team together.

Yip, basically. But one important distinction: in a pace line or rolling turns you never run out of road. With echelons you do, and that becomes a life or death thing for people trying to hold on in a crosswind. The bigger the group the bigger the problem. And because of this, I'd say we might need to seriously consider adopting a zero tolerance policy for outsiders.

Ja, if the weather forecast closer to the time says there's going to be wind, then we'll need to go over how to ride in an echelon.

Rolling turns: video #2. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6985pLLM_hA The guy's commentary is enough - no further comment from me on this one.

Rolling turns: video #1. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JbqZCrqV_wE Watch how 'tight' they stay, i.e. they don't let gaps form in the lines - both the line moving forward and the line moving back. The guy coming through to the front doesn't accelerate (just keeps to the groups constant pace), and when he 'swaps off' to the left he takes his foot off the gas just enough to allow the next person to roll through easily at the groups constant pace. At one stage you see one of the guys in the video getting out of his saddle while doing his turn on the front. He's not accelerating, he's actually just trying to keep that constant pace as they go over a tiny bump. So on rolling terrain, to keep the pace constant, in the I-Team we'll need to take this into account: i.e. if you're going over a little rise you have a responsibility on the front to keep the group pace up, and that might mean getting out of the saddle to stop the group from slowing.

Like I said before, I got to the top of Witkoppen last year injured & cramping in 2h16 and I pretty much nearly walked the climbs from there. I even got off my bike and stopped for a bit on the Steyn City climb. Really, I just got into the lowest gear and just spun my way slowly to the top of each of those hills. And I still made it with 2 minutes to spare. Once you're over Witkoppen, while you certainly have some little testers to conquer on tired legs, the truth is you've actually got more descending than ascending on that last stretch. Especially the first half after Witkoppen - it's mostly very fast downhill:

There will be no attacking!!

It would be flippin brilliant if he joins us.

Added to the list Start time for 'I' is 07h05, but we're meeting beforehand (go back a few pages for the details).

OK that's what I was looking for - I think this is a good time frame to have in mind. Personally, I think our group - if still together at Witkoppen - is going to start splintering from that climb onwards. There will be people in our group who's target isn't realistically sub 3, but if they beat their target it will still be a successful day. Some will probably head off from there, while others will just settle into their own comfortable pace to the finish. That's why - for me - Witkoppen is a good time for each person to be able look down at their Garmin and see what's realistically doable from there, based on how they feel and how the group is doing.

Ja cool, I get you, so what do think is a reasonable target for the group? We need one that has just a little bit of wiggle room for those last 20 km. 2:17?