NordicElf

My aim was a 2:45 from DL, managed a 2:41:49. I was't feeling that great physically, so pleased with my time. My strategy was to get in the first bunch and stay with them for as long as i could. I could see from last years results that that would likely result in a 2:30ish so I knew it was a bit risky. the first 45-50 were at 40km/h, this was about where I lost them. I didn't blow, it was more like my legs just didn't have enough in them. So picked up another group. Kind of ran out of legs towards the end, pushed to try sneak under 2:40 but just couldn't do it. I'm pleased though. I'm sad I can't do Tour Durban because my legs are feeling awesome! I don't even feel like I rode yesterday. Enjoyed the race, loved the much improved road surface and as always the asg races feel very well organised.

There is still a grave risk if you just take one myprodol right? getting the feeling that some people think 1 or 2 is ok? My understanding is that isn't, right?

The harder you work, the luckier you get. Well done!

My GSC 10 died and Navworld gave me a new one... the guy had one lying around in his drawer and he just gave it to me. I possibly got lucky... Definitely out of warranty, close to 4 years old. I love Garmin and Navworld. but no I wouldn't try repair it. I'd either try my luck at Navworld or buy a new one, I've seen them still available online... but the new ones look way better.

I always think I'm smiling and then I look at the pictures and I just have a pained expression... need to work on this.

Last year I did 75.8km/h I also weigh about 55kg... but the need for speed is great...

I was very disappointed to have maxed out at 73.8km/h I have these new wheels I feel super confident on, been leaving my club mates behind the last few weeks and then did such a pathetic max speed.

I thought the organisation was fantastic. To get that many people through there is amazing. My race went well. I was hoping to get into the L group but things didn't pan out and I could see them in the start pen but I couldn't get to them. I just couldn't find a group anywhere but I did wheel surf a lot! I did 3:26. In March this year after completing a tour to Cape Town I had thoughts of maybe sneaking 3:45, so I am really happy with my time. I do think though I could have gone under 3:20, I had that in me already. Just need to work on my self belief a little. I suffered from the top of the worst section of Cedar to the finish - so I did give it a good go. But with riding on my own from Rosebank to Randburg, I took my foot off the gas big time! A friend caught me there and I picked up the pace again. Could also have been adrenalin from nearly hitting a guy walking across the road, with so many bicycles around I didn't see him until he was less than half a metre away from me! Not sure how I missed him and how I got my bike to move like that! So I'm happy with my 43min PB. I'm training just as hard as last year but I have a coach now and I'm doing the right training. Just need to trust myself a bit more.

Ummm, how do the women elites work, in terms of, they do the 125km - does one qualify to do that distance? Is it possible for a pleb to enter the longer distance?

Yeah good idea... not sure about my seeding. I take a while to warm up, probably more important to start at the front.

I'm just going to ride as hard as I can for as long as I can, make sure I put the effort in to get/stay in a group. And then hang on for dear life at the end. Which means I might get a good time or a really bad time! Been far too conservative last couple of races, finishing for too fresh. I want to leave it all out on the road at 947.

So need a little extra padding. Although I've noticed a lot of races seem to be short. But I won't make that assumption on 947.

I did 3:00:31 at Emperor's this year... thought I was miles off so hung back with a friend but then I realised my calculations were wrong and it was on the cards, hammered it but a little too late!

Danie, if you can do 3h04, you can do 2h59 - that's so close, you'll just have to vasbyt at the end there!

Your spreadsheet doesn't like my linux box, I'll have to find a windows machine to check it out but from what I can see it looks awesome, thanks. I don't think I'm sub 3 hour material just yet, would be very stoked with a sub 3:30, thinking maybe I can get close to 3:15, did a comfortable 3:29 at Satellite.

Awesome adventure and article, lovely pics! I want a gravel bike now!

I did 3:29, rather pleased with that. Got into an awesome group, an AL guy pulling his DL wife. He paced it really well. I went up Hekpoort really well, passed a lot of people. Really enjoyed the race. Can't speak for the organisation at all, didn't need anything. I can't remember what people were saying about this race being an indication of where you are for 947, is a sub 3:30 on the cards, seeing as I managed it here?

You get other just as qualified coaches where you get the premium level service at a third of that price.

Arrgghh I might be out. Came down with bronchitis end of last week. Cough is still pretty nasty. Was really looking forward to giving this a try.

I'm looking forward to this!

The problem with buying Garmin from overseas is that you won't get the really awesome local Garmin support if you had bought it in SA. I bought one from the US, smashed the screen, my fault, went to the local Garmin to find out if I could replace the screen, they said no, we'll replace the unit for free - I said but it was my fault, they said, no problem, off they went and came back with a sad face and said sorry, you didn't buy this in South Africa did you? They still let me buy a new one at cost. Garmin SA's support is really great, it's not really worth the saving you get buying online, in my opinion.

I really enjoyed it. Enjoyed the stops way more than I expected to. the scenary was great and the hills super challenging. Definitely feel like I achieved something this weekend! I didn't do as well as I'd hoped. I trained quite hard, not sure what I was expecting, maybe it's just when it's your first time you don't have anything to go on and I'm trying to compare myself to other people. So chaffed on one hand and a tad disappointed on the other. but really glad I did it and will be back again next year to try and beat myself!

A noob question to those who've done it before, are we able to top up our water bottles in between stages, is something provided or must I take water in my tog bag?

also a newbie. I'm just going to conserve energy for Long Tom. I'm interested to see how I cope with the stops. Normally stopping isn't good for me. I'm also not a very good climber... not exactly sure what I was thinking entering it! hehehe but I'm kind of getting excited for it now.

Yes, I got the same email. I got a bit of a fright initially. We have very different riding styles, I'm a slower starter but a lot fitter than her, do it doesn't matter too much, we won't be riding together but it would have been nice to have a chance to pass her later, when my fitness kicked in. although she climbs like a mountain goat, so it was probably wishful thinking on my part...