Training Routes in Durban

[Terminator]

I'm going to be in Durban for 4 days (Sun - Wed) next week and need to keep my training going. Will be staying in Cowie rd. Can anyone help me with road training routes? Would like to put in approx 2-3 hr rides, going in early morning. Thanks in advance.

[Dsan]

There are a few you can do from Cowie road.

 

One is head up the m4, turn off at La Lucia and then head up Armstrong avenue and all there to the M41 towards Ballito and then back. It's about 100+ km's and a good solid ride. I'll be back in durbs on thursday if you fancy a riding partner to show you the way?

 

map

[Terminator]

Thanks Dsan. I thought the M4 was off-limits to cyclists, or is ok up to La Lucia? Is that M41 okay to ride on a early morning ride? Not too busy? Is there a safe way to ride up the north coast past Umhlanga or is that busier? Sorry about all the questions!

 

Thanks.

[tombeej]

The M41 becomes the R102 to Ballito. That road gets very busy in the mornings during the week and there's just a very small 1-2 ft shoulder most of the time (sometimes more, sometimes none). M4 is hectic during the week, but on weekends becomes ridable, esp. very very early.

 

If you want long, quite country roads to ride with nice hilly profiles, and if you're willing to drive 45km north by car up to Ballito, I can give you some routes that you'll enjoy. Let me know.

 

You got a GPS for your bike?

[Terminator]

Thanks tombeej, don't think I'll have time to drive up the coast. I have a Garmin Edge 800 on my bike.

[tombeej]

Then also look at Umgeni road (M19) west up to Pinetown and then link through the suburbs up again into Kloof and Hillcrest. Umgeni rd from blue lagoon all the way to Pinetown has a very big shoulder, so nice and safe, even in peak traffic. Lots of good sized hill climbs to do there.

[Terminator]

That sounds good. Thanks!

[Dsan]

Touch wood and anything else, the M4 isn't bad at that time of the morning. Granted you need to be aware of your surroundings and know how to read traffic.

 

I would rather recommend heading up the R102 towards Ballito over going direct on the M4. I know a few chaps who do hammer up and down the M4, but I personally find it a boring road with very little challenges on the way.

[tombeej]

I ride the M4 and R102 quite a bit early on weekends - a nice loop for me, living in Ballito. Agree that the R102 is a nicer ride. But for anyone who rides the M4 during the week - respect - you have some serious cajones. For a visitor to the area, the M4 is maybe something to stay away from unless you skrik vir niks. For me, there's not enough reward for all the fear, noise and sucking on exhaust fumes (I live by the sea - a ride along the coast is not a novelty).

 

Again, for someone wanting to have a pleasant, safe and challenging ride, give the M19 up to Pinetown a try. For me, that first climb out of the Umgeni valley up to the top (5km at 9%) is one of the biggest sustained climbs in Durban. Add in the climb past Kloof into Hillcrest and you can enjoy a ride profile with over 1000m total climbing.