2012 Amashova

[Riamich]

Logistical nightmare to be up so early no ways

[leet22]

Thet have 3 buses that go from Durbs to PMB. The first is $:30 i think . The last one leaves at 5:30 and takes about a hour. As was said before you take your bike to the stadium they pack it as is no removing of any item , Next day they drop u at you bike u ride 2ks to the start and then wait to start.

Its not that bad. I have done 3 going to try make it a 4 this year.

[DaLoCo]

Had friends who stayed near the start, and had a non-cycling family member take the car to the finish.

[GrumpyOldGuy]

Had friends who stayed near the start, and had a non-cycling family member take the car to the finish.

 

That is what is required mostly, fine if you have a family member to help, otherwise its beg a buddy......I dont like doing that.

 

As I imagine a number of Gauteng cyclists like to ride this event one would think they would be a bit more accomodating of our requirements, but it seems not, so I have stopped riding it, which is a pity as I liked it, but at my age I look for the easy way out, and here I dont see it.

[Bianchisti]

I was thinking of flying in for this one rather then the Hiveld but the logistics sounds like it will put it out of reach.

 

Gonna have to hope the missus will feel like going to a bike race on her birthday (Hiveld day).

[Bianchisti]

That is what is required mostly, fine if you have a family member to help, otherwise its beg a buddy......I dont like doing that.

 

 

It's the same issue with the Comrades. when my sister lived in Durban she always accomodated family/friends and then have to get up at 3 to drop them off at the start.

[ricochet_rabbit]

It would probably be easier to stay in PMB as you can ride to the start in the am. I'm sure if asked the organisers could arrange transport back to PMB after the race.

If they want to grow the race I would suggest something akin to the following:

 

1) Post race numbers to those who can't make registration or make arrangements with a cycle shop to enable numbers to be collected in JHB/CT/PTA/BLOEM.

 

2) Arrange transport back to PMB after the race. I can't believe that this is anymore difficult than arranging transport to PMB in the wee hours before the start.

 

3) Arrange transport to collect people from the airport on the sat (1 bus @ 12h00 & 1 @ 16H00).

 

4) Arrange transport to the airport after the race for 2 hours after prize giving.

[Bianchisti]

It would probably be easier to stay in PMB as you can ride to the start in the am. I'm sure if asked the organisers could arrange transport back to PMB after the race.

If they want to grow the race I would suggest something akin to the following:

 

1) Post race numbers to those who can't make registration or make arrangements with a cycle shop to enable numbers to be collected in JHB/CT/PTA/BLOEM.

 

2) Arrange transport back to PMB after the race. I can't believe that this is anymore difficult than arranging transport to PMB in the wee hours before the start.

 

3) Arrange transport to collect people from the airport on the sat (1 bus @ 12h00 & 1 @ 16H00).

 

4) Arrange transport to the airport after the race for 2 hours after prize giving.

 

Or just do a circular route. Much more efficient. I can't believe we're sitting here chatting about this. Surely "ons sit die pot miss somewhere" there's got to be some logic to the way they've set up his race.

[GrumpyOldGuy]

It would probably be easier to stay in PMB as you can ride to the start in the am. I'm sure if asked the organisers could arrange transport back to PMB after the race.

If they want to grow the race I would suggest something akin to the following:

 

1) Post race numbers to those who can't make registration or make arrangements with a cycle shop to enable numbers to be collected in JHB/CT/PTA/BLOEM.

 

2) Arrange transport back to PMB after the race. I can't believe that this is anymore difficult than arranging transport to PMB in the wee hours before the start.

 

3) Arrange transport to collect people from the airport on the sat (1 bus @ 12h00 & 1 @ 16H00).

 

4) Arrange transport to the airport after the race for 2 hours after prize giving.

 

Yeah, spot on RR.

 

Some years ago they had number collection at Monte Casino in JHB a week or so before the race, very easy and convenient, then the next year they had number collection on route at Harrismith I think, at the Ultra stop, was okay if you drove, but not if you were flying, but, still it helped, then nothing, and to compound the inconvenience factor, they also made it compulsory to collect your number at the expo in Durban, which meant you had to get to Durban (even if you were staying in Pietermaritzburg) before say 3pm on Sat. - lots of unnecessary driving around and very inconvenient.

 

Arranging transport BACK to Pietermaritzburg is another vital issue, especially if you do not have someone to drive around and fetch you. I prefer to stay in Pietermaritzburg as you say, so for me its a big issue getting back.

 

A bus to and from the airport would be nice as well, especially as rental cars are so da*n small and with the new airport it is much easier.

Edited April 13, 2012 by GrumpyOldGuy

[Benjamin]

We basically live on the route, and still have to organize to get there. Had to try really really hard one year not to bale as I went past my house..... Usually a buddy who's folks live in PMB takes us up and then one of our current wives will fetch from the finish. Bit of a mission but worth it if you live here IMO. Riding flat box down 4 lanes of the highway without cars is cool.

[Antoo]

I think that the 'Shova is a great value for money race.

 

I understand that the idea behind the 'Shova is to cycle the "Comrades' route, which some of us think is brilliant. For those who'd like an in/out race in Pmb, to avoid the Shova's logistics challenges, try the recently introduced Msunduzi Challenge.

 

Funny enough, the 2011 'Duzi Challenge, with it's ideal in/out format, was very poorly supported. I'm not sure that they managed to attract 5% of the 'Shova crowd.

 

For guys looking for accommodation and transfers, 'YES Please', in Pmb, offers both services. get a couple of your 'out of town mates' together and book a transfer from the Stadium back to Pmb - I know the owner of YES Please and I'm certain that he'd gladly offer you the service at a competitive rate. Split between mates, it would pretty affordable.

 

Why does this have to become the responsibility of the race organisers?

[Minion]

2) Arrange transport back to PMB after the race. I can't believe that this is anymore difficult than arranging transport to PMB in the wee hours before the start.

There was a bus from DBN to PMB last year, around 12:30.

[CrazyChild]

We basically live on the route, and still have to organize to get there. Had to try really really hard one year not to bale as I went past my house..... Usually a buddy who's folks live in PMB takes us up and then one of our current wives will fetch from the finish. Bit of a mission but worth it if you live here IMO. Riding flat box down 4 lanes of the highway without cars is cool.

 

I like the "Current wives" part

[DG_Bike_Racks]

So looking forward to the Amashova 106km and Asishove 50km. If you enjoy cycling you aint going to complain too much about what time you have to be up

Bring it on

[bikekid]

N00b question but can somebody please explain the differences between the categories. Poked around on the CSA website bit couldn't find anything. I'm 25 so I just selected the open/seeded batch. I doubt I would be an elite or u23 and all the subsequent cats were licensed 30-35 licensed 35-39 etc. I assume that cats are for the racing snake so the plebs like me belong in the seeded cat? To be honest up until now when entering races I kind of ignored that section, all i cared about was whether they could pick up my CSA licence so I don't get nailed for the R35 race fee.

 

By the way - with tomorrow being a public holiday you may be able to enter with the early bird price of R285.

 

Does anyone know if they are having the Asishova race this year as there is nothing on the website...

Anyway, I don't want to enter it and have i cancelled and get a refund less R30 charges like last year

[Guest Frail4Life]

Why you complaining?

I cycled to Durbs, dropped my bag at the Guest house for After the race. Picked up my no's then Cycled to PMB ALL on the Sat afternoon. Slept in Pmb 2km from the Start. Excellent route!