My first Tour Durban 105km road race

[Bronabee]

My second BIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIG race.

 

Phew, glad that’s over with.

 

I had a few minor hiccups.

 

. We were delayed a few min because there was a car accident on one of the roads...

 

. I overheard one of the marshal on the loud speaker mentioning ‘’the ladies are off’’. I looked around me and didn’t see any ladies. So I asked the marshal dude ‘’ladies off?” him, ‘’yes, you better go quickly’’. Anyhoo, it was too late...so I was with the next bunch. The one chap next to me said ‘’morning’’ and I mentioned that I missed my batch with the ladies. He said, ‘’not to worry, you can ride with the old guys today’’.

 

. So I was in a bit of a tizz and trying to quickly get my bearings together...i was standing with one foot clipped in and I don’t know what happen but the bike did one slide to the one side...i manage to get one hand out...so didn’t fall flat. Few guys in the batch turned around and I just gave a small smile and said, ‘’sorry, just thought I’d shake things up a bit’’ I think I scared them. Whoops.

 

. The amount of bottles that were dropped in the first 30kms!!!!

 

. After the M7 loooooooong climb, there was water table number one. I had a Bin Laden look alike cut in front of me and came to a sudden stop in the middle of the lane (he didn’t even go to the side or LOOK BEHIND HIM). He was still far away from the table, he wouldn’ve had to get on his bike

or walked with his bike. Anyhoo, I landed up crashing. I guess the first “half fall’’ wasn’t good enough, so i decided to try again and add more hardcore. Bin Laden did apologise about 10 times. I said ‘’its fine’’ and we all know what ‘’it fine’’ really means when it comes to the ladies.

 

. Then about 10km after my incident...i was few metres behind this lady going down a hill and next thing I saw her slide right across the one lane with her bike and she smacked hard into the barriers. So I stopped to see if she was ''ok'' and this other guy who was ahead of her. She had nasty grazes.

 

. Damn motorist who take their chances! I had four cars zoom past me right behind each other. They manage to slip past a marshal. They were unmarked cars. I shat bricks because I wasn’t expecting cars to zoom past me. I did see about 4 cops run into the road and manage to stop them.

 

. Then I cycled past a stop street and before I’m even cycled across to the otherside, this dude in his car was slowly creeping forward and towards me to go across. Pity I didn’t side kick his car, that how close he was to me.

 

. My Mp3 player died on me not holding battery life. I like to have one ear piece in one ear with music on...just to keep me sane, since i always land up cycling on my own in a few patches along the way...

 

. I was so over the cycle and irritated but I carried on...chatted to this one lady while going up a climb. She mentioned if I do the Argus, I must book with Khalu and early. There’s no fee for your bike if you go with them...hmmmmm. I’m a bit nervous though because I had my one bag crushed while flying overseas. I had to buy a new one in England.

 

 

 

. To me this race was tougher compared to Amashova. More slow climbs especially between Umhlanga and La Mercy – tail end of the race.

 

 

 

. I manage to spot and shout ‘’hello’’ to my mates and step dad who did the 45km.

 

 

 

Oh, what does ‘’chafe’’ mean?

 

 

 

Otherwise glad it’s over and done with. My butt was feeling it. I’ve never had problems with my butt when it came to cycling or spinning (I just assume because it’s well padded) but sjoe, I was in pain. Need to sort that out...

 

I will do this race again...definitely need to stick to my spinning and cycling. I’m still very nervous to cycle on my own on the road (relying on my step dad/ma is a bit of a hassle), I will look into joining a group, maybe East Coast.

 

Next road race is...

 

Toti 69er in July.

 

Some guy who also cycled the race asked me at the end “”well done, how do you feel?’’ Me ‘’I feel lekker ,thanks” him, "hahaha, just wait 5 min then you won't be feeling so lekker'. Ha, i was already in pain but happy it was done and dusted.

 

Got my medal

 

Ahhh, one photo was taken of me with a Gu packet hanging from my mouth. I just saw this random guy sitting on a chair with jeans on but topless and when I came closer to him, he whipped out his camera and took a photo. Great. Oh well, nice to add a bit of spice to the photo i guess...

 

BUT the following camera dude after him, I was prepared for, I did a hand signal pose. I hope he caught that.

 

Who else did this event and how did it go?

Edited April 29, 2012 by Bronabee

[Showtime]

Being from out of town I really enjoyed the race. Everything around the start area was so relaxed compared to other races (or maybe it's just Durban). Also it was a massive privilege to have road closure considering there wasn't exactly millions of us.

 

The first half of the course was tough. When we started the long climb into Pinetown the guys at the front of the group took of in an imitation bunch sprint. Seeing the hill carry on in the distance I assumed they were crazy or over excited. Turns out they were just fast so I fell back and joined a nice group that lasted pretty much to the end.

 

There are definitely many easier races than this, OFM, Herald etc but this one has allot of potential.

[MartinO]

Did it with a mate too... course was kinda cool - a proper Tour of Durban and surroundings! Some idiot drivers, who got frustrated with the "full road closures", but in general most people behaved. Organisation at the start left a little to be desired, but the atmosphere out on the ride was phenomenal !! Haven't had that much fun in a road race for a while! Well done Stu and team... keep the "new route" for next year.

[Bronabee]

Being from out of town I really enjoyed the race. Everything around the start area was so relaxed compared to other races (or maybe it's just Durban).

 

That's why i enjoy cycling even though i'm a weak cyclist. I enjoy the people and they so chirpy and friendly even on everyday normal rides.

 

 

Organisation at the start left a little to be desired,

 

Ditto. When i arrived at the start, i didn't know where to go... i just saw everyone everywhere! The place where we had to go line up, was tucked away.

 

End of the day, i still enjoyed the race even though it was tough.

 

Just need a few lil tweaks here and there.

 

I will be back!

[DaLoCo]

Well done...

 

I believe I should train to make the race comfortable....no ways I will win it. Then I spend the race hanging out with fellow sufferers and watch girls.....

['Dale]

Nice going, Riders.

 

Getting triple digits is always cool...

[Bronabee]

Well done...

 

I believe I should train to make the race comfortable....no ways I will win it. Then I spend the race hanging out with fellow sufferers and watch girls.....

 

Hahahaha, i'm the same!!!!

 

Maybe one day i'll be more motivated to come in within a certain time but since all these big ones my first, i'm just enjoying the the ride and getting to know the route...well much as i can with sore butt etc

 

Shova i was cramping big time but this time round no cramps but woweeeee my butt was not happy on my seat today.

 

My ma parked a about a km away and asked me if i don't mind cycling to the car. NO WAYS!!! I told her, ''i'll wait here...and bring the car over there...i'll take the bike for a walk and meet you there''

Edited April 29, 2012 by Bronabee

[DaLoCo]

Do you also watch girls......

 

I know the butt feeling...Tour Durban was my first ever race, in 2008. I had a very numb butt (finished the last 20 km sitting on the cheeks), lame hands (couldn't change gears for the last 30 km) and I was overheating (wore a undershirt) and nauseous due to a fruity energy drink. I was training in Richardsbay at the time where the biggest hill was a 20m bump . The whole training route had about 60m vertical ascent, so the climb into Pinetown was horror

 

Now that I am in the Eastern Cape my daily route climbs 200m, so my hill climbing has improved

[Bronabee]

Do you also watch girls......

 

I know the butt feeling...Tour Durban was my first ever race, in 2008. I had a very numb butt (finished the last 20 km sitting on the cheeks), lame hands (couldn't change gears for the last 30 km) and I was overheating (wore a undershirt) and nauseous due to a fruity energy drink. I was training in Richardsbay at the time where the biggest hill was a 20m bump . The whole training route had about 60m vertical ascent, so the climb into Pinetown was horror

 

Now that I am in the Eastern Cape my daily route climbs 200m, so my hill climbing has improved

 

Yes, i watch girls...but not in the ''mmmmmm, come ride me baby'' kind of way....more like, ''she has hot legs...i want my legs to look like that''

 

Ha, my left thumb was taking strain as well. I forgot about that.

 

Well my goal is to do Argus, so best i train a hell of a lot harder...get more rides in and don't stop with long breaks after a ride.

 

After i started cycling in Feb last year, so i had a few races leading up to shova...then after shova i took a break from cycling/spinning, i was more focus with weight training...so i had a good 3 months rest. Oops.

 

Hahaha, well glad you have more hills to play with. ;P

Edited April 29, 2012 by Bronabee

[Chro Mo]

Congrats to everyone who rode today!

Did the 45km on Friday, and that was hard enough!

 

On a side note: what exactly is Club Cappuccino? Just wonering, 'cause I saw a couple of shirts with the logo on, and it is a supporting sponsor...

 

Thanks.

[Showtime]

 

Well my goal is to do Argus, so best i train a hell of a lot harder...get more rides in and don't stop with long breaks after a ride.

 

 

My avg speed today was the same as for the Argus. So add 4km and you're ready. Don't spoil your first Argus by worrying about times, just enjoy the vibe.

[Bronabee]

My avg speed today was the same as for the Argus. So add 4km and you're ready. Don't spoil your first Argus by worrying about times, just enjoy the vibe.

 

I'm not worried about times...i just want to be more prepared and finish.

 

Plus worried about those hectic climbs towards the end of the race.

 

But my aim is to do it next year.

[geecee]

nice one! congrats on the finish.

 

some cyclist really dont think when cycling in a big bunch. we had issues at the argus with a guy cutting across in front of my gf landing her up on the floor grazed and bruised on the way up chappies. guy didnt stop apologise or anything.

 

lets just say try get going on chappies again with cleats that was interesting

[geecee]

Bron... my gf barely trained and isnt at all an active person.

 

okay she finished.... 6 hours some change and i was livid cause i wanted something in the 3h30 range but sat with her and helped her on some of the big climbs.

 

But in all honesty if you are an active cyclist you will finish the race albeit it slow. just hope that the weather is good. that wind is a killer if it picks up

[Bronabee]

Thanks Geecee

 

Maybe your gf can cycle with me for the Argus and you can shoot off for your 330hrs. Then meet us at the end with FOOOOOOD!!!

 

Ha, but think I'll start training for Argus now, well once my bum back in working order.

 

Slept on my stomach last night.

[Andrew_ew]

It was a great event this year. Well done to the organisers and to the metro. Also saw a few tjop motorists who found a way onto the course but the metro pulled them off very quickly.

 

At Umgeni Road there were a lot of motorists going nuts with hooters blaring and trying to edge forward but the metro were doing their job really well and keeping back a lot of very aggressive motorists.

 

Rodger Sishi (Blair Atholl) was an interesting addition, sand on the road, potholes and at least two uncovered manholes made for some technical riding.

 

@showtime - you weren't in the O1 batch by any chance?

 

@Bronabee - it never gets easier, it just gets faster - well done on finishing a tough race.