The JOCK

[Peter Parker]

why does the route keep changing for the Jock.

Now its back to the old route

[doris]

was changed as road works were scheduled - they have now been rescheduled after Jock so they can have thier route back

[fubarza]

What is the total elevation/ascent of the jock over the total distance or per stage?

[Agteros]

2400m ascent in total if I recall correctly

[janneman72]

2400m ascent in total if I recall correctly

Thanks

['Dale]

Wish they had a Jock down here in the Cape.

Sounds like an awesome challenge.

[ASG]

Latest JOCK news:

 

"Welcome to the Lowveld. We hope you enjoy your stay." It's with these words and a wry smile that cycling locals welcome hopeful Jock finishers to Barberton annually.

 

The outstanding feature of the Jock still surprises novices every year - the mountains. Riders from Johannesburg, Pretoria and surrounds don't train on climbs that feel like they never end - and that's why most of the field suffer; really suffer, to make the 17:30 Jock cut-off in Barberton.

 

Many finishers collapse as they cross the line and have to be helped to the medals table. But in their agony they're all inspired by the fact that they have completed the Comrades of cycling.

 

On 21 July 1500 brave souls will again take to the roads between Barberton, Nelspruit and Kaapmuiden for the 29th staging of the Bestmed Jock Cycle Classique.

 

Among the starters will be many riders battling a personal setback or disability, and many more that would just like to show themselves that they can.

 

Any rider who finishes will know that he or she can be counted as one of the toughest in the sport - and he, or she, will have serious bragging rights for the rest of their existence.

 

Boulders and Hilltop have become part of South African cycling folklore. Boulders, on the second stage between Nelspruit and Kaapmuiden, is the main monster on the trip. It is 7km long with an average gradient of nine per cent. For about 3km it goes up to 14 per cent.

The backmarkers always battle to the top, but the big reward is an alpine like decent all the way to the finish in Kaapmuiden.

 

The parents’ committee of Bergvlam High School, who have been in charge of catering for the past three years, will again be on hand to spoil cyclists during the breakfast and lunch stops and they have promised to lay it on thick once again. Cyclists usually complain that they eat too much and battle to get up the climbs on the last stage!

 

The three-stage, 154km Bestmed Jock Cycle Classique is the biggest winter road event in the country, and is growing at a rate of more than 50% in entry totals annually. It seems riders love the three-stage format. The locals treat them really well before and after the racing. The food and hospitality just couldn’t be better.

 

The only change to the originally advertised race is that the second stage will commence at 9:00 for the first bunch, and not 8:30 as the entry form reads.

 

Mpower FM is following the Jock this year and will provide entertainment at each venue. They will also do live crossings during the day to keep listeners updated.

 

The Jock will be broadcast on SuperSport, so keep a look-out for programme guides.

 

Bestmed Jock Cycle Classique

Date: 21 July 2012

Venue: Coronation Park, Barberton

Starting times:

Stage 1: 6.30am; Stage 2: 9:00am; Stage 3: 12.30pm

Stage distances: Stage 1: Barberton to Nelspruit via Hilltop – 42km; Stage 2: Nelspruit to Kaapmuiden via Boulders – 58.8km; Stage 3: Kaapmuiden to Barberton – 54km

 

With every Jock medal worn, again a cyclist is born!