Karoo To Coast 2012, worth taking part in?

[leaboy]

My mate mentioned to me the Karoo to Coast is an awesome ride to take part it.

From what i've been told it's only smooth gravel roads you ride on.

Is it a very challenging ride?

I'm gathering it's a gradual downhill ride to the coast.

 

Some rider feedback would be much appreciated.

 

Thanx

[Polo]

Don't let the profile fool you, the down hill sections might be slightly longer than the uphill sections, but there is still quite a bit of work to do.

As far as fun rides go this is my favourite - fantastic vibe at the beginning and end and some great scenery along the way.

Also more of a sense of achievement at the end because of the point to point format, yet it is achievable for the most people owning a mtb (just depends how long you're prepared to sit on a saddle).

[TwiggzSA]

Definitely worth it, did it last year for the first time and doing it again this year. Like Polo mentioned, the vibe is awesome.

 

Don't expect any single track but there are some serious downhill passes to enjoy. Usually followed by another climb. The change in terrain from the dry Karoo to the forests of Knysna is awesome.

[eddy]

My mate mentioned to me the Karoo to Coast is an awesome ride to take part it.

 

 

 

He is correct, the vibe is good and if you can manage the logistics of a point-to-point race, it is a brilliant event.

 

 

I'm gathering it's a gradual downhill ride to the coast.

 

 

Sure, it's just the ticket to ease you back into riding if you spent winter under the duvet............

[fabes]

Don't let the profile fool you, the down hill sections might be slightly longer than the uphill sections, but there is still quite a bit of work to do.

As far as fun rides go this is my favourite - fantastic vibe at the beginning and end and some great scenery along the way.

Also more of a sense of achievement at the end because of the point to point format, yet it is achievable for the most people owning a mtb (just depends how long you're prepared to sit on a saddle).

[Carmichael]

Dit is def nie net down to the coast nie... Maar n baie lekker ride. Pak maar die bene in.

[leaboy]

Definitely worth it, did it last year for the first time and doing it again this year. Like Polo mentioned, the vibe is awesome.

 

Don't expect any single track but there are some serious downhill passes to enjoy. Usually followed by another climb. The change in terrain from the dry Karoo to the forests of Knysna is awesome.

 

last year being your first time, what kind of level of fitness were you on before the race started?

[Mushilele]

I think the Karoo 2 Coast is one of those rides that positively proves that profiles can be misleading and that there is no such thing as 'a gradual descent to the coast'. The downhills are fast and 'short' and the uphills are slow and very, very long. Train for it - there are many who think it's a great event to try it as their first 'mountainbike ride'. Brave souls .... It's harder for the average rider than the Argus and, if the conditions are anything like they were last year (40 degrees plus, and sunny skies) it'll be even more epic (although the Berg wind was a following one). The forest is really only about 20 or 30 kays from the end ... the route is exposed for the rest but the views and the gees are awesome. For the fast riders, the race is on ... to beat your time each year, and then to consider craziness such as doing it on a single-speed ...

[TwiggzSA]

last year being your first time, what kind of level of fitness were you on before the race started?

 

I was worried about fitness and really put in some serious training before the event. I was a weekend worrier but put in 4 spinning classes a week with a mid week ride in the Durbanville area (Hillcrest, Majik or Meerendal) and then one longer weekend ride like Oakvalley, Lebanon, Tokai.

 

I did this for about 2 months before the event, also give yourself at least one week before the event to relax and recover.

 

Also make sure you get at least one 100km ride in at a place like Koeberg. Very flat but the time in the saddle helps a lot.

 

With this training I was alright. I finished in 5:30.

[RudoJ]

If I look at some of the replies here, I still cant believe I bombed out after 56 km last year.

You need to get in quite a few rides of close to 100km before the time, up here in GP we did a few Breedt's Nek outtings etc and a few other long-ish rides. But in hindsight, I tried to rush and ride too fast for my fitness and ability at the time. I think that most people underestimate the ride. Mushilele nailed it right on the head when talking about the route profile.

 

So train hard, plan your hydration and snacks and dont treat it as a race the first time, unless off course you are a racing snake. Rather treat it as a ride and an amazing day out. The views and vibe are awesome. I will be going back next year and actually finish it, as it still haunts me.

[fabes]

If I look at some of the replies here, I still cant believe I bombed out after 56 km last year.

You need to get in quite a few rides of close to 100km before the time, up here in GP we did a few Breedt's Nek outtings etc and a few other long-ish rides. But in hindsight, I tried to rush and ride too fast for my fitness and ability at the time. I think that most people underestimate the ride. Mushilele nailed it right on the head when talking about the route profile.

 

So train hard, plan your hydration and snacks and dont treat it as a race the first time, unless off course you are a racing snake. Rather treat it as a ride and an amazing day out. The views and vibe are awesome. I will be going back next year and actually finish it, as it still haunts me.

Dont be soo hard on yourself it was a very hot day...i suffered out there last year, but will also be back this year

[leaboy]

Thanx for the feedback everyone, much appreciated

Edited July 9, 2012 by leaboy

[RudoJ]

Dont be soo hard on yourself it was a very hot day...i suffered out there last year, but will also be back this year

Thanks man, yeah, have some other stuff going this year, so 2013 will be the comeback year!

 

To the OP, just search for K2C, or Karoo to Coast here on the Hub, quite a few threads with some usefull stuff in there!

[Selous Scout (aka LegTrap)]

Don't under=estimate this race,the hills are long,hard and tough.It was the heat that killed me last year,somewhere around 45 degrees with no place to hide (no shade).The last 25km's or so you will find forested sections and shade.

 

It is much more difficult than the Argus.I won't be doing it again ,the heat is just too intense.

 

Make sure you ride a lot hills in your training.

[Abercrombie]

I couldn't agree more about the climbs, last year was my first and I was convinced halfway through that they had got the profiles the wrong way round as it seemed I spent my life climbing. Saying that I will def do it again and hope to improve on the 5:16 I did last year. The only real hassle is the problem of logistics in getting the car to Knysna.

[Ratty]

Awesome ride. Done it the last 2 years. I am a weekend warrior so it was a long slow ride (just over 7 hours), enjoyed the scenary more than the rest ;-)

 

Best move was to stop at the Diep River which is just before one of the longest climbs. Dipped my feet in the water for a few minutes, wet my head and then filled my camel back up with the ice cold water. I ended up passing loads of people up the climb who were over heating. When i got hot again, I just poured some of the icy water down my neck and on I went.