Jump to content

Cycling is not a good idea


dev  null

Recommended Posts

in the afternoon when it is cooking hot here in the Heldergberg basin on a Sunday during the holidays. There is just way too much traffic and drivers who are either too stoned, or drunk or in a holiday vibe to care much about driving properly.

 

In 1km of cycling in Beach Road in Strand I was almost wiped out 3 times, and that does not count the amount of other car dodging I had to do.

 

Then to top it I thought it would be a good idea to cycle to the pump station. Man, I wasn't even a quarter of the way up on the climb and my body was cooking. It is just way too hot on that road in the afternoon on a hot day. So my legs did not get the practice I wanted, but maybe good for conditioning my body for racing on a hot day in the Cape.

 

BTW, sorry for the mischievious topic. Gotcha! whistling.gif

Link to comment
Share on other sites

As robox wrote, especially in holidays, get into the saddle while most party and beach goers are Zzzing.

 

And the pump station climb is hot even in winter... What an awesome climb.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Cycling in the heat of the day is doable, but you'll need to build up to get used to it. As a student in Pretoria I regularly went out after 10 in the mornings for rides of 40 to 110km. Crazy? Sure, but that was when I had time. Classes early morning, and bike ride for the rest of the day :) Wanted to be back before the traffic started again.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

What he said.

 

Wife was working this morning at the Mediclinic. I had to play dad and feed the kids. It was the only time I got for cycling this weekend. I just had too bite the bullet and go and forget about the excuses to lounge in my bedroom with the aircon at full blast.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Next time, load one bottle with iced water.

As you do the Contador up the Pump House, sprinkle the miracle water over your head.

That'll help you conquer that baby...

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Next time, load one bottle with iced water.

As you do the Contador up the Pump House, sprinkle the miracle water over your head.

That'll help you conquer that baby...

 

I'll remember to take extra water next time for the sprinkling only. I only had one bottle of cold water. By the time I hit the climb it was already half and hot enough to make tea with. I guess I underestimated the heat. But I guess I paid the schoolfees.

Edited by Moridin
Link to comment
Share on other sites

 

 

I'll remember to take extra water next time for the sprinkling only. I only had one bottle of cold water. By the time I hit the climb it was already half and hot enough to make tea with. I guess I underestimated the heat. But I guess I paid the schoolfees.

 

A bunch of us went on a century ride yesterday that included Taalmonument rd (after rolling up Du Toitskloof Pass).

It was oven temperatures going up the 11% gradient as our low speeds was not creating any breeze.

Yoh!

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Damn! Then the 8% gradient (I think) of the Pump Station climb is just a bump for you guys. That is indeed the problem of a climb. You are just going too slow to generate a cooling breeze. I now respect those cyclists that tackles the climbs in the Vuelta during a 35+ day in Spain.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

We ride early mornings, (5am) and at night, so the traffic is the wildlife on the mountain, nd temperatures are cooler.

The wildlife can be dangerous though, Justin wiped out two nights ago when I porcupine ran in front of him suddenly.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Damn! Then the 8% gradient (I think) of the Pump Station climb is just a bump for you guys. That is indeed the problem of a climb. You are just going too slow to generate a cooling breeze. I now respect those cyclists that tackles the climbs in the Vuelta during a 35+ day in Spain.

 

The Pumphouse Climb is awesome.

What a view. Must really earn it.

Edited by ' Dale
Link to comment
Share on other sites

 

 

A bunch of us went on a century ride yesterday that included Taalmonument rd (after rolling up Du Toitskloof Pass).

It was oven temperatures going up the 11% gradient as our low speeds was not creating any breeze.

Yoh!

 

What is 11%, Du Toit's or Taal Monument?

Link to comment
Share on other sites

 

 

What is 11%, Du Toit's or Taal Monument?

 

Taalmonument also known as 'The Wall' in my books.

 

Du Toits is just under 20 kms with avg gradient about 4.5 - 5.

Another beauty.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Hey Moridin - I saw you riding through GB this afternoon - damn, but it was hot! Sorry you couldn't join us at 6 this morning for our cool ride to Kuils River and Stellenbosch... ph34r.png

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Hey Moridin - I saw you riding through GB this afternoon - damn, but it was hot! Sorry you couldn't join us at 6 this morning for our cool ride to Kuils River and Stellenbosch... ph34r.png

 

Ya, keep missing your rides because the job as dad comes first. And mom has no leave this Dec so I guess that cycling and surfskiing comes a distant second at the moment. Once the school hols are over I am gonna put myself on leave...clap.gif

 

To make matters worse, the whole family is at my place tomorrow evening, and the garden also needed attention.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Create an account or sign in to comment

You need to be a member in order to leave a comment

Create an account

Sign up for a new account. It's easy!

Register a new account

Sign in

Already have an account? Sign in here.

Sign In Now
Settings My Forum Content My Followed Content Forum Settings Ad Messages My Ads My Favourites My Saved Alerts My Pay Deals Help Logout