[Event] Tour Durban

[Harryn]

 

I'm in AL. Not too sure what that means...?

 

Well, it must mean that your'e some kinda cycling god. Im in awe.

 

I will be spat outta B in the stadium itself, so I definitely will start in a later group.

 

Btw, i hope you're right about that flippin hill!

[jimmycool]

I am in BL. It would be nice if they published a batch start list as is done with other races.

[tombeej]

Harry, you'll be fine with the hill . Just think of it as having 2 sections:

Section 1 is the first 2.5km climb right off the bat. It’s definitely the most important - do whatever you have to do in order to get to the top of that section in the bunch. Don't be afraid to burn some matches there, because you don't want to miss the bus for section 2 (the next 10km+). I promise you, the rest of the climb is relatively gentle stuff and it's going to be much faster, but also tons of opportunity to recuperate in the safety of the bunch as you hitch a free ride to the top.

[tombeej]

The first section is a 2.5 km climb @ about 6%. You’ll see the start of the climb from a distance - you'll see the road rear up into the hills ahead. But again, you can afford to go full gas there because relief is not far away .

[RvanZ]

How do we determine our batches in the cyclocross, based on our race number?

[JASON ZN]

Who's doing the 105km on a mtb ? I'm not sure if I should do the 105km or the 55km I'm worried about the M7 climb.I do ride from queensburgh to gateway and back every Sunday that's 73km. So I think I could do the 105km.

[Speed Racer]

AL. Looking forward to my first ToD!

[ricochet_rabbit]

The Municipality will be charging R20/car for parking.

[RvanZ]

i wonder if the same will count for the political rally planned for the sunday, that has messed up with so many peoples plans

[tombeej]

Weather forecast for the race:

 

Well it looks like it was a good thing that the race was moved to Monday – Sunday’s forecast has 45 - 60km/h SW winds blowing by midday. This would have meant a serious headwind for the last 25km of the race.

 

The forecast for Monday is cool weather (21 °C) under partly sunny skies with a bit of a headwind (SW) for the early climb up the M7 and then cross winds for the last 50km (E wind coming off the sea while we head up the M4 and then back again to the finish).

 

The L-R cross winds coming home in the last 25km might feel like a bit of a tailwind too, but nevertheless the ‘gutter’ will be the middle of the road. So watch out for the top bunches coming back – they’ll be strung across the road in the cross winds towards the middle of the road and most likely into the path of the later groups still heading up to the turnaround point.

 

So try to keep fresh legs for the 2^nd half of the race because if the front guys in your bunch know what they’re doing, they’ll force echelons along the M4 to break things up.

[Keithc]

Really not sure what all the concern is about the climb up to Pinetown. If you have done the Amashova, this race will be a walk in the park. Profile looks much worse than it actually is. As mentioned above, there are a number of places for recovery. All the climbing is done in the first 32km, and then it is all downhill from there! (apart for a few small bumps) Important to stay in a bunch though. I would be more concerned about the decent as you leave Pinetown/New Germany. I recall doing around 96km/hr in sections. Fantastic feeling! Give eachother space and keep a line! Be politely vocal to make riders aware of what you are doing if planning to pass.

 

Enjoy this fantastic event. My second favorite race after the Argus. Date change has meant that I have unfortunately had to withdraw

[bmw1za]

Really not sure what all the concern is about the climb up to Pinetown. If you have done the Amashova, this race will be a walk in the park. Profile looks much worse than it actually is. As mentioned above, there are a number of places for recovery. All the climbing is done in the first 32km, and then it is all downhill from there! (apart for a few small bumps) Important to stay in a bunch though. I would be more concerned about the decent as you leave Pinetown/New Germany. I recall doing around 96km/hr in sections. Fantastic feeling! Give eachother space and keep a line! Be politely vocal to make riders aware of what you are doing if planning to pass.

 

Enjoy this fantastic event. My second favorite race after the Argus. Date change has meant that I have unfortunately had to withdraw

 

Thanks for the info...

 

Sorry you cant make it

[RvanZ]

Goody bag collected, bike was in the morning, ready to roll.

Flu is ripping me to shreds, but I'm not missing out on this!

[tombeej]

Just checked the weather forecast again. Looks like we couldn't have asked for better cycling weather. Sunny, cool, just a hint of a breeze. And arguably one of the best places in SA for an early ride. On a peachy day like that, the ride along the coast is stunning.

 

In Natal, autumn is the best season to ride a bike.

Edited April 26, 2014 by tombeej

[Speed Racer]

Awesome riding today. Nasty crash in AL on the M7 about 30km out. There was a gully about 50mm wide separating the lanes. One of the bunch went down, then the rider on his wheel also hit the deck. Pity it wasn't marked. Hope it wasn't too serious.

 

Top marks to the organizers. Will mos def be back.

[tombeej]

I had a blast in AL too. Didn't see that crash though - must have been lucky enough to be ahead of it.

Otherwise, it was smooth sailing all the way through. Great weather, fast riding and big thanks to Stu, Andrew and the Impi team for an awesome race.