Momentum 94.7 Cycle Challenge 2014

[scotty]

Don't let me catch you

What group you in ?

[Frosty]

Had a less than impressive Amashova, so I know I have some work to do for 94.7, and there's luckily still time to (try) work on my strength.

[Bianchisti]

Had a less than impressive Amashova, so I know I have some work to do for 94.7, and there's luckily still time to (try) work on my strength.

Nothing like a little below expectations performance to rattle one into action. 4 More weeks to go at it hard and get into shape.

[vroommm]

Maybe I'm just overly optimistic with regards to the new route. This is how I see it; the only difference is in the last section where you turn right from Malibongwe past the Lion Park. I've rode that road about a month ago (with the car) when I saw a client there. From Malibongwe until Cedar rd is pretty much down hill. (this section of road is very shitty though- narrow and very uneven surface) . In Cedar road there is a nasty hill, but it follows a very fast decent. I figure you can easily go up to about 85 km/h here which momentum will carry you a fair bit up the climb. The same goes for the climbs in Steyn Boulevard. (I assume this from the route profile- haven't been on Steyn Boulevard)

 

the challenge with these last climbs is that they're after 90 Km's of racing. The key will be to save yourself in the early parts so that you have enough oemf left for those last climbs. Comparing to the climbs on the N14 which is long but not that steep, these last few climbs are short(ish) but much steeper. My strategy will then be to go steady in the beginning to save for the last climbs, even if it means loosing the bunch. There will be strong guys in E and F (I'm in D) that I can go with when they came past.

 

As mentioned I've only been on that section of road the one time so if anyone have a different opinion and advice I will appreciate it.

 

BTW, does anyone know how far from completion is Mr Steyn with his street? Will it be finish in time?

 

Correct!

 

I created kml files for the old and new sections using Google earth. They are roughly the same length (19km vs 18.2km). Old section has 305m of climbing, new section has 375m of climbing....

 

So where exactly does this scaremongering talk about 400m meters of extra climbing come from?

Of course I presume that the rest of the course stays the same...

 

Yes, new route probably has shorter, steeper climbs near the end but in the greater scheme of things won't have as much impact as everyone is worrying about.....  

[Wyatt Earp]

Correct!

 

I created kml files for the old and new sections using Google earth. They are roughly the same length (19km vs 18.2km). Old section has 305m of climbing, new section has 375m of climbing....

 

So where exactly does this scaremongering talk about 400m meters of extra climbing come from?

Of course I presume that the rest of the course stays the same...

 

Yes, new route probably has shorter, steeper climbs near the end but in the greater scheme of things won't have as much impact as everyone is worrying about.....  

I also don't get the extra 400 metres, but let me lay it out for you why people won't achieve their dream this year.

 

Starting the race and hitting Pooks Hill right at the beginning will split the groups already, those who went hard here will then have to content with Summit road which is a rolling road and can take the best out of your legs if you are already at the limit, my guess is that most will be on their limit at this point.

 

From there you get the R 55 and the old Heartbreak hill will be a mere sprint so early in to the race, then the drop to Kyalami and from here there will be many lonely souls as the riders will be riding an intense pace all the way to the onramp for the N1, this road from the Jukskei to the onramp is at a constant gradient.

 

By the time the riders hit the N1 they will be so pooped and will start looking at forming little groups all over the place. 

From here on it will be a lonely ride for many, then the hills in Steyn City and if they include that final climb up to Riversands from the fly-over, let's just say that many people will be walking towards the finish.

 

The theory of flying fast downhill and getting up half the hill with momentum ,good luck with that.

Just remember , everyone will be doing the same and after that it's up to the legs, lose the bunch and lose time.

 

Good luck folks, those who think it's gonna be a walk in the park, I will apologise on the day if this is the case.

[HBO]

Correct!

 

I created kml files for the old and new sections using Google earth. They are roughly the same length (19km vs 18.2km). Old section has 305m of climbing, new section has 375m of climbing....

 

So where exactly does this scaremongering talk about 400m meters of extra climbing come from?

Of course I presume that the rest of the course stays the same...

 

Yes, new route probably has shorter, steeper climbs near the end but in the greater scheme of things won't have as much impact as everyone is worrying about.....  

Thanks, That's what I thought. Some hubbers also talked of 20 min extra than the old route. Perhaps only if you trained less than last year.

[vroommm]

Thanks, That's what I thought. Some hubbers also talked of 20 min extra than the old route. Perhaps only if you trained less than last year.

 

Of course, Wyatt Earp does make a good argument regarding the race starting on a hill and having rolling terrain soon afterwards. Not the nice smooth M1 to warm up on while tucked in.

 

My argument purely looked at climbing meters near the end...

 

The opening kilometres will probably have a bigger impact on the race..

[tombeej]

I also don't get the extra 400 metres, but let me lay it out for you why people won't achieve their dream this year.

 

snip snip

 

Good luck folks, those who think it's gonna be a walk in the park, I will apologise on the day if this is the case.

 

Amashova really spelled it out for me yesterday. It's a course that is really not difficult at all (and much easier than 94.7) when out training, or if you're 'riding within yourself' during the race.

 

But if you are racing hard right from the start in a group that is going full gas, it really hurts - especially when the start is hard (i.e. climbing from the start). Because that tends to blow the legs out very early on and its difficult to come back from that, especially on a rolling course.

 

Many of us were saved yesterday by the fact that the last 3rd of Amashova is mostly downhill - you can still limp home in a respectable time if you blow. 

 

But the last 20km of 94.7 is very different. There will be nowhere to hide. The real racers will make the race in the last 20km, while those who are just hanging on at the 70km mark will be in a world of pain during that last section.

 

I hear you: looking at a course on paper and comparing it to a training ride is very different to red lining it in a fast group. Personally I am preparing myself for a good long time in the hurt locker on race day.

 

Remember rule #10... Sur la Plaque

 

 

Rule #10 // It never gets easier, you just go faster.

As this famous quote by Greg LeMond tells us, training, climbing, and racing is hard. It stays hard. To put it another way, per Greg Henderson: “Training is like fighting with a gorilla. You don’t stop when you’re tired. You stop when the gorilla is tired.” Sur la Plaque, f~cktards.

[Frosty]

Don't under estimate the undulating hills after descent at Hyde Park. It's now just passed halfway and includes Jan Smuts (passing Republic), Witkoppen/Northumberland up to Malibongwe. Malibongwe up to Lion Park intersection, Cedar Road up to Steyn City, don't know Steyn City but the profile says enough, and then the finish.

 

Let's not forget the earlier hills and steady climbing up to the M1, where if you lose the bunch you'll lose out on the M1.

[shaper]

http://947.mapit.co.za/#

 

From the route profile, total ascent is 1353m 

 

Looking at an old 94.7 book that came as part of the race pack the ascent was 1438m

 

So there seems to be a lot of confusion with regard to the 400m more climbing, where as this is saying there is less. maybe am missing something?

 

Personally I think it will be a harder race due to the layout of the course and when the hills will be encountered as others have pointed out

[WezGK]

https://docs.google.com/spreadsheet/lv?key=0AtpqXPqDsJOMdGlPMWE2UUU3N1JxVkxKVlhfYjdzamc&usp=docslist_api#gid=0

[IdeJongh]

https://docs.google.com/spreadsheet/lv?key=0AtpqXPqDsJOMdGlPMWE2UUU3N1JxVkxKVlhfYjdzamc&usp=docslist_api#gid=0

 

Sweet

D batch

[tombeej]

Here's a closer look at the the finale: the final 23.5 km of the race.

 

I have chosen the start point as the Left turn onto Witkoppen Rd @ the Waterford shopping centre.

 

I'd say this is where the racing will begin. The first 70 km is the warm-up

 

(Click on image to enlarge)

 

[Falco]

http://947.mapit.co.za/#

 

From the route profile, total ascent is 1353m 

 

Looking at an old 94.7 book that came as part of the race pack the ascent was 1438m

 

So there seems to be a lot of confusion with regard to the 400m more climbing, where as this is saying there is less. maybe am missing something?

 

 

Not sure where they got 1438 for the old route, but it doesn't sound right.

 

I measured 1320m on the 2011 route that still went past the hospital, then 1229m for the 2012 route, and 1221m for 2013. So give or take a few metres, the route as we know it is around 1230 metres.

 

The new route, adding on the new sections and deducting the removed section (which most people are not doing in their calculations), adds no more than 200m of climbing.

 

So my guess for the new route is around 1400 metres total, which is not a huge number, but as others have pointed out, it's the location of the climbs that is going to prove a leg killer.

 

Anyone who is not extremely fit and starts this event Rambo style, is going to regret it towards the end. Pacing is going to be key.

[Wez-O]

Here's a closer look at the the finale: the final 23.5 km of the race.

 

I have chosen the start point as the Left turn onto Witkoppen Rd @ the Waterford shopping centre.

 

I'd say this is where the racing will begin. The first 70 km is the warm-up

 

(Click on image to enlarge)

Which hill is the Cedar road climb then?

[tombeej]

Which hill is the Cedar road climb then?

 

Hill # 3 on my drawing.

 

The average gradient of 3.8% is misleading though, because the bottom of that climb looks to be the steepest of the entire race course. Google Earth saying there's a 200m section averaging over 8.5%.