AmaShova 2014

[Frosty]

Hubbers and their batches (let me know if I've left anyone out):

 

Elite:

Spoke101 (?)

 

Corporate/Charity:

N-I-N-J-A

 

BB (Buddy):

Motard660

Harryn

 

MTA:

Garrethk

MariusKlokie

Slipstream08

 

TA (tandems):

SeanMort

geraldm24 (pending a change at registration)

 

VA:

JA-Q001

Prozac

 

A:

AryM

bradwentzel

geraldm24 will try to change to tandems

lucmccann

shaun85

tombeej

 

B:

BMXER

daithibach

 

C:

FlyingScot

JGR

Quintonb

Tjeckboek

 

D:

pe3nguin

Rob K

Wikusk

ZooBear

 

E:

Stiglitz86

 

F:

Dazshell

jimmycool

Pusher

Spirog

 

G:

TK-Sp3cialiSt

 

I:

Javas X

 

J:

Mailman7412

 

N:

RooiWillie

 

P:

Julian Goldmann

Changed above

[tombeej]

Folks, for those who don't like wind, not good news with the weather I'm afraid.

 

Pretty cool and sunny but...

 

Looks very similar to last year with the SSW blowing a R-L gutter wind throughout most of the course (head wind up Fox Hill in the beginning).

 

Forecast is saying 20 - 30 km/h crosswinds with gusts 50 km/h+ down in Durbs as the day progresses. That section from 15 - 43 km is going to feel really exposed now.

 

Here's the full length of the course and how the wind will play a role (click on image to enlarge):

 

[Dazshell]

Folks, for those who don't like wind, not good news with the weather I'm afraid.

 

Pretty cool and sunny but...

 

Looks very similar to last year with the SSW blowing a R-L gutter wind throughout most of the course (head wind up Fox Hill in the beginning).

 

Forecast is saying 20 - 30 km/h crosswinds with gusts 50 km/h+ down in Durbs as the day progresses. That section from 15 - 43 km is going to feel really exposed now.

 

Here's the full length of the course and how the wind will play a role (click on image to enlarge):

So.  Deep-section wheels or not?

[Frosty]

According to windguru it's a different outlook depending on where you are.

I'd prefer not to worry about it and just ride.

PMB the worst, but it get's better the closer you get to Durbs.

 

 

EDIT: added the legend for each row, and North Beach forecast

[Prozac]

lekker man lekker . . . get your thinnest wheels ready !

[tombeej]

So.  Deep-section wheels or not?

 

Nope!

 

But that's fine with me coz I don't own any.

[tombeej]

According to windguru it's a different outlook depending on where you are.

I'd prefer not to worry about it and just ride.

PMB the worst, but it get's better the closer you get to Durbs.

 

Magic Seaweed saying a S wind in Durbs on Sunday, gusting to max of 26 km/h. That's an average wind speed this time of year and weather we all find pretty normal here, so like you I won't be particularly worried and keen to just ride.

 

The Gautengers will think it's hectic gale force stuff.

 

The folks from the Cape will think it's a beautiful still day .

 

Nevertheless, people who know how to race in crosswinds will have an advantage.

 

 

[Frosty]

Magic Seaweed saying a S wind in Durbs on Sunday, gusting to max of 26 km/h. That's an average wind speed this time of year and weather we all find pretty normal here, so like you I won't be particularly worried and keen to just ride.

 

The Gautengers will think it's hectic gale force stuff.

 

The folks from the Cape will think it's a beautiful still day .

 

Nevertheless, people who know how to race in crosswinds will have an advantage.

Gauteng has had quite a few "CPT calm days" of late... good practice.

 

Full road closure + crosswind = gutter = some/many disappointed folk (me thinks).

[G e r h a r d Odendaal]

Anybody know of a transport service one can hire to get from Dbn to Pmb on Sunday morning?

[G e r h a r d Odendaal]

Don't suppose anyone knows of someone who can drive my rental car from Pietermaritzburg back to Durban...or else it will be a loooooong ride back to fetch it!

What rental car do you have? If it can fit 3 bikes incl yours and 4 people then my wife can drive it back regards Gerhard

[lucmccann]

Magic Seaweed saying a S wind in Durbs on Sunday, gusting to max of 26 km/h. That's an average wind speed this time of year and weather we all find pretty normal here, so like you I won't be particularly worried and keen to just ride.

 

The Gautengers will think it's hectic gale force stuff.

 

The folks from the Cape will think it's a beautiful still day .

 

Nevertheless, people who know how to race in crosswinds will have an advantage.

 

This is the kind of advice I like to see in the build up to a race i haven't done before!

 

...I quite fancy riding in the wind

[fabs]

Hi Guys,

 

Looking forward to my second Amashova - great route.

 

I am in D

 

Rob

Hi Everyone.

Also looking forward to my second Amashova.

Also in D, and going to make sure I finish in front of Rob. 

[tombeej]

A nice picture - going up the Fox Hill climb out of Pietermaritzburg.

 

 

[tombeej]

For those who have not raced Amashova before, as has been said already, when you top out at around 15km you soon hook a left off the main road at Thornville and onto the exposed section that takes you for nearly 30km to Cato Ridge. 

 

If the current forecast of SSW winds holds until race day, the crosswinds will be cutting right to left across these plains and there won't be anywhere to hide. Echelons baby

 

 

[tombeej]

When you reach Cato Ridge the road has started to narrow by this time. Eventually you turn left to Inchanga and it becomes progressively twisty as you begin the run down the ridgeline through Cato Ride - Inchanga - Drummond - Bothas Hill.

 

The start of the twisty stuff at Cato Ridge:

 

[tombeej]

Inchanga comes just before the halfway point (50km). It's a gentle climb at around 4% and then a lekker bomb down the other side through the high speed bends.