Western Cape Audax SR Series 2014 & 2015

[Slowbee]

As a rough comparison, we did a 337km road ride (aiming for 356kms but we got abused by the South Easter and ran out of time) in a moving time of 12:17:01 (elapsed time of 14:19:02), on the hottest day of the year (48C). Our pace was between LSD and tempo.

 

We also did the 36One in a moving time of 15:57:52 (elapsed time of 16:44:33). Our pace was mid to high tempo, and it was certainly up there with the tougher rides I have done.

 

If you can do 36One, 400kms on a road bike with favourable conditions is quite doable.

Hey Velo, yea read that report of yours - sounds flippen awesome! I want to know how you get these rides past the Mrs.

 

Wish I had the power for that !

[walkerr]

Hmm 600km is the week after the 36One. I'll either be bullet proof after 36One, or broken!

 

Yep - extra incentive for me to get to complete the 600 qualifier in December. If I have to do it over in April, will probably mean I miss out on the 36One

[Slowbee]

Walker, where is S/west are you ?

 

Hook up for a drink and a chat ?

[walkerr]

Walker, where is S/west are you ?

 

Hook up for a drink and a chat ?

 

Sounds good - over Parel Vallei side. Got work trip next week, but around after that.

[Velouria]

Hey Velo, yea read that report of yours - sounds flippen awesome! I want to know how you get these rides past the Mrs.

 

Wish I had the power for that !

You should see how unbearable I become when I don't ride - eventually she kicks me out the house to go for a ride!

[Speed Racer]

How did the 400 go?

 

How many are in for the Western Cape 600 in December?

[walkerr]

How did the 400 go?

 

How many are in for the Western Cape 600 in December?

 

400 went great thanks - route worked well, nice and scenic in parts, and we had tailwinds home. There's a write-up on the AudaxSA site:

 

http://audaxsa.co.za/wc400km-ride-report/

 

Not sure exactly how many we'll be for the 600 - at least 1 or 2 regulars I know can't make it, and we usually get some extras in the final week or so. I'd guess between 6 and 10 probably. Just doing final prep of route, should be up on website during the week.

[Speed Racer]

400 went great thanks - route worked well, nice and scenic in parts, and we had tailwinds home. There's a write-up on the AudaxSA site:

 

http://audaxsa.co.za/wc400km-ride-report/

 

Not sure exactly how many we'll be for the 600 - at least 1 or 2 regulars I know can't make it, and we usually get some extras in the final week or so. I'd guess between 6 and 10 probably. Just doing final prep of route, should be up on website during the week.

Thanks, Rob. Nice turnout. Enjoyed the write-up. Our 600 starts next Saturday!

[walkerr]

Details for the Cape 600 are now up on the Audax SA site:

 

http://audaxsa.co.za/wc600-6-dec-2014/

[walkerr]

The final Cape Audax of the 2014 season was last weekend, a 600km. Route proved tough and wind made it even tougher, but despite that we had 10 finishers out of a field of 11 - including 3 newcomers,1 of whom was on a Full Suss MTB. Impressive stuff.

 

Full ride report will go up on Audax SA site in due course.

 

Thanks to all who have supported and ridden the 2014 series. Have a great Xmas and New Year, and look forward to riding with you in 2015.

[walkerr]

Ride report for the Cape 600km now up on the Audax SA site:

 

http://audaxsa.co.za/wc600-ride-report/

[walkerr]

For those who haven't already checked in on the Audax SA site - report on the first Cape Audax of the year is now online:

 

http://audaxsa.co.za/wc200-report-17-jan/

 

And details of the 300km on 21-Feb are also available:

 

http://audaxsa.co.za/cape-300km-details/

[Slowbee]

Great report Rob

 

Just a question, what bike is that bloke riding with the straight handle bars and road wheels ?

 

Is that a hybrid ?

[PeterM]

Great report Rob

 

Just a question, what bike is that bloke riding with the straight handle bars and road wheels ?

 

Is that a hybrid ?

 

Slowbee - no hybrid; it is a std carbon Spez road racing bike. He prefers the flat mtb handlebar, so he is using that. It is amazing how it changes the look of the bike.

[Slowbee]

Thanks Peter. Do the guys use tripple rings as well ?

 

How did those guys cope on the mtn bikes ?

 

Basically most guys you road bikes and just adapt them to make them comfy?

 

I was looking into a mtn bike simply because the one I have is so comfy and having done the desert dash on it I never really got uncomfortable so that is where my thinking was going.

 

 

Tubehunter suggested a cyclocross bike.

[PeterM]

I can't remember if it was a triple?!? Maybe a compact?

 

Reasonable speed with comfort is the aim. Reliability & toughness is important too. One of the quick-win tricks is to replace the 23c tires with 28c (if it fits). That will give you better grip, more suspension (as they are slightly bigger), and you can run them at lower pressure for much better comfort. With my 28c tires I use 7bar at the back and 6,5 at the front. Definitely more comfortable while keeping speed-ability.

 

The guy with mtb - well it was hard work for him, but he is a young and fit guy! Slicks would have helped.

 

I am also looking at other bikes and what would suit me on those long Audax rides. Having my eye on the Spez Diverge. It is halfway between a cyclocross and a road bike. A all-day gravel road bike. For Audax'ing I would put 28c 4Season Conti tires on it! Those are basically racing tandem tires - so for solo they are tough and fairly fast.  One wants an endurance road bike (NB not a touring bike!)

But a mtb could work well too. if you use slicks, etc

 

One must keep in mind that this Audax series are also qualifiers for PBP'15 (Paris Brest Paris, 1230km + 11000 ascent, in less than 90 hours, 16 August 2015) and my thoughts are - if I can qualify, what do I need so that I would be able to complete something like that (mentally, physically, endurance fitness, survivability, bike-wise, budget, family buy-in, madness)