Ramiez Posted January 12, 2015 Posted January 12, 2015 Hi All... My wife is new to cycling and I entered her for the 42km road ride . This will be her very first road/fun ride . I haven't done the race before so is there anything should be concerned about? It says "no serious climbs". Hope this means flat with some rollers? Anyone with some more details regarding the 42km route? Hope she is not gona kill me after this ride. Thanks
DJR Posted January 12, 2015 Posted January 12, 2015 Right about the "no serious climbs". It has enough rolling hills though, especially along the R44. Also, the 2nd half can be tough if the southeaster blows. If no wind, it also tends to get very hot, because you start late. Make sure to take on water whenever you can and avoid overheating. But, all in all, it is a good first road ride. That is exactly what I used to cut my youngsters' road teeth on when they were about 10 or 12 years old.
Ramiez Posted January 12, 2015 Author Posted January 12, 2015 Right about the "no serious climbs". It has enough rolling hills though, especially along the R44. Also, the 2nd half can be tough if the southeaster blows. If no wind, it also tends to get very hot, because you start late. Make sure to take on water whenever you can and avoid overheating. But, all in all, it is a good first road ride. That is exactly what I used to cut my youngsters' road teeth on when they were about 10 or 12 years old. Thanks DJR.She is rather excited and don't want this to put her off the road rides.
SeaBee Posted January 12, 2015 Posted January 12, 2015 Agree with DJR. It's basically just around Paarl mountain, a very nice ride.One worth noting - turning left from the 4-way stop on the R44 is a longish climb which ends in a bit of a demoraliser towards the end as you come towards Windmeul, just a bit of a bite, so she should not go too hard too fast. Really, it's just some rollers, absolutely no major climbs. And yeah, the South-Easter can be a bit of a beach... but then, this is the same for any place in the WC this time of year! On a side note - what is this "number collection" on the day before?! Is it the normal registration and pick up your sticker that you can also do the morning before the ride? I already have commitments for the morning - and I mean seriously, people aren't going to come through from e.g. Somerset West just for that?!
Ramiez Posted January 12, 2015 Author Posted January 12, 2015 Agree with DJR. It's basically just around Paarl mountain, a very nice ride. One worth noting - turning left from the 4-way stop on the R44 is a longish climb which ends in a bit of a demoraliser towards the end as you come towards Windmeul, just a bit of a bite, so she should not go too hard too fast. Really, it's just some rollers, absolutely no major climbs. And yeah, the South-Easter can be a bit of a beach... but then, this is the same for any place in the WC this time of year! On a side note - what is this "number collection" on the day before?! Is it the normal registration and pick up your sticker that you can also do the morning before the ride? I already have commitments for the morning - and I mean seriously, people aren't going to come through from e.g. Somerset West just for that?!Puts my mind at ease... have to pray for a slight breeze then. LOL
Smurfy Posted January 12, 2015 Posted January 12, 2015 Start SLOW and end STRONG. She will enjoy it, a good teaser if she will be doing the Argus as well. Need to get used to group riding. Please tell her to keep left of the road and to indicate if she will be stopping. The other OAKES get quite rude/peeeeed off at the slower riders riding to the right of the road as they fly past. Remember that the long route meets the ahort route at the Water point on the long climb and then its the same route till the end. Dont want her to have a bad experience on her first outing. Good luck to her.MY 2c worth.
Ramiez Posted January 12, 2015 Author Posted January 12, 2015 Start SLOW and end STRONG. She will enjoy it, a good teaser if she will be doing the Argus as well. Need to get used to group riding. Please tell her to keep left of the road and to indicate if she will be stopping. The other OAKES get quite rude/peeeeed off at the slower riders riding to the right of the road as they fly past. Remember that the long route meets the ahort route at the Water point on the long climb and then its the same route till the end. Dont want her to have a bad experience on her first outing. Good luck to her.MY 2c worth.I will be riding with her all the way. She is gona need some guidance especially where group riding is concerned. Maybe even push her over some hills
Smurfy Posted January 12, 2015 Posted January 12, 2015 I will be riding with her all the way. She is gona need some guidance especially where group riding is concerned. Maybe even push her over some hills Then she is sorted. Enjoy.
DJR Posted January 12, 2015 Posted January 12, 2015 I will be riding with her all the way. She is gona need some guidance especially where group riding is concerned. Maybe even push her over some hills Good way to go!
Tiny K Posted January 12, 2015 Posted January 12, 2015 Agree with DJR. It's basically just around Paarl mountain, a very nice ride. One worth noting - turning left from the 4-way stop on the R44 is a longish climb which ends in a bit of a demoraliser towards the end as you come towards Windmeul, just a bit of a bite, so she should not go too hard too fast. Really, it's just some rollers, absolutely no major climbs. And yeah, the South-Easter can be a bit of a beach... but then, this is the same for any place in the WC this time of year! On a side note - what is this "number collection" on the day before?! Is it the normal registration and pick up your sticker that you can also do the morning before the ride? I already have commitments for the morning - and I mean seriously, people aren't going to come through from e.g. Somerset West just for that?! Yip. Probably picking up a sticker accompanied with some flyers for MTB races... LOL!
Wannabe Posted January 12, 2015 Posted January 12, 2015 I entered the Mtb race this year, just to do something different.And yeah, those Mtb flyers will come in handy.....
'Dale Posted January 12, 2015 Posted January 12, 2015 Prepare for the wind and sun godsIt'll be hot and, most likely, windy whice can turn 42 kms into quite a challenge for a beginner Sterkte!
SeaBee Posted January 12, 2015 Posted January 12, 2015 I entered the Mtb race this year, just to do something different.And yeah, those Mtb flyers will come in handy..... Sien jou daar!
DJR Posted January 12, 2015 Posted January 12, 2015 Prepare for the wind and sun godsIt'll be hot and, most likely, windy whice can turn 42 kms into quite a challenge for a beginnerSterkte!What you do then, if you are a good domestique, is this, the 10 commandments of getting newbies started: 1. The day before the race you check and wash and service her bike, where she can see you2. At registration you let her sip a cup of coffee while you go stand in line to fetch her sticker / number3. In the starting pen you keep her safe and somewhat at the back of the starting group to let the crazies go off first4. Downwind, you sit on her tail and you keep all the crazies away from her.5. Crosswind, you sit on her windward side and you shoulder anyone who tries to push her out.6. Upwind you lead her, but you keep looking over your shoulder, and you go too slow rather than even a tiny bit too fast7. Just before a water point you sprint ahead, not too early, she must always be able to see you, fetch water for her and then sprint to catch up with her 8. On hot days, you squirt water on her neck and her back, after warning her first, to keep her cool9. No matter how slow she goes, you don't ever look bored or impatient, no matter what!10. Afterwards you let her relax in a shady spot and you go find something with ice in for her to drink Before you know it she'll want to ride just to get spoilt rotten!
Johny Bravo Posted January 12, 2015 Posted January 12, 2015 I entered the Mtb race this year, just to do something different.And yeah, those Mtb flyers will come in handy..... Obvious choice, not? Paarl mountain is soooooo much more fun and beautifull than the boring, dull grey scenery around it. See you there.
devocean Posted January 13, 2015 Posted January 13, 2015 Could somebody please explain how league works? Is it something you have to specifically sign up for or does your PPA seeding determine if you'll be in the league? I'm currently seeded A for PPA, would I start this race in A or would I be in CAT 1, 2, 3 etc ? Also I'm assuming the league riders would generally be the better riders?
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