jimmycool Posted April 25, 2015 Posted April 25, 2015 Quick check in to anyone who knows the area... I need to drive from Umhlanga to Southern Sun Elangeni on the opposite side of sun coast. Leaving my bike there with a buddy tonight. What's the best route to drive from Umhlanga in the morn, seeing as the M4 is closed from 5:30? It's my first TD... Can't wait... Apprehensive about starting in BL as I'm not a quick rider. My first sub-3 was this years Emperors Classic... Let's see how long I can hold on for Best of luck to all riding... Go hard, be safe! Your best bet would be to take the M12/ umhlanga rocks drive all the way into durban and then turn left under the M4 into athlone drive then right onto snell parade which runs right alongside the M4 and continue on past suncoast casino then work your way along the beachfront.
tombeej Posted April 25, 2015 Posted April 25, 2015 Or just get straight onto the N2, all the way to spaghetti junction and turn left onto the N3 into town. Keep driving until you hit the sea, and you're there
Dude Crush Posted April 25, 2015 Posted April 25, 2015 Your best bet would be to take the M12/ umhlanga rocks drive all the way into durban and then turn left under the M4 into athlone drive then right onto snell parade which runs right alongside the M4 and continue on past suncoast casino then work your way along the beachfront.Awesome... Thank u... Will try this one preferably. Went on the N2 past spaghetti junction earlier and wasn't too impressed with the long drive fingers crossed this works out ok... Im leaving umhlanga at 5:30 so don't think traffic would be crazy just yet. Also thanks for the heads up on BL... Will give it a go and see how long I last... Only one way to go quicker, right? Gotta give it horns! (intelligently, of course)
Dude Crush Posted April 25, 2015 Posted April 25, 2015 Or just get straight onto the N2, all the way to spaghetti junction and turn left onto the N3 into town. Keep driving until you hit the sea, and you're there Thanks, tried that this eve and wow it seemed long. Maybe still just tired from the drive down from Jhb. Gonna call this plan B
CrankShaft Posted April 25, 2015 Posted April 25, 2015 I am taking a slow ride in from Umhlanga at about 500am. You free to join me if you want a warm up
Frosty Posted April 26, 2015 Posted April 26, 2015 Awesome ride in VC, but very disappointing to only have 25 guys on the start line. Mark Spencer made it hard for us on the climbs but eventually 10 of us made it over the top before the final attack 25km out was the move of the day. Disappointed to miss out, but still happy with the ride. Well done to the organisers, a race well worth supporting every year.
SL7 Posted April 26, 2015 Posted April 26, 2015 Great ride in VC. Missed the breakaway at about 25km to go. Didn't think they'd stayaway, but they did! Did 2:40 or thereabouts. Glad that the group was small as there were a few tight bends and also potholes which one can hit if the group is too big. On the otherhand a bigger group would have helped with a higher speed. Definately did my share of the work today. A lekker route boys. Will be back next year. How's those two final turns before the run to the finish? A bit hectic and definately can't safely handle big bunches.
JScottP Posted April 26, 2015 Posted April 26, 2015 Was able to see the pro's come in, in years gone by you would normally go through the tunnel around the back when you finish but this year they made that sharp left just after the finish, Nolan Hoffman didn't know this and carried on straight into the metal barriers at around 40km/h and took another 2 or so guys with him, to say he was angry is an understatement, jeepers did he let everyone around him know how stupid it was to put those barriers in place!!!
CrankShaft Posted April 26, 2015 Posted April 26, 2015 One day I when I am all grown up avenge and Stevie I will join you guys. Can tell you that from the back of the back of the pack it was also an awesome race and perfect weather. Great atmosphere amongst the riders and even managed the m7 climb nicely . See you guys next year
tombeej Posted April 26, 2015 Posted April 26, 2015 I managed to get into the break in AL going up the M7 until I realised I was going too deep into the red so dropped back to the guys in the second group. The pace was still pretty strong to the top and I was wondering why I was hurting so much since I thought I was fitter than last year. Then I looked at my ave. speed in Pinetown and saw that we crested averaging nearly 2 km/h faster than last year (ah, that's why!). Finished safely in the bunch at 2:39. The break would obviously have been a few minutes faster than that. Now considering the AL winners last year came in around 2:41, it tells me the quality of the field these days is definitely improving. I get the sense that there are a lot more stronger riders competing in races these days. Finished my ride with a beaut session of snorkeling along vetchies reef in the bay. What a way to cap off a great day of bike riding. Can't beat it .
tombeej Posted April 26, 2015 Posted April 26, 2015 Great ride in VC. Missed the breakaway at about 25km to go. Didn't think they'd stayaway, but they did! Did 2:40 or thereabouts. Glad that the group was small as there were a few tight bends and also potholes which one can hit if the group is too big. On the otherhand a bigger group would have helped with a higher speed. Definately did my share of the work today. A lekker route boys. Will be back next year. How's those two final turns before the run to the finish? A bit hectic and definately can't safely handle big bunches. The only serious blight on the organising of the race. They have really got to come up with another plan. I'm sure it's bad enough coming into that first corner with a small group, but we came in with a big bunch all nervous and jockying for position. The guy on my left went into the barriers and knocked it over into the path of riders behind him, while the guy on my right hit the inside curb trying to avoid it (I snuck in through the middle of it all).
tombeej Posted April 26, 2015 Posted April 26, 2015 Awesome ride in VC, but very disappointing to only have 25 guys on the start line. Mark Spencer made it hard for us on the climbs but eventually 10 of us made it over the top before the final attack 25km out was the move of the day. Disappointed to miss out, but still happy with the ride. Well done to the organisers, a race well worth supporting every year. Nice one Gerald. So did you ride back up the M19 after your race?
*dave* Posted April 26, 2015 Posted April 26, 2015 A lot of guys who normally race VA,VB and VC dropped back to AL. Issues with licencing. That is why the pace was so hot.
Frosty Posted April 26, 2015 Posted April 26, 2015 Nice one Gerald. So did you ride back up the M19 after your race?Thanks. A rewarding ride. Have to take another club member's bike back with me, so would've been really difficult to carry it up the hill. Ended up at Mitchell Park (Blue Zoo) with the family and heading back now.
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