craignjanet Posted October 11, 2015 Posted October 11, 2015 Leaving from Umghlanga in the morning too[/quot So what time are you leaving Umhlanga?
Jracer57 Posted October 11, 2015 Posted October 11, 2015 We looking to leave between 5:45-6am. I also wanna do a 20min warmup ride beforehand
HappyMartin Posted October 11, 2015 Posted October 11, 2015 Also BL. Fat and unfit. I can't wait. Going to take it easy and just enjoy. Visiting family in Howick and Pinetown. They are Sharks supporters. Hahahaha. Shame.
Big Phil Posted October 11, 2015 Posted October 11, 2015 Leaving from umhlanga too but in N group starting just after 8. I was told 60min for the journey and some time to settle in. Will leave between 6 and 6:30
KaKa Posted October 11, 2015 Posted October 11, 2015 Will my first Shova I'm sure it is gonna be epic fun.
jimmycool Posted October 11, 2015 Posted October 11, 2015 Getting closer now. I'm keen to see how my fitness (or lack thereof) compares to the last 2 years!Living in Howick has it's perks - I stick my bike in the back of my bakkie and drive down the hill to a friend's house in Montrose and then we roll down to the start together on our bikes. His kind wife will then pick us all up in DBN and bring us back home.Starting in EL at 7:56 means I need to leave home at 7am. Lekker.
jimmycool Posted October 11, 2015 Posted October 11, 2015 I discovered the other day that a customer of mine from Hillcrest is the only guy to have done all of the Amashovas since it started! He will be lining up again this year for number 30! He races with number 2 on his jersey. He said number 1 stopped riding a few years back and he was the only other guy to have done all of the races from the beginning up until he stopped.
hayleyearth Posted October 12, 2015 Posted October 12, 2015 I'd be very keen for a chilled Saturday ride with Hubbers . But my suggestion would be to start from Oscars in Hillcrest, ride backwards along the route towards PMB, then turn around and come back through Inchanga-Drummon-Bothas Hill. It's a very pretty ride, but also a great way for first timers to get a proper look at this section before the race. It will help a lot for mental preparation. Back at Oscars we can then have a nice brekkie (the most popular eatery for cyclists in Hillcrest, it's often packed with roadies and mountain bikers every Saturday and Sunday morning for breakfast). So will this ride still be happpppppennnning?Because then I will be booking my Friday accommodation close to the start of this ride..
tombeej Posted October 12, 2015 Posted October 12, 2015 So will this ride still be happpppppennnning?Because then I will be booking my Friday accommodation close to the start of this ride.. I'm keen if you are . Any other people who want to come along?
tombeej Posted October 12, 2015 Posted October 12, 2015 L/R weather forecast for the Shova: Saturday is looking absolutely stunning for a social ride - cool and sunny with a very light breeze.. Sunday also sunny, but looks like the NE wants to have a say. Looks like we're going to have that head wind after all, with gusts at 40+ km/h as the day heats up. We're still some way from the weekend, so expect the forecast to change as we get closer.
Tayyib Posted October 12, 2015 Posted October 12, 2015 I'm keen if you are . Any other people who want to come along?I would definitely like to try and join! All depends if there's swell or clean water for diving though...I will confirm by Thursday evening.
tombeej Posted October 12, 2015 Posted October 12, 2015 I would definitely like to try and join! All depends if there's swell or clean water for diving though...I will confirm by Thursday evening.The W will be pumping on Friday, so you should get clean water on Sat. Just not sure of the swell by then. Lots of wind this week.
pe3nguin Posted October 12, 2015 Posted October 12, 2015 Weatherman tombeej's analysisAny chance you remember the conditions last year to provide some context for this?
sdaghers Posted October 12, 2015 Posted October 12, 2015 I'm catching the 6:00am bus from Suncoast Casino to the start, does the parking area and surrounding roads get very busy there that early so we have to give ourselves a lot of time beforehand or are things still nice and quiet?
tombeej Posted October 12, 2015 Posted October 12, 2015 Any chance you remember the conditions last year to provide some context for this?If I remember correctly, it was cool and sunny too, but a relatively gentle R-L crosswind (southerly). If the E blows as the forecast says it will this year, then times will definitely be slower (basically a block headwind the whole way).
Cadre Posted October 12, 2015 Posted October 12, 2015 Will my first Shova I'm sure it is gonna be epic fun.Off course you will. It's only exactly 14.3km from the start to the top of FOX HILL of which around exactly 12.8km is solid climbing. It is only a tough climb if you are racing beyond your capability. Ease into it. Soon after Fox you will be on the Comrades route and that is truly a lot of fun. Climbing Inchanga and Botha's isn't that bad. Careful around Westville, there are three short and steepish climbs that can pose a surprise. Then it is seatbelts on for the decent right up to 45th Cutting. Small bump there and then a downhill run to the bottom of Jan Smuts. Left turn contra flow to Tollgate Bridge. Bruce Fordyce once claimed that this 160 meter little hill when you turn left is the steepest on the entire Comrades route. Now is the time to phone the family at the finish. Tell them to take out the coldest beer from the cooler, you are almost there. Hope you enjoy your race.
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