tombeej Posted September 14, 2015 Posted September 14, 2015 I call bull****. We all know you will crack around the 110km mark when you have parked your ass down for a beverage at the bike&bean. Every year I write up another sob story on the Hub Amashova thread about how my wheels fell off (again) at the 70km mark. Becoming so predictable. Made some changes to my training so hoping this year will be different.
pe3nguin Posted September 14, 2015 Posted September 14, 2015 Yeah I was just thinking about last year's thread where I do seem to remember reference to blowing up at 70km. Hopefully you can hold tight this year
tombeej Posted September 14, 2015 Posted September 14, 2015 For me I limit my losses up Fox Hill. Put yourself in the red there and you on the back foot the whole race.Obviously if you racing Elite or seeded Vets then you will have to bury yourself, but for the normal Batched rides, rather keep the heart rate down and survive over the top. There will always be a bunch right behind you that you can hook onto. This will be my 23rd consecutive Amashova and in my later years of not riding competitively I have adopted this approach and I still usually ride sub 3 hrs (Only just ). Didn't last year because of 2 flats.. And last year they made it just a teeny bit harder to make sub 3 by adding that extra 1.2 km at the finish by looping round to Suncoast.
quintonb Posted September 14, 2015 Posted September 14, 2015 haha, will have to leave the night before to make it there in time for my start. @ Quinton B, that's exactly what I had in mind. Easy up the first 15 or so then go full gas from there. My aim is to be in at about a 3:45 or so, actually anything under 4 and I will be happy.For sure, if you aiming for that kind of time then I would say ride Fox and a steady pace and try recover a bit along the Thornville section going towards Umlass Road.Word of advice, When you get to the top of the climb at Hillcrest and start going down the M13, make sure you around a lot of other cyclists, this is not a section you want to be riding alone. Its normally a head or cross wind in this section and you will use huge energy to get down to Westville... You will also loose a lot of time. If you alone, try wait for a bunch that is close behind you, don't try hang out in the front alone...
Veebee Posted September 14, 2015 Posted September 14, 2015 For sure, if you aiming for that kind of time then I would say ride Fox and a steady pace and try recover a bit along the Thornville section going towards Umlass Road.Word of advice, When you get to the top of the climb at Hillcrest and start going down the M13, make sure you around a lot of other cyclists, this is not a section you want to be riding alone. Its normally a head or cross wind in this section and you will use huge energy to get down to Westville... You will also loose a lot of time. If you alone, try wait for a bunch that is close behind you, don't try hang out in the front alone... thanks for the advice, will def be put to use.
Tayyib Posted September 16, 2015 Posted September 16, 2015 Bump. Everyone's legs ready for Fox Hill?What can you Compare fox hill to in jozi or durban? Although I grew up there iv never done the shova but many a race in jozi...like riding up fields hill or worse?
blondeonabike Posted September 16, 2015 Posted September 16, 2015 I signed up a few weeks ago so there is no backing out of it now....
tombeej Posted September 16, 2015 Posted September 16, 2015 What can you Compare fox hill to in jozi or durban? Although I grew up there iv never done the shova but many a race in jozi...like riding up fields hill or worse?It's actually a very mediocre hill to be honest, quite placid on a training ride. What makes it hard is the pace you're going up it on race day.
Benjamin Posted September 16, 2015 Posted September 16, 2015 What can you Compare fox hill to in jozi or durban? Although I grew up there iv never done the shova but many a race in jozi...like riding up fields hill or worse?Much longer Tayyib. It's about 12 ks long, obviously not continuous climb, got a few flats and dips on the way up. More like the M7 up to Pinetown in Tour Durban than Fields hill.
Frosty Posted September 16, 2015 Posted September 16, 2015 I'm supposed to be giving someone a push up Fox Hill in return for a donation to our charity group on the 947. I haven't forgotten about the push, but I have forgotten who to push... Buddy batch is going to be fun. I've only ever raced this event, or at least tried to.
Frosty Posted September 16, 2015 Posted September 16, 2015 What can you Compare fox hill to in jozi or durban? Although I grew up there iv never done the shova but many a race in jozi...like riding up fields hill or worse?It's actually a very mediocre hill to be honest, quite placid on a training ride. What makes it hard is the pace you're going up it on race day, and that you hit it almost immediately after the start.
Tayyib Posted September 16, 2015 Posted September 16, 2015 It's actually a very mediocre hill to be honest, quite placid on a training ride. What makes it hard is the pace you're going up it on race day.Cheers Thanks!! Not to worried about hills...going to be tough trying to hold myself back and not go all out up that first climb and suffering later.
pe3nguin Posted September 16, 2015 Posted September 16, 2015 It's actually a very mediocre hill to be honest, quite placid on a training ride. What makes it hard is the pace you're going up it on race day.This really is all there is to it. It seems almost innocuous when you ride it any other time of year. But come the middle of October it really hurts for about 20-30 minutes.
tombeej Posted September 16, 2015 Posted September 16, 2015 What can you Compare fox hill to in jozi or durban? Although I grew up there iv never done the shova but many a race in jozi...like riding up fields hill or worse?It's actually a very mediocre hill to be honest, quite placid on a training ride. What makes it hard is the pace you're going up it on race day, and that you hit it almost immediately after the start. Although on the positive side it's so forgiving in that the first half feels almost flat. Lots of time to let the legs warm up and for the nerves & excitement to settle. Calling that section 'a climb' might be too generous a term.
jimmycool Posted September 16, 2015 Posted September 16, 2015 Here is the Strava segment for reference. https://www.strava.com/segments/6966517
jimmycool Posted September 16, 2015 Posted September 16, 2015 https://www.strava.com/segments/6966517
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