[Event] Langebaan Country Estate Lagoon Cycle Challenge

[-cK-]

Enjoyed both rides - road and MTB. Broke a spoke and suffered a bucked rear wheel as a result soon after the start on the road race. Nursed it back and managed to finish 22nd overall with a time of 2h15. The MTB was tougher than I imagined - lots of sand and the nasty, pumping SE didn't help proceedings either. Got 3rd for the 40km MTB. Overall, a pretty successful weekend out.

Like I said in the race, what we lack in mountains we make up for in sand and wind

 

But that mechanical of mine in the MTB event with about 20km to go leaving me to tough it out in 3x1 mode when I lost the rear derailleur cable was just unnecessary       Eish talk about adding an extra level of tough to the race.  Last time I do not do a full bike check the night before a race

 

But I could not let 2nd spot slip away 

[Aaron_B]

Like I said in the race, what we lack in mountains we make up for in sand and wind

 

But that mechanical of mine in the MTB event with about 20km to go leaving me to tough it out in 3x1 mode when I lost the rear derailleur cable was just unnecessary       Eish talk about adding an extra level of tough to the race.  Last time I do not do a full bike check the night before a race

 

But I could not let 2nd spot slip away 

Think the snapped cable forced you to ride harder and helped you. With the luxury of gears, people usually skip down a few out of laziness on climbs. You rode well. Well done Thought I had you in the sprint but your line into the corner was pretty good!

[Rouxenator]

Sometimes being lazy on the climbs and enjoying the ride and scenery is what it is all about. In a few months time I won't remember that I finished 15th, I will remember riding between the springbokke and those deep sands. 

 

Anyways, here are two start line pics

 

 

[alleyne]

The 80km road race was way tougher than I thought, had a blast though and I'll definitely be back. 

 

A real pleasure to see was the marshals kicking out people with temp numbers or people who were trying their luck and sneaking forward a few groups in the seeding batches.

 

That's a job I could do for free. 

[City Cycling Athletic Club]

i see a rider from b bunch had the fastest time. well done

[-cK-]

Here is a short recap of the MTB race I made, enjoy:

[Rouxenator]

Impressive! Excellent video dude, thanks for sharing. 

[Aaron_B]

Very cool Willem. great video. Well done for out sprinting me to the line for 2nd place.

[karma]

Very cool Willem. great video. Well done for out sprinting me to the line for 2nd place.

 

You youngsters (excluding David, he's old  ) know how to rev our engines from the start....measured between 500-750w from the start to about 2km in. 

[Aaron_B]

I tried to break up the group from the start but David had other ideas. He left us all up the first sandy climb and we never saw him again. That race was tough - especially after burning my legs on the road ride the day before.

[karma]

I tried to break up the group from the start but David had other ideas. He left us all up the first sandy climb and we never saw him again. That race was tough - especially after burning my legs on the road ride the day before.

 

must admit, I was not impressed with the weak route markings. Took 3 wrong turns. 

But hey, it's a fun ride....

[Aaron_B]

must admit, I was not impressed with the weak route markings. Took 3 wrong turns. 

But hey, it's a fun ride....

 

I also lost some time with poor route markings and marshals who had no clue what they were doing...

[karma]

I also lost some time with poor route markings and marshals who had no clue what they were doing...

 

I even had an Antie get upset and rude with me at the coke table at the finish, because I took a 2nd cup and didn't ask her to refill my first, so she reckoned I am wasting a cup. 

Sure they mean well and they are there without compensation. 

[-cK-]

I've sent a full feedback report to the organizer as I know him regarding all the issues we had with suggestions on where to add markings next time round.  I also suggested a change re the route to avoid the double pass at the start/end for the long route as that is just a logistical nightmare to keep track of who should go straight on their first pass and who should turn in to the end the second time round.

 

I'm also going to try and scout for some alternative options for him to try and cut down on the sandy bits.    

 

As this is one of only a few local events for me getting it sorted and enjoyable for all would certainly get in a bigger crowd I think.