The Munga 2016

[Slowbee]

Thanks Guys

 

Plan for best,

Expect the worst

Take what comes.

 

As this is a solo event, I cannot rely on riding in bunches, sitting slip, etc. This is my ride and it is not a team ride effort.

 

When I first joined TheHub, I got told to always start slow and finish strong. It is something I have always held onto. So I am sure I will find myself at the back very fast. The others may blast off at 15km/hr because they are fresh and ready to go and the route easy. I would rather ride much slower and within myself and save all the energy for the end, and be stronger at the end with the big hills. I am sure if you sleep early in the ride it will be more simple to skip sleep rather than try get sleep later on. But hey this is all part of the ride strategy.

 

Also, I needed a gauge of how much rest could be feasible. 4 hours sleep is highly optimistic - because you also need to be able to find time to eat at the rest stops, make sure you have time to recharge all the electronic goodies (a WHOLE nother discussion), maybe clean up and get fresh etc.

 

The 12km/hr serves as a guide. I mean that last 70 is through the Ceres and Bainskloof pass. After having just cycles from Sutherland, I dont think going through that stage at more than 9km/hr will be feasible. Time will need to be made somewhere.

 

As I said, the start of the ride plan.

[dave303e]

hahahaha.... Spot the adventure racers giving out the same advice!

 

Faffing.... the death of tired people!

hahaha, the few dumbasses with experience in trying to push hard for days on end  with little sleep...

 

on a side note, have you or anyone you have raced with ever resorted to caffeine pills to stay awake, particularly 2-5am when the sleep monsters are on the prowl?

[Jewbacca]

hahaha, the few dumbasses with experience in trying to push hard for days on end  with little sleep...

 

on a side note, have you or anyone you have raced with ever resorted to caffeine pills to stay awake, particularly 2-5am when the sleep monsters are on the prowl?

A few guys I know have definitely tried them, as well as sachets of bio plus and that mcnabbs stuff as well as a multitude of other fizzy bombs and tablets.

 

I take a few vitamins and some algae extract if I start feeling rough, but by day 4 without sufficient rest no amount of legal medication is going to stave off the sleep monsters!

[dave303e]

I am always nervous of the sachets, a few of them contain alocohol, and the nav doesn't need to have that near it even at the best of times...

 

But as you say, no substitute for sleep...

 

the next debate is bivvy vs sleeping bag vs both(If you feeling strong)

[Jewbacca]

I am always nervous of the sachets, a few of them contain alocohol, and the nav doesn't need to have that near it even at the best of times...

 

But as you say, no substitute for sleep...

 

the next debate is bivvy vs sleeping bag vs both(If you feeling strong)

I am a bivvy bag and liner person. A damp/wet sleeping bag is hideous.

 

With sufficient layers on the bivvy and liner does the trick. If you start shivering start moving again. Once you start shivering you are burning energy instead of resting, while not ticking off km. 

 

To be fair I am actually a 'carry as little as possible' person. If I wanted to be comfortable I would stay at home and watch TV.

 

Minimum race requirements plus a few extra pairs of socks all wrapped up in dry bags. Sorted

[Slowbee]

So the riding has been going sort of average. Life is throwing lost of curve balls.

 

But I must say the confidence levels are a bit low. During the week it is IDT for an hour, but it is getting to the stage where I dont feel like there is any progression. Things do not seem to be getting better, only slow. No matter how much effort I put it in, it still seems like I am only able to ride at one speed and am not getting any faster/stronger/fitter. And hence the low confidence levels.

 

But on to another dilemma.

 

My 26er Titus Racer X, needs to have the drive chain replaced. It is currently a 3 x 9 speed set up running on X9 equipment, with a shimano hollowtec crank. But I need a new chain, possibly cassette and for sure some new blades. Is it worth going 2x10 and doing a big upgrade? Is there any value in that?

 

and the last thought for this friday, do the Munga on the Titus 26er, or the 650b anthem with new flow ex wheels built on hope 4 hubs?

[dave303e]

So the riding has been going sort of average. Life is throwing lost of curve balls.

 

But I must say the confidence levels are a bit low. During the week it is IDT for an hour, but it is getting to the stage where I dont feel like there is any progression. Things do not seem to be getting better, only slow. No matter how much effort I put it in, it still seems like I am only able to ride at one speed and am not getting any faster/stronger/fitter. And hence the low confidence levels.

 

But on to another dilemma.

 

My 26er Titus Racer X, needs to have the drive chain replaced. It is currently a 3 x 9 speed set up running on X9 equipment, with a shimano hollowtec crank. But I need a new chain, possibly cassette and for sure some new blades. Is it worth going 2x10 and doing a big upgrade? Is there any value in that?

 

and the last thought for this friday, do the Munga on the Titus 26er, or the 650b anthem with new flow ex wheels built on hope 4 hubs?

 

If you feeling like you have hit a plateau why not mix up the training a bit. Maybe get hold of a strong pre workout and smash some big interval sessions on the IDT, get yourself into that hurt zone. 

[The Munga]

So the riding has been going sort of average. Life is throwing lost of curve balls.

 

But I must say the confidence levels are a bit low. During the week it is IDT for an hour, but it is getting to the stage where I dont feel like there is any progression. Things do not seem to be getting better, only slow. No matter how much effort I put it in, it still seems like I am only able to ride at one speed and am not getting any faster/stronger/fitter. And hence the low confidence levels.

 

But on to another dilemma.

 

My 26er Titus Racer X, needs to have the drive chain replaced. It is currently a 3 x 9 speed set up running on X9 equipment, with a shimano hollowtec crank. But I need a new chain, possibly cassette and for sure some new blades. Is it worth going 2x10 and doing a big upgrade? Is there any value in that?

 

and the last thought for this friday, do the Munga on the Titus 26er, or the 650b anthem with new flow ex wheels built on hope 4 hubs?

Tim Deane rode on a 26" last year, so it certainly is doable. If you are going to do a semi-upgrade etc, i would definitely convert to a 2x10. The terrain does not lend itself to need a 3x.

[Wadem]

Doing a training ride from The Lido hotel in the south of JHB to Vereniging tomorrow off-road hopefully about 100km if any one keen to join please do. Will leave the garage just before the lido at 7 am should be about a 5hr ride.
My contact number if needed is 0(eight)26 five double4104

[Slowbee]

Wade edited your number, never know about the evils that lurk forums

[Wadem]

Thanks

[taito]

Can boxes be send ahead in this race???and if yes what is allowed.Just thinking riding kit.

[vroommm]

Can boxes be send ahead in this race???and if yes what is allowed.Just thinking riding kit.

Unsupported kitwise, i.e. apart from meals at support stations, water and a bed, you need to carry everything you'll need (or buy along the way)...

I think a kitbag will be transported to the finish afaik ...

 

Sent from my SM-J500F using Tapatalk

[henningvr]

This is how I understand it as well. From the munga.com web site:

 

"Riders will not have access to a bag during the race, only at the finish." (http://themunga.com/the-race)

[taito]

Yo time is ticking away ,only just over 3 months ,eishh and I have not started getting my sh&$@t together

[The Munga]

Can boxes be send ahead in this race???and if yes what is allowed.Just thinking riding kit.

HI Taito

 

We will transport 1 x bike box or bike bag, and 1 x duffel bag from the start to the finish of the race. That is all a rider is allowed, so a rider cannot send anything ahead to the race villages. The five race villages will supply sleeping facilities (beds, mattresses, blankets etc), showers, fresh farm cooked style meals, and Biogen nutritional products to make it to the next race village. Plus, 10 water-points will have water and Biogen product. So all you have to do is carry water, snacks and maybe a spare shirt or chamois!