[Event] Karoo To Coast

[Thor Buttox]

You guys are really scaring me, this will be my first - some advice on training would be appreciated, If I could do Suikerbos rand comfortably, would it be good enough?

It really isn't as scary as made out. It is a slightly tougher Argus. And the last 30km through the forest are so pretty it just flies by. Just do Long climbs of +- 6km about 300m vertical ascent. They are 4,on smooth dirt roads except the wa pad which is a bit of a bun fight

[Rouxenator]

The total ascent is 1500m, less than what is done on the Knysna 80K MTB, Montague Mountain Madness 80K, Durbie Dash 70K, Die Burger 60K, Backberg 44K, CTCT MTB 55K and the STBB 2-keep-a-breast 60K.

 

So long story short, if you did any one of those rides you'll be fine 

[lerouc]

It really isn't as scary as made out. It is a slightly tougher Argus. And the last 30km through the forest are so pretty it just flies by. Just do Long climbs of +- 6km about 300m vertical ascent. They are 4,on smooth dirt roads except the wa pad which is a bit of a bun fight

 

Exactly, im a big guy weighing in heavy and ive completed 3. And i was never overly fit. If you start at the back you will walk the wapad, i've never ridden it completely and its not because i can't its because there are too many other people.

 

The worst for me is the 45 - 60km hill. By that time the sun is out and its HOT.

 

And when you reach the forest it is awesome even though you are dead.

 

I love riding simola at the back of the race, the comments and banter from the cyclist really makes it awesome. I've never ridden simola without a smile on my face, and then when going down the other side knowing its done is such a great feeling!

[Boerklong]

Either you are hanging on for dear life down the hills or you are climbing for looooong spells. Nowhere to hide in this race. Was my first last year and on a Hardtail. DS will save your backside and lower back on the long climbs, but a hardtail is just fine. The worse part is Die Ou Wapad which is around 3km after the start. Jeeptrack with nowhere to go but UP, which means when someone gets off their bike to push, everyone behind also pushes. No courtesy exists where slowerer riders keep left. Frikkin forget it. The best piece of advise I can give you, get decent holders for your bottles. Once over the top of the Wapad (10km mark) you desent like hell over big stones and bottles fly off all over the show. Very scenic, ample waterpoints, cold at the start. Have some JABULIES (beer) in the coolerbox at the finish if you drink more than six, like I do, because at R25 a plastic cup it soon adds up. It is a race worth coming back for. You will enjoy it. Do some training on hills and you will be good to go.

Pretty much all of the above.

You can even leave your bottles and spares in the car and pick up stock on your way down after ou wa pad.

Its all downhill to the coast so start trainig middle August..

[KarlvN]

Pretty much all of the above.

You can even leave your bottles and spares in the car and pick up stock on your way down after ou wa pad.

Its all downhill to the coast so start trainig middle August..

 

This...

[KarlvN]

I am thinking of doing some training at Jonkershoek and Welvanpas including the Bainskloof Pass...repeat mode : ON

[The expat cyclist]

In 2013 my lefty decided to start leaking air the day before. I had it in the lockout position for all but everything after die ou wa pad descent. That section through the forest was rough with a rigid...

 

Is anyone here gunning for a specific time or do you just want to finish it?

[Dubbin]

Quite concerned about those saying this is hard. You do realise that you will need to put in some sort of training before the time?

 

Maybe do a couple of long routes on fun rides? My first time was in 2011 and my only training was PPA funrides on weekends. K2C was a walk in the park.

All depends. Most of us make the same rookie mistake. Start cycling, do a few road race's. Start doing dirt roads, and then do the K2C. This should not be your first mountain bike race. There is a difference between fit and strong. You can breeze through the Argus, and then blowout halfway through the K2C because your legs are not conditioned to the constant climbing.

[Boerklong]

Honestly, I only start traing for it n July. It keeps me motivated. If I start too soon I get gatvol closer to the event.

[KarlvN]

I have been a bit stagnant the last while, mostly due to the Argus. I am planning on slowly starting to build a nice base so that by mid July I am conditioned for long distances, and then start building my climbing endurance on long steady climbs like that climb to the top of Jonekershoek.

I want a sub 5 this time round. Last year (my first) I lost about 1:30 while waiting for my boet. This year I am riding alone as he does not want to ride it again.

 

Also, I plan on having my Camber by then, so those corrugated bits by Diepwalle are not going to be an issue any longer...

[Dexter-morgan]

Yes, I will be visiting Suikerbos rand a few times more this winter

[Rouxenator]

Good training ride coming up next Saturday : https://community.bikehub.co.za/topic/157699-trans-karoo-mtb-race 

[dirtypot]

Hmmmm.....  Anybody want to swap my hard tail frame for their full sus?

[Rouxenator]

The road is in very good condition, no need to go soft. 

[Dexter-morgan]

That was going to be my next question, I have the option to take my 26" Camber d/s (14.3kg) or my Son's Silverback Sola 29" HT(12.5kg) - If I spend a bit of money on the Silverback I can probably drop a kilo or so. - Any recomendation?

[Rouxenator]

Take the Sola - it's perfect for K2C. I have only every done this on HT 29ers. First on GT Karakoram and Zaskars last two times on Giant Revel and more recently a Talon. You won't regret it.