[Event] Tour Durban

[Frosty]

your legs won't be cold as the climb is about 15km into the race. The climb isn't as bad as it looks, the first 2km is a steady gradient but after that you have a few sections to recover before climbing into Pinetown.

 

The descent is fun, expect to get up to 85-90km/h in a bunch.

It's all relative... if someone stronger than you is driving the pace, and you're on the rivet chasing them, it's the same as the one that dislikes going uphill.

 

The only difference could be knowing the length of the climb, when to recover, how long to hold on for and more.

 

And yes, the descent is fun - I've hit 103km/h coming down the M19.

[Veebee]

Will be doing my first one, also being my first ever road race. Just hoping I finish it, since I started cycling not so long ago. In fact the race falls exactly 111 days after I started cycling. Bit nervous to be honest.

 

If you still feel fresh when you get into Pinetown then you should be good to finish it.

[Cadre]

Will be doing my first one, also being my first ever road race. Just hoping I finish it, since I started cycling not so long ago. In fact the race falls exactly 111 days after I started cycling. Bit nervous to be honest.

The top is actually OTTO VOLEK RD. From there onwards you stay faithful to your abilities and fellow cyclist, cause the descend down the M19 is around 10 km of hair raising speed followed by a short section of boring maneuvering through the back of Springfield Park to catch your breath. From Umgeni Bird park onwards, the best Tar section anywhere in this country, will help you to remember this race. The coastal section to La Mercy and back to Sucoast is a blessing to cherish. Enjoy. 

[eccc whippet]

Did the 45 km fun ride the first year...55 cyclocross last year and thinking maybe the 105 road race this year.

[tombeej]

Eventually some feedback about the race 

 

I haven't yet decided to enter this year, but it's a brilliant event and you're going to have a blast! I'll bet it will become a 'must do' on your calendar in the years to come.

 

To break it down for you, the race can be split into two parts: (1) the M7 climb and (2) the beautiful M4 highway.

 

Edit: you'll need to click on the image to enlarge.

Edited March 17, 2016 by tombeej

[tombeej]

Part 1: The M7 climb:

 

This is either 11 km or 15.5 km long, depending on where you personally view the climb to end. For me, the climb ends when we reach Pinetown after 11 km. For others, the last 'bump' from the Otto Volek bridge to the top is their summit.

 

I wrote the following piece for last year's thread:

 

To people who have not raced Tour Durban before and are looking at that big climb up the M7 with a bit of trepidation, look at it this way:

 

It's not a solid/sustained climb, more like a series of smaller bumps with lots of opportunity to take a breather in between each one. It really is not as bad as it looks on paper (there are even a couple of little downhill sections).

 

NB: There is one sustained section that you need to plan your race strategy around, and that is the very first 2.5 km of the climb. This section is a steady 6% ramp that doesn't relent. But there's relief at the top with a flat section where you can recover before the next little kick upwards.

 

That's were you need your full focus. That first ramp. Be willing to dig deep to stay with the bunch there and keep telling yourself it's only 2.5 km long and then it's over. If you are still with the bunch there, then 80% of the job is done for the M7. You just need to properly commit to that first ramp, that's it. Yes there are more kickers after that, and the last ramp into Pinetown will hurt, but if you're still in reasonable shape then you should be just fine for the rest of the way.

[tombeej]

As I said, the M7 has a number of spots to rest as you go up.

 

But as Gerald points out, it's all relative. It might be a relatively chilled climb in training, but for the racing bunches it really is full gas. 

 

So this is for the racers:

 

Everyone knows that this is the only place (except the small Umdloti climb towards the end of the race) to get rid of wannabes and wheelsuckers. The organisers send off very large bunches of (a couple hundred people in 'A'), so the bunch is still big as you head to the approaches of the climb. 

 

Then as you hit that first ramp it all explodes. If you have any intention of racing this thing with a good time, then you have to be in the front there. The okes are will start going full taps as soon as the climb starts and everyone gets strung out in a long line. Before the top of that first ramp there are little groups of 5, 10, 15 riders splitting from the bunch. Some then come together to form larger groups over the next easier bits, but that first ramp basically determines your whole race.

 

For the racers, the M7 climb is fast. It's going to hurt. Just accept it, embrace it, and look forward to it . In 'A' last year two breaks managed to get away. I was in the second break and we arrived in Pinetown with an ave. speed of 33.5 km/h.

 

Don't take that last bump to the top (Otto Volek) for granted. With your jelly legs it can be another little challenge. But to be honest, by then the bunches have already been decided and you shouldn't be dropped there - because guaranteed, all the okes around you are all feeling just as *** as you are .

[tombeej]

Part 2: The M4 Highway:

 

Once you've bombed down the M19 back into DBN you then go through the very flat industrial area along the river, and finally onto the M4 highway.

 

For cyclists this is a thing of beauty. Brand new black-top. Not a blemish. If you go over a leaf you'll feel it. And it goes on and on. No big climbs - just the climb up from the Umhlanga river heading out to watch out for. And then coming back there's the climb up past Umdloti.

 

Besides that, it's fast and straightforward. Magic, magic conditions for bunch racing. You're racing along the coastline with the warm morning sun on your face and the sound of the waves drowned out only by the whirr of wheels on the peachiest speedway you could ever hope for.

 

And that's not even the best bit....

 

When you cross the line and you've collected your finishers medal, it's off to the beach across the road - just dive straight into the waves with your kit still on. And then soft serve ice cream on the promenade while the sun dries you off.

[Escapee..]

Awesome tombeej!

 

Thank you very much, always helps to have a bit of inside info

[Dazshell]

I haven't yet decided to enter this year, but it's a brilliant event and you're going to have a blast! I'll bet it will become a 'must do' on your calendar in the years to come.

 

To break it down for you, the two race can be split into two parts: (1) the M7 climb and (2) the beautiful M4 highway.

 

Edit: you'll need to click on the image to enlarge.

Come, come Tom.  Just Do It!

[Frosty]

Will be missing this one, this year... 

[Veebee]

2 weeks to go... Don't forget, entries close tonight.

[Dazshell]

Don't forget to add the Deloitte Dash on for the following weekend.

[Veebee]

Don't forget to add the Deloitte Dash on for the following weekend.

 

I'll be taking a break and will be spending some time in the bush, with the Big 5, doing some photography which is long overdue.

[sliktrik]

your legs won't be cold as the climb is about 15km into the race. The climb isn't as bad as it looks, the first 2km is a steady gradient but after that you have a few sections to recover before climbing into Pinetown.

 

The descent is fun, expect to get up to 85-90km/h in a bunch.

 

You say that, but I rode the route on the kickr and the buggers feel like they are never-ending.

 

That being said, am looking forward to hauling my fat ass up those hills for the first time :-)

[Veebee]

You say that, but I rode the route on the kickr and the buggers feel like they are never-ending.

 

That being said, am looking forward to hauling my fat ass up those hills for the first time :-)

 

yes they probably will feel like that, but if you look at the profile Tom posted, there is some downs to help ease the pain a bit.

 

I did it last year when I just started cycling so it felt like hell to me, but ready to take it on and shave of about 1h10 from my previous time.