[Event] 947 Cycle Challenge 2016

[TheBritishTwit]

People obviously got their stories mixed up. He is a MTB rider traditionally, but that is surely not a MTB he is peddling in the picture.

Yup, that looks like an MTB 

 

Thanks for the clarification

[RearWheelDrive]

Here's my story...

 

I'm going to tell myself I went for a sub 3:01:56 because I came in at 3:01:55. Then I feel better. Last year I did 3:02:40 and I really tried to go under that invisible ceiling (well floor I suppose). I was absolutely shattered the last 2 climbs, Ave went from 32 to 30.5     Other than that I had a nice ride. I loved the racetrack, had awesome weather, didn't see one crash or a person curled up in the foetal position

 

My wife was an absolute hero. she finished in 4:50. But she had cancer last year and all the treatment etc. Got back on the bike this year, pushed through winter but crashed at the meals on wheels race in Sep so was off for 6 weeks. had to basically start from scratch 3 weeks ago. Then last Sat after the kiddies ride she pops into the shop and kicked her toenail off agianst a trolley's wheel. So with a sore toe, Hip still a little sore from crash and minimal training she made it. 

 

I also have to commend my Dad you dropped back and said he'd chaperone her. She felt like giving up on Kyalami. Said that sweep vehicle looked very tempting.

Edited November 21, 2016 by RearWheelDrive

[Jay_B]

Was great to meet you and have a very short chat.

 

Managed a 2:29 form A batch.

 

Little race report. (My memory is not the greatest)

 

Started right at the back of A after having to take a nature break 15mins before the start, so had to dig deep up the first climb to get to the front. From then on to Kyalami was in the gutter thanks to Anton.

Decided I would prefer to be the first one into Kyalami to make sure I didn't end up in a crash so put a little effort in over the top and down to the turn.

From then it was a fight to try stay out the wind on the M1 and what was left of the bunch split in half as we made the u-turn off the highway. I managed to jump across the gap with a few others and we had caught the front by Mandela bridge and a few others scrambled across the gap as well. The rest of the bunch caught up a few km's later.

Ryan put in some big pulls heading down Jan Smuts to discourage any would be attackers.

There was a big attack up Witkoppen and I had to dig deep again to make the split just for it all to come together again.

As we hit the top of the hill on Mailbongwe about 4 attacks went off the front which all got pulled back except for one lone ranger who evaded detection.

As we entered Steyn City the pace was hot and an attack went as we started the climb, I decided to go all or nothing and slowed across the the 3 attackers. We then put our head down and worked well for the next few km's. As we hit the final climb the looking around started to see who would lead it out to the line.

I decided I rather lead it out than have the shame of getting caught by the bunch with the line in sight, so the other 3 came over me in the sprint for the line just for us to find out that the lone wolf who attacked 20kms further back had held on to a 20sec lead.

 

After a quick recovery and refuel it was onto the second lap starting in MM with the Qhubeka charity riders doing there second lap.

We rode a nice steady pace and along with pushing a few of the weaker riders up the hills offered up the slipstream for anyone who jumped in behind us.

 

Finished the second lap in 3:18 after a massive pull along Malibongwe, Lion park and Cedar by one very strong KZN rider taking it easy for charity.

 

After a great day on the bike it was time for the 600km drive back home and a very well deserved sleep.

Dont think it was so much a dedicated attack on witkoppen but more someone really picking up the pace in a massive way. I was hurting to hang on there and thought to myself what is the pace going to be up those last 3 climbs, 

not sure if my legs found another gear or they burnt matches but found malibongwe and cedar road climbs really comfortable.

 

coming to steyn city the guy next to me nearly went down and i got completely out of position in the group, was too far back when i saw attacks start going to try get across so picked off ones and twos all the way to the finish 

Edited November 21, 2016 by Jay_B

[Pikey]

Is it true that Brenodan did this on a MTB?

 

I heard from other riders and they mentioned it Highveld this morning.

He also had a hangover and one arm in a cast . . .

some say........all we know is

[Rob22]

To the organisers. Great job indeed. Just two observations. At the start we were in the VD block. When we were called up there were about 20-30 VD riders already at the start line. So these guys did not stand in the loading pens. They waited close to the gate to be in front. Not that this is an issue but it should not be allowed. Pooks Hill sorted them out. Second observation. The seeding of the VA, VB and VC and most probably VD as well needs to be addressed. I can probably ad the tandems in here as well. The VD bunch caught huge bunches made up of these riders. It then became an issue to get through these bunches. As these dropped riders all tried to get into the VD bunch that just passed them. Like I said these are only observations and not complaints.

I agree with you. I compare these people to Jhb taxis, they feel they have some special right to go ahead of others that follow the system.

 

We try load groups in order, we have people stopping those who enter early. But some enter in order but then move ahead a clog the system.

 

We do dnf riders who start ahead of their group but don't have the manpower to police those 'special' cyclist who feel their right to be in the front of the group is above those that follow the process.

 

Sorry just a sore point for me.

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[Prozac]

Kyalami is not flat !

 

Started in A , somewhere on Woodmead drive fell off the back only to hitch onto other A bunch group just before the highway. From there on I really enjoyed the ride , Talked a lot of "ge-mors" / crap and actually enjoying the ride / race. 

 

The majority of the group were also entertaining  ( thank you ) and then obviously we had some very serious riders . . . all if have to say . . .  If you enjoy your racing you will probably race faster . . . 

 

To Louis  ( Red Spez Kit )  , thanks for a awesome ride !  With all that talking and laughs we couldn't stick with the group up steyn city hill and finished 2:40   Lekker ride. 

 

Quickly had a preggo and beer and got to MM for my second lap with my good friend from RSG whom did a story " from couch potato to 947 . . . " in 4 months from not knowing how to change gears on a bike to completing the 947 in 3:59:32 . I am so proud !  Well Done Ettienne Ludick 

 

Thank you to all sharing your experiences and well done ! I pray to all that got heart a speedy recovery ( saw 2 nasty accidents on my second lap) 

 

Be blessed !

[Popit]

Awesome event and organization was great this year, the race track was a nice addition but a bit tougher than expected. 

 

Rode in VB and got schooled again on that first climb inside Steyn City, geez those 2 hills are a killer inside that place. Will be back again next year to try again.

 

Only gripe is the price of the beers at the beer tent 

 

Well done to all involved.

Kallie , if you wanted , you could have got dronk on the free  Castle Light Lime ( ask Squirrell) ...... Awesome time you did .

[Frosty]

My race report from yesterday’s pedal around Joburg.

 

03:45 – get up, even though I’ve been awake for what seems like ages. Empty bottles on the bike remind me that my bottles are still chilling the freezer.

 

04:12 – lift arrives, and we are soon on our way.

 

04:48 – arrive at the parking, finish getting dressed and then head down to the charity village to drop off the bag with a few things for the second lap (GoPro, recovery drink, presentation check for the NSPCA).

 

05:25 – time to head out to batch VC, feeling the chill in the air. Makes a change not starting in a pool of sweat.

 

05:42 – 2 minutes to the start and we’re still stuck in our original start batch. Eventually we’re allowed to roll forward to the start line.

 

05:44 – and off we go, Pooks hill warmup followed by some flats and hopefully some recovery before the race track. I started mid-pack and wasn’t too concerned at this point. We had to negotiate a few paracyclists on Pooks hill, but nothing worthy of concern.

 

05:52 – The right turn onto Summit road, had me fighting for position in bunch (max power = 1068W). Eventually got to the front 20-30 but was quickly moving backwards. Coming up to Main road (just before the descent to Kyalami) I knew today would be a hard day in the saddle – HR was okay, 3s average Power was 85% of FTP, but I just didn’t feel like I was properly warmed up.

 

06:11 – Right turn into Kyalami, and the leaders were already on the other size of the bridge passing under the race track. Group position lost, race over for me (were the first thoughts going through my mind). A few “attacks” to try stay on the back of the bunch, but once I saw the group had split in two going up to the old Wesbank corner, I knew it was survival mode from here to the finish.

 

Coming out Kyalami, I was in no-man’s land, too far back to catch group two on the road, and ahead of group 3. Eventually group 3 caught me and I was able to hang on until Woodmead. A solo ride on the highway until just after Marlboro drive when the next group came passed me. This would be the group I would ride with to Steyn City.

 

06:50 - 6:59 – I think this was the time, my phone starts ringing (or I could see the call on my Garmin). Members of the club looking for the charity village (seems the signage wasn’t that clear for them). By this time, I was climbing the M2 to Jan Smuts (roadworks), and I was feeling pretty good. No point trying to race away, as we still have a little more than halfway to go.

 

07:34 – Time and events seemed to fade away for the next part of the course, until we got to the first hot spot (before Douglasdale). The first rider from VD (Mark Spencer) was going it alone, and I was waiting for my team mates to give me a much needed push. It wasn’t until the Kya-Sands turnoff (on Malibongwe) that the rest of VD passed us, including one team mate only (perhaps the others were feeling like I did). No push from UnderAchiever, but at least some encouraging words from a few other riders.

 

Some of us managed to stay with the larger group up Malibongwe, but we soon split on the road down to Cedar, before negotiating the final climbs of the race. Not sure which was quieter, lap 1 or 2 going up Cedar road, but you could hear a pin drop.

 

08:09 – I was sitting on 2:25 when the infamous “6Km to go” board was showing, and my course file said I would finish in 2:33 – which I guess was a satisfactory time considering my position in the group. Not as bad as I thought it would be, but still not a race I’ll look back and say it was a good one. I eventually dragged myself over the line in 2:36:40 which is officially my second best time in 15 events, so it’s not all bad.

 

 

I don’t think my preparation coming into the race was ideal, with only 2 rides above 60Km since the Amashova, and a few other training rides during the few weeks between both events. It is what it is, and I wouldn’t change what I do – I’m not planning to fight for the podium, but rather to measure my own abilities against my peers. Another 3.5 weeks of easy riding, and then I can take a well-deserved break for 3 weeks, having only been off the bike for 3x 2 weeks since the last Cycle Challenge. Training for the Maluti Double 90 (1 April) can start in January, and perhaps I can use Gauteng Champs as a benchmark for my season opening fitness, or lend a hand to help (if I’m not feeling strong enough).

 

A quick chat with the team at the NSPCA tent, before I recovered for lap 2. Most of my club mates riding the second lap with me were in VF or A bunch, and they too had a tough time – but all round, everyone had a smile on their dial.

 

Well done to the organisers – it WAS a well organised event, despite a few minor problems. I know the work that goes into an event for 5000 people, but for 33000 (if that was the real total) it’s not as simple as multiplying the effort 6-7 times, it’s on a completely different level. Well done, see you next year!

[Prince]

Did anyone see a pitbull running amok on Heartbreak Hill on the R55? Looked like it actually attacked someone! And it looked like the kind of dog that you REALLY don't want to mess with!

 

Sent from my SM-G900F using Tapatalk

Yes I also saw him. The owners were chasing him on the dirt road when I went past.

[Long Wheel Base]

Here's my story...

 

I'm going to tell myself I went for a sub 3:01:56 because I came in at 3:01:55. Then I feel better. Last year I did 3:02:40 and I really tried to go under that invisible ceiling (well floor I suppose). I was absolutely shattered the last 2 climbs, Ave went from 32 to 30.5     Other than that I had a nice ride. I loved the racetrack, had awesome weather, didn't see one crash or a person curled up in the foetal position

 

My wife was an absolute hero. she finished in 4:50. But she had cancer last year and all the treatment etc. Got back on the bike this year, pushed through winter but crashed at the meals on wheels race in Sep so was off for 6 weeks. had to basically start from scratch 3 weeks ago. Then last Sat after the kiddies ride she pops into the shop and kicked her toenail off agianst a trolley's wheel. So with a sore toe, Hip still a little sore from crash and minimal training she made it. 

 

I also have to commend my Dad you dropped back and said he'd chaperone her. She felt like giving up on Kyalami. Said that sweep vehicle looked very tempting.

Well done bud. Congratulate the misses for me. You forgot to add that she is also a Mom to 4 young kids!

[Spoke101]

Dont think it was so much a dedicated attack on witkoppen but more someone really picking up the pace in a massive way. I was hurting to hang on there and thought to myself what is the pace going to be up those last 3 climbs, 

not sure if my legs found another gear or they burnt matches but found malibongwe and cedar road climbs really comfortable.

 

coming to steyn city the guy next to me nearly went down and i got completely out of position in the group, was too far back when i saw attacks start going to try get across so picked off ones and twos all the way to the finish 

 

Think you right.

 

I got caught sleeping on Witkoppen so didn't see the move go or the pace lift but had to ride through the whole bunch pretty much.

 

Malibongwe was hard but not crazy and yes the pace up Cedar was slow, think everyone was saving there legs for Steyn City.

When I saw that climb I quickly made my way to the font and was about 10m back when the attack went. I went to the front with another guy and then I jumped across was sure there was someone with me but when I looked for some help after the traffic circle there was no one there.

[Kallie.]

Kallie , if you wanted , you could have got dronk on the free  Castle Light Lime ( ask Squirrell) ...... Awesome time you did .

 

HAHAHA   I'll try that next year...

 

Thanks and well done to you and Mrs Popit, great ride.

[Veebee]

#SteynCitymustfall

 

As tough as it is, I guess this is what makes the race what it is.

[HBO]

some say........all we know is

 

Yip, now we at last know who "Die Muishond" is.

[Pall Catt]

My first ride with the elites. Was really cool to be stretched like that but at the same time really concerning to see first hand how many accidents they have. Okes were hitting the deck hard, and not necessarily on tricky parts of the route. Felt a bit like Russian roulette with you not really having any control over the situation or what happens immediately in front of you. Any other elite riders that can confirm whether that's normal or was yesterday unusually bad in that respect?

Edited November 21, 2016 by Pall Catt

[Clint S]

Had a awesome ride in B, Pace was good and didn't see any accidents.