Desert Dash

[partydave]

Keep me in the loop. 

Not fit enough to all the way, but will maybe join you guys for Kupfer or up to the "Borde"

For sure.

If you're doing any of the big events coming up, let us know for a hookup. Luckystar 105km looks to be a great fitness test for the Dash.

 

4.5 hours cutoff, on a MTB...in wind 

[Frank71]

Keep me in the loop. 

Not fit enough to go all the way, but will maybe join you guys for Kupfer or up to the "Borde"

I'll be doing Kupferberg to Boards and a little bit beyond and back to Windhoek on Sunday. Welcome to join me. We are not as fit and fast as Warthog. If we manage to organize a support vehicle we plan, as alternative, to do Warthog's Saturday route (but probably slower, no 21.6 average).

[IH8MUD]

I'll be doing Kupferberg to Boards and a little bit beyond and back to Windhoek on Sunday. Welcome to join me. We are not as fit and fast as Warthog. If we manage to organize a support vehicle we plan, as alternative, to do Warthog's Saturday route (but probably slower, no 21.6 average).

Thanks. 

Will see how the weekend pan out.   

 

Few are as "yster" as Warthog. 

He caught me on Swart-Mamba after he already did many kms and still flew past me. 

[Warthog whisperer]

Thanks. 

Will see how the weekend pan out.   

 

Few are as "yster" as Warthog. 

He caught me on Swart-Mamba after he already did many kms and still flew past me.

.....Die Muishond is much much much fitter!!!!~

[Frank71]

A 2-man entry is for sale. If interested, please pm me and I'll send you the contact number. 

[Warthog whisperer]

Nice, Uss pass have been graded, it is now a much better ride than a week ago!

[Pulse]

Nice, Uss pass have been graded, it is now a much better ride than a week ago!

Nice!

[seven]

For the 4man teams out there.

Which are the easiest stages, that you would let your weakest riders do?

So obviously strongest guy does 2? (With the two compulsory stages)

[partydave]

Our team has gone over and over and over on this (our weakest rider has done a grand total of 105km since entries opened  )

The easiest stage seems to be stage 4, but this severely corrugated. Technically, stage 5 is the easiest, but stage 6 is a full team stage which makes the total distance 110km to be cycled consecutively by the stage 5 rider

[seven]

Thanx Dave, we were also thinking 4, (or 5)...

 

Perhaps a question for the solo's... Hoe does your splits for the different stages compare?

Obviously the 1st half is slower, but when should tou be at which point to still be safe?

[Frank71]

The general line of thinking is that the weakest rider should do stage 4, due to the reasons as indicated by Partydave - 120km in one go for stages 5 and 6 is a lot for the weakest rider and the first 20km of stage 6 is always underestimated.  Generally strongest rider to do stage 3, 2nd strongest stage 2 (101km inclusive of stage 1), then stage 5 and weakest to do stage 4. 

[Patchelicious]

What are the tips for Solo dudes? What things should we take into account? "tips from those who did it before". What things are absolute must haves, and what other little things make the journey easier?

[partydave]

Take an extra set of legs.

Every time we've done stage 6 training the last few months, we've been hit with a serious amount of wind

[Patchelicious]

Take an extra set of legs.

Every time we've done stage 6 training the last few months, we've been hit with a serious amount of wind

Ja ja, but seriously..... please help

[sias]

What are the tips for Solo dudes? What things should we take into account? "tips from those who did it before". What things are absolute must haves, and what other little things make the journey easier?

Don't chase the teams, unless you are a top 50 finisher.

Don't go hard on stages 1-3, but go hard enough to go down Us pass with some light left. Save you energy for the last 15km of stage 2 and then for 3. 

Walk if you have to on stage 3. Some of those hills are real bastards when you have 120km in your legs.

Don't stop too long at the water points, you cool down quickly.

Lots of butt cream at the start and the again at CP 3.

Nice warm water to wash your face at CP 3, you'll feel much better.

A thermal top or something warm for the latter part of stage 4 and then 5 as it gets cool/cold in the early morning hours.

Organise your supplies beforehand so that your seconds know what to have ready at what points.

[sias]

Perhaps a question for the solo's... Hoe does your splits for the different stages compare?

Obviously the 1st half is slower, but when should tou be at which point to still be safe?

I plan for a sub 20:00 (touch wood) - my splits:

S1 1:40

S2 3:00

S3 4:30

S4 3:30

S5 3:50

S6 2:30

Maximum stop at the ceckpoints is 15min at CP3 and 4 each. 

If you reach CP 3 at 03:00, you should theoretically still be able to make it, but don't bargain on the second half being faster! The coastal wind and the fatigue from the previous stages can make it slower. Keep a steady pace and ride your own race - those guys flying past you just had a few hours sleep and have fresh legs and are getting in the car at the next CP, not you, you still have 150km to go