Jock Classique Tips?

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Hey Ladies and Gents!

 

I'm doing the Jock Classique this weekend and I have a couple of questions!

 

1. How big are the 'tog bags' that you are allowed to give to the organisers to transport to the next stage? I'm guessing those small draw string bags?

 

2. Apart from the obvious (spares and food for the next stage) is there anything you would recommend     putting in the tog bag for the proceeding stages.

 

Also if you have any other tips or things you wish you did on the last jock to make it a more enjoyable affair please let me know!

 

Cheers!

[Jay_B]

Hey Ladies and Gents!

 

I'm doing the Jock Classique this weekend and I have a couple of questions!

 

1. How big are the 'tog bags' that you are allowed to give to the organisers to transport to the next stage? I'm guessing those small draw string bags?

 

Didnt use the service last year but saw plenty of normal sized/looking bags on the trailer and bakkie that was transporting them between stages.

 

2. Apart from the obvious (spares and food for the next stage) is there anything you would recommend     putting in the tog bag for the proceeding stages.

 

Cant think of anything unusual from what you mention. 

 

Also if you have any other tips or things you wish you did on the last jock to make it a more enjoyable affair please let me know!

 

Cheers!

 

Its an awesome day out and something very different to the usual road races, take time to look around at the scenery mainly on stages 2 & 3 and as hard as it will be enjoy the route; 

[Craig 26]

Normal sized kit bag is acceptable.  Pack a change of kit if you are going to start out in winter kit as the third stage is significantly hotter than the first.

[WR 1.0]

Full winter set up is probably not needed? Arm warmers and maybe a buff should suffice for the start?

[Jay_B]

Full winter set up is probably not needed? Arm warmers and maybe a buff should suffice for the start?

 

Last year my GPS dropped to 1 degree while waiting at the start, first stage was freezing.

 

Weather says this year will be a really nice morning start but just have the gear with you in case.

[WR 1.0]

Thanks

 

Will check with the family on Thursday what the weather is like, their blood has thinned out from living in Nelspruit so they get cold much quicker than us Highveld folk

[Spirog]

Be prepared for full winter kit - leg warmers, winter gloves etc. for the start. Zero degrees is not unusual. You can strip it all off and put it in your tog bag at White River.

 

Put a small cooler box into your bag and put some frozen drinks bottles inside it. Nothing better than a really cold drinks you start climbing Long Tom.

 

Take some food that you are comfortable with, rather than trying to eat the organisers meals. It will save you standing in the queue and at least you know what you're eating.

 

Take some cash to buy a Coke at the stops.

 

A 28 tooth cassette is close to obligatory if you want to have knees that still work on Sunday morning.

 

Enjoy, Enjoy, Enjoy!!!

 

You will climb two of the best hills that you will ever have the chance to ride. Spitzkop will make you feel like you're riding an Alpine pass on the TDF.

 

Ride safe.

[pdt33]

My experience from doing my 1st last year: Stage 2 is very tough! I expected it on 3, but not on 2 - be warned. Once over the top on 3, don't soldier on like I did, relax till n group catch you from behind and then hook onto them, you will save a lot of time as it is fast all the way then.

 

At the breaks you want to lie and rest: towel and small pillow?

[Zatek]

Don't go all out on stage 1 remember the above climbs. Spitzkop was worse than longtom due to the gradient. Longtom is 10km then there is a flat section then another 2km climb after that you go flat out and a couple of rolling hills.

 

Start of stage 1 was very cold last year and I wanted to remove my legwarmers 20km into the race. My legs couldn't breath. This year I am going to start with no legwarmers and see how it goes.

[carrera4s]

Another thread mentioned spending time with the family at the stops.  How does that work?  Can they drive in our own car?  How, when?

[Zatek]

Another thread mentioned spending time with the family at the stops. How does that work? Can they drive in our own car? How, when?

My wife followed us last year and I must say that it was nice as she had our bags. Taking the hole family this year but they will only be with us on the second stop and the finish. The 1 stop is quite short but the second 1 is long.

[WR 1.0]

Ride to the start (5km)or drive?

[carrera4s]

My wife followed us last year and I must say that it was nice as she had our bags. Taking the hole family this year but they will only be with us on the second stop and the finish. The 1 stop is quite short but the second 1 is long.

 

Do they follow behind the last group (DL -07:10) but before the Tour's Elites (07:30)?

[carrera4s]

My experience from doing my 1st last year: Stage 2 is very tough! I expected it on 3, but not on 2 - be warned. Once over the top on 3, don't soldier on like I did, relax till n group catch you from behind and then hook onto them, you will save a lot of time as it is fast all the way then.

 

At the breaks you want to lie and rest: towel and small pillow?

 

How does Spitskop compare to Suikerbosrand final climb?  On paper they seem similar?

[Zatek]

Do they follow behind the last group (DL -07:10) but before the Tour's Elites (07:30)?

She left between the groups but traveling was very slow as we tend to use all the rode.

[carrera4s]

She left between the groups but traveling was very slow as we tend to use all the rode.

 

Thanks!

 

Stage 1 could be easy since the car can go on the R 40 and not get stuck behind / between the riders.  

 

Stage 2 and 3 might be easiest if they leave before the VA group (09:30 and 13:00) to not get stuck behind the Classic riders (but possibly still get stuck behind the Tour riders...)?