Amashova 2017

[ricochet_rabbit]

Did my first one last year… Second one today.

What a wonderful ride and route!

(And the pace in A was proper! )

where did you drop off because at times the pace was very chilled?

[hilton_]

where did you drop off because at times the pace was very chilled?

 

 

Was in second AL bunch... (first bunch broke on Fox, if I recall correctly).

Agree that at times the pace could've been quicker, but I guess I'm comparing my DL ride from last year. 

[eccc whippet]

one of the most significant things i noticed yesterday is how the front experienced cyclist ride in a tight bunch...from there all the way to the 13:00 cut off...the rest of the cyclist are spread out on their own fighting the wind alone.

 

what do we learn from this...no matter how big your wheel is on your bike or what groupset you have...or which ass cream works the best...how fat you are...how many hit session you have done...i would say the most important lesson to learn when starting out  road cycling...the first lesson would be to learn to how to ride in a group...join a club...learn the signals and stick together. 

 

i saw our club shirts spread from Durban to PMB and not one of them supporting each other...myself included...all trying to beat our time from last year...or just get to the finish line.

 

The cycling mate who i ride with on occasion and i did the shova in almost the same time...yet we both have the same story to tell...how we battled on our own.

 

the only person i saw making an effort to help his wife or fellow club member...was a guy wearing yellow and blue "Durban xxx" on the back of his bib.

 

yes i realise it s a race...but if you are not in top 4 bunches...what are you racing for ? 

[Dexter-morgan]

one of the most significant things i noticed yesterday is how the front experienced cyclist ride in a tight bunch...from there all the way to the 13:00 cut off...the rest of the cyclist are spread out on their own fighting the wind alone.

 

what do we learn from this...no matter how big your wheel is on your bike or what groupset you have...or which ass cream works the best...how fat you are...how many hit session you have done...i would say the most important lesson to learn when starting out  road cycling...the first lesson would be to learn to how to ride in a group...join a club...learn the signals and stick together. 

 

i saw our club shirts spread from Durban to PMB and not one of them supporting each other...myself included...all trying to beat our time from last year...or just get to the finish line.

 

The cycling mate who i ride with on occasion and i did the shova in almost the same time...yet we both have the same story to tell...how we battled on our own.

 

the only person i saw making an effort to help his wife or fellow club member...was a guy wearing yellow and blue "Durban xxx" on the back of his bib.

 

yes i realise it s a race...but if you are not in top 4 bunches...what are you racing for ? 

The 94.7 is exactly like this, the formation of groups where it matters is just non existent.

[pe3nguin]

You cut your work significantly in a nice group. Average 150w in a nicely working bunch is like...300w alone

 

Don't quote me on that. 

[ajnkzn]

All I know is, on a MTB sucking onto the back of a group is a wonderful respite but the old knobblies get you down eventually and then you wait for the next one.

 

My first ever road race, first ride over 100km and I loved it - rode with a mate and we had a nice steady 3h45.

 

Thanks to the majority of roadies for being friendly and welcoming and to the **** in the polka dot jersey who was intent on racing through the MTA batch near the end in a hunt for a sub 3h30 or whatever, just chill dude...or get into a better batch next time.

[pe3nguin]

 

Thanks to the majority of roadies for being friendly and welcoming 

We're always friendly to our aesthetically challenged friends. If anyone wasn't friendly they need a proper PK. Its a bunch of okes riding bikes for fun. If they were ***, they'll get it, don't you worry. The road is a vengeful mistress.

[eccc whippet]

last year i got to sit in the cycle specialist group along the flats after fox hill...it was something to watch how the front 3 cyclist guided the group...at one point i thought they were going too slow...i broke away but didnt have the legs to catch the group ahead...by the time they caught me i was finished...i couldnt even hang on the back.

 

this year i did have the legs and did jump from group to group...thinking back now maybe if i had just stuck with the group just after fox hill i might have had the legs at the end to get through the wind....which could have resulted in a sub 3.30...you live and learn.

[pe3nguin]

@isetech - that will come with time. You will learn how to pace yourself and when you can (and should) give it some gas. Well done, regardless.

[Veebee]

3:10 for me. I was being brave and stupid and decided to ride in AL even though I knew wasnt ready for it. Got dropped after fox, second AL group caught me, did a few long turns on the front which I paid for after Hillcrest.

 

I rode well above my limits but was happy to push myself and find out what the body can/cant handle. There's always next year so will try again for a better time.

 

Well done to all.

[Avo]

What an awesome event!! I hope those that did the race enjoyed it.

 

I had an interesting day and I had to learn things about road racing the hard way...all my fault I must say. 

 

This was my third road race after doing the 94.7 in 2015 and 2016. Do mostly MTB events.

When I was entering the Amshova online I was unsure if I should go Veteran Licensed or Open Seeded. I have the general CSA membership license which I purchased to avoid paying a day license for the MTB races I do. So I entered as Veteran Licensed as I am a veteran and I have a CSA license...all good, NOT, STRIKE 1! LOL

 

So when the seeding comes out I get into batch VA which is the second start batch on the day behind the Elites, I start to panic because my seeding cant be that good as I have only done two road races before. I accept it and think, whats the worst that can happen, I will get dropped but then can try and hook onto the many batches as they come past...STRIKE 2. 

 

So I line up on the morning in VA and start at the back of the batch. The pace is hot from the get go. As Fox Hill starts, I get dropped like a hot potato... Bye bye VA batch. At least there are a few others that also get dropped with me. I think VB should be coming up soon, I can hang onto the back of them even if its for 5km's.

 

Just before VB arrives, race official vehicle drives up next to us and says "VB is coming. Move to the side and don't attach at the back". Sorry what?? Ha ha ha. My heart sinks! This is going to be a long day! I felt like an unwanted child where I had no batches that wanted me. STRIKE 3. 

 

To be honest I would have not been able to stay long with VB in any case.

 

So it was a day of solo riding and riding with some dropped VB guys. Great experience riding with these VB guys in terms of cornering in descents, when to drink/eat and when to attack. VC later came past near the end but I had nothing left in the tank to hang onto them even if I could. Managed a 3:03 which I am very happy with.

 

Lots a lessons learnt and I will only be entering Open Seeded going forward. Huge respect to everyone in those racing batches. Incredible athletes!!

 

Will definitely be back next year and I encourage all of you reading this to do this race. It is amazing and definitely worth it.

 

Cheers,

Avo

[pe3nguin]

Avo, hope you had a good time.

The Amashova officials did you a disservice. It is their responsibility at registration to ensure you actually have a racing license. This domestic racing license is not to be confused with the CSA membership that I believe you are referring to.

Regardless, hope you had a wicked ride.

[Avo]

Avo, hope you had a good time.

 

The Amashova officials did you a disservice. It is their responsibility at registration to ensure you actually have a racing license. This domestic racing license is not to be confused with the CSA membership that I believe you are referring to.

 

Regardless, hope you had a wicked ride.

 

100% pe3nguin. I only have a CSA membership. I have no Racing License. 

[Vetplant]

I am still in Lala Land over this race.

 

It was the first race that I could really imagine myself taking part in a peloton.

 

Some of those descents were terrifying and invigorating. It felt like we were riding some of those Alpine descents in France. I have new respect for descenders like Nibali and actually the entire pro peloton just going down as fast as they do and somehow they manage not to drift into one another(most of the time)

 

This was a race where I was just trying to not get dropped by the group on the hills(Fox Hill was the only one where I got dropped), but no planning other than that seeing as it was my first time. Nevertheless I found myself about 7th from the front with 200m to go and then just decided to test the legs in the sprint and it was an awesome feeling pipping other riders on the line, even if it was 7min down on the winners of our open seeded group.

 

Full road closure races like this one will always have me coming back for more!

[Honkdonk]

Lekker man, lekker

Thoroughly enjoyed it. Was my first 'Shova and wont be the last..

 

Started with AL and saw the back of the front bunch of AL up Fox and that was them gone.. Then we had our own thing going for the rest of the way. I remember seeing the 50k mark come at 1:38 or so and I thought my goal of a sub 3 was out the window.

Some good climbs - Botha's, Inchanga etc which us up country folk love with all the extra O2 in the air to fuel the engine. Sweeping descents to spice things up.

Then we hit the highway and flew and made up for the slowish pace in the beginning. Guys in our AL groupetto worked well together to keep that up.

I put 28c tyres on this last week and they made for a comfy ride - still undecided on speed though.

Came home in 2:48

Smashed too many Zamaleks in hospitality afterwards.. bah

[hilton_]

Lekker man, lekker

Thoroughly enjoyed it. Was my first 'Shova and wont be the last..

 

Started with AL and saw the back of the front bunch of AL up Fox and that was them gone.. Then we had our own thing going for the rest of the way. I remember seeing the 50k mark come at 1:38 or so and I thought my goal of a sub 3 was out the window.

Some good climbs - Botha's, Inchanga etc which us up country folk love with all the extra O2 in the air to fuel the engine. Sweeping descents to spice things up.

Then we hit the highway and flew and made up for the slowish pace in the beginning. Guys in our AL groupetto worked well together to keep that up.

I put 28c tyres on this last week and they made for a comfy ride - still undecided on speed though.

Came home in 2:48

Smashed too many Zamaleks in hospitality afterwards.. bah

Pretty much sums up my race. Most of the guys in second AL put in some work which is always good...