Telkom 947 Cycle Challenge - #CC2017

[GerrieTruter]

That reminds me, have to get some blue cableties. Starting from FF so the quick hubbers on their second lap can help me up the hills.

[HBO]

My view is that this is not a race to enter if:

• You haven't done enough training and 
• You aren't seeded (so have a late start time) and
• You don't enjoy suffering

For an unfit person, 95k's is a LOOONNNGGG way to ride.  Throw in some midday heat, maybe a thunderstorm if you're unlucky, the weight of a mountain bike with nobblies and it all turns into a bit of a nightmare.  

 

I have had a lot of people say that this is a TERRIBLE race and they don't know why so many people do it.  This is because they started at 9.30am and due to lack of training, they spent 5 to 6 hours suffering and struggling to finish.  

 

If this is likely to be you, CONSIDER taking the approach of riding until you are tired and then bailing.  Enjoy the spirit and the experience of riding.  The first 20 to 30k's can be done by most people irrespective of fitness.  Then spend the next few months riding a few other short rides and build your fitness.  Get seeded so you start earlier!  Then enter next year and give it stick.  Then you have fun.  Don't get put off cycling for life after enduring a sufferfest!  That's my advice.  Up to you now...

 

for people meeting your criteria it's a fun ride, not a race. The people who consider this a race are usually fit enough, have a decent enough seeding and welcome the suffering.

[Be4dawn]

Yeah will have to get some as well.

 

Im also doing my 1st cycle challenge starting at 8:40 with charities...Going at it on a MTB thus far if I cant get my hands on  a road bike.

 

I dont agree with the bail option though...Never go into something with the intend to give up. I Dont think im nearly prepared for thus but hey its part of the fun, we will suffer together and be stronger after the race.

[Frosty]

Question to those with vastly more experience..: How many times in the past has the 947CC taken place on a proper rain day, for example like we are seeing today in GP?

Only once in 2005 that there was real rain during the race and for most of the morning. Other than that we have been very lucky

was in 2006 that it last rained like yesterday.

 

 

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[scotty]

I recall 2006 and riding in the rain, I was on a down hill towards Malibongwe drive when a female cyclist with road rash from a previous fall came past, looking at her i could see she was going too fast to take the left turn safely and like a horror movie her wheels slipped and she slid across the intersection. 

[Gobbo]

Got a VC seeding 

Might join some friends for a slightly later start and do 

a double lap for a charity.

Have a great day out yall

[Pieter-za]

I've registered for my first 947 Cycle Challenge road race and still contemplating whether I would do the race as I feel like I'm unfit due to the lack of training whih simply is not happening.

 

I have a mountain bike and was advised to changed to change my tyres for the race as mountain biking tyres are not reccomended.

 

Can anyone share their thoughts/view on this?

 

I'm a bit two minded to change tyres as it then stops me from doing mountain biking on the weeks preceding the 947 event.

From a very much social rider:

I did my first 94.7 last year with a 30, 51 and 80 in the bag.  That was it.  On my mountain bike, with relatively new nobblies, and wearing tekkies.  Started just before 8.  Came in 4:36-ish.  Did suffer a bit the last 10k's or so but overall a very enjoyable experience!  

Go and have fun!

[Nibali]

Don't get put off cycling for life after enduring a sufferfest!  That's my advice.  Up to you now...

 

The sufferfest never stops  

[Neville Bailey]

Are there any decent campsites/caravan parks close to the venue? We are thinking of making a weekend camping trip from Durban.

 

 

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[Ryinc]

Are there any decent campsites/caravan parks close to the venue? We are thinking of making a weekend camping trip from Durban.

 

 

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Maybe one or two in the cradle area. Come down you will enjoy it.

['Kaze Pete]

Entry pages state 28959 entries so far.

 

Not sure what a reasonable race time will be, but I'm am quite sure it will fit comfortably between my fastest and slowest times... That said, the above gives me a near 7H30 spread   

[Fat Boab]

Are there any decent campsites/caravan parks close to the venue? We are thinking of making a weekend camping trip from Durban.

 

 

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Isn't there a camping site at the Venue itself? Maybe not particularly picturesque but you'd avoid the traffic issues getting to the start!

[hilton_]

Are there any decent campsites/caravan parks close to the venue? We are thinking of making a weekend camping trip from Durban.

 

 

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Closest one will be Hennops Pride, 15km up the R511 (William Nicol) towards the dam (not that I've been, but driven past a million times before).

Besides that, you'll probably have to look further, towards Magaliesburg/Muldersdrift. 

[Frosty]

A few years ago the organisers had a camp site for "out of towners" that was located close to the hospitality area. Perhaps contact them to find out more.

[Neville Bailey]

Isn't there a camping site at the Venue itself? Maybe not particularly picturesque but you'd avoid the traffic issues getting to the start!

 

Yes, I know about that one, but it's only available for the Saturday night. I was looking for Friday, Saturday and Sunday night.

[HBO]

Yes, I know about that one, but it's only available for the Saturday night. I was looking for Friday, Saturday and Sunday night.

As Hilton said, Hennops Pride. I haven't been there myself, but a buddy of mine have camped there quite a number of times when he still used to stayed in Pta. He only had good reports about this place.