Mamil Posted June 25, 2017 Posted June 25, 2017 I posted this under the news article but I didn't think anyone would read it so I'm reposting it here - I can't find a thread for the Grabouw trailseeker - (sorry admin but having written it I kinda want someone to read it - please move it if needed) ---------------------- The first thing I had to get my head around on Saturday was that, after my personal best performance at Tulbagh, I had been demoted from C batch to D. To be fair, I don't think there were too many behind me at Tulbagh but still, I have to say my ego was wounded and as I persuaded my frozen fingers to plak the D onto my board, my confidence was a little dented. The other D batchers and I stood in the chute eyeing each other out. "I reckon I can take this lot" I thought reassuringly to myself. Some of these guys looked like they enjoy a second helping of the pap and sous as much as I do and noting that the front row of the batch resembled the front row of a reserve league rugby side, acceptance of my lowly status in the hierarchy of speed started to seep in. The truth is, I've been in B and C batches at trailseekers before and they tend to take off from the start like sinners fleeing the truth and I struggle to keep up such a fast pace on cold legs. And my legs were freezing - 0,5 the commentator informed us with a note of glee as he hunkered down into his windbreaker and wrapped his scarf a little tighter - actually my Garmin went as low as minus 2 as we dropped into the valley. Then we were off - D and E batches lumped together for convenience and I was racing along 6th wheel and feeling like a real athlete and right at home in D when disaster struck - I cross chained myself at the first corner and popped the chain off. My fingers were blue and numb but I got it back on as the guy in the cow suit right at the back went past and I started stone last. All pretensions of competition aside my aim was to finish what I knew to be a very tough ride having had a good time rather than spend the last hour of the event just hanging on and praying for the end. I accomplished this. What a really lekker ride this is - I remembered the first half from the shorter distance I did last year. It was gratifying to climb up the old pass 4 minutes faster than I did last year and to reach the route split with an average speed almost 2 kilometers an hour faster than I did in the half marathon last year. Real progress. After the split, the real riding started. The Groenlandberg climb was a proper challenge but not insurmountable. The thing that stood out most for me though was the devastation wrought by the recent fires. The single track return journey from the furthest point above Steenbras was mud and blackened stumps and I imagined taking gritty and grainy black and white photographs - the gorgeous winter sunlight contrasting with the ochre and burnt stone. The hill at 62km was a nasty little surprise - I cannot imagine how anyone could ride up the washed out and steepest section. Of course they do but I'd really like to see it. I finished feeling tired but good and with a little bit left in the tank and 15 minutes slower than I said I'd be ecstatic with when chatting about the race with the guys from my LBS. A very well organised ride - plenty of porta-loos which is one of my biggest requirements at an event - give everyone enough time to have a good bowel movement and they will be happy - well marked routes with adequately stocked refreshment stations - the sliced oranges are fantastic and give a real boost. Looking forward to seeing the regrowth in the fire devastated sections next winter.
Rapunzel Posted June 25, 2017 Posted June 25, 2017 Got to agree it was an awesomely organised event - well done advendurance.The start was freezing but the apple orchard section took cold to a whole new level (I believe somebody ended up being carted off to hospital with hypothermia). I didn't think I'd ever be envious of the CHOC riders in their cow onesies (udder and all)
solty Posted June 25, 2017 Posted June 25, 2017 As a fellow D batch starter I found the company quite relaxed, although no one seemed to talk much for the first hour or so. Perhaps facial muscles frozen... darn it was cold in the orchards. My fingers felt like some brute was pounding them with a hammer the whole time. Long fingered gloves would have been a good idea! A friend who did the half marathon didn't believe me when I told her about the frost on the ground. It had gone by the time they came through there.I found the single track in the burnt section quite special. Bizarre landscape to ride through.
Ferro Posted June 25, 2017 Posted June 25, 2017 Agree with all of the above. The landscape was stunning. Wish my phone camera could do it justice though
Mamil Posted June 25, 2017 Author Posted June 25, 2017 Dare we D batchers tackle Bosman on 5 August? It's the toughest of these trailseekers I believe.
Ferro Posted June 25, 2017 Posted June 25, 2017 I think they might ask me to rather NOT seeing as i finished while they were packing the venue up. Think if i do i will contribute a bit extra for the poor ladies and gents who have to hang around until i come rolling in.
Mamil Posted June 25, 2017 Author Posted June 25, 2017 Ah Ferro I been there before - Mr T Buttox advised me to stop biting off more than I can chew and do the shorter events for a while - advice which I took for about 2 months. I also got a road bike which really gave my fitness a boost. I think they might ask me to rather NOT seeing as i finished while they were packing the venue up. Think if i do i will contribute a bit extra for the poor ladies and gents who have to hang around until i come rolling in.
Thor Buttox Posted June 25, 2017 Posted June 25, 2017 Ah Ferro I been there before - Mr T Buttox advised me to stop biting off more than I can chew and do the shorter events for a while - advice which I took for about 2 months. I also got a road bike which really gave my fitness a boost.Sounds like a wise fellow. The kind of fellow who would let you sit slip if he were provided an entry... but -2C is too much.
milky4130 Posted June 25, 2017 Posted June 25, 2017 Got to agree it was an awesomely organised event - well done advendurance.The start was freezing but the apple orchard section took cold to a whole new level (I believe somebody ended up being carted off to hospital with hypothermia). I didn't think I'd ever be envious of the CHOC riders in their cow onesies (udder and all) congrats on the win Rapunzel
Mamil Posted June 26, 2017 Author Posted June 26, 2017 Tempted as I am to spend hard end dosh so I can watch your eponymous buttox on their saddle while spitting grit and mud as I try to keep up with you for 100 kilometers Thor, I think I will decline the invite. Sounds like a wise fellow. The kind of fellow who would let you sit slip if he were provided an entry... but -2C is too much.
Cycling Addict Posted June 26, 2017 Posted June 26, 2017 Great race .. I only have 1 bit of criticism ... after spending R300 give the guys a coke and not some disgusting sugar free RedBull imitation and milk options at the finish
Ferro Posted June 26, 2017 Posted June 26, 2017 Ah Ferro I been there before - Mr T Buttox advised me to stop biting off more than I can chew and do the shorter events for a while - advice which I took for about 2 months. I also got a road bike which really gave my fitness a boost. Agree. I used this as a guide when i entered:http://advendurance.com/trailseekerseries/event/2017trailseekerwc2/ The site says 1291m climbing. My strava says 1737m. That caught me out a bit near the end. Edit: unless my strava is way out.
Mamil Posted June 26, 2017 Author Posted June 26, 2017 I got 1350 on my Garmin and most people I know were in that ballpark. The trailseeker events are generally fairly accurate when it comes to accurate course descriptions. Also these elevation measurements do seem to vary wildly - two Garmin 520's riding the same route at the same time can measure very differently. Agree. I used this as a guide when i entered:http://advendurance.com/trailseekerseries/event/2017trailseekerwc2/ The site says 1291m climbing. My strava says 1737m. That caught me out a bit near the end. Edit: unless my strava is way out.
Ferro Posted June 26, 2017 Posted June 26, 2017 Perhaps my time also would've been better had i not stopped so often, but man the scenery was just too beautiful.
milky4130 Posted June 26, 2017 Posted June 26, 2017 Great race .. I only have 1 bit of criticism ... after spending R300 give the guys a coke and not some disgusting sugar free RedBull imitation and milk options at the finish honestly not sure if you are joking or not, but those 2 drinks are the best for recovery.
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