[Event] To Hell & Back 2017

[fanievb]

we are a bunch of mates doing HAB, we started a movember team to raise some funds, if you don't mind, please donate a few ZAR

https://moteam.co/team-seabass?mc=1 

[cgibb]

I have 2 x entries for sale. Please check my ad under classifieds.

[Larry King]

Everyone ready????????

[fanievb]

hell yes.

I see they have wine tasting at registration.

and there I was, thinking I'm going to get a good time....

[GLuvsMtb]

we are a bunch of mates doing HAB, we started a movember team to raise some funds, if you don't mind, please donate a few ZAR

 

https://moteam.co/team-seabass?mc=1

I’ve put a little something in the kitty for you’s [emoji6]

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro

[fanievb]

I’ve put a little something in the kitty for you’s [emoji6]

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro

 

awesome thanks   

[Ferro]

So keen to enter this event next year. Getting excited now and i'm not even riding. Please post detailed reports afterwards.

[DJR]

Waiting for the reports, but i suppose most are near dead and need a little more time to post.

[TALUS]

Great event again. Hot as hell today... Those loose/scraped surfaces made day 2 "special". The recent veld fires made for a post-  apocalypse type feeling at times. A must do race.

[fanievb]

It was painful.

The section between the turn off and the spur waterpoint was *** on a HT

Lower back took a real beating.

Full report to follow.

[Ferro]

Been following the FB feed. This looks eina:

[fanievb]

Hell and Back was, well HELL AND BACK.

 

I was in two minds as to “race” strategy. However when they handed my race number to me at registration I knew I had to go a little faster than holiday mode. 6 is my lucky number and being my third time I knew that it was now or never to get a better time for the event.

 

#varkhart ready to ride

 

 

 

The start was clumsy and cool with all the nervous excitement. I sat at the back with my mates for the first few km, to warm up my legs for the climb. Just before the jeep track section I picked up the pace.

Funtrax MTB Club well represented at the event

 

 

I cruised up and over the pass (25min faster than my previous time) without much happening except the compulsory last phone call before reception is lost at Die Top.

Skelmdraai

 

 

First WP done and bottles filled I hit the worst section of the road. Being on a hardtail the ruts, rocks, sand and corrugations made for some slipping and sliding and a very bruised back by the time I got to the Spur waterpoint. I had a quick bite and bottle fill and set off on the last of the downhills before heart break hill, hoping to get to the start of Elandspad before the mercury got to high.  Just before the last drop towards Heartbreak Darling Brew set up a cosy little stop with beer, although unplanned I could not refuse a cold beer.

Darling Brew

 

 

At the foot of heartbreak I felt really good and decided I will ride all the way up and I will NOT get off, which I managed to do taking 6 minutes of my previous time.

Heartbreak in the distance

 

Crossing the line on day one with the officials klapping a small little sticker (which means I’m seeded for day 2) on my board was a great feeling.

I headed for a shower and a cold bear followed by a sports massage. We did as little as possible which included a lot of sitting, some chilling (literally) in the river and some beer drinking. We were in bed by 21:00.

 

yes I am tired

 

Day 1 Stats
Total Time 4:11 (moving time 3:55)

Distance: 58.8km (Avg spd 15.1 kph)

Elevation gain 1717 loss 1845

(367 hrTSS, IF 0.91, Avg HR 169, Max HR 196)

 

 

DAY 2

I was worried about day 2 as my back was really hurting and those little mattress didn't help much. The weather prediction was for a hotter day so I knew I was going to have to move it to stay out the heat.

 

Going up Elandspad I just got into a rhythm and peddled to the top trying to enjoy the view without riding off the side. I bypassed the first waterpoint and went flying down Heart Break, trying to keep to my planned time and beat the heat.

 

The climbs really started hurting and I realised that I may be in for a long day, so I switched my garmin to only show my HR and I focused on keeping it steady and under 170.

 

At the Spur stop I was tired and sore and half blind (dust + contacts = eina). Thankfully the medic was around and he gave me some eye drops. While waiting for the drops to work its magic I had a burger and chips.

ons is nie meer kwaad vir Spur nie

 

 

Finally getting back on my back I struggled to get any rhythm going due to the condition of the road knocking all sort of **** out of me (1:30 hours to do 14km. Luckily everyone suffers at this stage and it was easy to share your pain with the fellow riders (us MTB’ers are a friendly bunch)

At the last waterpoint I had to decline a beer (never thought I’d see the day) and push on towards Die Top, knowing that those last switchbacks take forever to finish.

 

#selfie

 

 

At Die Top, a quick photo and I was off to the finish and the very, very enjoyable jeep track and that last SOB section on the tar.

Die Top

Day 2 Stats
Total Time 4:38 (moving time 4:11)

Distance: 58.8km (Avg spd 14 kph)

Elevation gain 1840 loss 1687

(315 hrTSS, IF 0.81, Avg HR 162, Max HR 184)

Edited November 21, 2017 by fanievb

[Ferro]

...

 

Thanks for posting. Enjoyed the read. Chuckled about that Spur pic comment.

[DJR]

Fanie

[Sepia]

I know it is a beast but is the name of that "hill" actually called Heartbreak?

I guess I have actually answered my own question

Nice one Fanie and thanks for the pics.

[Eddy Gordo]

Awesome man, I been on that road, didnt cycle it, but would love to at some time