Karoo to Coast

[ValeYellow]

K2C has been a bucket list ride for some time now. Entered in January with the view of getting in some serious training - being my first 100km ride. Life then takes over, and 4 weeks before "race" day - it dawned on me I had only been on the bike a handful of times since January. So, crammed in 8 rides before the big day with the view of simply reaching Kom Se Pad before the cut-off time, and then hope I can keep it together to cross the finish line in time.

 

Had a tent booked at the showgrounds but bailed on that idea and stayed at a nice guesthouse 40min from Uniondale. Had a chilled evening (no pun intended) having a braai, and preparing my kit and bike for the start. I honestly had no idea what to expect, so the worst came to mind, my nemesis being hills and many there were would be where I would come undone. 

 

Started in F batch and before I knew it we were on Ou Wapad and although there were plenty of walkers, I could weave my way to the top. Next thing I knew was that the climb up to the top of Prince Alfred was underway. Once reaching the summit, I stopped for a pic or two, and began the descent. And so the rest of the day went...

 

Reached Kom Se Pad with time to spare, and I was feeling tops, decided to crank things up a notch. The next 30km went by very quick, reaching Simola climb feeling strong. Once at the top of Simola, it was a balls to the wall dash (bike GPS registered 83kph on the tar descent), and crossed the finish line with just over 2 hours to spare. Finished stronger than I started.

 

Along the route, being my first and not having a basis to compare, the local support / vibe along the way was great. Water points were ok, took my own munchies along and only filled the camelbak once. Salted potatoes at the 2nd last water point tasted like food from the MTB gods. 

 

Lessons learnt, I stressed about nothing - could have gone harder from the start, but I accomplished what I setout to do and that was to finish - which I did with plenty in the tank (burnt 1 match). 6+ hours is a long time in the saddle, so for 2019, yes I will be back, a lot more training will go into the build up of this race, hopefully posting a better time, and more importantly enjoy it as much as I did this year - start strong finish stronger.

 

My only whine - inadequate training, which I only have myself to blame for (although I felt strong throughout). The missus and kids met me at the finish, made our way to the car, klapped an ice cold bevy (or two) while I loaded the bike and made our way to Sedgefield where we were staying for the remainder of the week.

 

Awesome event, K2C is going to be a regular feature....

Edited September 28, 2018 by ValeYellow

[bj horn]

The longer it takes me to do this challenge the more I enjoy it.From Karoo landscape to the ride through the forest are very special.Made even more special riding with family.Camping at the showgrounds is also a blast with all likeminded people  talking cycling and all the nervous anticipation

Waiting in anticipation for 20 Jan to enter for 2019

[Williepotch]

Enjoyed my first Karoo to Coast! Anyone found that there Strava time and race result time(RaceTec) differs? Mine as much as 11mins! Probably due to poor signal going through the forest canopy.

[LeoKnight]

Enjoyed my first Karoo to Coast! Anyone found that there Strava time and race result time(RaceTec) differs? Mine as much as 11mins! Probably due to poor signal going through the forest canopy.

 

Do you have autopause set to "On"  within the Strava app?  

[thisismyotherbike]

Enjoyed my first Karoo to Coast! Anyone found that there Strava time and race result time(RaceTec) differs? Mine as much as 11mins! Probably due to poor signal going through the forest canopy.

Signal quality doesn't affect time. Check your elapsed time, not moving time. Mark the activity as a race and Strava will display elapsed time as the headline number.

[ValeYellow]

So, 2019 K2C Entry sorted.

 

Who else is doing it this year?

[corriekuilder]

Entry also done and dusted, did a scenic ride last year, enjoyed everything, this year I aim to go harder

[Rouxenator]

I'm in for #9. 

 

Still need to book all the accommodation as per family demands. 

[JohanDiv]

Also did a scenic ride last year on my first go. Aimed for 6h30min, did it in 5h45min. I'm already 15kg lighter and much fitter than I was at last years K2C. Aiming for sub5 this year. Already struggling to find accomodation that my wife approves of...

[Skubarra]

Every year a bit puzzled at how popular this race is here on the hub.

 

I have done it twice, enjoyed it but that attraction that make people travel 1000's of km & negotiate crappy logistics to do it year after year is somehow lost on me.

 

Maybe few years from now I will give this race another go

[Rouxenator]

If you look at the core of K2C, the ride from Uniondale to Knysna - it is beautiful. To me it is way more fun and scenic than CTCT. So the main reason I do it is to experience the way the scenery around you changes as you progress on the route.

 

Then there is my personal goal of doing 10 in a row since starting - so that means this year and the next. 

 

There after I'll stop doing it as it is a pretty costly exercise. One cool coincidence is that before I was fit and cycled I took my wife to Knysna for our honeymoon, which is the 23rd of September. So there is that reason to be around there that time of the year.

 

But mostly it is that beautiful route. 

[Andrea Fletcher 3l3v3n]

So, 2019 K2C Entry sorted.

 

Who else is doing it this year?

 

Meeeeeee...And it will be my first one 

[Andrea Fletcher 3l3v3n]

If you look at the core of K2C, the ride from Uniondale to Knysna - it is beautiful. To me it is way more fun and scenic than CTCT. So the main reason I do it is to experience the way the scenery around you changes as you progress on the route.

 

Then there is my personal goal of doing 10 in a row since starting - so that means this year and the next. 

 

There after I'll stop doing it as it is a pretty costly exercise. One cool coincidence is that before I was fit and cycled I took my wife to Knysna for our honeymoon, which is the 23rd of September. So there is that reason to be around there that time of the year.

 

But mostly it is that beautiful route. 

 

I agree with you there regarding the K2C being more fun and scenic than the CTCT.  Even though I haven't done it before, and this one will be my first, from the footage I have seen, it DOES look a lot more appealing than the CTCT, which I have done 3 times already.  I really don't plan on doing another CTCT any time soon.

[Chingy182]

I'm also entered for my 2nd K2C this year.

 

Girlfriend started cycling late last year only.

Doing her first CTCT soon and entered for K2C too.

We have a lot of training to do!!

 

We will be hitting the stables accommodation.

I'd rather be 5min from the start in the morning than 45min.

[Skubarra]

If you look at the core of K2C, the ride from Uniondale to Knysna - it is beautiful. To me it is way more fun and scenic than CTCT. So the main reason I do it is to experience the way the scenery around you changes as you progress on the route.

 

Then there is my personal goal of doing 10 in a row since starting - so that means this year and the next. 

 

There after I'll stop doing it as it is a pretty costly exercise. One cool coincidence is that before I was fit and cycled I took my wife to Knysna for our honeymoon, which is the 23rd of September. So there is that reason to be around there that time of the year.

 

But mostly it is that beautiful route. 

 

Certainly not bashing the K2C - its a good event and always a challenge.

 

But for me the route/view is not particularly unique compared to other races in the southern cape, its crowded, the logistics sucks and its costly for a weekend as you said. Maybe part of the appeal is that it is one of the original mtb challenges in SA, from the days when 100km on a mtb was considered extreme.

 

I also wouldn't have done the CTCT every year if I didn't live in CT - maybe I just like to do a larger variety of rides with my limited budget.

[Wayne pudding Mol]

If we all liked the same thing life would be dull - K2C is my highlight of the year.  In 2015 I'd never  ridden a race/funride.  100km seemed a challenge as a first event.  I  did well enough as I was fit but struggled physically because I'd never ridden a bike further than 30km.  My bones ached and I learnt fast that a quality bib would be super important in future.  It's a fun very doable ride for  mediocre riders like me and still a challenge for most - a friendly atmosphere too