mecheng89 Posted September 23, 2018 Posted September 23, 2018 Getting really amped for this one, my 2nd time doing the race. Bettered my seeding considerably in the leadup and prep for this race. Probably won't be able to hang onto A-Batch if I get seeded there, so will drop down to B and try to hang onto the front guys during that first long uphill section.Come say hello!
mecheng89 Posted September 23, 2018 Posted September 23, 2018 How is the first long uphill? Doing my first Shova this year.Hard if you're fit. Very hard if you're unfit.
eccc whippet Posted September 23, 2018 Posted September 23, 2018 a few tips for newbies to the shova. carry some form of ID with contact details in case of emergency...or write it on the number board you get...some of us are a medical incident waiting to happen...our club has a card which is issued to each member with all our details. make sure your bike is in good conditions and you have the knowledge and spares required to at least change a tube or at least fix a puncture....I am sure there will be a backup vehicles to assist (make sure you get contact details) make sure you do at least 1 x 100 km ride before the event...so that you have an idea of what you are getting yourself into...make sure you hydrate...make a point of drinking water a couple of days before the event...4-7 hrs is a long time out on the road...and whatever you do...eat and drink as you go..at least ever half an hour to an hour...just enough to keep you going...dont get to the feed table and make a pig of yourself as we have all done in the past...you will pay for it. go out slow and find a comfortable pace..dont try jump from a slower to faster groups unless you know you have the strength and endurance...you will blow out and suffer the rest of the ride...dont try bridge the gap between the group you are in and the one ahead...for the same reason mentioned already. practice group rides before the event....use the groups to save energy...even if you get dropped rather slow down and wait for the next group to pass...dont try do the entire event solo...you will suffer...i see the long spread out line all the way from Durban up to pinetown. learn to stand a little while climbing to relive the pressure and improve circulation...even if it is just for a minute or 2. every year i have been caught in that hectic wind from Hillcrest to Durban....form a group no matter how small ...it will help save energy and get you to the finish line. figue out your strengths and weaknesses and use then wisely...for example i am a fat oke and battle up the hills...have enough power in my legs to hold the pace on the flats and fly down hills...so i just go at my own pace up the hills...i dont try hold onto a group...just focus on getting to the top...use the down hill momentum to get as far up the other side of rolling flats as possible...then hang onto a bunch on the flats...make sure i position myself in the front for the downhill...other wise i get held up and have to keep braking. be careful at the start...dont clip in until you are sure you have space to get momentum. going down the hills in drummond/inchanga can be a bit of a challenge as experienced by a young lady riding with us a couple weeks ago...she went wide and hit the cliff face. a few rough bike tips (make very slight adjustments ...mm) if you cant get a bike fit...a quick simple tip...sit on the bike make sure the pedal is at the bottom of the stroke...put your heal onto the pedal and make sure your leg is straight...adjust your saddle to suit...it is a very rough but handy guide. cleat setup...montior your pedal stroke and see if it feels like your heal wants to go lower than the pedal on the down stroke...move your cleat slightly back until it feels like you are pushing on the ball of your foot. make sure your saddle is level...or comfortable...slight pressure on your sit bones. as everyone always tells me...try to have fun.
Malduik Posted October 1, 2018 Posted October 1, 2018 Hey peeps I need an entry if anyone has one available. I can enter at registration but won't be seeded. Preferably A batch (which I hope doesn't have that same oke from last year that sped up Fox Hill at the pace of a Serena Williams tantrum at a Wimbledon final!)
Opc_danny Posted October 1, 2018 Posted October 1, 2018 Thank you for this Hard if you're fit. Very hard if you're unfit. Capture.PNG
Vetplant Posted October 1, 2018 Posted October 1, 2018 Hard if you're fit. Very hard if you're unfit. Capture.PNGTo the okes in Pretoria/Centurion: https://www.strava.com/segments/1811015This is the closest to a similar length and gradient as you are going to get in our neck of the woods. It is slightly lower gradient than Fox, but race day adrenaline and lower altitude meant I did Fox 1 minute faster than my PR at Klapperkop. My plan is to go do a couple of intense attempts at Klapperkop in the next 3 weeks before the race to teach myself how to suffer for that duration of time.
jcza Posted October 1, 2018 Posted October 1, 2018 I have a discounted entry for the 160km race available. Anyone keen let me know.
shova Posted October 2, 2018 Posted October 2, 2018 Hello, if you do get a substitution entry then you will be seeded according to your own seeding. You will not be taking the seeding of the cyclist that can no longer ride. Hope this makes sense and go look on our facebook page as there are people advertising substitution entries there. Hope to see you at the race!! Hey peeps I need an entry if anyone has one available. I can enter at registration but won't be seeded. Preferably A batch (which I hope doesn't have that same oke from last year that sped up Fox Hill at the pace of a Serena Williams tantrum at a Wimbledon final!)
shova Posted October 2, 2018 Posted October 2, 2018 We estimated on cycling 40kms per hour!Have fun and see you at the finish Hmm, I see the 160km starts at 6h25, and bus 1 arrives at 6h - certainly won't be time for dawdling to get to the start on time.... With the estimate that we'll rejoin the normal route between C and D, on roughly what speed is that based?
Malduik Posted October 2, 2018 Posted October 2, 2018 Hello, if you do get a substitution entry then you will be seeded according to your own seeding. You will not be taking the seeding of the cyclist that can no longer ride. Hope this makes sense and go look on our facebook page as there are people advertising substitution entries there. Hope to see you at the race!! Thanks Shova This is good news. I actually managed to get my hands on an entry. See you at the startline!
Dazshell Posted October 2, 2018 Posted October 2, 2018 CL for me. If I can hang in 'til the end, will it finally be a sub-3 for me?
Andyb Posted October 2, 2018 Posted October 2, 2018 Got seeded in D, same batch as last year even though we were front of D!!! Any idea if you can get seeded further up or even purchase a day license to ride with vets?
JA-Q001 Posted October 2, 2018 Posted October 2, 2018 Got seeded in D, same batch as last year even though we were front of D!!! Any idea if you can get seeded further up or even purchase a day license to ride with vets? Can you stay with A? ..... no? ..... don't try Vets
Spoke101 Posted October 2, 2018 Posted October 2, 2018 Hey peeps I need an entry if anyone has one available. I can enter at registration but won't be seeded. Preferably A batch (which I hope doesn't have that same oke from last year that sped up Fox Hill at the pace of a Serena Williams tantrum at a Wimbledon final!) Guilty as charged and this year i'm bringing reinforcements so make sure you put your big boy pants on Sunday morning going for sub 2h40 .
Andyb Posted October 2, 2018 Posted October 2, 2018 Can you stay with A? ..... no? ..... don't try VetsI used to and I'd like to try again.
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