Tour Durban 2019

[Friedpiggy]

Just a heads up for anyone doing the 100km for the first time. Be VERY careful on the M7. Try stay on the tar section as it is a smoother ride. Crossing from the concrete to the tar also involves some risk as the canyon between the two surfaces will grip and stop your wheel. 

With the rain over the last couple of days it might be sandy in places as well. 

[Furbz]

Thanks for the warning.

 

are the roads still ok after all the rain?

[Friedpiggy]

Tar is fine, but the cyclocross guys are going to have fun. some sections of the track are about 2m of water thats around 15+cm deep
 

[Sepia]

Tar is fine, but the cyclocross guys are going to have fun. some sections of the track are about 2m of water thats around 15+cm deep

 

Oh dear!!!!!  There is no dam you cannot walk around.

[WeekendWarrior80]

To all of those here who have entered and will be riding tomorrow, have fun.

 

Even though I still have my bike, I decided not to enter this year, what with focusing more on running these days. It would have been a waste of an entry anyway as I started with Bronchitis yesterday.

 

Have a jol y'all.

[JScottP]

[eccc whippet]

Went to cycle lab to enter...que was just tooo long.

[Friedpiggy]

This will be my last Tour Durban I think. Every year you can bet on it that the entry fee will be higher, but we get less from it. 4 years ago I rode my first one, was a pleasant experience at registration, there was a tiny little expo and it was quite nice overall. Since they moved to cycle lab for registration its been a nightmare. Long queues, no expo as cycle lab obviously dont want the competition and just an overall bad experience. 

 

I just want to know what happened to the armored vehicles the city bought at great expense to deal with "violent protest action" or are those now parked outside the mayor and senior officials houses to protect them? Absolutely disgusting.

[Sepia]

 

 

 

I just want to know what happened to the armored vehicles the city bought at great expense to deal with "violent protest action" or are those now parked outside the mayor and senior officials houses to protect them? Absolutely disgusting.

They are on the M19.  Not sure if they work or not? The road is unridable, even if you ride tubeless - plenty nails, wire and debris about.  Just come from there and I am worried my vehicle will have a flat wheel in the morning.

Edited April 27, 2019 by Sepia

[Furbz]

So if I am staying in Umhlanga, is there a good route to ride to the start in the am?

I assume the M4 is the only route?

[JScottP]

So if I am staying in Umhlanga, is there a good route to ride to the start in the am?

I assume the M4 is the only route?

There’s a full cycle lane from Umhlanga that bypasses the M4 completely.

[JScottP]

This will be my last Tour Durban I think. Every year you can bet on it that the entry fee will be higher, but we get less from it. 4 years ago I rode my first one, was a pleasant experience at registration, there was a tiny little expo and it was quite nice overall. Since they moved to cycle lab for registration its been a nightmare. Long queues, no expo as cycle lab obviously dont want the competition and just an overall bad experience.

Knowing that all my entry fees goes to charity I’m more than happy to pay the few hundred rand to do a race on fully closed roads within 15 minutes of where I live.

 

Cyclelab obviously sponsored the registration space so you can’t blame them for wanting feet through the door.

 

PS What are you getting less of than when you first started?

[Furbz]

There’s a full cycle lane from Umhlanga that bypasses the M4 completely.

Thanks, is it obvious?

I am not from round these parts

[JScottP]

Thanks, is it obvious?

I am not from round these parts

If you start at Forest Drive in Umhlanga, you should be able to spot the yellow cycle lane, and then just flow all the way to the beachfront????????

[Dom031]

I had a pleasant registration experience. Longest wait was about 5 minutes in the queue for the goodie bag. Actual race number etc there was no queue. I waited longest in the queue for the tills to pay for some stuff I picked up from Cyclelab, but that's nothing to do with registration. Considering the CL sale, it's probably the largest variety "expo" you're likely to find.

[Furbz]

If you start at Forest Drive in Umhlanga, you should be able to spot the yellow cycle lane, and then just flow all the way to the beachfront????????

Shot, appreciate the help.

Good luck with the race!