2019 Amashova

[Dicky DQ]

Good race! The longest distance I did during my training was one 65 km, and the rest were 40 - 50 km rides.I did most of my rides in the burning afternoon sun though. It was my first 100 km race and I finished strong, wasn't totally knackered. I did wanna train for the distance but unfortunately my time did not allow. Imagine having to run 90 km regularly in preparation for the Comrades 

I would say a comrades will compare to (maybe) a 200 - 240km single Stage MTB (There is of course the Munga which is about 1100 km single stage MTB) or a 400 or 600km single stage road.

 

Hence the majority of fit-ish cyclists bemoaning baseless rants. 

 

The problem with cycling is it is so easy to get into, you seldom have to qualify and a lot of people overestimate their ability. 

 

It would be nice to see qualifiers for some of the bigger races (But then again 100 to 120km is not really a distance in cycling). Most people I know do back to back 100 km + rides on a weekend. 

 

And here I was thinking the ranter was ranting about the 160km not the 100km ride.

Edited October 23, 2019 by TDFN

[Frosty]

I was hoping to see how people done, what happened in their ride, not how many bars they eat and bottles they drink.

 

How was your race guys

Race time: 2:53 (AL seeded, but BL start).

RPE: 6/10

 

The race was day 4 of my club's Durban Tour, and I felt pretty good despite suffering in the heat every day. I have since learnt/read that I might be prone to suffer from hyponatremia - read about it on the 947 page.

 

The plan was to ride together as a group (club, not BL), but rolling role call near the top of Fox hill revealed there were only 4 of us (out of 8), so we would carry on with the second group. We eventually caught the front group on the turn at the chicken farms, and moved to the front to assist with the pacing - it's also perceived to be safer in front.

 

At Drummond I dropped my water bottle (a full one, with water only), no electrolytes. I don't wear gloves when it's hot, and my hands were extremely sweaty - another lesson learnt on the day. I stopped at WP3 as I had about 1/3 of a bottle only, and I listened to my body rather than my ego - get dropped, rehydrate (that would mean dilute my sodium levels with plain water) and carry on.

 

I passed a few, and got passed by a few before I jumped onto the next sizeable group, a mix of AL, BL and I think 2 guys from CL. Very few of them wanted to work, and I wasn't willing to burn all my remaining matches so I spent time in front and at the back until the finish line when I was the last one in the group to cross the line. 

 

505Km done in 4 days, in temperatures hitting at high as 39-degrees C. Double the liquids I normally consume, but still an enjoyable Tour. Getting into the car before I lost my sense of humour was key, and I'd do it again in the future. 

 

On day 1, I hit a PB on my PPO... 45MW, so I believe I am strong, like mother Russia.

[bmw1za]

Race time: 2:53 (AL seeded, but BL start).

RPE: 6/10

 

The race was day 4 of my club's Durban Tour, and I felt pretty good despite suffering in the heat every day. I have since learnt/read that I might be prone to suffer from hyponatremia - read about it on the 947 page.

 

The plan was to ride together as a group (club, not BL), but rolling role call near the top of Fox hill revealed there were only 4 of us (out of 8), so we would carry on with the second group. We eventually caught the front group on the turn at the chicken farms, and moved to the front to assist with the pacing - it's also perceived to be safer in front.

 

At Drummond I dropped my water bottle (a full one, with water only), no electrolytes. I don't wear gloves when it's hot, and my hands were extremely sweaty - another lesson learnt on the day. I stopped at WP3 as I had about 1/3 of a bottle only, and I listened to my body rather than my ego - get dropped, rehydrate (that would mean dilute my sodium levels with plain water) and carry on.

 

I passed a few, and got passed by a few before I jumped onto the next sizeable group, a mix of AL, BL and I think 2 guys from CL. Very few of them wanted to work, and I wasn't willing to burn all my remaining matches so I spent time in front and at the back until the finish line when I was the last one in the group to cross the line. 

 

505Km done in 4 days, in temperatures hitting at high as 39-degrees C. Double the liquids I normally consume, but still an enjoyable Tour. Getting into the car before I lost my sense of humour was key, and I'd do it again in the future. 

 

On day 1, I hit a PB on my PPO... 45MW, so I believe I am strong, like mother Russia.

WhatsApp Image 2019-10-17 at 15.54.25 (1).jpeg

only 45000 .. best you train harder , lol .... nice one Sir 

[Roguemeister]

only 45000 .. best you train harder , lol .... nice one Sir

To be fair that was with one leg only

[Jarl Borg]

Race time: 2:53 (AL seeded, but BL start).

RPE: 6/10

 

The race was day 4 of my club's Durban Tour, and I felt pretty good despite suffering in the heat every day. I have since learnt/read that I might be prone to suffer from hyponatremia - read about it on the 947 page.

 

The plan was to ride together as a group (club, not BL), but rolling role call near the top of Fox hill revealed there were only 4 of us (out of 8), so we would carry on with the second group. We eventually caught the front group on the turn at the chicken farms, and moved to the front to assist with the pacing - it's also perceived to be safer in front.

 

At Drummond I dropped my water bottle (a full one, with water only), no electrolytes. I don't wear gloves when it's hot, and my hands were extremely sweaty - another lesson learnt on the day. I stopped at WP3 as I had about 1/3 of a bottle only, and I listened to my body rather than my ego - get dropped, rehydrate (that would mean dilute my sodium levels with plain water) and carry on.

 

I passed a few, and got passed by a few before I jumped onto the next sizeable group, a mix of AL, BL and I think 2 guys from CL. Very few of them wanted to work, and I wasn't willing to burn all my remaining matches so I spent time in front and at the back until the finish line when I was the last one in the group to cross the line. 

 

505Km done in 4 days, in temperatures hitting at high as 39-degrees C. Double the liquids I normally consume, but still an enjoyable Tour. Getting into the car before I lost my sense of humour was key, and I'd do it again in the future. 

 

On day 1, I hit a PB on my PPO... 45MW, so I believe I am strong, like mother Russia.

WhatsApp Image 2019-10-17 at 15.54.25 (1).jpeg

Lefty Ocho 

[Frosty]

To be fair that was with one leg only

Ha ha, true

[eddy]

This thread has been very useful.

 

A friend started cycing a few months ago, never having ridden a bike before, and loves it.

 

She did a 76km gravel race in Greyton at the end of September and entered the 94.7 as it would only be another 20kays or so.

 

BUT, she is starting in one of the last batches in the heat of the day and it is likely to be a long hot, not very pleasant ride. Based on the opinions in this thread, she would be much better off doing the 40 and even though I am seeded in D, I may well join her.

 

We can rather go off and do a 100 the next week, starting early enough to get it done before it get too hot.

[nagougrote]

The Amashova is probably the most deceptively difficult race. I remember before I did it for the first time in 2017 looking at the profile and commenting to a friend who had done it before that it looked like I could probably freewheel down to Durban. He just laughed and I found out why the hard way. There’s a reason it’s called the Valley of a 1000 Hills.

 

This year I suspected it was going to be a hot day when I saw the guy sitting in front of me on the bus sweating already. That was at 4h45.

 

I started in AL with my only goal being a sub-3 (3.10 last year in the wind so knew it was possible if the weather played its part). To be honest I didn’t notice the heat too much as I focused on hanging on to the group as long as possible (this is key in the first 25km) and hitting the sub-3 splits at each water point. Helped by a group of 4 riders who worked tirelessly together until Botha’s Hill.

 

I was on track for the sub-3 as I joined the highway bang on 2 hours. Later hit a headwind about 15km out and started losing time. Bled through the eyeballs over the last 5km (10bpm over my max heart rate) and crossed the line in 2:59. With half a bottle and a gel left.

 

The fake Coke and Fanta at the end never tasted so good. Had a dip in the sea then began the long drive back to Jo'burg (stopping in Maritzburg to watch the Bok game).

 

Great event as usual. For me the best part is the full road closure. Makes a change from most of the races in Jo'burg where guys are risking their lives in the traffic for 584th place.

[MarvH]

Race time: 2:53 (AL seeded, but BL start).

RPE: 6/10

 

The race was day 4 of my club's Durban Tour, and I felt pretty good despite suffering in the heat every day. I have since learnt/read that I might be prone to suffer from hyponatremia - read about it on the 947 page.

 

The plan was to ride together as a group (club, not BL), but rolling role call near the top of Fox hill revealed there were only 4 of us (out of 8), so we would carry on with the second group. We eventually caught the front group on the turn at the chicken farms, and moved to the front to assist with the pacing - it's also perceived to be safer in front.

 

At Drummond I dropped my water bottle (a full one, with water only), no electrolytes. I don't wear gloves when it's hot, and my hands were extremely sweaty - another lesson learnt on the day. I stopped at WP3 as I had about 1/3 of a bottle only, and I listened to my body rather than my ego - get dropped, rehydrate (that would mean dilute my sodium levels with plain water) and carry on.

 

I passed a few, and got passed by a few before I jumped onto the next sizeable group, a mix of AL, BL and I think 2 guys from CL. Very few of them wanted to work, and I wasn't willing to burn all my remaining matches so I spent time in front and at the back until the finish line when I was the last one in the group to cross the line. 

 

505Km done in 4 days, in temperatures hitting at high as 39-degrees C. Double the liquids I normally consume, but still an enjoyable Tour. Getting into the car before I lost my sense of humour was key, and I'd do it again in the future. 

 

On day 1, I hit a PB on my PPO... 45MW, so I believe I am strong, like mother Russia.

WhatsApp Image 2019-10-17 at 15.54.25 (1).jpeg

I could have been a part of the group you hooked onto till the end. Also started BL and the guys working on the front the whole route were the Vukani guys - my time was 2h51.

 

Nice PB...

[Frosty]

I could have been a part of the group you hooked onto till the end. Also started BL and the guys working on the front the whole route were the Vukani guys - my time was 2h51.

 

Nice PB...

The Vukani guys passed me at the water point I stopped at, and were just a bit too far ahead to catch up. By time I got onto the M13, they were out of sight and I never saw the again until the drinks area.

[Bruce Moose]

This was our/my first Amashova. We rode down from Benoni on the Tuesday with the 717 team for Reach for a Dream.

 

After not training as much as I would have liked to due to shift work etc, I took on the task of trying to keep up with the others on tour. First day saw me cramp after just over 100km due to heat. After a ride in the bus for about 25km, I got back on and completed the day's ride with 30km odd to go.

 

Day 2 saw us ride from Tweeling to Harrismith. That was also done in close to 40 deg weather. Was a good 150km+...

 

Day 3 was from Harrismith to Mooiriver. 70km into the ride and I picked up an achilles injury for some or other reason. I tried to hang on but packed it up at 103km.

 

Day 4 was fueled by painkillers. The 86km to Pietermaritzburg was hot, humid and painful.

 

Saturday was a rest day, masking the pain with more painkillers.

 

Sunday started well. 3× Mybulins lasted the first 20km. Having started in BB, the rest of the ride was painful. The last 8km I buckled with my achilles and still finished in 3:39. In hindsight, sitting now in a moonboot with my achilles and a thrombosis may not have been my ideal outcome but I wasn't going to give up.

 

I think the heat that we encountered on our way down conditioned us for the race. We had no option but to hydrate as much as possible and eat on our way down...

 

I will be back next year, hopefully without any injuries.

 

Keep it safe on the road guys, catch you all next year.

[Escapee..]

This thread has been very useful.

 

A friend started cycing a few months ago, never having ridden a bike before, and loves it.

 

She did a 76km gravel race in Greyton at the end of September and entered the 94.7 as it would only be another 20kays or so.

 

BUT, she is starting in one of the last batches in the heat of the day and it is likely to be a long hot, not very pleasant ride. Based on the opinions in this thread, she would be much better off doing the 40 and even though I am seeded in D, I may well join her.

 

We can rather go off and do a 100 the next week, starting early enough to get it done before it get too hot.

 

I would do the full route.

 

You know that you are in for a hot day and what to expect.

Waterpoints will be very well stocked so take it easy and make a lekker day/morning of it.

 

I cant see the fun/accomplishment in doing the 40, just my humble opinion.

[Jehosefat]

Did my first tour down to Durban for the Amashova (and my second Amashova).

 

Started late at Stonehaven because one of our club members was an hour late and then went off in the wrong direction. 12km later we were back at Stonehaven nicely warmed up and ready to begin the tour for real this time. We had decided top take a more scenic route down to Frankfort which proved to be a terrible decision as the roads were absolutely terrible and we spent about 30km riding on really rough dirt roads which was not great for the road bikes (although I was very thankful for my 28c tyres). Becasue of the roads we had 6 punctures between the 8 of us who were riding which slowed things down a bit. Made it to Frankfort after 136km (including the warm-up lap) which was a new longest ride for me personally. (4:57 cycling time, 6:02 total time) Due to the heat we decided that we would be on the bikes at 5:30 each morning and put in a good shift in the cool air before stopping for breakfast.

 

Day 2 was Frankfort to Clarens, starting at 5:30 was pretty chilly with temperatures hovering in single digits until sunrise although that shot up significantly once the sun made an appearance. Relatively good road surfaces the whole way meant that we only had a single puncture that was fixed by swapping to a spare wheel with very little time lost. Final distance 151km (another new PB), cycling time of 5:49 and a total time of 6:46.

 

Day 3 from Clarens to Winterton again started cool and early (and I forgot to start my Garmin until a few k's into the ride... I'm really not a morning person). Riding through Golden Gate National Park with the sun rising over the mountains was absolutely spectacular. And we had a friendly little KOM contest in Golden Gate to the highest point of our tour which burned many matches only 20-25km into the longest and hilliest day of our tour. We stopped shortly after this for a delicious and well-deserved breakfast of bacon and egg rolls before continuing on. Climbing around Sterkfontein Damn provided some pretty views and we stopped for some photos before continuing on the the mineshaft down past Little Switzerland. We pulled over at Little Switzerland for some delicious burgers to fuel the last part of our ride. By the time we got back on our bikes temperatures were soaring well into the 40's but thankfully we had a lengthy downhill section to come. We finally arrived in Winterton after 162km (yet another PB) with a moving time of 5:59 and a total time of 8:15 at which point we rewarded ourselves with 910ml Castle Light bottles as we got into the bus for a 5km dirt road trek to our B&B.

 

Day 4 from Winterton to Hilton had a relatively tough first half with 1 or two long climbs but then a lovely flowing second half through Nottingham Road and past the Nelson Mandela capture site. We stopped at Piggly Wiggly for some Pizza for lunch (and just in time to catch the last 20 minutes of the English clubbing the Aussies) before heading on to the Capture Site for some photos. Quite a few punctures today slowed things down a bit again and the steep climb into Hilton was not a welcome sight. Overall 141km in 5:25 (total time of 6:53).

 

Final day started with a short 12km roll down the hill to the start of the Amashova. Considering the number of PBs set over the preceding days as well as the pain in my legs I decided to drop back from AL to CL and start with some of the other guys in the club (the rest started in DL). The first 15 or so km were pretty frantic as usual and starting at the back of the bunch meant that I missed the group that went off the front of CL early on and sat in the second group for a while before that group fell apart on Inchanga. The front batch of DL (including my club mates) caught up to us on Botha's hill so we had a nice big group with lots of guys willing to work for the long downhill sections to the finish. Final time for me was 2:57 which I was really happy with although I reckon I could have gone a bit faster had I started in BL or been in the front group of CL from the start (there was a group of about 10 guys that stayed ahead and finished around 2:54).

 

Overall 704km in 25:30 with 7300m of climbing over 5 days. All in all a fantastic tour and race. Would definitely do it again.

[LongDonkey]

 

 

On day 1, I hit a PB on my PPO... 45MW, so I believe I am strong, like mother Russia.

WhatsApp Image 2019-10-17 at 15.54.25 (1).jpeg

Hate to burst your bubble mate, but that is only 45 kW.

So more like a 70's Lada than anything else.

[Frosty]

Hate to burst your bubble mate, but that is only 45 kW.

So more like a 70's Lada than anything else.

Well done... I was waiting for the first person to spot it. It was deliberate (the post, not the reading).

[Ozzie NL]

I would say a comrades will compare to (maybe) a 200 - 240km single Stage MTB (There is of course the Munga which is about 1100 km single stage MTB) or a 400 or 600km single stage road.

 

Hence the majority of fit-ish cyclists bemoaning baseless rants. 

 

The problem with cycling is it is so easy to get into, you seldom have to qualify and a lot of people overestimate their ability. 

 

It would be nice to see qualifiers for some of the bigger races (But then again 100 to 120km is not really a distance in cycling). Most people I know do back to back 100 km + rides on a weekend. 

 

And here I was thinking the ranter was ranting about the 160km not the 100km ride.

Interested to know how you got to this conclusion?