Amashova 2022

[DroppedRider]

Any idea if the roads are ready or being worked on? Drove some of the route about a month ago and it was pothole galore. If I remember correctly there was a nasty section by Inchanga that had potholes at the bottom of a descent. 

[HdB]

They did mention on Facebook around the start of Sept, that there was some road works being done. Hopefully it is ok on race day

[DroppedRider]

Did a race Recon of the route on the weekend. The roads from Catoridge to Inchanga are a bit dodge with pot holes and some bad road sections. It is at a slight descent as well. As someone still new to the sport, what would be your race strategy in those sections if you aiming to stick with the bunch? I can already foresee a few punctures in that section.  

[El Duderino]

14 minutes ago, DroppedRider said:

Did a race Recon of the route on the weekend. The roads from Catoridge to Inchanga are a bit dodge with pot holes and some bad road sections. It is at a slight descent as well. As someone still new to the sport, what would be your race strategy in those sections if you aiming to stick with the bunch? I can already foresee a few punctures in that section.  

If your rims can take tubeless ready tyres, I would get a set of Panaracer Gravelking slicks and set them up tubeless. You won't have a problem. I run them on my road bike and I've never had an issue...even on rough roads and the odd foray "off road."

[DMJ]

Amashova is turning into a gravel / MTB race

[HdB]

Well, start time received, 6:35.
Pleeeenty of time to pick up my bike and amble to the start after the bus ride to PMB.

[HdB]

3 hours ago, DroppedRider said:

Did a race Recon of the route on the weekend. The roads from Catoridge to Inchanga are a bit dodge with pot holes and some bad road sections. It is at a slight descent as well. As someone still new to the sport, what would be your race strategy in those sections if you aiming to stick with the bunch? I can already foresee a few punctures in that section.  

If the road is bad enough, you have to consider not only punctures, but bottles coming off, or a crash happening in front of you.
I rather leave much bigger gaps on the descents if in doubt. Plus, if this past weekend's race is anything to go by, I'll find myself in a smaller group pretty quickly anyway after a climb or three 🤦‍♂️

Edited October 10, 2022 by HdB

[DroppedRider]

1 minute ago, HdB said:

If the road is bad enough, you have to consider not only punctures, but bottles coming off, or a crash happening in front of you.
I rather leave much bigger gaps on the descents if in doubt. Plus, if this past weekend's race is anything to go by, I'll find myself in a smaller group pretty quickly anyway after a climb or three 🤦‍♂️

6.35am start as well. Think I am going to follow this advice thanks. Plan B is to move myself to sit on the front wheels to try and keep myself away from the dangers. That's if I am still with the bunch! Based in Durban and I find those permanently based high altitude Jozi riders have a great ability of killing my legs 😅. 

[snapshot]

I hope they can fix most of the potholes. I'm retuning to the race after many year not doing it. Its always been my favourite race. I hope it stay my favourite. 

 

[Koos Likkewaan]

On 10/10/2022 at 12:50 PM, Mamba said:

Amashova is turning into a gravel / MTB race

I like that ! Since we will be there on MTB's, it should be perfect !😀

[Frosty]

It’s still full road closure, right?
If yes, then don’t be afraid to use the full road width. 

Always find it strange the people keep left when the road bends right.

[The Ouzo]

2 minutes ago, Frosty said:

It’s still full road closure, right?
If yes, then don’t be afraid to use the full road width. 

Always find it strange the people keep left when the road bends right.

most people dont know how to apex a corner

but

if I feel like there are faster rider around me I'll keep to the outside of a bend so that they can apex the bend without me getting in the way.

 

OT:

my favourite set of bends in a race are through the Scarborough area on the way to misty cliffs. Ever since my first Argus I'm down in the drops apexing the bends. I think the slight negative gradient and normally having some wind to assist makes it feel so good.

[HdB]

The weather for tomorrow is looking good

[Koos Likkewaan]

Just a shout out to the guys at Hatton Cycles in Pmb !

Picked up our numbers for us. We collected at the shop. Saved us probably around 4hrs.

Really appreciate it, and what a friendly bunch.

Great service guys !

[mecheng89]

Strongs to the participants tomorrow. Hectic FOMO, maybe next year.

[swingTOpeddle]

It was a lekker race. The roads are slightly dodge but really not bad. I’ll most probably do it next year again. 
 

I would’ve, however, liked to see more people participating.