Swartberg pass 2024 gravel race

[Mongoose!]

Had a great ride. Learned my lesson from last year : not to hook up with the first bunch (to be dropped after 3hours) and then  the mountain still come.... This year I rode well inside my limits and finished strong. 

6h58 for me and enjoyed every moment 

 

[Titleist]

Good race, as hard as expected. Waterpoints 4/10.

[LuckyLuke]

Only did the half, awesome race, lekker gees at the start. Wind was tough going up swartberg, blew us to a standstill a few times. Some very strong riders all around. Prince Albert is such a awesome little town. 

 

[Jewbacca]

  On 4/28/2024 at 4:13 PM, Titleist said:

Good race, as hard as expected. Waterpoints 4/10.

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I thought the waterpoints were excellent. 

They provided exactly what was written on the breakdown AND more.

The pancakes at de Rust were fantastic, boerewors rolls at Kobus se Gat. They had more than enough Coke, Enduren, water for the whole field and the people manning them were excellent.

Did we do the same event? 😝

[Skubarra]

  On 4/29/2024 at 5:36 AM, Jewbacca said:

I thought the waterpoints were excellent. 

They provided exactly what was written on the breakdown AND more.

The pancakes at de Rust were fantastic, boerewors rolls at Kobus se Gat. They had more than enough Coke, Enduren, water for the whole field and the people manning them were excellent.

Did we do the same event? 😝

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Wow - waterpoints with pancakes and boerewors rolls!

What kind of gourmet offering is required to get a passmark from @Titleist? 🤣

[mecheng89]

  On 4/28/2024 at 2:24 PM, DJuice said:

Valtteri is on dishes duty!

SO about 14min quicker, but still a very good ride from Bottas!!! Def not a weekend warrior.

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He cycles a lot. Makes me feel like a sleg hond, knowing how packed his schedule is, I'm not puttng it even 50% what he does. 

He finished 6th in his age cat, which means he's qualified for worlds. 

[marcfr]

Was a very tough ride in the wind, especially Swartberg pass but had a good day out and enjoyed it. 8H16 official time a bit slower than expected, but happy considering the wind.

[Baracuda]

  On 4/29/2024 at 5:36 AM, Jewbacca said:

I thought the waterpoints were excellent. 

They provided exactly what was written on the breakdown AND more.

The pancakes at de Rust were fantastic, boerewors rolls at Kobus se Gat. They had more than enough Coke, Enduren, water for the whole field and the people manning them were excellent.

Did we do the same event? 😝

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First, my hat off too you. When I spotted you on your bmx I couldn't believe it. An incredibly hard day on a full sized bike. 

On the waterpoint subject, I think you timed it perfectly. I was about 20min ahead of you and got very little aside from water, bar-ones and orange quarters. They were just putting the wors on the fire when I went through.

Edited April 29, 2024 by Baracuda

[DJuice]

@Jewbaccahow about a photo of you and your BMX?

Congrats on the ride!

#stonehard

Edited April 29, 2024 by DJuice

[Shebeen]

  On 4/29/2024 at 6:06 AM, mecheng89 said:

He cycles a lot. Makes me feel like a sleg hond, knowing how packed his schedule is, I'm not puttng it even 50% what he does. 

He finished 6th in his age cat, which means he's qualified for worlds. 

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https://www.strava.com/pros/4822604

 

He's done 4500km+ this year.

I think he has enough time in his schedule for play things. F1 drivers always had a rockstar lifestyle, plenty of scope for fitness time.

[Bub Marley]

  On 4/28/2024 at 3:05 PM, Kom said:

Easily the toughest medal ive ever collected.

its an excellent route, but dont underestimate the devilry in the "back 9" leading up that climb over the pass - brutal!

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I thought everyone gets a UCI medal. Are those only for podium finishers?

[Jewbacca]

  On 4/29/2024 at 8:34 AM, Bub Marley said:

I thought everyone gets a UCI medal. Are those only for podium finishers?

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I definitely didn't get a UCI medal.... It must have been just for those on their respective category podiums.

 

[Skubarra]

  On 4/29/2024 at 8:34 AM, Bub Marley said:

I thought everyone gets a UCI medal. Are those only for podium finishers?

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Top 25% per age cat qualify for the UCI medal and world champs 

[milky4130]

Motorsport drivers/riders actually do lots of cycling for fitness with proper intervals, most are coached as well.

Someone I remember fondly was Gniel De Villiers who is another monster on the MTB, use to do a lot of local races where he would just klap you 6-love.

[milky4130]

  On 4/28/2024 at 2:14 PM, Jewbacca said:

I finished.... It was tough

But happy to have made it over the pass and back to the safety of Prince Albert before cut off!

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Well Done Guy 👏🏻 this is looking promising for Gallows 👊🏻

[Bub Marley]

  On 4/29/2024 at 8:47 AM, Skubarra said:

Top 25% per age cat qualify for the UCI medal and world champs 

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So this is not time based? If there are 20 riders in your age group, you essentially need to be top 5?