Did you enjoy the Lionman?

[Justin]

I loved the event. Had a mixture of everything. Would not travel so far just to ride the 35km event. Spent 80 rond on toll gates there and back. Will make a weekend of it next year' date=' Mabalingwe has some stunning views with all the 'koppies'. Did not stop at any water point, as i was well stocked. Finished the 80km just under 4h30 and could feel the pain of that steep climb. I was disgusted to see all the dropped water sachets throughout the route! I took one water saches at the last water point and stuck it in my back pocket when empty, don't weigh anything Downed the free beer i got after the race, was very refreshing and watched the riders on there way in

 

[/quote']

 

 

 

Great race! You got free beer though?!? I suppose by the time I finished the beer was finished

 

 

 

Got severe cramps during the race, painful as hell(Did my first race over 50km). But, still managed to finish and will definitely be back next year.

 

 

 

I found the water points adequate. Some of them did have powerade. They didn't hold them out for riders to take on the ride though. You had to stop and take it off the tables. Which is fine, cos I needed to stop for a breather!

[gremlin]

Great race, also had a beer afterwards. Only the first 300 got free beers. At least there was a few changes on the course with river crossings and a cool almost mud pit before the end, that was a briliant idea. We also made a weekend of this one.

[HowellingWulf]

My 1st 50+ race and it was awesome! My derailleur got stuck on 40 kays and I could not select the lower gears. Tried to fix it "on the go" by kicking it loose. Big mistake! Came off the bike at speed and bruised the left side of my body and my entire ego a bit. Finished in 4hrs50mins. Helluva nice ride though. I prefer amanzi and 'nanas. Sweet stuff make me want to puke. How does this race compare with the 75 kay Magalies Monster?

[Justin]

My 1st 50+ race and it was awesome! My derailleur got stuck on 40 kays and I could not select the lower gears. Tried to fix it "on the go" by kicking it loose. Big mistake! Came off the bike at speed?and bruised the left side of my body and my entire ego a bit. Finished in 4hrs50mins. Helluva nice ride though. I prefer amanzi and 'nanas. Sweet stuff make me want to puke. How does this race compare with the 75 kay Magalies Monster?

 

 

 

Yes, I would also like to know how it compares... Thinking of doing the 75km Monster!

[nathrix]

 

My 1st 50+ race and it was awesome! My derailleur got stuck on 40 kays and I could not select the lower gears. Tried to fix it "on the go" by kicking it loose. Big mistake! Came off the bike at speed and bruised the left side of my body and my entire ego a bit. Finished in 4hrs50mins. Helluva nice ride though. I prefer amanzi and 'nanas. Sweet stuff make me want to puke. How does this race compare with the 75 kay Magalies Monster?

 

 

 

Yes' date=' I would also like to know how it compares... Thinking of doing the 75km Monster![/quote']

 

Many people I've spoken to told me the 75km Monster will make many people cry. Who's done both? Dirt-rider?

 

[Gatiepie]

First Lionman for me and I think it was pretty tough in the middle section (all the major climbing was done in a matter of 15km). I was prepared with my overstocked bag with Gu, Vooma and Energy bars. Just enough energy to power a small town on a cold winter?s night. I learned from the Sani2c not expect water tables at the most convenient places so I had enough fluids with me (3l water and 800ml Cyto HP drink). I skipped the water points up to the Castrol Garage as I had more than enough and only refilled my Camelbak then because my water was slightly warm. Completed the race in 5:35 and really enjoyed it although I had a cold (which is something worse now) and one serious fall at the end of the 35km stage (in full view of everyone I hit a ditch and did a spectacular over-ambitious dismount over the handle bars AND still managed to catch my bike in mid-air! My ego still hurts!). I also see myself as an over prepared type of guy and I even had my rain top in case. Luckily I had no mechanicals or punctures whatsoever and the only stopping I did was to catch my breath (and there were quite a few of those with the long climb to the tower). Overall I think it was a great race and will do it again. We made a whole weekend out of it.

[na_vtec]

Short answer, Yes I thoroughly enjoyed it...

 

Long answer:

This was my first 80km race as I am used to always doing +-40km distances. Never managed to train as hard as I had planned to, due to an achilles injury, but was fine none-the-less.

Took the first 35km pacing myself, managed to keep an ave speed of 19.5, this dropped alot in the climb to the hill and as low as 16.7 after the hill.

Struggled alot with fatigue between 54km and 67km but the last downhill to the finish felt stronger and pushed raising my average speed to 17.

 

Finished in 4:41 which I am happy with for my first attempt. Need to work on strength for the long gentle uphills next time round.

[Justin]

Short answer' date=' Yes I thoroughly enjoyed it...

 

?

 

Long answer:

 

This was my first 80km race as I am used to always doing +-40km distances. Never managed to train as hard as I had planned to, due to an achilles injury, but was fine none-the-less.

 

Took the first 35km pacing myself, managed to keep an ave speed of 19.5, this dropped alot in the climb to the hill and as low as 16.7 after the hill.

 

Struggled alot with fatigue between 54km and 67km but the last downhill to the finish felt stronger and pushed raising my average speed to 17.

 

?

 

Finished in 4:41 which I am happy with for my first attempt. Need to work on strength for the long gentle uphills next time round.

[/quote']

 

 

 

Totally agree. Strength training!!!! No amount of spinning classes or gym work really gets you ready for those slow, rocky inclines.

[MooToo]

Enjoyed it and as a roadie I see why there is such a hype about BMX'ing. Might become one. Be afraid , be very afraid MadMarc!

 

Where do I see the results? MooToo2009-05-18 04:30:08

[BeeT]

Njoyed the race alot. Was my first Lionman race. Can't complain about the route although a bit more single track would be nice. Almost folded myself around the pole(grass umbrella) on the final desent on the grass just before the finish though and that should maybe be looked at as I was not the only one that was "windgat" and took it way too fast down there. The free Castle Lite was a nice touch! The beer garden could have been bigger with more seats. As for the waterpoints, I also don't expect a meal but at R180 a muffin or any other alternative to a banana would be a winner. Thanx to the guy that gave me a golden link when my chain broke on 67km. You're a frikin legend!!!

This was a new team that organized the race, so all-in-all very well done. Made a weekend of it and stayed in Mabula Game Reserve. I'll be back next year...

[chuck]

 

 

Enjoyed it and as a roadie I see why there is such a hype about BMX'ing. Might become one. Be afraid ' date=' be very afraid MadMarc!

 

Where do I see the results? [/quote']

 

http://www.spectrumsport.co.za/

 

and it is MTB

 

Pics http://www.actionphoto.net/ when it works. Currently not working.

chuck2009-05-18 04:54:07

[VTSKING]

I had a blast!

 

 

 

Did the 35km (still some serious training to do before I consider the 80km. Something I am working on).

 

 

 

My fastest race since I've started cycling so I am chuffed (finished in 02:04).

 

 

 

Didn't see any game ... was looking at all the water bottles all over the place, and trying to pick lines in the soft sand and twisties at the end of the downhill sections. That still boggles me, a water bottle here and there I can understand, but man I must have passed at least 12 bottles along the way.

 

 

 

Made a weekend of it and stayed at Mbizi in a chalet. It was an awesome weekend.

 

 

 

As always I did not spot fellow hubbers - I had my wristband and beanie on(cheers Wolverine), hoping someone would say hi. In my opinion wearing hub-kit is an invitation to introduce yourself ... so do not be shy boys and girls.