49 replies to this topic Post Order

[Wannabe]

Ok, so who was actualy brave enough to face the elements on Saturday?

 

Was very wet and cold, rained almost the whole race. Only let up a bit going up Hekpoort.

Started in CL, bunch took it slow for about first 10km (hard rain and very misty, visibility was bad) Once visibility improved pace picked up a bit. Stayed in bunch right up to foot of Hekpoort when I stopped to take a leak(rain/water has got that effect on me, surprised I could hold it in for that long, AND NO, I CANT "GO" WHILE RIDING)

Took Hekpoort at my own pace, but still passed a couple of guys who dropped out of the bunch. Rode on my own to the finish. Still managed a 3:17, with which I am very happy. Was prepared to settle for a 3"30.

[djvr]

My son and I got up early. Drove all the way there just to see the elites start, made a u-turn and followed the tandems to where the route turned left. Felt like a manager behind the tandems. No tooooo wet for me.

[Zoo Cookie]

it was a case of all dressed up and no where to go. showed up there a good hour before my starting time. but alas, decided that my level of experience in wet weather,  made for a very high risk factor. an hour later i was safely back at home.

[Gman1834]

What a race.

 

It was cold and wet, In the first 10km I was thinking why did I even start this race but as soon as everything was nice and wet and my feet were swimming in my shoes it got better. I started with the DL bunch and they were quick of the mark keeping up the pace, I manage to keep with them and even rode in font to help a bit.

My cycle computer did not like the rain and gave me the wrong distance I was waiting for hekpoort but it came 10km late (according to my computer) it was a hard climb. The 15km banner was very demotivating since my computer was already on 104km.

 

I must say the organization was very good, except for the weather I would give it a 9.9 out of 10. I rode my best time ever 3:13. Thanks for all the support and people standing in the rain to keep us safe and give us water (as if there weren’t enough) .

[buckstopper]

Also rode. Said to my daughter don't ride if you don't want to. it was still raining when the VB's started at 6h30. She rode u16 started 7 h40. It was pretty miserable but I enjoyed the last 10km even though I blew on the hill, finishing 5 min off. Felt very satisfied afterwards. Emptied a cup of water out of my Kestrel............

[Spinnekop]

Rode the race.

Confirmed my suspicion.....I HATE COLD, WET RIDES!!

[Psycho]

Quote

Rode the race.

Confirmed my suspicion.....I HATE COLD, WET RIDES!!

I'll SECOND THAT... Also Rode, ja..... dis al wat ek sal se...... So werk hy maar...

[Man with no name]

Quote

Rode the race.

Confirmed my suspicion.....I HATE COLD, WET RIDES!!

 

 - Amen broer

[101%]

Quote

Rode the race.

Confirmed my suspicion.....I HATE COLD, WET RIDES!!

 

I'm with you on that one!!!!

 

 

[Gman1834]

My first wet ride not very nice, but better than the cold at the Afriman. How many entry’s were there, only 700 finished?

[Ox_Wagon]

Rode, wasn't that bad.

[bruce]

Had a shocker!  Will post a race report on my blog, but to summarise - started out and realiased that cork brake pads don't work well at all in the wet!  (Have ordered some Kool Stops).   Was feeling very cold and had a severe shimmy (speed wobble) on a descent when I was doing about 65km/h.  Stopped because I thought something was wrong with the bike and lost the bunch.  Couldn't figure out what was wrong with the bike so decided not to risk it, had lost the bunch anyway, turned around to head back to the start and I punctured!  Fortunately got picked up on the side of the road by a guy on his way to the start for the short race.

 

Did some research to find out what could have caused the problem and discovered that a speed wobble can be caused in cold weather by the rider shivering!  Similar frequency to that of a bike oscillation.  I thought I was going to go down at 60kays - not a nice feeling at all!!

[Turboman]

Man it was cold.

 

broke 3hrs. 2h58.

 

 

[Thug]

As with Wannabe, started off in C bunch and we took it relatively easy for the 1st 50k's or so and did drop some riders along the way ending up with 12 or so riders in the lead bunch.

Most of us got a major fright when the leading D bunch riders caught us and we all stayed together that way until the start of Hekpoort when the bunch was blown apart.

I went up Hekpoort OK and managed to catch the bunch leaders at the top and we stayed together till the finish. Came home in 3:09

[1hill@aTime]

hey bruce, that was one of the reasons i never raced warming up at the start, going down the hill opposite to the start my back brakes wouldnt stop me...

 

now what brakes should i look at getting

[Wannabe]

Thug, was quite a surprise when they came past us on that little climb. Bunch was nice and fast from then, but quite a few guys fell of the back on that stretch past Bekker Skole up to the turn to Hekpoort.

I'm very pleased to have stayed in the bunch until I had to stop to answer that call of nature.