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Sabie
Epic Ride Weekend 23-25 February 2006
The Team Subaru Sabie training camp
took place over the weekend of the Subaru Sabie Classic
weekend from 23-25 February 2007. We were based in
Sabie and did 3 days riding, including the Sabie classic
race.
We had many enquiries about the training
camp, with only 20 spots to fill and over 20 enquiries about
the training rides we were very happy with the response.
This was just over 4 weeks to go before the epic so it was
the last real chance to get some quality miles in. A quick
meet at Merry pebbles the night before day 1 was a chance to
catch up with everyone and discuss the plans for the
weekend. We met up with Wayne and Michael from Team Rebels,
Jan and Jarret from Undertrained Puliks, Simon from
Beginners luck, and Colin from Team Peleton racing, still on
route were Steve and Quintus from Dirt Riders as well as
Anthony from Butt n Gut and Marc from Dunkeld Cycles. Some
last minute injuries and illnesses meant some cancellations.
Teams received their goody bags with some useful cape epic
stuff, Subaru t-shirts and caps and some other goodies from
Due South kindly donated by Team Marcold.
Day 1
We had arranged a really epic first day, it was a mammoth
160km route with over 3000m of climbing, it was our
Sabie epic training
route that we had discovered last year. With full
support in the form of driver Mike in the Subaru Outback
filled with ice water and powerade we were ready for a good
long day in the saddle. We kicked off at 6am and headed out
into the Sabie forests via the green route.
The first easy bit meandered alongside the Sabie river
before starting the tricky and rather steep climb out of the
valley up towards Mountain Mist on Long Tom Pass. Then we
hit the tar all the way up long tom in howling winds and
thick mist, the weather really looked bleak. But as we got
to the top and started to descend into Lydenburg it cleared
and we were speeding down into Lydenburg in full sunshine.
We met Mike and the Outback in Lyndenburg some 50 km into
the ride. Here we all filled up fluids and had a bite to
eat.
Then we hit
the dirt again just outside Lydenburg and followed the
meander down towards the Sudwala caves. The first section
was rolling hills but then a gradual climb set in for the
next 20-30km as we re-entered the mist and wind briefly.
This section saw the group splitting up quite a bit. But
with punctures and various other issues most of the group
got together again on the decent 10km out from Sudwala. We
all took a breather while Quintus fixed his flat and then we
set off. Meanwhile Mike in the Subaru had gone to tender to
the others still on route. There was a mad dash into
Sudwala on the slight downhill rolling terrain, despite the
impending never-ending climbs still to come. After 110km and
6 hours in the saddle we stopped again at Sudwala in the
midday heat. Mike arrived back soon with the ice cold water
and drinks. The Subaru was like an oasis and everyone felt
quite refreshed after filling up and eating again. Everyone
eventually made it back to Sudwala. Some mechanicals saw a
couple of riders opting for the shuttle back to Sabie in the
Subaru Outback.
Several
other threats to bail never really materialised and everyone
else set off on the tar back to Sabie. This 45 km section
was the toughest, despite being on tar, it was hot and 110km
in the legs and 4 long climbs with over 1000m ascent meant
that it was a real tester. The pace was slow and consistent
and everyone made it back to Sabie with the last 9km of
straight downhill being a real blast after the slogging on
the hills and a 9 hour day on the bike. Then it was recovery
time and preparation for the next days race.
Jans take on the ride "
The weekend was really superb, we pitched up expecting to do
the bale 100km to Lydenberg and back. Your “pep” talk on
Thursday about confidence for the Epic meant that this was
not going to be an option. As you said the ride, 3km’s
climbing and nearly 9 hours in the saddle definitely gave us
confidence – (at last we will get to day 3 on the Epic),
please pass on our many thanks to Mike in the back up car as
without him we would all be in a dehydrated mess. He really
was top class."
Day 2
The Subaru Sabie Classic this year was tough with 1625
meters of ascent over 63 km. The first 36km was just
straight up climbing and then the second bit was steep
technical descents with some more hills just to keep you
honest. The Subaru VIP area for Subaru owners was a little
oasis in the heat with some ice cold drinks and snacks for
the weary finishers.
Day 3
The last day was short but by no means easy, 40km long with
just under 1300m of climbing. There were some new faces for
the day and some missing faces. Some breakages from the day
before and some injuries saw the number of riders dwindle
down to 8. Dylan Victor was kind enough to lead the way and
take us up the mountain, he brought along is girlfriend
Collette who showed the guys a thing or two about endurance
and having fun. The first 5km eased us into it and then it
was straight up again for the next 15km. We passed the KOM
point from the previous days ride and headed to the top of
the hill near mac mac hut at an altitude of over 2000m. It
was windy and misty making the hiking track difficult to
navigate so some portaging was in order, good practice for
the epic. The last bit of the trail was nail biting and
excellent to sharpen the technical descending skills. Then
it was back onto the forest roads and downhill all the way
home. A great day out and an awesome way to end off a really
worthwhile weekends riding.
With almost
6000m of ascent in the three days of riding it was great
climbing practice and will pay off when we line up on 24
March at the start of the Epic.
For more pictures from the
weekend check the Cape
Epic Training photos
Mail
us if you are interested in joining us
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