Training Log Archive: nmulder

WCAD - A1 Series race in Robertson, WC
Team Cyanosis with Steph Le Roux, Bubbles, Mac.

All 6 top teams in the country for this one, so probably the most competitive field ever assembled. We started with a kayak on Synergy's from Silwestrand Holiday Resort down the Breede River. Painted Wolf and Merrell (pair) led and we formed the 2nd group with Keyhealth Neverest (in faster Vagabonds). Red Ants and Jabberwock were a decent gap behind us. Easy river with no problems although Keyhealth swam a few times. Finished the leg about 3 mins down.

Very quick transition onto foot.

Leg started off fast as we ran from Viljoensdrift into Can Loveren, and then across the river and up a nearby Hill. We were just about to catch Painted Wolf (Neverest leading) when Steph pulled up with a calf muscle. He hobbled from there but it slowed us down. Up and down the mountain and back on the other side of the river to catch a few more CPs before returning to the river for a swim across to the Transition. Lying 3rd behind Keyhealth and PWolf.

Longer transition as we waited for Steph to get his leg strapped by the medic. Seemed to do a better job and he hobbled a bit less for the rest of the race. Lost positions to Red Ants and Merrell in transition.

Repassed Merrell immediately after the paddle resume as they went to fill-up water. Then started tracking Red Ants down, passing them after a few kms in the rapids. Took out at Bonnievale River lodge, Keyhealth still in transition, PWolf just left.

Quickish. Gained a bit of time on Keyhealth. Red Ants and Merrell arrived whilst we were still there. No sign of Jabberwock since the trek, where they seemed to be having a mare.

Got 1st CP easily enough on a small koppie. Then route choices to next CP on some game farm. We got there just as PWolf ran (???) in there without there bikes from the exit side. We also went this way instead of staying with existing tracks. Bit of bundu-bashing meant they were able to drop us, as it was 2kms back to their bikes. On leaving the area we also saw Neverest arriving from the exit angle (with bikes) and then later saw Red Ants and Merrell across the valley having taken the correct exit tracks, but we still had a 5 min gap on them.

So we settled down into 2nd for the next few Cps. A few more farms and then some agri lands before a dirt road down to Olifantsdoorn Farm near McGregor. Arriving in T we saw PWolf climbing the nearby hill.

Mountainous leg, with us climbing up the Riviersonderend Mountains for a few Cps, including Aaskvoelkrans. Then back down to the valley and a final CP on the hill on the other side. We decided to run around for this one on the tracks and avoid the fynbos tiger line. Didn't loose any time, didn't gain any, but then missed seeing the CP and loosing 5 mins. Finished the leg about 20 mins behind PWolf and 5 min ahead of Red Ants who essentially caught us at the last CP.

Super-quick to get out before Red Ants arrived. Which we did.

Super-fast start on district roads to get away from Red Ants, then settled down into a fast rhythm over a pass and into McGregor for a CP at the dam. Then out to the north, out-and-back on another farm track for a CP in a quarry and then the fast route (tar option) back to Robertson. Time splits on the out-and-back showed Pwolf pulling away and Red Ants dropping back. However, arriving at the final CP just outside town we saw Pwolf just clearing the area, so they had lost some time here. We got it fairly quickly and exited just at Red Ants were arriving. From there, a short cycle through town to the finish at the Holiday Resort.

Painted Wolf finished about 15 mins ahead and Red Ants took a while longer, coming in about 45 mins after us. Merrell were about 3h later, then Jabberwock and Keyhealth just after sunrise. Good solid 2nd place. Steph and Bubbles raced very strong, just a pity about the calf injury. I was borderline on the bike legs, but otherwise comfortable on the race.

Bike stats:
Av 19.1
Mx 54.2

We're now 1st and 2nd places in the series, with 3 to count. It would be between Painted Wolf and us, but don't think they'll race the last event, so we should be favourites to win the series.

Flew to Cape Town for A1 series by WCAD.

Loop of Lonehill.

Av 19.7
Mx 55.9

Cradle loop, out via Mnandi, back Elandsdrift.

Av 23.4
Mx 64.9