Jock Cycle Classic 2019 Stage Race

A cloudy morning warmly greeted us unlike the biting Joburg winter. I could easily live here. Despite our best individual organization, for various reasons, we always run against the clock when we are in a group. It’s just how it is. After devouring delicious oats delicately prepared by Arshad, drinking coffee and eating other snacks, we raced from White River to Nelspruit while the usually bustling town was waking up.

Miraculously, somehow always miraculously, we meet everyone at the start line in the nick of time and head off together in the same group. We must be close to 25 from New Horizon, Mail and Guardian and the Tri Groups.

Rolling hills are what immediately face us as Stage 1 starts.  I try hard to keep up with the leading group but I knew that I would inevitably be dropped. This is a good thing as I ride in my own rhythm closing the gap where I can but being continually dropped as the climbs come. It’s a training ride and first race of the season, I comfort myself.

In some downhill stretches I reach close to 70kmh while ascending I get excited when I can maintain above 16kmh. Consistency is key.

When I see the Heidel Eggs farm sign board I ready myself. Memory kicks in as I recall the painful never ending climb after climb. And, then still one more. Why is this hellish experience actually called Stairway to Heaven, I wonder. But, then it’s the hell we’ve signed up for so many times before and will do so again.

Stage 2 is expected to be the real killer. I barely survived 5 kms with the group as the third or so hill started putting distance between us. Rolling hills require a consistent rhythm. Finding the right gear ratios going up and down but especially for the ‘false flats’. You come across it almost by accident and think it’s time to bring in the heavy gears or you are already in heavy gears.

Since you’ve ridden the route before you know precisely to the meter when Spitskop starts and ends. From a distance you see it’s shape and height and you know it’s true meaning is about spitting you out and messing with your head. You steel yourself and navigate the 7% to 8% gradient with deep breaths and low cadence occasionally jumping out of the saddle for some momentum and relief for sore muscles while others then do the pounding. It’s gives your butt a break too. Nevertheless, your back aches, your legs are crying, lungs are bursting but by now you know it’s part of the drill. Soon you are over the mountain and descending at break neck speed for the last 15kms into Sabie to end the stage.

A longer break is welcomed and so is the steak and cheese roll with some salt and vinegar crisps to replenish the lost sodium. Ice cream and fruit salad hit some good spots too.

Any ride after lunch is, well, like attending classes after lunch. On leaving Sabie one has to immediately tackle looooong Long Tom Pass. After climbing it several times over the years, it is still not easy even though Strava marks it as PR (personal record). Shows how much stronger everyone else has gotten as I struggle to keep up.

The stage really came on fire after summiting the pass when Lind, a cyclist from Mafeking, caught up with me. We took turns pacing each other at furious speed, fast up mountains and faster descending. He did more of the pacing and I was desperately holding on for much of the time. As we reached the Brondal turnoff with 17 kms to go, we upped the pace with both of us taking turns.

We soon caught up with a few of our faster team mates, who were aghast that such slow riders actually caught up with them. The look on their faces and demeanor of their bodies was priceless.

We raced on. Now my legs felt stronger and my lungs were pumping so I pressed on. It was exhilarating. Lind who had done so much of the work was now paying the price but we soldiered on. We were a team and we were going to complete with or without cramps. We’ll walk if we need to. But, a few deep breaths and the end was close. We hobbled over the line, elated. We collected and kissed our large medals before indulging in group selfies with some of the others.