2012 94.7 err 93.47 or something like that

This year the race was slightly shorter than the last couple of years at around 93.5 Km instead of 97.4 Km that didn't however translate to a shorter race time wise though. I finished the race in official time of 3:48:06, which is slightly more than last year, I was hoping for 3:30 but the new route off the M1 highway towards Hillbrow was slightly more taxing on the legs, and the wind and the heat on the N14 highway sapped the strength, the biggest knock comparing my stats to last years ride was definitely the N14.

Although it was evident from my heart rate that I am slightly fitter (HR dropped faster on the downhills where I just tuck up and let gravity pull me down ... fast) I'm still in need of improving my climbing abilities, and perhaps shedding a few more Kg will help there too.

Having said that, if like me you're are somewhat of a  sadomasochist who loves pain and enjoys a challenge, and the satisfaction of having completed something fairly hard, the race was fun, meeting up with some of the other club members at the finish and sharing 'war' stories after riding mostly alone in the race, and getting advice from some of the (much) more experienced guys was also entertaining.

Naturally I will be back next year to give it another go, at my age and level of fitness, I don't expect to be winning any races it's all about the personal challenge and the reward is in the satisfaction of knowing that just a few years ago I couldn't even ride 7Km before being completely exhausted. Hopefully also what I have achieved will be an inspiration to other couch potatoes to get out there and do something healthy for a change.

Anyhow here is a photo of me at the start courtesy of  Action Photo It usually takes a week or two for them to sort through and find all the photos and link them to the race numbers but if you are interested in purchasing photos of me (or others) you can find them at www.actionphoto.net follow the prompt icons 'South Africa' - 'Cycling'- 'Momentum 94.7 Cycle Challenge 2012' you will need the race number of the person in my case that is 9961.

Last and definitely not least if you haven't already done so please go to http://www.justgiving.com/Jeremy-Pointer and donate towards Martin House, donations will be open until 18/02/2013 so please show your generosity and support this worthwhile cause.