Modern Athlete Magazine Issue 54, January 2014 | Page 40
Race Reports
(My
Experience)
The race I love to hate…
Momentum 94.7 Cycle Challenge,
Johannesburg, 17 November
If you live in Johannesburg and cycle, you simply have to take part in the Momentum
94.7 Cycle Challenge, so here I was, saddling up for the second year in a row.
– BY NICOLE DE VILLIERS, MODERN ATHLETE DESIGNER
T
he 94.7 is most certainly one of the most gruelling road
races in South Africa, as I discovered in 2012 when I decided
to take on the race with minimal training. After suffering up the
Krugersdorp Highway last year, I decided this is not a race you
take lightly, so this year I decided to put in some training.
READY TO RACE
As my alarm buzzed just before 6am, I wondered if the clock
was set incorrectly, as it was really hot and muggy outside.
One thing that made me optimistic though, is that there was no
sign of wind – all cyclists know that wind is the most annoying
weather condition to deal with on race day, especially with this
route of rolling hills and steep climbs.
I made my way through all the excited cyclists to get to my start
batch, which took off at 8:08am. It was already rather hot by
this time. A guy with a boom box attached to his bike took off
with us, making me want to pedal harder, not just because the
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ISSUE 54 JANUARY 2014 / www.modernathlete.co.za
music was motivating me, but because I must have been riding
really slowly to have him keep up with me! I got away from him
eventually and reached the CBD of Johannesburg via Joe Slovo
Drive. Cycling over the Nelson Mandela Bridge was picturesque
in a ‘concrete jungle’ sort of way.
My favourite part of the race was through Craighall Park, where
the supporters alongside the road seemed to have just trundled
out of their homes with their morning coffee to give us great
words of encouragement. I must admit, I was saving my legs
for when I got to the gruelling Krugersdorp Highway, 30km
from the end. Many a cyclist has been dreadfully sorry for
tiring themselves out before this bit! But this year I was lucky,
because there was a superb tailwind pushing me along steadily.
By the end of the highway my knee started giving me a little
trouble and I was a bit worried about the infamous Heartbreak
Hill that still stood between me and the finish line, but I got up
the hill by sheer mind over matter, and besides my sore knee,
I felt pretty good finishing in 4:05! Next year I will be back,
aiming for a 3:45, after doing still more training!