60 Hour Schedule

If I stick to this schedule, I will break the 60 hour mark.
I have been reasonably generous with my estimations, which I've based on a 59 hour completion.
I have 1 hours float.
(Tap on table to enlarge)

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Canal Training Ride - 130km

Eight riders pitched up on a cold winters morning, for a training ride along the Brits canals. This is their journey.

My Latest Bikepacking Rig

It's not just about the ride.
It about the whole journey. It's about discovering a new route, planning how your going to get there, how often will you stop, where will you'll be bedding down, what kit will you take, will you even take a change of clothing and what luxuries are you not prepared to do without.

We've covered some of the aforementioned items directly or indirectly and now I'd like to share some ideas with regards to my kit or riding rig. These things evolve and differ from rider to rider, so you may disagree with my assessment especially if you're a racing snake.
Racing snakes travel ridiculously light.

I will need to sleep twice in a 60hr period. I'm not sure where that will be, but I'm pretty sure it will not be a convenient stopover, therefore I have to plan for the worst. So I'm taking:

• Lightweight foam sleeping mat
• Low volume down sleeping bag
• Low volume sleeping bag liner
• Emergency space blankets
• Keep your helmet on, using it as a pillow. Trick I learnt from Grant Usher. It works!

Staying warm is more important than staying dry, although the two often go hand in hand. Therefore I'm taking a change of dry clothing that I can sleep in or use as alternate cycling kit.

• Cycling trousers with removable inner chamois. The bottom halves zip off, converting to shorts
• Merino wool base layer
• Low volume puffer down jacket
• Extra pair of sock liners and merino socks
• Beanie
• Sealskinz gloves

I believe that the fastest way for me to get down to Richards Bay, includes a strategy of 4 hours of quality sleep in a 24 hour cycle. That is why I have placed such an emphasis on the above.
I know other riders can do with far less, but I can't.

I need to limit the amount of times I stop and therefore, deciding when to stock up to the gills or when to run lean with regards food and water, is quite a challenge. Rather too much than too little.
I think at max, my bike and kit will weigh around 28kg.

I plan to carry all of this as shown in the clip below.

Initial Inspiration for the HeidelBay started with Ermelo2Richards

The portion of the route from Vryheid through to Richards Bay remains by and large the same, with the only real difference being the finish line which is now the beacon on the Northern breakwater.

Record Ride 2018

Crossing the border to the Last Outpost

En route to Ulundi

...and the record holders are: Dave, Dawn, John and Wimpie

The Proof

Some Images from the Route

Please note, images are courtesy of others!

Five Arches Bridge: Close to the Start, Heidelberg

Goofing around, Greylingstad

Tin Man Cycling, Greylingstad

Respect among foe, approach to Val

Rely on this bicycle shop at your own peril, Val

The quaint Village of Val. Well worth a visit.

Die Kliphuis B&B, Standerton. Designed by Sir Herbert Baker

Monument in memory of Women and Children who died in Concentration camps during Anglo Boer war, Standerton

Bridle Guest Farm, Volksrust

Steam Engines, Volksrust

Volksrust

Rolling Hills of Groenvlei

Wet Season, Groenvlei

Climb out from Groenvlei

Rassies Spot, at crossroads past Groenvlei

Rita's B&B, outside Vryheid

Rita's B&B, Vryheid

Tar portion to Vryheid

24hr Take Away, Vryheid

Puma Umfolozi Filling Station, slight detour required, Surreyvale

Zulu Rock Game Farm, near Surreyvale

White Umfolozi, near Ulundi

White Umfolozi, Ulundi

Marietjies Guest House, Ulundi

Piet Retief's Grave, near Ulundi

Dingaans victims

Finish Beacon on Northern Breakwater, Richards Bay

Zululand Yacht Club, Richards Bay

Richards Bay Waterfront

Protea Waterfront Hotel, Richards Bay