At last – after the postponement in NOV we are super happy to finally get this race going – being honest this is probably a better time to host it so peg JANUARY 2027 for the next M13 Cycle Challenge.
I met with METRO POLICE on Monday and we are again meeting to go over the route on THUR – I can tell you closing off the M13 takes an effort – a BIG effort – my worries not yours but they are on board with us (thanks to them) some of them are actually also going to cycle (the off duty officers that is so we are in good company).
So NB INFO below.
REGISTRATION – WESTVILLE MALL – once again I repeat THE WESTVILLE MALL (Blair Athol Road Turn off).
SATURDAY 24th – this coming SAT) 10am to 2pm – don’t come too early – don’t come late – we are punctual so please reciprocate.
– You can collect your race number and goodie bag as well as on behalf of others – we are not super strict on the registration collection process (no numbers to be given out SUN as we start 6am – we don’t have time to mess around.
– There are a few who need info changed etc. – no problem – this we can do on the day at registration SAT 24th 10am to 2pm.
– Tell your mates who missed the online entry bus that we are taking a few limited late entries – typical Durban style – they only wake up when it’s almost too late.
RACE DAY – SUNDAY 25th JAN
– The M13 will be closed off from the Westwood mall near 45th Cutting from 4am onwards so if you coming from Durban and surrounds – take the N3 – take the Pavilion Exit and come along SPINE ROAD
– If you coming from the other side (hillcrest and further) – the M13 will be closed off from just past Stapleton Road – just be aware that you need to find alternate routes to get to the WESTVILLE MALL where you will park
– The MALL will allow free parking on the roof top – all you need to do is go to the management office after the event and they can validate your parking ticket
– The MALL parking will be open from 5am
– Just be aware they have spikes at each entrance so don’t ride your bike over them – there is also a height restriction so those with bikes on the roof – BE FULLY AWARE and park somewhere else close by (plenty public parking available – perhaps not as safe)
We will explain at registration where the meeting point is for SUNDAY – 5:45am SHARP – pre race briefing at 5:45am then we are onto the M13 in start batches as follows
84km riders in front
56km rider will start in their own batch 5 minutes later
28km batch will start 5 minutes after the 2nd batch leaves
ROUTE
– The route is a 14km loop that you will do multiple times
– 84km route does 6 laps
– 56km route does 4 laps
– 28km route does 2 laps
NB: there are 2 x 180 DEGREE turn around points – we are riding contra flow (heading towards town – turning before the Westwood mall) then all the way up the M13 on the opposite side that the cars normally travel down on – the 2nd 180 DEGREE turn is a SHARP – I repeat SHARP turn – here you need to be cautious (most of you will have seen this spot where the road narrows to 1 lane – where they are working on the roads at the N3 split ( Be CAREFUL and take this turn slowly – after this we head back towards the Mall and will repeat that lap- duel carriage way – plenty of space but please SLOW RIDERS stay left lane – let the power houses race in the right hand lane – we have full road closure but that does not mean we can bob and wave all over the road – STAY LEFT – PASS RIGHT – for everyone’s safety
200m per lap in terms of elevation – you work reasonably hard from the Westwood Mall upwards but once you turn before Stapleton road its fast back down to the START/FINISH area – a solid challenge not just for the sprinters this course…..
This route was actually used for KZN and the SA ROAD CYCLE CHAMPS about 7-9yrs ago so it has been ridden before
MEDALS and DRINKS at the end
We shall endeavour to host prize giving for our winners around 9:30am at the same place you register at
Finish Time are the official time keepers and SportsPix the official photographers
Please pass this email around the various chat groups and cycle clubs so everyone gets this info and we don’t have any mis-communication