Jonaskop – The Big Ascent

(Jonaskop Trophy at start of climb)

A hord of excitable mountain bikers stood waiting at our farm entrance at 4:45 this morning, a short fifteen minute drive from the foot of Jonaskop where a handicapped hill time trial started at 5:30.  Bout 25 guys and an impressive girl gathered, received personalised ‘nickname’ number boards, and waited for their name to be called.

The spread was across 60min, with the first off at 5:30, and myself 60min later. In theory, it could have been a mad dash for the line between the lot of us. Same had ridden the climb, some stood ignorant of the pain ahead, further blinded by the cloud cover above keeping the towers out of site. They’re handicap had been guessed by those who’d been before.

Conditions were hostile at best, with a nippy wind pushing in the face of the riders setting off. The atmosphere was brilliant though, with warm hearted banter, noise for every start, and the support of a few faithfuls keeping enthusiasm high.

Jonaskop: 15.1km – altitude ascent 1235m – total descent 118m – 1h08m

(Elevation in green, my HR in red, and the speed in blue)

So there are two bigger dips, where a few metres are lost. But the momentary respite is insufficient. Its a grind bottom to top, and the hurt just doesnt stop. The road is mostly course tar, with two small gravel bits. I was convinced many of the guys would take it out too hard, being able to see the carrots ahead.

(Jonaskop – the little red smudge in the middle between N2 and N15)

(Jonaskop Climb)

(A better look at the elevation)

(Second man on the road – Blom)

(Cloudy morning)

(Stefan and Stefan – Stefan on left ran up in 1h42, father on the right leading)

My father caught his partner in crime, Philip Le Roux, midway up the climb and asked who was still ahead. Philip replied with a smile that the two of them, were now the leaders… Helps if one is in charge of the handicap system no doubt.

Father did ride incredibly well on little riding the past while, to reach the line in first. The handicap had worked well though and there was big reshuffling in the final kilometre. From 2.8km to go there is a count down on the road, in 100m intervals. Never have 100m’s on a bike ticked by so slowly.

Although I had the fastest time of the day, my handicap was too ambitious. I do still believe the sub 1hour is an attainable goal, but not in today’s conditions.

(The chilli affair at the top)

Father won the trophy, which has as much character to it as the climb itself. Hopefully this was the first of many.

(My father, Stefan Hugo)

Riding up in the mist, not being able to see further than 20m, hearing nothing either, was a magical experience in itself. There is something about summiting a climb, and today’s intimate camaraderie emphasized it all the more. Twas a good morning out.

 Results:

Name  - Approx.Race Time - Handicap - Finish Time Duration
    
Andrew “Pattie” Paterson  2h00 START 01: 58:05 01:58:05
    
Blom     1h59 +1 min 01:58:52 01:57:52
    
Hugo van der Merwe   1h58 +2 min 02:04:48 02:02:48
    
Neels “RSM”    1h57 +3 min 01:50:41 01:47:41
    
Philip “Pantani” le Roux  1h56 +4 min 01:50:41 01:46:41
     
Andries “Deurskaaf” de Jager  1h51 +9 min 01:59:26 01:50:26
    
Stefan “Race Director” Hugo  1h50 +10 min 01:46:35 01:36:35
    
Jan “Generaal” Hofmeyer   1h49 +11 min 01:59:24 01:48:24
    
Elsebe “Generaal se Vrou” Hofmeyer 1h48 +12 min 01: 59: 24 01:48:24
     
Howie “Vrou Jagter” Viljoen  1h46 +14 min 1:58:31  01:44:31
    
Anton “Clockwatcher” Quenet  1h42 +18 min 01:57:47 01:39:47
     
Giel “Pappa Giel” van Deventer  1h34 +26min 02:09:13 01:42:47
    
Johan “Tollie” le Roux   1h33 +27 min 01:50:55 01:23:55
    
Chris “Dokkie” Roux   1h30 +30 min 2:00:42  01:30:42
    
“Big John” Wolfaartd   1h28 +32 min 02:12:11 01:40:11
    
Riaan “Jagluiperd” Joubert  1h27 +33 min 01:57:17 01:24:17
    
Michal of “Epic Fame”   1h24 +36 min 01:56:35 01:20:35
    
Fritzs van Heerden   1h23 +37 min 02:05:11 01:28:11
    
Gray “Grys” van Tonder   1h20 +40 min 02:01:02 01:21:02
    
Johan Slabert    1h18 +42 min 02:26:14 01:44:14
    
Jaco “Vinnige” Vorster   1h12 +48 min 02:03:27 01:15:27
    
Dan “Mountain Man” Hugo   1h00 +60 min 02:08:21 01:08:21

Race Director and Pantani’s Race Report:

In view of the fact that there seem to have been some controversy surrounding the awarding of  handicaps to the athletes, an urgent and in-depth inquest was launched into the matter and the following statistics  clearly showed no signs of foul play and completely restored the integrity of the race committee.( this came as no surprise and we are happy to announce that the same individuals were selected to forward this event to greater heights) .We are aware of companies interested in sponsoring the event next year.

Methods employed to analyse the original worksheet ( included  for transparency)
 
1.  Compare the minutes by which cyclists over or underperformed to handicaps awarded , i.e. plusses vs. minuses   – 64  to  + 65 !  ( this absolutely speaks for itself, no further explanation needed)

2.  Remove the anomalies from the sample , to get an even better picture of what transpired on the mountain on race-day. i.e. (-10 + -10 + -14 + -10 =  -44)   and  ( +8  +12 + 26 = 46 ) . The correlation now looks as follows :   -2   -2   +2   -1   -1   -2   -2   -3    0   -3    -4    +5   +1   +3    +8 !    This leaves a person with  -20 vs.  +19.

3.  It was also apparent that some of the participants clearly underperformed on the day.

4. The anomalies regarding the Paarl entrants, the committee was advised on by the contingent themselves and was not done under the jurisdiction and discretion of the committee.

5. The fact that the committee finished 1st and 2nd on the day was purely incidental

The race committee rests its case. (Always at your service)
 

Race Video should be up tomorrow…