The Bike at Mossel Bay: 180 km Officially 'Hilly', with Wind as the Second Opponent

What we actually know about the course

Let's start with the facts. The bike course for the Mossel Bay full hasn't been published in detail yet: no official elevation profile, no lap count, no final map. The organizer calls the terrain 'hilly' and places the 180 km on open roads along the Garden Route coast. That's it. Everything else is an estimate.

The best reference we have is the local 70.3: 1,020 m of elevation gain over 90 km, with an out-and-back toward Uitkyk on the Herbertsdale road. If the full follows the same logic, it's reasonable to assume something in the region of 2,000 m of climbing. That's not official data: it's a projection. But it's enough to shape your prep.

Gearing: the decision to make now

With a potential 2,000 m of climbing over 180 km, gearing choice is no small detail. The advice is blunt: compact (50/34) and a wide cassette, at least an 11-32 or 11-34. Better to spin your legs on the 15th km of cumulative climbing than grind big gears and pay for it on the marathon. If you're running a single chainring or a flat-TT setup, rethink everything.

Test to do in training: a 5-hour ride with 2,000 m of elevation gain, staying aero as much as possible, followed by a 40-60 minute run on rolling terrain. If the brick holds up, the setup is right.

The wind: the factor the numbers don't show

Several race reports from 70.3 editions flag wind as a real factor on the coast. Exposed roads, stretches along the ocean, possible crosswind gusts. Two practical consequences:

• Wheels: consider a mid-depth profile (40-50 mm) instead of a disc or very deep rims, especially if you're a lighter rider. Make the final call on site, after seeing conditions in the days before.
• Position: train to hold your aero position in crosswinds. It's not a given. Riders who sit up off the extensions at every gust give away minutes.

Pacing: conservative, no debate

First edition of the full on this course: nobody has reference points, not even the locals. Under these conditions, conservative pacing pays double. Concrete guidelines:

• In the first 60 km, stay below your power target, not above it. The climbs will deceive you.
• On stretches exposed to headwind, accept whatever speed comes: defending your average with extra watts is the best way to blow up at km 140.
• Based on the estimates in this guide, a mid-pack goal comes off the bike in around 6:45; a comfortable finisher in 7:45. These are ballpark splits on an unofficial course: use them as an order of magnitude, not a pacing chart.

What to do now

1. Fit easy gearing and test it on real climbs before winter. 2. Add a block of long rides with 1,800-2,200 m of climbing. 3. Train your aero position in windy conditions. 4. Check the official course page as soon as the athlete guide drops: if the actual elevation gain differs a lot from the estimate, you'll have time to adjust.

Plan B: if it's blowing hard on race day, cut 5% off your power target and shift your goal from time to relative placing. On a course like this, everyone suffers the same way.