Ride Joburg is an incredible event! World class-organisation, a thorough physical challenge, an interesting route, a rich heritage and a charity fund-raiser. It’s no wonder the race is one of the world’s largest road cycling races! If you’re doing your first Ride Joburg next week, or just another one, here’s a handy check list to make sure you arrive at the start ready to crush it!
At this stage, just over a week away, you can’t do much more in terms of training. But you can make certain that you line up at the start of the 2025 Ride Joburg prepared for everything. Let’s break it down based on the sequence of events.
BIKE SERVICED
You should really have had your bike serviced by now, but if you haven’t, try booking it into Lynnwood Cyclery for at least a minor service to ensure it’s ready for action. Replacing tyres, cables and brake pads should be expected as these make a big difference on the day.
BIKE CHECK
Wheels: Ensure your tyres are in good condition, or new. Inflate them with a floor pump to the optimal pressure. This is recommended on the tyre’s sidewall, but you can use this guide for road bikes/gravel bikes: Wider tyres 4-6 bars; Narrower tyres: 7-9 bars.
Drivetrain: Ensure your gears are shifting crisply. If they aren’t you will endure a day of frustration! If you don’t know how to set them, don’t try find out now! It’s complex and you could make them worse. Rather get your bike to Lynnwood Cyclery and ask them to set your gears for you. It will be a small cost, but well worth it! Clean and lube your chain the day before the race.
Brakes: Your brakes need to work well or else you will be a danger to yourself and others on race day. If you have disc brakes and they’re spongy, consider having a mechanic bleed them at Lynnwood Cyclery. You need your brakes to work with precision and predictability.
KEEP YOUR EXPO VISIT SHORT
Although it’s tempting to stay for ages, plan to register and move through the expo quickly (less than an hour). You haven’t trained to stand for hours, so don’t add this challenge to your body so close to the big day. This year, race number collection can also be done at Lynnwood Cyclery, which essentially stocks more than an expo and has a decent coffee shop should you want to meet your mates.
NUTRITION
You should have worked out during your training for the event which nutrition products you will need on race day. Avoid trying anything new as this can affect your stomach and then you’re looking for portaloos instead of focusing on the route on race day. Ensure you’re stocked up at least two days before. Lynnwood Cyclery sells a range of sports supplements so your preferred brand is likely to be available. Here’s a brief guide for those new to a big race:
Before: Start sipping on a bottle of your carb drink on your way to the start. Don’t have more than 500ml or else you will need to find a loo during the race.
During: For the first two hours, sip on your carb drink, but be sure to only do so when it’s safe. Only drink in a bunch if you are a competent rider with experience. For everyone else, sip when there’s nobody close to you so that you can focus on drinking and returning your bottle safely to its cage.
If you’re fit and conditioned, consider gulping down a gel for the last hour or so. This is fast-acting energy that’s easy to swallow and it will lift your energy and focus for the finale. If you’re not that fast and fit, then keep drinking your carb drink. Avoid drinking Coke at the water points. Rather drink water and douse it over your head if it’s a hot day. Carry a Ziploc bag with you with more carb drink mix in it to top up your bottles if you’re in for a long day. Slug down a gel when you’re about 45 minutes from the finish!
After: Drink a cold whatever it is that you feel like at the finish. But be mindful that you expended a lot of energy during the race and will need to replenish that. You may not feel hungry straight afterwards, but start eating whole food as soon as you can to give your body some reward for doing what it just did! If you can, try drinking a protein-rich recovery drink within 30 minutes of finishing.
GEAR & CLOTHING
Set out all your race gear and clothing the morning before race day and do a bit of a ‘role call’. Start with your head and work down to your feet to ensure you have absolutely everything. If you don’t, you still have time to buy what’s missing or left behind. Don’t buy anything new for the race! Except maybe bibshorts, but stick with the brand you have been using. Pin your race number on your jersey as soon as you can. Pin it below the pockets so that you have access to your pockets during the race. Remember to apply sunscreen to your face, neck and ears while you are getting dressed on race morning. Reapply during the race if you have fair skin and it’s a hot day. Don’t forget your legs, arms and hands!
START AND FINISH
Think carefully about your start and finish plan. Get there early enough to have at least an hour before your bunch starts. There are bike mechanic stands near the start that can fix minor issues. Take a credit or debit card along in case you need to pay them to help you. Go to the loo before your batch start so that you can start feeling comfortable. There are portaloos at the start venue.
SPARES & TOOLS
Be self-sufficient even if you don’t know how to do bicycle roadside repairs. Someone will be able to help you but at least have everything for them to use! This is recommended:
Multi-tool, Tyre levers, Tube, Paper money note (to use as a gator), Mini-pump, CO2 Bombs (x2) and a CO2 Bomb connector. Carry the mini-pump in one of your pockets and pack the rest in a saddlebag.
PACE YOURSELF
You spent weeks training for this special event. Think about the speed you rode and time you spent on your long rides and try mimic that from the very start. It’s tempting to go faster early on, but if you didn’t train like that you are likely to suffer, either with muscle cramp, or fatigue. Or both! If it’s your first Ride Joburg, avoid going for a fast time and try just have a good time. There are many more that you can improve your time on in future. Enjoy the vibe, the scenery and the positive energy among thousands of people that love riding their bikes!
Author, Lynnwood Cyclery