‘Amashova was always on my bucket list,’ says Morningside resident

TACKLING this year’s Tsogo Sun Amashova Durban Classic cycle race is Morningside resident Clive Moodley, who hopes to complete the mammoth 106km race in under four hours. This is the first time Moodley has taken on the full 106km distance.

“I rode the Amashova last year, but it wasn’t the full race. Because of Covid-19, it was reduced to 80km. The route was from Moses Mabhida Stadium to Kloof and back,” he said.

Moodley completed the 80km cycle in 03:15.
“A highlight for me was to see so many people at a cycling event – this motivated me to keep on going. It had a similar feel to the Comrades Marathon,” said the cyclist.
The cyclist trains four times a week, cycling on Tuesday, Thursday and Sunday and incorporating a run into his training regime once a week on a Wednesday.
“On Sundays, I cycle a longer distance – usually about 60km. I run about 10–15km on a Wednesday and on Tuesdays, and on Thursday, I do about an hour of cycling which covers about 22km,” said Moodley.

He typically cycles in Durban North and La Lucia. “We use the inner roads like the M4. I feel it’s safer in those areas where there are a lot of cyclists,” said Moodley.
When it comes to diet, Moodley follows his regular diet during training, adding extra carbohydrates to his plate ahead of a race.
“One week before the race, I do some carbo-loading,” he said.

He opts for pasta when carbo-loading, adding an extra portion of carbs to his diet, although Moodley said lean protein like chicken is just as important. “I also have a recovery drink after training sessions; it’s a protein shake,” he said.

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A bucket-list dream

Moodley took up cycling in 2019.
“I was a Comrades Marathon runner, and cycling was something that was on my bucket list – to cycle from Pietermaritzburg to Durban,” he said.

He enjoys the social aspect of the cycling community.

“Cycling gets me to be more social and get together with my friends. It also helps me to focus on my health,” said Moodley.

Having run several back-to-back Comrades Marathons since 2010, Moodley was an avid runner. He noted several differences between cycling and running – among them the costs of the necessary equipment.

“Cycling is a costly sport, if you are comparing it to running. Every bike service needed costs you money, your gearing is quite expensive and the actual bikes are quite expensive, as well,” he said.
Moodley services his bike once every six months to keep it in good running order – that is roughly every 5 000km. For the Morningside cyclist, the cost is worth it.

“Cycling offers excitement – there is an adrenaline rush, especially when cycling downhill,” said Moodley.

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Race-day preparation

As he prepares for the Amashova, Moodley’s must-have race-day items include a bottle of sport energy drink, a bottle of water, and energy supplements.
“I will also pick up what is offered along the route – such as bananas and water,” said the cyclist.
He will start his day with a good breakfast.
“On race day, you’ve got to have a good breakfast or you will hit the wall. My go-to breakfast is a banana to start, followed by toast with boiled eggs,” he said.