MTB Blog

11 seconds of separation!

I find it truly amazing to think that after 6 days of the Cape Epic, that the 1st team, Roel Paulissen (B) and Jakob Fugslang (DK) of Cannondale-Vredestein 1, is only 11 seconds ahead of the second team, German Team Bulls.
Six long days of much hardship, including punctures for both teams and they are a mere 11 seconds apart. This can only mean that these 4 guys are the world’s top long distance MTB riders and that if they were teamed up differently ( one of each team with one of the other) that they probably would’ve had the same results to date.
Also interesting to note is that the top 12 riders (6 teams) are all from Europe. It has to do with all those mountains I guess!
Kevin Evans and Stewart Brandon is the first SA team at present at position 7, six and a half minutes ahead of Mannie Heymans and Melt Swanepoel.
I am sure by now every rider ( pro’s included) must be gatvol of their bikes and can’t wait for tomorrow afternoon.
I will be doing the 50k ride at Lourensford and hope to be there to welcome the leaders of the Cape Epic at the finish.

Cape Epic thing

Yip, what a thing it seems to be. Yesterday’s stage seemed to have taken its toll on many riders and the pro’s were not spared. It seems that some of the top teams are either our or may be out soon as they are not abiding by the rules.
Some of the pro’s are using the Cape-Epic as a training event for the world cup and are therefore not too concerned with being an official finisher. The news even made the papers.
According to the rules, the team members have to finish together. If not, they get a 1 hour penalty for the next day and are out of the event if it happens twice. Yesterday, 3 of the pro’s dropped their team mates and did not finish with them. They have stated that they will not return next year if they cannot finish the race.
So, a compromise has been made, allowing those riders to team up with others who have dropped their team mates. Interesting. I wonder if this applies to everyone or just the pro’s?
Anyway, it seems that the heat and the uphills got the better of a number of people who suffered from dehydration yesterday.

Week-end riding

Not much happening on the event calendar this week-end for those not brave enough to tackle the Epic!
There is the 25km ride in Malmesbury. It is a non -technical route (25 km) consisting of 80% jeep track and easy flowing single-track sections. A great ride for novices!
Not worth trekking out there for 25km for me. For more information click on the link: Geard Pharmacy Funride.
Also, did you ride to work today? Working at home poses a problem in this regard. I do have the solution though: ride away from home and back. So, seeing that it was raining this morning, I will be doing that at 13h00 today. If you spot a mountain biker on the road at 13h00, please watch out and respect my right of way on Ride to Work Day.
See more on Pedalpower web site.
To all those Epic riders that will be setting off on their 8 day journey tomorrow, I say: well done and good luck.
I know that it is not all about luck. Many hrs in the saddle, lots of money spent on bikes and accessories, early mornings, missing out on late night jols and family time!
On the day though when you are all ready and gearing to go, you still need just a little luck to ensure that you don’t break that chain, get that flat or fall in that mud!
I especially want to say to all the first time riders: I admire you!
Most of all, just enjoy! The idea I hear is to finish in one piece. Of course if you are going for any type of time or position, I trust that you will not be disappointed.

We will send updates as we get them from riders out there.

WP Downhill Log

Herewith the current WP Downhill Log after the 2^nd Provincial.

WP Downhill Log 2-2007.xls

That Dirt Double thing!

By now I guess you’ve heard about the Dirty Double. I first read about it in last month’s RIDE mag although I did not quite get the concept. Then at the Cycletour Expo I chatted with Attie Koekemoer, the publisher of RIDE about it. What they’ve done is to take 4 established marathon events and then added an additionl day to each of them. This means that each Dirty Double event is a 2day MTB marathon with a stay over in between. The one day events will of course still be run.
I like the concept. I can get to experience several different multi-day events without having to be away from home for 10 days and on my bike for 8 consecutive days!
The events are organised by the same people that organise the very popular and successful 4 day Sabie Experience.
So, what are you in for and where and when?:

#1: Greytown in KZN on the 19/20^th May:
day 1: 72km
day 2: 45km

#2: Makhado (Louis Trichardt) in Limpopo, Akkedis Dirty Double on 28/29 July;
day 1: 66km
day 2: 35km

#3:Groot Marico in the North-West Province on 25/26 August.
day 1: 65km
day 2: 35km

#4:Citrusdal in the Western Cape, 15/16 September.
day 1: 60km
day 2: 40km

There is a unique league system that runs for the length of the series. This is over and above teams riding to win each race. Riders register a team with up to four riders and the team earns points for every stage successfully completed. So, if one rider can’t make it, the team can still earn points with another rider in their place – and – riders can belong to more than one team. The points accumulate in the league only.

The entry fee is R912 per team of 2 riders. From their website it seems that the only thing included over and above the ride is a T-shirt and dinner on the Sat. evening.
You have to arrange your own accommodation.
Seems like an interesting concept and one I am considering.
To find out more got to www.dirtydouble.co.za

Leopard Trail

The camping was great! About 30 of us, men, women and kids! Some went fishing on the 3 dams, others rowing, swimming and hiking.
Then there was the solitary mountain biker. The setting is great and although the advertise a MTB trail ( at R55) I decided to explore on my own as doing a trail by myself would not have been that much fun. The farm has vineyards, cows, apple and citrus orchards and even a patch of onions.
Uphills, downhills and cycling through blackwattle forests make it a great place to go riding.
I did a trip from there to Bonnievale and back, about 59km. The roads ( on a Sat. afternoon) were quiet and the scenery of the best in the country.
I’ll try for a long offroad ride tomorrow seeing that it is Human Rights day and MTB is my human RIGHT!

News from Grevile,

WP Cross Country Log 2a-2007.xls

Camping (and riding in Bonnievale)

I am off for a week-end of camping and riding in Bonnievale on the Leopard Trail Guest farm.
It has been a while since going riding out of town and not for a race. I shall report back on Monday.
Get out there while the weather is still great and enjoy!

cheers

SA MTB Champs 2007 – Results

SA Downhill 02-2007 .xls

SA Cross Country 02-2007 .xls

Upcoming events.

So, now that it we are already half way through March, I was wondering what lies ahead for the year.
At the cycle expo I picked up flyers of a number of events, some I had already considered doing and then some new ones ( to me at least)
Think about doing some of these, I am:

1. Vigne a Vigne: 31 March, Lourensford. This coincides with the last day of the Epic. There will be a 50km and a 22 km. Go to www.vigne-a-vigne.com for more.
2. PnP Weekend Argus Rotary MTB: 7 July, Knysana. A must I think! The long route, 85km, forms part of the Mazda series. There’s also a 50km and 15km www.knysnacycle.co.za
3. Trans Baviaans: Willowmore to Jeffreys Bay. The longest one day MTB event: 230km. Teams of 2,3 or 4 riders. www.gardenroute.co.za
4. Hill2Hill, Hilton, KZN: 23 September. 98km, 45km. www.hill2hill.co.za
5. Crater Cruise, 12-14 October in Parys. Plenty of different events. A bit flat and wide to my liking. see www.cratercruise.co.za