2007 MTB logs
here’s the logs for the 2007 MTB series, both XC and DH and some feedback from Grevile Ruddock.
The final standings for 2007 will be used for the “start-up” ranking for the first in the 2008 series, -after that, it is likely that ranking will be as per the positions in the series, to reflect current performance. This means riders won’t be able to rely as much on ranking points earned in the previous season, and will need to “op-en-wakker” from the first event in the series.
Also, with all events counting in the 2007 series, consistent and committed riders have been rewarded for their effort. We will await an announcement from CSA-MTB as to when and where the 2007 awards will be done.
BIG thanks to everyone who made the effort to participate in- and to support the series.
All the best,
Grevile
SA Cross Country 2007 5.xls
SA Downhill Log 2007 5.xls
No helmet…no Hi!
I make a point of greeting every non-motorised individual I pass on the road (or off) when I go riding. This includes other mountain bikers (of course), road cyclists, runners, walkers and even the odd roller blader.
I have however decided long ago not to be friendly to riders who don’t make the effort to wear a helmet!
I find it truly irresponsible and selfish!
If that rider is not concerned with his/her own health, safety and well-being, then so be it. The fact is though that it affects a number of other issues. How about the health care costs associated with a fractured skull. I am sure it is so much more that that of a slightly dented ego (when falling while having a helmet on). Sure, a lot of people have private health care but there is always some costs for the taxpayer’s account ( that’s me).
What about the fractured skull rider’s family? They are the ones at the short end of the stick, having to look after ( and possibly even loose ) a dad, son, brother, sister, mother, you get the point.
What about the image of the other law abiding riders? We are all labeled irresponsible if one of “us” refuses to let his/her hairdo be ruined by wearing a helmet on their early morning ride.
So, if you pass me on the road and notice that I don’t say hi to you, you know why.
To all those riders whom I have passed and not said “hi” to either I would just like to say…I don’t apologise!
ILLOVO ESTON MTB CHALLENGE
This is one of those events that I have done before and really enjoyed. Great venue, excellent organisation, decent goodie bag and very enjoyable ride!
It’s for this reason that I am happy to post the content of the press release I received about it.
See below:
One of KZN’s favourite races is now accepting entries. The ILLOVO ESTON MTB CHALLENGE on 5th August 2007, is well known for fantastic value for money and a very well organized race. This year ONLY PRE ENTRIES receive the Original brand moisture management shirt that really set a trend for all other races to follow. To enter online go to www.cyclelab.com. The organizers have expanded the pre entry facility and are accepting online entries in the 75km Illovo Mazda Marathon, the 40km Juicy Lucy half marathon as well as the 20km Tala Family Ride. You can also enter by faxing an entry form to Cyclelab, all you need to do is go to www.illovosugar.co.za and download an entry form. This website also has ALL the race information. There you will find everything from Start times to places to stay. Last years 75km route profile is also available. But route planner Roy McGladdery promises “that the route profile looks much worse than it really is. Our aim is not to hurt people, we prefer to give everybody a very enjoyable ride and we want the riders to come back year after year.” The frustrating bottle necks from last year have all been eliminated. There is still plenty of exciting riding with loads of jeep track and single track for the technical junkies. If you don’t want to make a forward commitment, you can still enter the old fashioned way and arrive on the day – but remember there will be NO shirts for late entries!! Flyers are also available in most major cycle shops around the country. Whichever way you choose to enter, you will also receive the awesome Illovo goodie bag that is handed out to all entrants. This goodie bag contains many surprises could be valued at around R100 if you were to buy all the products in the shop.
So get down to KZN and take advantage of their hospitality. Oh yes!! The cycle race is also an amazing event. Extremely well organized and the routes are well marked. The countryside is spectacular and the routes are interesting the whole way no matter what event you ride in. To check this all out, go to www.illovosugar.co.za !!
end.
WP downhill # 5
Here’s the results for the final WP downhill event held this week-end in Jonkershoek.
This is the same venue for the last national DH event this coming week-end.
WP Downhill 5-2007.xls
Mazda Big Induna 75km, incorporating the 2007 South African Marathon Championships.
Seems that great fun was had by all in Hazyview this week-end. Both the elite men’s and women’s races was a close call between the 1st and 2nd finishers.
We now have the 2007 marathon champions in the various age categories.
Well done to the winners and most importantly all the finishers!
Leading results:
Overall Men
1 Kevin Evans (Raleigh MTN Energade) 02hrs52min05sec
2 Melt Swanepoel (Raleigh MTN Energade) 02:53:26
3 John Paul Pearton (Mazda Merida) 02:54:18
4 Arno Viljoen (Mr Price GT) 02:57:44
5 Mannie Heymans (Raleigh MTN Energade) 02:59:34
6 David George 03:00:10
7 Brandon Stewart (Raleigh MTN Energade) 03:00:51
8 Francois Theron (Mazda Merida) 03:01:29
9 Oliver Munnik (Adidas William Simpson) 03:01:40
10 Shan Wilson (Adidas William Simpson) 03:01:47
Overall Women
1 Yolande Speedy (IMC Mongoose) 03:21:51
2 Yolande de Villiers (Mazda Merida) 03:23:10
3 Amy Jane Mundy (Jeep Specialized) 03:33:23
4 Tania Raats (Maverick Momentum) 03:40:05
5 Angelique van Zyl 03:47:16
Freedom Challenge Time
It is yet again time for those few brave souls to do attempt the grueling 2300km MTB event from Pietermaritzburg to Paarl!
Solo, unsupported and with no required stops, this is truly a test of endurance, both physically and mentally.
I will be watching these guys with great interest.
See www.freedomchallenge.org.za for more information.
The AFRICA MTB championships
This from the official web site: africachamps-windhoek.com
It’s coming to NAMIBIA! For the first time the African Continental Mountain bike Championships will be held outside South Africa. Windhoek will be the venue for this prestigious event this time round. This is the biggest Mountain Bike event on the African continent, and as it is a pre-olympic year, this is also a qualification race for the Beijing Olympics 2008.
According to the web site there will also be a non-race categories for those who are not thinking of getting selected for the Olympics in Beijing next year. I could however not find much information about that on the web site and have sent an enquiry email to the organisers.
The site also states that Africa gets two spots at the Olympic games, which means the first two countries to cross the line will secure themselves a spot. This means that if the first 3 finishers are from the same country, that country will only get one spot. Individual qualification for the games will be in the hands of the countries themselves.
So, it could be an interesting week-end in Windhoek for every keen mountainbiker to be both a spectator, seeing who is on the Olympic team for next year, and also to get the chance of riding in Namibia and on the same track as the pro’s.
Maybe I’ll go…
Robertson Winery MTB Challenge report
This funride on Sunday was absolutely great! Everything from the venue to the route, markings and terrain made it a great ride.
We started at the Paru farm, about 10km outside Robertson towards McGregor. Although the sky was cloudless and the sun was shining, the weather at the start was just great for mountain biking. Within 5km of the start, we were faced with a very steep and sandy and rocky single track uphill. I guess I could’ve cycled it, if it wasn’t for the “congestion” on the track.
From there followed a great downhill and then about 20km of riding through the karoo bush. Although it wasn’t quite single track, most of the route seems to have been cut just for the event. It made for great MTB riding with everything from water crossings to donga’s, pot holes and protruding rocks. The route was clearly marked and signs explaining where there were donga’s, pot holes, sharp corners, slippery surfaces and steep downhills were indicated throughout the entire route. ( I did hear that some of the leading guys in both the 62km and 29km groups encountered problems with route signage. Fortunately these were sorted out once I got to those sections)
The second 20km took us through the town of McGregor and then onto a dirt road about 3 km out of town. This section was a wide and well compacted dirt road. Although not as exciting as riding in the bush, it was still pleasant as it was relatively fast.
The last 20km was off road again with even more technical sections of donga type roads, very rocky downhills and a number of sharp turns. This was however the most enjoyable section of the ride for me.
As we came into the finish we could see the WP cross country riders doing their thing. The 5th WP XC event was held at the same venue yesterday. They did the lap thing of course, 9km of it.
All finishers of the funride received a bottle of Robertson Winery red wine.
There was plenty of food and wine for sale and they had set -up umbrellas with haybales on the banks of the Breede river, right there at the finish.
Well done to the organisers, sponsors and volunteers.
I will do this one again.
Off to Bonnievale!
I can hardly wait to get in my car and drive out to Bonnievale for the week-end. Sure I go there often but there are 2 reasons making me all the more excited about this week-end.
- I have been in Jhb on business for the week and have not had any chance to even look at my bike. So, the Robertson Winery MTB Challenge on Sunday is something I am really looking forward to. Having done all the mtb events in Robertson, Bonnievale and Montagu over the last number of years, it is great to know that we’ll be riding at a new venue with a new route on Sunday. There’s a 62km, 29km and even 12km ride. It starts at 08h00 and I already know that I am going to “win” a bottle of Robertson wine. ( so will everyone else of course…over 18). For more info see: pedalpower. This will also be the venue for the WP XC champs.
- It’s the Wacky Wine Weekend in Robertson and area. This is an annual event when every winery hosts wine tastings, long lunches, breakfasts with live music, riverboat cruises and live concerts. Really an awesome time in a very rural area on some unique wine farms. See www.wackywineweekend.com
