MTB Blog

FRANSCHHOEK CYCLING CLUB INVITES YOU TO COME AND ENJOY AN AWESOME RIDE IN FRANSCHHOEK DURING BASTILLE FESTIVAL!

Remember the Dewdale MTB Classic (2001 – 2007)..?

Well, we hope to bring it back as the Bastille Festival MTB Classic in 2011..!

For 2010, the FCC (Franschhoek Cycling Club) will be hosting the Bastille Festival Freedom Ride: an informal MTB Ride (NOT a Race). Proceeds of this Ride will go towards the FCC’s Development initiatives, including the FCC Development Team.

• DATE:  Sunday 18^th July 2010
• START TIME: 9h30 (please Register where you see the Manic Cycles banner)
• REGISTRATION: 8H00 – 9H15
• VENUE:  Huguenot Monument, Franschhoek
• DISTANCES:  +-30KM (for the Fitter riders) – Moderate Intensity, +-15KM (for the Families/Kiddies) – Easy Intensity

Both Groups will start off together

FCC Members will lead the Outrides according to ability

• ENTRY FEE: R30-00
• CONTACT: Geddan Ruddock – 082 578 3017 or Paul Barkley – 083 302 9096

After the Ride, we are going to have some Lucky Draws where you can win 1 of 3 Limited Edition FCC Cycling Tops!

After the Lucky Draw, you are welcome to do some Wine Tasting and/or Eat out at a Restaurant in Franschhoek, after all it’sBastille Festival in Franschhoek:

http://www.franschhoek.org.za/pages/show/94/

It took me 41 hours to get from Cape Town to Monterey, home of the Seaotter Classic for the last 20 years.

As much as it was a long trip, it was certainly worth the while to be able to participate in that grand MTB event. Of course there were nuemoerous events over a 4 day period.  These include cross country, short track, downhill, 4 croos and even road events.

My time constraints only allowed me to take part in the 30 mile MTB tour. It was a glorious day and the vibe there was simply amazing. The organisers spoke of about 15 000 cyclists and about 3 time that many spectators that would descend on the Segway Racecourse over the 4day period.

The tours was what I know as a “fun ride” with a group start. The track though, was ceratinly suitable to racing with a number of serious uphills, single track, jeep tracks, sand, stones and a few hairy down hills.

The refreshment points were amazing. Besides water and energy drinks, they served chocolate chip cookies, M&M’s, grapes and jelly babies.

After the event, every tour rider was invited to a great pasta lunch in a marquees tent, exclusively for the tour riders. Chicken penne with a great marinara sauce, parmesan cheese, fresh rolls and a ceasar salad went down very well.

At the luck draw one rider walked away with a certificate for a new Specialized MTB bike, tailored to his size and requirements.

The event also had an expo with all the major MTB brands present. These include bikes, forks, clothing, helmet-top cameras, spare parts, etc.

I met Barry Stander’s mechanic at the Specialized van. It was great to speak with a fellow South African and Capetonian right there at the Seaotter.

The towns of Monterey and Carmel ( where I stayed)  are both beautiful tourist friendly villages and well worth an extra day’s stay.

I’m really keen to go again in 2011 but for the whole 4 days, if possible! Wanna join?