Omnicane Southern Tropical Challenge

Last year was my introduction to this unique 4 day MTB stage race on the Island of Mauritius.  I was very pleased when Aurelie Halbwachs invited me again this year to team up with her for the 4^th edition of the Omnicane Southern Tropical Challenge.

Prologue, 5.75km/ +152m ascent

The event started with a 5.75km prologue at Domaine De Lagrave, situated in the middle of the Island. This region is very mountainous meaning we were in for some tough, hilly riding.

Aurelie and I had a good start and we pushed hard for the first 3km on flat jeep track through some plantations. Just before the first long hill, Aurelie fell hard as we descended a concrete downhill jeep track section. She went over the handlebar, landing hard on her back, bending her front wheel and flattening her front tyre in the process.

We managed to get her bike in a ride-able state and carried on riding to the finish. I could see Aurelie was in a lot of pain, but she bravely fought on and we were both very relieved to make it across the finish line. Despite the setback we still managed to take the red ladies leader’s jersey going into stage 1

 Stage 1, 65km/ 1100m Ascent

The stage start and finish was at Domaine De Lagrave as the circular route took us into the surrounding mountains of the Midlands district. We didn’t know how Aurelie’s back would feel after her crash the previous day and therefore decided to start easier and hopefully finish strong.  Our strategy worked out better than expected as we both felt great and finished in the top ten teams on the day and extending our lead in the ladies competition. I’m sure the fact that we both enjoyed the route and spectacular scenery contributed to our good result on the stage.

Stage 2, 75km/ 1600m Ascent

On day 3 we said good bye to our tented accommodation for the last 2 nights at Domaine De Lagrave as we headed towards our new camp site at Bois Cheri. This day proved to be the most challenging as it was the longest, the hilliest and the bumpiest of all stages.

Still, riding on a Tropical Island one can be sure to find some motivation along the way and mine flourished every time we dove into forested single track. The stage was by no means easy and I was exhausted as we crossed the finish line after 4h30min in the saddle.

Our new campsite soon revived my spirit as it was situated high in the mountains surrounded by tea plantations. Bois Cheri is very well known for their tea and we got to sample several flavours of the brew over afternoon tea and pancakes.

Stage 3, 51km/ 500m Ascent

 The last stage took us from the heights of Bois Cheri through a crocodile farm and along the coast to finish fittingly on the beach at Point d’Esny.

Although it sounds easy, experience has taught me there is no such thing as an easy stage. The route had two very difficult river crossings which required climbing down and out of very steep and rocky ravines.  Upon reaching the home stretch on the beach all the pain was forgotten as Aurelie and I managed to regain our title at the Southern Tropical Challenge.

As always I really enjoyed racing with Aurelie. She is a great team player and it can make all the difference to the enjoyment of a race and the result attained at the end.

Also, well done to Yannick Lincoln and his team for putting together a well organised event. It is great to see the race improving so much in all facets during the four years of its existence. 

Momentum 94.7 Cycle Challenge, 18^th November

Although the Momentum 94.7 Mountain Bike Challenge was my last goal for the season, racing for me has still not come to an end. 

A week after the Momentum 94.7 MTB event, I took part in the Momentum 94.7 Cycle Challenge as well. It is one of South Africa’s biggest road races with 26 000 competitors taking to the start. We started in Woodmead and cycled the 94.7km loop through the streets and highways of Johannesburg to finish at Waterfall Country Estate.

Our 4 man (woman) team consisted mainly of mountain bikers namely Nicci Grobler, Catherine Williamson, Leana de Jager and myself.

During the early stages of the race a steady pace was set up front as a few teams tried to establish an early break. With this plan not succeeding, teams started pushing the pace higher on the climbs consequently reducing the numbers in the leading group.  Just before we got onto the N14 highway Sharon Laws (Team 

Momentum Cycle Lab) who hails from England broke clear from the leading group and soloed all the way to the finish to take the victory on the day.

As soon as Sharon’s lead grew to over 4 min it became clear that the group won’t be able to real her back in and started racing for 2^nd place. The last 10km stretch back to Waterfall Country Estate included 3 long drags and here the final moves of the day were made reducing the field to a mere 14 riders which included my teammate Catherine Williamson and myself.

Catherine had a very classy ride and took the bunch sprint to finish 2^nd overall with Cherise Taylor in 3^rd place. 

Coronation Double Century, 24 Nov

Two days prior the start of the Coronation Double Century (CDC) I received a phone call from Isabel Moolman asking me to join their Mr Price team for the event. They say you regret more the things you don’t do than the things you do. Needless to say on Saturday morning I found myself standing on the start line of the CDC in Swellendam.

The CDC represents quite a unique racing format. Teams consisting of 12 riders are set of at 1 min intervals to complete the 200km course in the fastest time possible. 

The weather conditions on the day proved to be an even bigger challenge than the distance as we had to deal 

with rain and strong winds.

The 9 men in our team set a fast tempo on the front from start to finish while the 3 girls (Isabel  Moolman, Claire  Matthews and me) hanged on for dear life. The hanging on paid off at the end and we crossed the finish line in 3^rd place in the mix category.

The Mr Price team (support included) is a great group of people together and I really enjoyed spending time with them on and off the bike.

On Thursday I will be taking part in the Southern Tropical Challenge alongside a good friend, Aurelie Halbwachs. The event is a 4 day mountain bike stage race traversing the Island of Mauritius. I can’t think of a better place to end the season and start the holiday!

Momentum 94.7 Mountain Bike Challenge

The Momentum 94.7 Road and Mountain Bike Races mark the end of the South African racing season.  Being a final event on the calendar adds an interesting aspect to race tactics on the day as you don’t know what to expect from fellow competitors. Some riders might be long overdue for a break, while for others it might be their last opportunity to get a good result in order to secure a contract for 2013.

The Momentum 94.7 Mountain Bike Challenge was held at the impressive Waterfall Country Estate in Sunninghill, Gauteng. The increasing popularity of mountain biking has forced race organisers to offer two route options (30km and 55km), instead of the previous year’s one route option (45km). This meant the race could accommodate varying levels of skill and fitness making it much more doable. 

The 55km route included a total of 1069 m of ascent, making for quite a challenge as the route wound through the Leeukop Prison and on the trails surrounding Waterfall Estate.

My teammate Nicci and I took the lead early on in the race and worked together to open a gap to the other competitors. About 20km into the race, we reached a river crossing which was immediately followed by a long uphill drag. Once on top I noticed that the group Nicci and I were with before the river crossing was reduced to only me and one other rider.

We rode at a fast pace, steadily catching up to other riders who had started a bit too quick. This meant the group changed constantly as some riders got picked up and others got left behind. I ignored the changing group dynamics, and focused instead on my own riding until I crossed the finish line in a time of 2h:25min. Nicci was lying in 2^nd place for most of the race but unfortunately had a flat tyre which saw her moving out of the podium placings.

I am very happy to finish the mountain biking season on a high note by winning the Momentum 94.7 Mountain Bike Challenge. This coming weekend the team will be taking part in the Momentum 94.7 Cycle Challenge road race. My last time competing in a road race was at the Knysna Oyster Festival in July, 2011. Hope it’s not too late to start working on my bunch riding skills J

Nissan Trailseeker Series #5 Hakahana

Prior to the Nissan Trailseeker race, I had the privilege to form part of this year’s Continental Run2Stop.

It is a charity event whereby two teams “race” each other from PE to Johannesburg over a period of 8 days. Each 21-member team consisted of 2 runners, 3 cyclists, 2 drivers and some all-rounder support personnel. 

Apart from completing the allocated distances per day, the teams also went head-to-head in a series of challenges from start to finish, in aid of identified charities namely Stop Hunger Now and The Sports Trust.

We finished on Friday afternoon at 6pm and 12 hours later I was warming up for the Nissan Trailseeker Series # 5 Hakahana. The race was held at Hakahana farm east of Hartebeespoort dam just outside of Johannesburg.

The 70km event was set of at 7am in chilly conditions, which was quite strange for this time of year. Luckily the rapid pace set up front from the start served as a good warm up.

Yolande Speedy and I were trading the lead from the early stages of the race. She would gain an advantage on the technical single track sections and I would distance her on the climbs.

After a busy week at the Continental Run2Stop I could feel my concentration waning in the latter stages of the race. This caused me to make some silly mistakes on the technical, rocky, single track section, eventually crashing properly within the final 20km.  

Yolande didn’t make any mistakes and had a strong ride to win the race.

I collected myself, mentally and physically, to finish in one piece just behind Yolande with Michelle van der Merwe rounding out the podium in 3^rd place.

Once again the Trailseeker Series delivered a good race within easy travelling distance of Johannesburg making for a very popular event. 

The MTN Ride Crater Cruise

It feels like months ago when I took part in the Ride Crater Cruise, as I have been racing nonstop for the 8 days since then.

The Ride Crater Cruise was hosted by the charming little town of Parys which is situated on the banks of the Vaal River in the Free State. The event was one of my goal events for the year making my 2nd place result all the more satisfying.

Theresa Ralph and I managed to take the lead early on in the race. We stayed together for most of the way, sharing the work up front in order to stay clear from rest of the chasing ladies.

The renowned 106km corrugated route of the Crater Cruise started to take its toll towards the end and I dropped off the pace with less than 10km to go. Theresa won the race and I rolled over the line in 2nd place with Candice Neethling rounding out the podium in 3rd.

Unfortunately there was no time to rest after finishing the gruelling event as I had to hurry back home, clean my gear, pack my bags and get ready to take to the start of the Bridge Cape Pioneer Trek the following day.

The Bridge Cape Pioneer Trek

A week prior to the Bridge Cape Pioneer Trek (CPT) Dirk Oerlemans contacted bizhub team owner, John Robertson, in search of a partner for the event and that is how I ended up gaining entry into this event.

The CPT is a 7 day mountain bike stage race which traverses the beautiful Klein Karoo and parts of the Garden Route.
The event started with a 15km prologue in the afternoon at Buffelsdrift Game Lodge outside of Oudsthoorn.  This gave me just enough time to board the 6am flight from Johannesburg to George and then drive through to Oudtshoorn to take to the start line of the event. Considering all of this the prologue went well as it settled my travel weary legs and cemented the new partnership.

Stage one- 103km, 1720m 

The first stage took us from the Ostrich Capital of the world, Oudsthoorn, to the finishing venue in the world famous port producing town of Calitzdorp. Dirk and I surprised ourselves with a 4thplace finish (mixed team) after a tough day of racing.

Stage two- 85km, 2760

On day two we headed out of Calitzdorp towards the majestic Swartberg Mountain range to finish at the summit of Swartberg Pass. From there we cycled another 15km to our campsite in the beautiful Olive producing town of Prince Albert. Conditions at the summit were freezing and we were really happy to reach Prince Albert on completion of the ‘Queen Stage’. A few punctures along the way made an already tough day even harder.

Stage three – 109km, 1555m 

The third stage took us in a more southerly direction to experience one of the wonders of the Klein Karoo namely Meiringspoort. Riding through Meiringspoort surrounded by dramatic rock formations on our way to the stage finish in De Rust was truly breathtaking. Unfortunately with the rain coming down hard throughout the 2nd half of the race we couldn’t take in so much of the scenery as I am sure most of us wanted to.

Stage 4 – 64km, 1894 km

Day four was a short but beautiful ride with the route taking us through the Langkloof valley and over the intimidating Kammanassie Mountains to finish at Louvain Guest Farm. The final waterpoint was quit a highlight with the milk tart slices giving us just enough energy to reach Louvain.

Stage 5, 73km 1693m

Heavy overnight rainfall prior to the start on stage 5, forced organisers to cut out some of the single track for safety reasons thus shortening the stage by 15km. The shortened stage was just what the doctor ordered and everyone was smiling at the finish in George.  An extra hour of recovery can go a long way in a day packed full of ‘things to do’. 

Stage 6, 84km 1584

The last stage turned out to be the toughest. We left George in freezing rain, climbed Montagu Pass and slowly made our way to the finish in Oudsthoorn on mud soaked roads and farm tracks. It was a cold, wet and muddy day on the bike and I was very happy to get it over and done with.

It was 7 days of hard riding but very rewarding with beautiful scenery, great routes, great organization and good food.  I’ve seen a part of the country which I’ve never seen before and I am awestruck by the beauty of this region and the kindness of its people! 

If you ever consider doing a week long stage race in the country, The Bridge Cape Pioneer is definitely one of the best options available.

Isuzu 3 Towers Stage Race

The Isuzu 3 Towers stage race is a highlight on my racing calendar. The race has so much to offer that it makes it difficult to share everything in one race report. I guess there is just one solution; come and experience it for yourself....

The 3 day race covers a total distance of 208km and includes 4760m of ascending. It is held at Mankele Mountain Bike Park situated in the heart of Mpumulanga province. The stages start and finish at Mankele, with the route taking riders past a different Tower in the area every day, hence the name.

There is no better way to describe the riding at Mankele than the way race organisers Mark and Geoff describes it as “flippen amazing riding”.   Each day we would climb above the surrounding forest several times, providing breathtaking views as we rose above the tree line. Hard efforts were rewarded with proper technical mountain bike single track littered with rocks, tree roots and forest debris. 

Once you crossed the finish line there was still plenty to look forward to - A hot shower or cold swimming pool, good food (refueling isn't a problem, it’s over fuelingJ) and even a live band before dinner. Race briefings followed which included a short video of the day’s spectacular riding.  

This year I raced alongside team mate Nicci Grobler and the two of us had a great ride. Our strategy for every stage was to ride at a hard but manageable tempo from start to finish. This worked out well for us as we won all three stages and also the overall ladies category at the end.

Thank you so much to The Mankele Team for putting together a great event with a vibrant atmosphere. I am already looking forward to next year’s edition. 

The Sunday Tribune Jeep Hill2Hill

The Sunday Tribune Jeep Hill2Hill MTB Marathon started in Hilton, KZN and finished 105km later at Hillcrest sport grounds.

It started raining non-stop two days prior to the event so I knew we were in for a muddy ride on Sunday. Waking up on the morning of the event without the sound of rain drops falling on our cabin’s roof did a lot to lift my spirits.

It was still very cold at the 6am start when the ladies category was set off 5 min after the Elite men. I managed to take the lead into the first single track section and was surprised when I saw that I had opened a small gap to the rest of the field once through the opening single track. My surprise turned to dismay when I punctured 200m down the following jeep track (about 2km into the race). Upon inspection I found a porcupine quill was the culprit. Only in Africa....

At first I managed to plug the hole, but the tyre kept on deflating as too much sealant had already leaked and the gash wouldn’t seal properly. Luckily the plug lasted me long enough to get to the next spectator point.

Here I managed to borrow a proper hand-pump, put in a tube all while running around asking for extra bombs (as I finished all mine) just to help me get to the finish line. 

I felt really bad to ask people for their spares realising that they might need it themselves during the race. Thank you so much to the two spectators for lending me your hand-pump and the two riders who gave me a bomb and a tube. Without your help I wouldn’t have made it to Hillcrest!!

By the time I got going again I had lost over 40min to the woman’s race leaders and was only 18km into the event. From here on it was a lonely ride to the finish as I negotiated my way through a very muddy course.

While riding I realised how nice the Hill2Hill event actually is, no matter what the weather brings. The race organisers put together a fun yet challenging course adding a bit of single track each year. The route markings were also clear despite heavy rain showers throughout the 2 days prior to the event.

Luckily my teammates (Ischen Stopforth and Nicci Grobler) evaded any similar encounters with African wildlife (and their residue), and were representing the team at the front of the race.  They both had a sterling ride finishing together in 1^st and 2^nd place with Cherise Taylor rounding out the podium in 3^rd.

EQSTRA Spring Classic MTB

This year marked the 17th edition of the EQSTRA Spring Classic which was hosted at Avianto Clubhouse in Muldersdrift , Johannesburg.

The course was similar to cross country racing as it consisted of short steep ascents and descents and a lot of winding single track. I enjoyed the route with it's constant challenges as there was always another tricky corner or rocky climb to navigate making the 45km route fly by.

My team mate Nicci and I took the lead from the start with Janine King hot on our heels. Around 24km into the race we missed a turn somewhere and as we headed in the direction of the finish line we realized that we were going the wrong way. We made our way back to the race route only to see Janine King and 4 other riders had joined us on our slight detour as they also missed the turn.

Once back on the correct route, Nicci and I had to dig deep in an attempt to rid ourselves of Janine all over again.

Around halfway we managed to open up a substantial gap on her but unfortunately it wasn’t all plain sailing 

from there to the finish. 

Nicci took a tumble around one of the corners within the last 10km.  We quickly managed to get her chain and twisted handlebars back in the right position and were back on our bikes before Janine could catch us. Who says mountain biking is not a team sport :)

 After an eventful race, Nicci and I crossed the finish line together taking 1st and 2nd place on the day with Janine King rounding out the podium in 3^rd place.

Nissan Trailseeker Series, Down and Dirty

Arriving back in South Africa from the US only three days prior to the event, I didn’t know how my body would respond to the stress of racing after all the travelling and crossing of a couple of time zones. There was nothing else to do but give my best during the event and see how it goes.

The third leg of the Nissan Trailseeker Series was hosted at Cornwall Hill College in Irene, Pretoria on a warm and windy spring day (1st September).

The 70km route consisted of one big loop laid out on mainly flat dirt roads traversing private farmlands mixed with some grassy single track. Starting alongside the elite men meant a very high tempo from the beginning as riders were fighting for position heading into the first piece of single track - It felt as if I landed myself in a stampede of mountain bikers.

It was a relief going into the 2^nd quarter of the race as things started to settle down except for all the dust, the area haven’t received rain in a long time and eating dust is definitely not my favourite type of race food. I found myself alongside my team mate Nicci Grobler in 3^rd and 4^th position in the ladies field. With the route being very flat and fast it took on a similar fashion as a road race. We were riding along in a small group either taking turns up front or hanging on in the gutter (gutter – if the wind blows badly from one side and riders form a long line on the opposite side of the road thus providing no shelter from the wind . The strong wind was one of the big challenges on the day and with less than 10km to go one guy in the group I was riding in decided to sit up and this saw our lined out group split in two.

I got caught out behind and tried to ride back up to the group but the strong head wind proved to be too much. This left me riding by myself to the end to finish in 4^th place.

Final Results:

1^st           Cherise Taylor

2^nd          Theresa Ralph

3^rd           Nicci Grobler

4^th           Yolandi du Toit

5^th           Yolands Speedy

6^th           Amy Mcdougall

Fritz Pienaar together with his Advendurance team put on yet another well organized event. To find (and build) a 70km loop of dirt road and single track in a big city is really impressive!!

The Breck Epic

From the 12^th to the 17^th of August I participated in Colorado’s biggest MTB stage race, called The Breck Epic.

The 240mile course was laid out in a clover leaf format around Breckenridge, providing riders with the opportunity to settle in and make the beautiful little ski town their home for the full 6 days of racing.

Stage one: Pennsylvania Gulch, 63.3km

Stage 1 started at the bottom of “Boreas Pass”, meaning we had to climb from the word go. Starting alongside the men, it felt like everyone was giving 100 percent up the climb and I knew I couldn’t keep that pace for a full 63.3km. I decided to race a bit more conservatively and as we dashed into the first single track section I found myself lying in 5^th position. 

As the stage progressed I started catching the girls one by one, and by the time I reached the first waterpoint I moved into the lead. I couldn’t believe it, especially when I heard the race commentator at the waterpoint say that I was 30 seconds in front of the well known Amanda Carey. She is currently leading the NUE Series (100 mile events) in America and riding for the strong Kenda/Felt squad. I decided to switch tactics and put everything into a stage win. It paid off and I took line honours in the first stage of Breck Epic 2012 handing me the race lead as well. Amanda finished in 2^nd place and Karen Jarchow (Yeti Beti)in 3^rd.

Stage two: The Colorado Trail, 66km

Ominously, rain drops fell as we left the start line for the 2^nd day of racing. Normally in Colorado storms pass pretty quickly, but this time around the rain decided to stay for the entire day. This left us to race a wet, cold and muddy stage. A combination of fatigue (from the previous day’s hard effort) and the cold, wet weather as well as stopping twice with a flat tire left me battling home in 3^rd place on the stage.

Amanda won the stage, with local Karen Jarchow (Yeti Beti) in 2^nd place. Despite a long day out, I still managed to hold onto 2^nd place overall.

Stage three: The Guyot Loop, 70.8km

By now I had learned that all the stages start at the bottom of some hill, meaning you’ll be climbing for at least the first hour of racing, often reaching heights well over 3500m above sea level.

Amanda and I rode together for most of the stage with her following my every move to protect her overall lead. On 2 occasions she opened a small gap on me in the technical descents, but I managed to ride back up to her on the following ascents. The final kilometres led us into a single track which spat us out right at the finish line. Amanda used her local knowledge, beating me into the last section and taking the stage victory with me finishing in 2^ndplace right behind her.

Stage four: The Keystone Loop, 67.6km

By day 4 the battle started taking on a familiar routine, with Amanda trying to take advantage on the technical descents while I forced the pace on the climbs. The stage back tracked a lot of the Colorado Trail which we did on Monday in the rain. Amanda tried her best to get away from me on the long single track sections, but I always kept her in check.

As I reached the foot of the final climb, I spotted her 200m in front of me. I realized that if I could catch her and gain enough time during the final climb that I might have a chance for another stage win.  I caught and passed her on the steepest slopes, cresting the climb with just over a minute’s advantage. With less than 7km remaining to the finish I rode a mini time trial which was well worth the effort as it earned me another stage victory and a few minutes time gain.

Stage Five: The Wheeler Loop, 64.4km

Everybody was talking about the Wheeler Pass stage and the very unique panoramic view from the top. The only downside was that the last third of the climb turned onto a hiking trail, where one had to push or carry your bike for at least 30 min before reaching the summit.

The ‘hike-a-bike’ section took quite a bit out of me and I struggled with concentration as I started making my way down the rocky hiking trail on the backside of Wheeler Pass. The trail was also off camber making me drift to one side until I eventually drifted too far and crashed. Luckily I didn’t get hurt, but it didn’t do my confidence any good as I made way down to the foot of the pass.

Amanda put her bike handling skills and Breck 100 experience to good use, reaching the bottom a few minutes before me. From here the Peak’s Trail took us back to Breckenridge offering little opportunity to catch back up to Amanda who won the penultimate stage.

Stage Six: The Gold Dust Loop 59.5km

The Gold Dust Loop offered a final opportunity to go for a stage win. With two long climbs the course suited me well and I decided to go all in. The half way mark of the stage signalled the start of the longest ascent of the day up the back of Boreas Pass. I rode as hard as I could from the bottom and battled the head wind over the top to open a significant gap to Amanda. On the downhill that followed I tried not to touch my brakes too much and was very happy to win the concluding stage of the Breck Epic. Amanda followed shortly to take the overall win with me in 2^ndplace and Ciara Macmanus in 3^rd.

I really enjoyed the Breck Epic and what made it different from other stage races is the amount of single track and purpose built trails which we traversed during the six days of racing.  It is quite fascinating what is possible when a community comes together to build, maintain and enjoy mountain bike trails on such a scale. 

Pierre's Hole Mountain Bike Classic

I’ve never been to America before and when the opportunity arose to race my bike in the US, I couldn’t let it slip by.

My main goal while racing in America is The Breck Epic which is a 6 day ultra endurance mountain bike stage race. The event will take place from the 12^th – 17^th of August in the surrounds of Breckenridge, Colorado. The historic mining town will play host to the event for the 5^th time.

One of the team’s sponsors, Dewet Marais of Squirt chain lube, spends quite a lot of time in America to promote his product there. For the months of June and July he rented a house in the beautiful little ski town of Vail, Colorado and has been so kind as to accommodate me while I am here (17 July – 27 August). Squirt Chain lube is also a proud sponsor of The Breck Epic and other events such as the National Ultra Endurance Series in the US.

With Breckenridge located at an altitude of 2926m above sea level, it is quite important to get used to the high altitude before taking part in the event. Vail provides the perfect preparation location as the town sits at 2484m. The town is surrounded by mountains and pine forests making it the perfect training ground as well as being quite enchanting.

This past weekend I took part in the Pierre’s Hole 50 mile mountain bike event held in Alta, Wyoming.

Grand Targhee Ski Resort played host to the event and is situated at 2258m above sea level to the west of the famous Teton mountain range. The route consisted out of 2 x 25 mile loops and a total of 3090m of climbing.

We started on top of the mountain at The Grand Targhee ski resort. After a winding 8km fresh cut out single track section we descended for around 10km on a very rocky trail to the foot of the mountain. Once at the bottom we had to climb all the way back to the top again.

The endless downhill single track sounds great but with the surface being very rocky and bumpy, it was though on the body and bike, making it a relief to reach the bottom.

Racing at altitude is new to me so I had no expectations going into the race. I completed the 85km race in just over 5 hours and a very satisfied 2^nd place in the ladies category.

Knysna RE:CM 200

Three months earlier I travelled down to the beautiful holiday destination of Knysna for the Knysna RE:CM 300 mountain bike event. This time around I travelled down to take part in its sister event, the Knysna RE:CM 200.

The Knysna RE:CM 200 is a 3 day mountain bike stage race covering a total distance of 200km (hence the name).  I teamed up with Leana de Jager for the event. I enjoy riding alongside Leana as she is a very caring and thoughtful person on and off the bike. I truly believe this contributes to a better performance at the end of the day.

Every day we started at a different venue which led us back to the same finishing venue at Tapas Bar on Thesen Island Harbour Town in Knysna.  The routes mainly consisted out of jeep- and –single track laid out in and around Knysna’s indigenous forest. Even during the winter months the forest is lush green. With the area getting a lot of rain this time of year the forest tend to stay damp. This proved to be the biggest challenge during the tour as the muddy trails were very slippery at places.

Leana and I rode well together throughout the 3 consecutive days winning all three stages and the overall at the end. Our teammate Ischen Stopforth teamed up with youngster Ruan du Toit for the event. They proved to be a very good pairing winning the mixed category overall.

Apart from the routes being pretty amazing the organisation was also of the best. Louise Wilson is truly passionate about her event and as she herself is an avid cyclist, she really knows how to cater for a cyclist needs. Which for one is food and we were truly spoiled with great food provided by Tapas Bar on Thesen Island Harbour Town. 

First Ascent Big Induna Mountain bike Classic

The event was held at Induna Adventures situated between Sabie and Hazyview.

Not only does the Big Induna provide a unique and spectacular environment to ride in, but it also offers a warm welcome break from the chilly Highveld winter.

The Lowveld winter weather didn’t disappoint greeting us with a beautiful warm winter’s day as we left the start line for the 78km marathon event.

First we were taken onto the 40km half marathon route, through the finish line and then onto another 38km circuit.

The first 40km rolling section was extremely fast and mainly consisted out of jeep-and-single track through macadamia plantations.  The single track is not your usual fast flowing single track but more cross country orientated with sharp corners, tree roots, sandy patches, narrow bridges and drop-offs.

The single track isn’t scary, just tricky and if you’re technically sound or have ridden the course before hand (mental note) then it will definitely count as an advantage.

Most of the climbing was found on the second loop. It consisted out of long steady ascents broken by tricky descents with some single track thrown in to make sure you couldn’t find a rhythm. 

Theresa Ralph, who is busy with her final preparation before heading off to Europe for the Marathon World Championships at the end of June, had a storming ride claiming victory at the Big Induna. Samantha Saanders who just returned from her 2 month European Campaign where she was competing on the cross country circuit, showed her technical prowess and local knowledge to finish in 2^nd place while I rounded out the podium in 3^rd place.

A Big thank you goes to Jaco Lubbe and his Induna Adventure’s team for putting together a great event! I always enjoy and look forward to this race!

   

Nissan Trailseeker Series #1,  Tygervalley

The Nissan Trailseeker Series comprises of events which are held in and around Gauteng. The first of the 5 events took place this past weekend at Tygervalley College situated on the outskirts of Pretoria East.

The morning of the event was quite chilly but as soon as we left the start line the weather conditions was the last thing on my mind.  The first section of the race was on flat fast jeep track and with it being so dry this time of year the only thing I saw in front of me was a cloud of dust. For this reason I didn’t have a clue where my competitors were or where I was lying in the field. All that was left to do was not to think of my position but to concentrate on completing the course as fast as my ability allowed me to.

The high speed route took me completely out of my comfort zone as the lack of climbing made it hard to find a rhythm.  The route consisted of fast farm roads, snaking jeep trails and sandy single tracks forcing me to accelerate out of every corner to maintain momentum. To give you an indication of how fast the course was, I completed the 70km distance in a time of 2h 30min and the first elite man was home in a time of 2h10min.

I did the event last year and to see the improvements made to the route in just one year is rather impressive. The route included more hand-built single track, wooden bridge crossings and a floating bridge. The route markings were also clearly visible and there were several signs leading up to a turn or split to indicate what lies ahead.

I really enjoy the Nissan Series as it is a local series put together by a passionate group of people (Advendurance Team) who do a great job of organising mountain bike events.  

I won the series last year and therefore to be the first lady across the finish line was even more significant. Obviously I was very pleased with the win, but confirming that my series victory last year was no fluke made it even more special. I look forward to contesting the next rounds of the Nissan Trailseeker Series. 

Sani2C

Sani2C is the one event in South Africa that every mountain biker dreams of doing. The waiting list to get into the race grows  every year despite race organisers opening up extra entries by running 2 similar events called the Sani2C ‘Adventure’ and ‘Trail’ on the days preceding the man ‘Race’ event. Over the 5 day period 4200 riders would have left their tire marks on the Sani2C trails.

The event offers some of the best single track the country has on offer providing spectacular views as riders wind their way down mountain passes, through thick forests and alongside river streams. 

Last year I rode with my team mate Nicci Grobler, but for this year’s edition I switched from a ladies team to a mixed team as I partnered with Carel Bosman. Carel has joined the team on a few occasions forming part of a mixed team. He rode with Catherine Williamson at the ABSA Cape Epic in 2011 and with Leana de Jager at Joberg2C this year.

Underberg was the starting venue for the event and riders were set off from 7am to tackle the first 85km stage.

It was freezing cold as we left the start line with frost on the ground and a chilly mist in the air. Carel and I had a good start finding ourselves in the same group as our mixed team rivals. Unfortunately as we hit the first single track section only 15km into the event, Carel cut the sidewall of his tire. We managed to plug the hole and soon we were underway again.  Unfortunately the tire kept on losing air forcing us to stop 4 or 5 times during the stage to bomb it (forcing air into the tire with a CO2 canister).  Every time we stopped we lost time and rhythm and had to chase hard to limit the damage. At the end we crossed the finish line at Mackenzie club in 3^rd place. We were very happy about the result, especially considering what had happened during the stage.

The 2^nd stage took us from MacKenzie club down the breathtaking Umkomaas Valley, climbing out of the valley on the other side, through dense bush, over “push of a climb” and lastly through some fast flowing single track all the way to the finishing venue at Jolivet farm.

At 98km it was the longest stage and for this reason we were set off at 6:20am. The cold wasn’t the only early challenge with bike navigation at dawn proving quite daunting.

Before we even reached the infamous descent into the Umkomaas valley Carel‘s front derailleur jammed as he tried to shift in anticipation of a sharp rise. As Carel struggled with his gears the group we started in slowly disappear into the distance. He eventually managed to shift his chain from the big chainring to the small one but it required a lot of effort and patience. For this reason Carel didn’t have much of an option but to stay on his small chainring for as long as possible reducing shifting to a bare minimum. The stage included a lot of climbing, therefore staying in the small chainring wasn’t too big a problem.

Soon we made our way down the breathtaking Umkomaas Valley. No words can describe the picturesque landscape as you wind your way down to the river.

By now I had figured out that Carel and I shared similar traits in terms of our cycling. This meant we didn’t have to learn each other’s weaknesses or strengths and could simply just ride making racing together easier and much more enjoyable.

Halfway through the race I felt my shoe rubbing against the crank arm and didn’t give it much thought as I was focussed on the racing. It was only when I felt a sting in my knee that I knew something wasn’t right. I figured out the reason why my shoe was rubbing against the crank arm was because the cleat under my shoe came lose. Luckily the 2^nd last water station was only 4km away where Conrad (our team mechanic) was waiting to assist us. Conrad helped put my cleat back in the right position and tightened it for me before Carel and I were off again.

Stage two’s route was outstanding.  Even though we were racing, I could still appreciate the beautiful scenery and amazing single track.  Sadly Carel and I lost our podium place on the day and finished in 4^th place.

 The 3^rd and last stage took us from Jolivet Farm to finish 73km later at the sea in Scottburgh.

The fast, rolling course reminded me of a Belgium criterium race. The jeep and single track snaked through sugar cane plantations which left us sprinting out of every corner to stay in touch with the rider just ahead. Of course those willing to risk more brake less and have an easier time of it, but it comes at a price.

It went well for Carel and me on the last day as we didn’t encounter any mechanical difficulties and raced as hard as our bodies allowed us to in an attempt to regain our podium position. Unfortunately we didn’t make up the lost time and had to settle for 4^th place.

 Sani2C has so much to offer a mountain biker with its amazing trails, beautiful scenery, vibrant atmosphere and passionate race organisers.

So..... stop dreaming about Sani2C, come experience it for yourself (at least once)!!

MTN National Marathon,Clarens

The fourth round of the MTN National Marathon Series took place in the quaint little town of Clarens. The venue for the event made for an ideal family getaway weekend to the country side.

Under a clear sky and on a wonderfully unusual ‘warm’ winter’s day the Ultra Marathon (115km) Elite men were set off at 7:15am and the Marathon (75km) at 8:30am. The reason behind this is to have both distances finish around the same time.

The ladies field in the 75km event had their own start 10min ahead of the rest of the participants.

In MTN Series races ladies are always given a separate start to give them the opportunity to have their own race.

As we left the start line I was prepared for a warm up during the neutral zone as is the norm for a neutralized section. Theresa Ralph had other plans and took off as if we were in the final kilometres of the race.

This determination saw her, with Karien van Jaarsveld stuck on her wheel, moving away from the rest of the field within the first 5km.  I knew that it would be difficult, almost impossible to keep up that speed for the entire 75km. Therefore I decided to tap of a bit instead of trying to stay with them and blow up towards the end.  

Behind the leading duo I found myself alongside team mate Nicci Grobler and Su Don Wauchope.

The 3 of us worked together during the first section of the race which was mainly on rolling terrain.

On reaching the bottom of the first long climb I spotted Karien van Jaarsveld about halfway up the climb. I’ve learned that the ideal place to close or open gaps on riders is mostly on a climb and for this reason I decided to put in an effort to regain contact with Karien. I managed to ride up to her on my own, passing her as well on the steepest part of the climb. I was happy to crest the climb with a fair gap on the rest of the field as there was a technical downhill single track awaiting us.

This single track is no ordinary trail as it is actually a hiking path high up in the mountains laid out along the escarpment. The views from there must have been incredible but I didn’t dare look as a small mistake might end in me skydiving without a parachute – not a sport that I am particularly fond ofJ.

Route marking on these trails are very difficult as we ride over rocky surfaces. I must have missed one of the little white arrows painted on the rocks and carried on straight instead of turning right. By the time I got back onto the route, I found myself behind Karien again.

As we were still on the very technical downhill section I managed to pass Karien for the 2^nd time, despite a small crash which left its mark on my elbow.

On reaching the bottom of the trail around half way into the race, I couldn’t spot anyone in front or behind me.  With Theresa Ralph in the lead there was still a lot to race for and I continued fighting on.

With none of my competitors in sight it was difficult to gauge the speed I had to ride at to make up time or not to lose time. This meant I had to ride at my limit until the end. The rough terrain didn’t help my situation making me long for a full suspension from start to finish.  I managed to hold onto my position to the end, crossing the line in 2^nd place. Theresa Ralph’s ride gave her a well deserved victory with Karien van Jaarsveld rounding out the podium in third place.

Although the course was extremely rough and challenging, I have to say well done to the Advendurance team for putting together a well balanced course.

Final Results

1^st           Theresa Ralph (Biogen)

2^nd          Yolandi du Toit (bizhub-FCF)

3^rd           Karien van Jaarsveld (Team MTN/ Quebeka)

4^th           Nicci Grobler (bizhub-FCF)

5^th           Su Don Wauchope

Spar Forest2Falls

It’s been a while since I made the trip down to the Lowveld for a MTB race. I always look forward to riding in the beautiful forestry the area has on offer.

The Forest2Falls MTB race was held at the Mac Mac forest retreat camping site situated half-way   between Sabie and Graskrop. The name says it all.....

In the 75km marathon event we were set off at 8am to do the half marathon route of 35km first before continuing through the finish line onto another more challenging 40km route.

We were truly spoiled on the half marathon route with loads of jeep and single track over rolling terrain in pristine pine forests. One section even included riding past the Mac Mac waterfalls. Unfortunately I could only steal a glimpse before I had to put my head down and race again.

The last 40km circuit consisted mainly of two climbs and the descents which followed. I am sure I wasn’t the only one regretting going too fast during the first 35km and not saving more energy for the two major climbs towards the end.

I forgot how hilly the Lowveld is but was harshly reminded on the 2 climbs which was around 8-10km each. I managed to take the lead at the beginning of the race and held my position until the end to cross the line in first place.

I feel fortunate to be the winner of such a great event as the Forest2Falls!!