Sappi Karkloof Classic
The Karkloof Classic has
always been a highlight on the racing calendar as it is well organised and has
a brilliant course with some spectacular riding. The race takes place in the
beautiful Karkloof valley situated just outside of Howick.
Karkloof Classic is not
just a one day event but presents a whole weekend of racing. The event opens up
with a night race on the Friday, followed by an Enduro (downhill) event the
Saturday and finishes with the blue ribbon 60km marathon event on the Sunday.
In the past, I’ve ridden
Karkloof twice and on both occasions I thoroughly enjoyed the event. This time
around I experienced a somewhat different Karkloof Classic. It started raining
2 days prior to the event and the deluge totalled up to 192mm of rain in the
area comes Sunday. To say the course was muddy would be an understatement.
By some miracle we woke
to clear skies on the morning of the event. I couldn’t believe our luck as I
was prepared (as much as one can be) for a wet and cold day on the bike. Soon
after we left the start line I wasn’t so sure about our ‘luck’ anymore. The few
hours that the weather cleared was just enough to turn the mud from sloppy to
tacky. As a result the mud stuck to everything and became the day’s main
challenge.
The ladies started in the
C batch and after a few kilometres I found myself alone at the head of affairs.
At one stage I thought I had gone the wrong way as riders were coming towards
me from the opposite direction. If only I knew then what was lying in wait, then
I would have probably turned around with them.
On the first climb
around 15km into the race my equipment couldn’t cope with the harsh conditions
anymore. I was forced to stop with chain suck and clogged up tyres and gears.
This would be my story for the day as I repeatedly stopped to clear mud from my
drive train, just so I could keep moving. In the last 3rd of the
race I was forced to ride in my big chainring as the chainsuck was just too
much. I didn’t give up fighting as I moved up and down the field like a yo-yo with
all my mechanical stops, but eventually all I could do was try to get to the
finish line without breaking my chain.
I was very relieved when
I finally crossed the finish line and still managed to hold onto 3rd
place.
I am sure every rider
has his/her own war story to tell as the weather conditions made for quite a
battle on the day. Like they say, any experience is a valuable experience as
long as you learn something from it. I learned that you have to keep mud tyres
close by and that your drivetrain is in good working condition otherwise it might
be a long day in the saddle (or on foot) in muddy conditions.
I feel sorry for the
organisers as the weather sadly can make or break your event. Judging by all
the marshals out on route, the professional race venue at Karkloof Polo Club
and the good course they deserved to have a successful day. I guess I’ll have
to go back next year to experience Karkloof as it should be.
Final Results:
1st Jeannie Bomford
2nd Ashleigh Parker Moffatt
3rd Yolandi du Toit
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